Minkyaka Design Winter 2012

If you missed the Melbourne launch of the Minyaka Design Winter 2012 collection for little people, then here's your chance to see this lovely, quality clothing up-close at the Mathilda's Market in Sydney this Saturday, 19th May 2012. You'll find winter warmers in organic cotton, classic styles as well as modern organic shapes, and quality gifts for newborns, designed right here in Sydney.

The Winter 2012 collection has me reaching for a steamy mug of hot chocolate with it's milky cream, chestnut brown, rich burgundy and flannel grey colour palette. Delicious pieces, made with care and with the finest eco-friendly materials available.

Head over to the Mathilda's Market early this Saturday 19th May 2012 (Byron Kennedy Hall at the Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park, NSW from 9am to 1pm) to snap up some for yourself. You can also find Minyaka Design's Winter collection in their online store as well as the Little Village Boutique and Blue Caravan online.

Read more about Bondville sponsors Minyaka Design and the Winter 2012 collection here on Bondville.

Images: Minyaka Design

Short and Sweet cookies, cakes and cupcakes

One of my favourite finds at the last Mathilda's Market in Sydney was the stall brimming with amazing decorated shortbread cookies from short and sweet designs. There were lots of fabulous designs for birthday parties, baby showers, christening and naming parties, and any event for the sweet of tooth.

Anyone that has made their own birthday cake and goodies will recognise how talented Emily is at designing and hand-making the cookies, cakes and cupcakes herself. The patience! Can you imagine? Lucky for us, Emily is here to make our birthday party preparations a lot easier.

You can find short and sweet designs at upcoming markets (check the website for details) and you can contact Emily directly for customised orders.

Images: short and sweet designs

Drool-worthy Design: Paperklip Design

Another gorgeous talent I discovered at the last Mathilda's Markets in Sydney was Melinda Andersen from Paperklip Design. Melinda designs and creates hand-cut paper garlands and bunting that are irresistible to a paper-lover like me.

Based in Sydney, Melinda has a background is in architectural drafting, furniture sales and craft. Her eye for beautiful paper, her cutting technique and her unlimited imagination, have resulted in the loveliest of decorations for the rest of us.

The possibilities for garlands are endless. Of course they are perfect for parties, birthday and weddings. Sweet vintage French butterflies would be gorgeous in a nursery. Vertical card garlands would be great for a toy room or classroom. And how about a customised garland for a newborn? Or a sweet string of paper for your retail store, market stall, study - anywhere to inspire creativity and add pizazz.

You can find Paperklip Design on Etsy, at various markets (keep an eye on the website) and at stockists across Australia and online. Melinda also has a lovely vintage store over on Etsy - Tivoli Vintage. Check it out!

Images: Paperklip Design

Stylish Kids: Peregian Beachwear

We live in an environment where being sun-smart is not optional; it's essential. That great big hole in the ozone layer means that skin cancer rates are super-high in Australia and we all know that prevention is most important at a young age when it's easiest to burn and the sun's rays do most of their damage.

Peregian Beachwear provides a great solution to keep our little ones both sun safe and stylish with a lovely collection of kaftans, beach tunics, dresses and loose-fitting pants as well as high UV protection shirts for extra insurance against the sun.

Based in Sydney, Josie Gilbert has created sun-wise beachwear that is also great for the park, backyard and any outdoor activity. Most pieces in the range are made from luxurious pure cotton, linen and silk-cotton blends to fit sizes 00-5, for both boys and girls.

I got a chance to check out Josie's range at the Mathilda's Markets and was so impressed with the quality of her products (that are incidentally also made in Australia). My favourite pieces were the linen tunics with contrasting voile pockets for hiding beach treasures. Thanks Josie for helping us be sun-safe and stylish!

You can find Peregian Beachwear in the online store, at Sydney's Paddington Markets. Keep an eye on the news section of the website for more stockist and market details.

For more great Australian-designed clothes for kids, check out Bondville Kids.

Images: Peregian Beachwear

Stylish Kids: Castlebox

I always find such gorgeous children's clothing designers at the Mathilda's Markets and last week in Sydney was no exception. One of my favourite new finds was the sweet collection from up-and-coming designer Faith of Castlebox.

Based in Melbourne, Faith designs absolutely beautiful French-inspired pieces for boys and girls. I feel a real movement towards more conservative, vintage-feel designs for kids at the moment, and Castlebox is right on trend with lovely liberty prints and smart clothes for little ones.

The range for children 3-10 years is designed and handmade in Australia and includes knitwear, dresses, pants, shirts, tops and skirts. Two of the pieces that really caught my eye were the v-necked Castlebox Classic jumpers for boys with contrasting lined "pockets". Clever and unique. And the lovely little-house-on-the-prairie Matilda dresses for girls. And of course I loved all the accessories that Faith makes. Think headbands with tulle, mirror fairy brooches and other handmade goodies. Paired with a pair of Walnut Melbourne shoes, you've got a lovely little outfit.

You can find Castlebox children's clothes in the online store and at various markets (check the website for details).

Stop by Bondville Kids for more Australian-designed children's clothes.

Images: Castlebox

Hip Products: Ruby Rosebud Designs softies

My lovely friend Kim was over for morning tea yesterday and came armed with a surprise for our little ones. A gorgeous Kim Wallace ceramic bird for our eldest and a lovely hand towel and this special owl by Ruby Rosebud Designs for our newborn. Thanks Kim!

Brisbane-based Ruby Rosebud Designs also makes a selection of lovely items for little ones including owl softies, soft cotton baby shoes, wall art, gorgeous dolls and owl doorstops.

You can find Ruby Rosebud Designs in the online store and at upcoming markets. Check the Ruby Rosebud Design blog for new designs and market details.

You'll also find Ruby Rosebud Designs at the Mathilda's Market this weekend in Brisbane. Here are all the details:
And shop online for kids products from great stores in the Australian Online Kids and Baby Store Directory.

Image: Steph Bond

Events: Brisbane Mathilda's Market and Finders Keepers

I had a great time at both the Brisbane Mathilda's Market and The Finders Keepers market, trawling for new designers, catching up with friends and checking out the gorgeous new wares on show. If only my SLR hadn't died and gone to camera-heaven this week. I'm sure you can use your imagination...
I started the day at Mathilda's Market at City Hall which was packed with familes, children, prams, babies in carriers and protruding tummies. Some special highlights:
* Seeing the incredible Momie et Enfant pieces for girls up-close. Divine! See the Bondville profile on Momie et Enfant here.
* Scoring a half price pettiskirt (don't tell Sophie, it's for Christmas)
* Drooling over new prints from Tsk Tsk.
* Admiring the gorgeous handcrafted threads and publishing designs from Kidiki from Kallangur, QLD.
* Loving the handmade soft toys from Honey Bunch Designs.
* Being bowled over by the exquisite quality of Suzy Allen's clothes and accessories for girls.

Then it was off to the first Brisbane The Finders Keepers market at the Old Museum - a fantastic venue full of character off-set by lovely gardens and live music/food. The crowd was cooler than cool, and the market buzzed with activity. I have to admit that I spent most of my time chatting to friends, behind their stalls, and it was great to hear that many had sold out of items. GREAT photos of the event on Mark Lobo's Facebook Album here. Some things that caught my eye:
* The incredible ceramic jewellery by my friend Kim Wallace. I knew that there was a line in the works, but was really excited to see Kim's vision realised in beautiful flat lace-impression pendants strung on string and chain. See the Bondville profile on Kim Wallace here.
* Mishy Lane's cool photographic calendars sold out completely by Sunday morning - hot property! See the Bondville profile on Mishy Lane here.
* Very sweet hand-embroidered tissue covers from Edward & Lily with the same cartoon animal styling that I covet in my Edward & Lily brooch.
* Lovely ceramic button magnets from Little Jane St to coordinate with the stationery line. See the Bondville profile on Little Jane St here.
* Frankie magazine Afternoon Tea books are back in stock (hooray!) so I stocked up for Christmas at the Frankie stand.
* My friends Danielle and Ellie are close to securing an outlet for their fabric/craft supply business Selvedge House in Brisbane, stocking many of my favourite Australian-designed textiles. Yay! More details coming soon.

I have a couple of other special things to show you from the markets this week. Stay tuned.

Events: Mathilda's Market Brisbane

Reminder - don't forget to make your way to Brisbane City Hall this Sunday 19th July, 2009 for the Mathilda's Market to check out local entrepreneurs creating beautiful products for kids and babies.

Date: Sunday, 19th July 2009
Address: King George Square, Brisbane City.
Time:From 9am to 1pm
Parking: available under the City hall (fees apply).

All the details here in this post about the markets, or on the Mathilda's Market website.

Image: Mathilda's Market

Welcome New Sponsor Mathilda's Market

Last week I wrote about the great markets coming up in Brisbane this month, and would like to extend a huge welcome to Mathilda's Market as a new Bondville advertiser. These luxury markets for kids and baby goodies will be running in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne during July so you can stock up on baby gifts or just something special for your little one.

I attended the Brisbane Mathilda's Market last year which is where I first discovered some amazing designers including Tees 2 Knees, Nanny Pickle, Salt Sea Tees, Wild Things of Noosa, Tikiboo Kids, Flying Star Toys and Ruffian Industries. The markets seem to keep getting better with more cool indie stallholders each time. Here are all the details for this month's upcoming markets. Entry is free!

Sydney: 5 July 2009 - St Ignatius College Riverview, Lane Cove. From 9am to 1pm; plenty of free parking on the College grounds.

Brisbane: 19 July 2009 - Brisbane City Hall, B/w Adelaide & Ann St, King George Square, Brisbane City. From 9am to 1pm; parking available under the City hall (fees apply).

Perth: 19 July 2009 - Oasis Leisure Centre, Progress Way, Belmont. From 9am to 1pm; parking available around the Leisure Centre.

You can find out more information about the Mathilda's Markets in your state on the Mathilda's Market website, where you can also sign up for the e-newsletter, and get a sneak-peak of upcoming stall-holders.

Images: Mathilda's Market

Events: Mathilda's Market

If you love unique, stylish children's clothes and love to support handmade and independent designers, then Mathilda's Market is for you. My friend Dan gave me the heads up on the markets, which are held throughout Australia in November (just in time for holiday shopping). The markets are a showcase of artists, designers and small retailers and their baby and kids clothing, accessories and decor.

Mathilda's Market will be held in Brisbane on 9th November, and Melbourne, Sydney and Perth on 16th November 2008. All details are on the Website. The organisers are the same folks that put together the successful Baby & Kids Market for secondhand goods.

Image: Mathilda's Market