Introducing another newcomer to Piccadilly Market on Sunday 4th August

Tell us a little about yourself? Monday Monday specialize in handmade jewellery. We are a creative duo based in Geelong; I work as a full time Visual Merchandiser and Jake is a Graphic Designer, so working on a creative project together seemed only natural to us. We make all our pieces by hand in our home studio. We love that by handcrafting each bead, no two necklaces will ever be identical, each one is unique. Our range is sold online at Monday Monday and Piccadilly Market will be our first ever market stall. We are so excited that it is in our home town. We can't wait to see some familiar faces swing by on the day, and hopefully some new ones too!

 How did you come up with your business name? We were testing new ideas one night around the dining room table - mucking around with clay, sketching, brainstorming - and as always, Jake had his music blaring! We were trying to think of a name that was simple and easy to remember, but also had some relevance to travel. Then this song came on and we both just thought 'Monday; that's a cool name'. So Monday Monday was born! And if you're wondering about the relevance to travel... people start planning a holiday on a Monday more than any other day of the week. I think that might have something to do with Monday-itis :)






Tell us how your product/range/business came about? We both worked long hours when we lived in Melbourne and often didn't get to work on any fun projects together. When we moved back to Geelong and had a little more time on our hands I started playing around with Polymer Clay. Family and Friends were always commenting on my jewellery so we thought maybe we could start selling and put the money towards our wedding at the end of the year. I was really excited that Jake actually enjoyed helping out with everything from making the beads to designing the packaging. He's been amazing! Now, what started out as a hobby has become more successful than we could have imagined through our own websiteMonday Monday and the online gift store hardtofind.com.

 How long have you been in business for? We started making our jewellery in December 2012. Our website launched at the start of March and we have been growing strong ever since

 What inspires you? Our pieces are inspired by travel; Places we've visited and others that are on our wish list. Jake is a great photographer and has captured some amazing moments from our travels. We use these photos as inspiration where we can. Of course we all have our pinterest wish boards, and ours is all about travel destinations. This helps us inject some new colours and variety into our necklaces.



 Have you always been ‘creative’ or has it bloomed later in life? Jake has definitely always been creative. He knew very early on that he wanted to be a Designer. I, on the other hand, didn't realise I was creative until maybe 6 years ago. I was always good with numbers in school and actually wanted to study to be an Accountant. But working in retail led me to Visual Merchandising and I realised that I had a bit of a knack for making and creating.

 When you are not busy creating what do you love doing? We are super busy this year planning our wedding. It's only four months away and we feel like there is still so much to do, but we're definitely enjoying it. When we do get some down time we love just hanging out with good friends and family.

 What is something cool that most people wouldn’t know about you? When there's a lot going on in your life, sometimes things can get a little too serious. So we have a rule in our house that if one person is dancing, everyone has to dance! It's a great way to lighten the mood and remind yourself that life is meant to be fun! (what a fantastic rule)

 If money was no object what would be your dream destination? We've always wanted to take a few months to travel through France and Spain.

 What are you reading right now? I've just finished reading the Hunger Games: Catching Fire. But now its all 'wedding' business and I'm reading Hello May Magazine.( awesome magazine..makes me want to get married again)

 What is your favorite website(s) ? One of my favorite websites is Fancy.com. It is super cool and has so many unique items - from gadgets, to clothing to homewares. Lots of fun!

Kate and Jake will be giving away one of their fab necklaces in our giveaway on the 4th August.

I want to introduce you to a brand new stallholder for the July 25th Market. Her name is Darcie and she is coming up with some fabulous creations for her label called Superficial Sadie.  We also have this gorgeous necklace as a giveaway to one lucky reader.




Tell us a little about yourself?

Well, I’m a Geelong girl who just loves accessories! Jewellery, bags, scarves – you name it I love it. And I am colour obsessed, you will never find me all in black. 


How did you come up with your business name?
I wanted something that would represent the jewellery. Let’s face it, we all love accessories and they’re even more fun when you don’t really need them! (Although many would argue that there is a fine line between ‘need’ and ‘want’!) The superficial thing is a bit tongue in cheek, but it’s a fun range and very colourful so I wanted something that would be fun & memorable.

Tell us how your product/range came about?
I’d been thinking about it for months, but in about December last year I was looking for a particular necklace – I wanted chunky, colourful and really bold, I had such a clear picture in my mind. I didn’t want mass produced, I wanted a one of a kind. There are so many wonderful jewellery designers out there, but I just couldn’t find exactly what I was looking for. I decided to have a go making it myself, and it all took off from there. Compliments from friends and lots of orders gave me the confidence I needed to start my little label! My family and friends have been a wonderful support.

How long have you been in business for? I only registered the business in February this year, but have been making jewellery on and off for myself for years. I have always dreamed of having my own little business, so it’s a bit of a dream come true really. VERY early days though! Facebook and Etsy only started in Feb/March too, so it’s all fairly new for me. I have managed to sell lots of pieces though through word of mouth referrals which has been really positive. My boss has been my best customer so far!

What inspires you? Everything! Colour is always an inspiration, in nature, in fashion – what my friends are wearing.. I have a lot of designs in my head that I want to make, and to be honest I’m not sure where the inspiration comes from. I do like following the trend forecasts, but certainly am not ruled by them. I like different things that stand out.

Have you always been ‘crafty’ or has it bloomed later in life? Yep, I’ve always been crafty – My lovely mum used to get around in some shocking home-made earrings in the 90s – she was a good sport. That’s unconditional love! My creative side probably hid for a while in my 20’s while I was at Uni and working a few jobs, but it was always going to come back. When I say working though, I mean in a jewellers, a handbag and accessory boutique and an op shop - I had lots of lovely things to look at and kept my accessory collection growing!

When you are not busy creating what do you love doing? I am a total foodie and LOVE cooking. Unfortunately that means eating too, so I wish I could add “going to the gym” to this list…. but that would be a lie! I am a magazine addict for sure. I am a home body so I love pottering at home and planning for our upcoming renovation. Of course – seeing friends and shopping are high on my list too. I just need more room for all my stuff…

What is something cool that most people wouldn’t know about you?
 Um, that’s a hard one! I am scared of flying. Not so cool. I didn’t learn to drive until I was 25 and out of home. Not cool either really. I got married in November! That’s cool!

If money was no object what would be your dream destination? I could get over my fear of flying if I could go to NYC first class! But I would also set myself up in the Henry Jones Art Hotel in Hobart and be quite happy! We were there for our honeymoon, and that place is seriously amazing.

What are you reading right now? I have a stack of about 5 books all half-finished that will probably never be read. I do always go back to the Bronze Horseman trilogy though. Sigh...
Sigh indeed!! one of my fave books also.

What is your favorite website(s) ? Oh wow – I am obsessed with so many, it’s hard to say! I get my daily dose of etsy and I love shopping on Freez, ASOS and Forever 21 for cheap colourful basics.. I love Pinterest, any home design blogs and I still check out Oncewed even though my wedding has been and gone – such beautiful pics and creative ideas. Denimblog is a fave too, and there are lots more, too many to mention here!

To go into the draw to win a Superficial Sadie's necklace, leave a comment below telling us what your dream destination would be if money were no object. Winner will be drawn at random on Friday 1st June at 7pm and announced here shortly after.

If you comment as anonymous, be sure to leave your name in the comments area.

Good Luck

I have another little giveaway for one lucky reader this week. Nicole from Little Wrap Bag who I blogged about in April has recently returned from a fabulous trip to Mexico (so jealous) and has launched a collection of gorgeous silver jewelery called Little Mexico.

Little Mexico is proudly offering an exclusive and uniquely designed range of jewellery directly from renowned artisan, Maria Belen Nilson. Each piece is individually hand-crafted in pure sterling silver and bears her hallmark.

The collection comprises refined bracelets, earrings, pendants and brooches. Their exquisite detail is inspired by pre-columbian design found in the lost civilisations of the Mayan, Olmecs and Aztecs, through to Taxco’s renaissance silversmiths of the 20th century, William Spratling and Hector Aguilar.

Nicole is offering a $50 voucher to be spent on her stall at Piccadilly Market on 31st July. All you need to do is pop over to Little Mexico by Friday 1st July 8pm and tell us your favorite piece. Mine are the little dangly flor baroque earrings.

Good Luck!!!

there must be something in the water on this side of town as Natalie from
a skulk of foxes is yet another Prep Mum and friend. That makes 3 crafty mums from Prep 2010.

I am sooooo excited Natalie is coming. I adore her pieces and have a few of my own.

Established in 2006, A Skulk of Foxes creative directors, Natalie and Andrew Cirillo are inspired by an eclectic mix of folk art, fables and forest animals. They draw on combined experience of over 20 years in the fashion and 3D animation industries to take an innovative if not unorthodox approach to the design and manufacture of their jewellery. All pieces are hand made in their studio in Geelong using sterling silver, acrylic and timber.
They look forward to releasing their brand new range for 2010/2011 at Piccadilly Market.

A&A Collections was founded in 2005 by Annika Macvean and Anna Bryce. They have been working together for 5 years to bring classic and fashionable silver jewellery to Melbourne. All handcafted on the kitchen table they have managed to combine turkish tassels, hearts, gemstones and classic silver beads to build a collection of pieces that anyone would love.

They have brought out a range of luxurious rabbit fur products that I am loving a lot and looking forward to seeing on Sunday. Very stylish.

Time is running out with only 8 days till Market Day so here are a few of my fabulous new stallholders.

Auntie Francie

“Auntie Francie” loves vintage materials -they add a character and charm to the range that new materials cannot match. Sourcing the linens, buttons and scarves is a constant treasure hunt and discovering a quirky linen or buttons and then giving them a new life as a unique cushion or a whimsical piece of jewellery is a great thrill! The use of crochet, sewing and knitting harks back to the days when we were taught these skills by our relatives such as mum, auntie or grandma – they add value to the product- it is handmade- not a throw away item rather something to keep and enjoy.





Benuu Enterprises

Benuu produce socially and environmentally responsible products and return a percentage of sales to their chosen charities. The inaugural range has two products: beautiful bamboo inspirational plaques and a series of inspirational greeting cards. They have designs in the pipeline for a journal, tote bag, inspirational tokens and pendant.

The designs embody and reflect the Benuu Spirit which is based on the legend of the Phoenix and shares the courage, strength, resilience, hope, wisdom and passion that we need to reach our potential in this modern world.




Run Around the Garden

Sally has two jewellery lines. One is made with silver, wood and resin and the other is paper, wood and resin. She creates each piece by hand. The silver and wood are cut individually by hand and the paper images are sourced from different areas. Some are designed by a member of her family, some are from decoupage paper and some are from different cool images

The pics below are from the paper, wood and resin range.



I am looking forward to seeing all that these wonderful artists will have on the day.

Mohini jewellery is designed in Australia and crafted from all natural elements; Kylie's jewellery is predominately handmade using techniques sourced from far away corners of the earth. Incorporating precious gems, stones, sterling silver, gold, and exquisite materials from around the world.

Inspired by the myth of fairytales. Mohini aims to encapsulate the beauty the earth has to offer. Each piece is designed to reflect this in an organic simplicity, an ode to nature.



The earth is an enchanted being. Spinning a melody, that whispers many fantastical secrets. Truth floats in ancient seas of silver immersed in deepest aquamarine. Gems of knowledge glint with hidden answers and untold dreams. Pearls of wisdom illuminate eyes wide open and hearts beat heavy with magic and desire. Beauty and abundance shimmer in golden light and rapture the quiet. Lost for words. Taken by nature in surrender to love. Mohini - Jewellery from earth.

Anastasia’s Jewellery Collection is full of fresh and simple designs….

Every sterling silver piece is uniquely eye-catching while showcasing the latest style… each design is individual enough to allow you to express yourself ….revealing a soft and sophisticated feminine appeal….

This stunning high polished 925 sterling silver range is full of everyday fashionable yet funky pieces highlighted with Crystals, Semi-Precious Gemstones and a range of Chic Charms….to give you your unique Look.

Our wide range of Necklaces, Bracelets, Earrings and Rings are themed with LOVE and GOOD KARMA…

With the latest in Beads, Balls, Hearts & Tassels to help you flaunt just who you are….Anastasia’s Jewellery Collection catering to the individual found in all of us….

I know where alot of my money will be going on the day.