The Crafty Squirrel goes to Life in Style

Brand new Crafty Squirrel products on show

I’ve been a little quiet on the Crafty Squirrel blog of late and that’s because I’ve been up in Sydney in trade show mode with my label Morgan Wills and for the first time I also showcased a number of my brand new Crafty Squirrel products.

The response from retailers was fantastic and the thought of my little range going out into the big wide world was very exciting. I just love that other stockists and in turn their customers around Australia will be able to join in on the fun with a mix of vintage and new crafty goodness.

The Crafty Squirrel range currently includes – cute Sewing kits in a jar, button cards, heart & flower sewing pins, fairy dust and string with lot’s more products to come – including a number of great kit type products so you can make your own projects.

I’ll keep you posted as new products are launched but in the meantime of course all current products are available in the Crafty Squirrel shop and at select design markets I attend throughout the year. 

Morgan Wills tree with new Crafty Squirrel felt acorns

One of a kind Mumma & Baby Bushka Dolls

Vintage mini hills hoist was a huge talking point!

Decorative balls of wool made from the seams of felted woollen jumpers 

Japanese Chocolates

Ever since I was a little girl and we had a Japanese exchange student to stay - I have LOVED Japanese candy & chocolates. Of course when I went to Japan I couldn't help but stock up...it is all just way too cute!

I have been hunting around for a while trying to source some for the Crafty Squirrel and finally while the shop was closed in January and I was on my treasure hunting mission - I sourced some. Yippee!!

One of my favourites is Peko Chan who is everywhere in Japan...the only problem is now it's in the shop I have to try not to eat it all!!

Holiday Treasure Hunting

Cute Squirrel ceramics

Vintage buttons and assorted sewing bits & bobs from my Parents in law

It may have seemed a little quiet on the Crafty Squirrel front as I took the month of January off for a little holiday with my family. The month has gone quickly and I am now gearing up to re-open the shop this Friday – 3 Feb.

I have missed being in the shop over the last month – having lots of lovely chats with everybody that pops in. However – I have not been idle! I have been treasure hunting!

 From Warrnambool to Bendigo, Warragul to Castlemaine, Daylesford, Ballarat, and all around Melbourne. I have spent a great deal of my summer holidays on the hunt for treasure. What amazing gems I have found!

From linen souvenir tea towels, vintage table cloths & doilies, boxes of vintage buttons, beautiful vintage sequins still in their packets, boxes of 1950’s confetti, knitting needles, a beautiful old box filled with unfinished embroideries, threads and ric rac, cigar boxes, beautiful postcards from the turn of the century, pop up needle books, old wooden rulers, ceramic squirrels, gorgeous cake plates and of course lots of vintage aprons.

To be honest – I could go on and on. I don’t think I have ever found so many goodies! AND! I have also been collecting and making lots of new things for the shop. Seeing Valentine’s Day is fast approaching I have spent quite a bit of time making a new window display to celebrate and some sweet little recycled jumper felt heart brooches.

Gorgeous old postcards

I am looking forward to sharing more with you on Friday – but for now I must confess, as this is just a snapshot of what I actually found in my travels – I have quite a bit of sorting out, re-arranging and setting up to do!

 Hope to see you soon!

Vintage Sequins still in theirs packets

Linen Souvenir tea towels

Confetti, Embroidery bits, needles and wooden rulers

Beautiful pop up needle book

A small selection from over 120 vintage button cards 

Cool cigar boxes for displaying product

Custom Squirrel Cuckoo Clock

Custom Squirrel Cuckoo Clock by Betty Jo

A little while ago now I had a visit at The Crafty Squirrel from my very talented crafty pal Liz aka Betty Jo.

Liz had come up to Ballarat to collect the offcuts from my gorgeous red marmoleum floor and I had an idea that perhaps Liz could weave her lino magic and turn a piece of my floor off cut into a squirrel themed cuckoo clock for the shop.

Little did I know that whilst Liz was in the shop she bought some vintage buttons and wooden strawberry beads which she also planned to incorporate into my custom clock.

Whilst I was down in Melbourne recently doing some markets - I had the opportunity to stop in at Markit at Federation Square - where Liz presented me with the clock. It was LOVE at first site!

Absolutely and categorically the finest and most beautiful squirrel clock I have ever seen! Isn't it just fantastic! I particularly love the acorns, the hand dyed doily and the tiny green buttons too.

I couldn't wait to get back to the shop to hang it and as Liz had noticed whilst she was here - I even already had a nail in the bricks ready to hang it on - it was mean't to be.

When it comes to upcycling lino - Liz is the queen and so amazingly creative - make sure you check out Liz's shop Gleaners and her other blogs and FB here & here.

Button Bangles

Button Bangles

Rainbow Buttons used for making the bangles

Recently I got a lovely parcel in the post from the very talented Kellie Christie. She took my collection of buttons and turned them into some gorgeous bangles for The Crafty Squirrel shop.

How beautiful are the rainbow ones! And such a lovely way to wear buttons don't you think!

Red buttons for the red bangle!

And would you believe green buttons used in the green bangle!

Kewpie Dolls on a stick

One of the aspects I had not considered prior to opening the Crafty Squirrel – was how nostalgic the shop would be for many visitors. 

Some of my customers have been well into their 80’s and of course many of all ages as well, have entertained me with stories from their younger years prompted by the memories - my vintage haberdashery, fabrics and assorted bits and bobs bring up.

There has also been lots and lots of talk about Kewpie dolls on a stick and how everyone got them as little girls at the Show and how they loved them so much. Clearly after so much discussion about these dolls – I had to do something!

SO! In celebration of our very own Ballarat Show  – which will be held from Friday 11 November to Sunday 13 November…I thought it only fitting to get some good old fashioned Kewpies on a stick to celebrate!

Each Kewpie is decorated in a different colour with her own feather, sequins and glittery sparkles to match her gorgeous tulle skirt and is attached to a hook stick that you can hang up anywhere you like.

You’ve got to love a bit of good old fashioned fun!

Please note: Friday 11 November has been declared a public holiday here in Ballarat in celebration of the Ballarat Show – so on this day the Crafty Squirrel will be closed and will re-open on Saturday 12 November as per normal trading hours.

Vintage fabric

I had a lovely little visit from my vintage fabric pal Jen (A+/- piece of cloth) yesterday - who brought up a gorgeous selection of fabrics from the 40's to the 70's to sell in The Crafty Squirrel.

What a treat and a visual feast for the eyes! I am so excited to say that I can now cut vintage fabric by the metre (well actually 1/2 metre minimum cut) and with new fabrics being added regularly - you are bound to find something stash worthy or indeed beautiful enough to make your sewing stand out from the crowd.

There really is something so special about vintage fabrics - for me it is definitely a colour thing!