Finding Balance

Balance. 

Isn't that a word we all struggle with at some point in our lives? In whatever area of life it might be in, I think it is for most of us. Finding the perfect work/life balance is getting increasingly hard, and that's even without having to deal with major problems! So I know I'm not at all alone in finding it hard to get the balance right...

As I mentioned in my last post, I recently decided to take a step back from my creative work for family reasons - and I've found that to be immensely beneficial. It's helped me to care for my family's needs without additional stress, while giving me time to reflect. Time I really did need!

Perhaps it was just withdrawal symptoms, but it was during this time that I realised how much I missed my 'creative outlet', my work. At the same time a big opportunity came my way. What to do?!

At first I felt guilty to even consider it. I had made my decision to take a break, and this would just complicate things again. But the more I thought about it and discussed it with my family, I realised that this was where finding the right balance and being reasonable was important. This opportunity was a once off, not a long term commitment. I basically had everything already ready to go, so I wasn't going to have to spend a lot of time preparing for it. And it might actually help, rather then hinder. Yes, I had been feeling down and finding it hard going. Could this be just what I needed to get back into the swing of things again?? Maybe...

The more I carefully considered it and discussed it with my family, I realised that, Yes! it just might be. And you know what??s Strangely enough it already has helped! Although I haven't really done anything for the event (which, mind you, is in a little more then a weeks time!) besides write this blog post, I already feel more energised and focused.

So the decision is made. We're off to Ripponlea's Teddy Bears Picnic again on the 24th of February!! And as it's likely to be a while before we do another market or event, we so hope you can join us there. If you'd like to come and say hello, please head over to their website for further details on the event and how get there.

See you there!! 

♥

P.S. Here's a helpful map to find us... We'll be at stall number 13 & 14. Oh, and don't forget your teddies!!

Making Sure of the More Important Things...

'God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
The courage to change the things I can,
And wisdom to know the difference.'

♥

I remember reading those words almost daily as a child as they hung on my parents kitchen wall. Never would I imagine how many times I would be reminded of them as I faced challenges growing up. And as a adult...

Once again, those same sentiments come to mind as another year begins. Why? Simply because they remind me that when life gets tough, that's when I especially need to realise what I can and can't deal with on my own, and that often a Higher source of wisdom is key in understanding this. And yes, my life has been tough lately...

Sadly, two cherished members of my family are facing serious life-threatening illnesses. One has terminal cancer. The other a rare brain disorder called Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP). And both are progressively getting worse.

Although I've had some time to get my head around what that really means, it still hasn't been easy to accept these diagnoses... 

To say it's hard to see those you dearly love gradually get older and sicker really is an understatement  The feeling of helplessness, at times, is almost mutual. The question of Why them? almost unanswerable. That's when a veil of sadness begins to overshadow you. It's the realisation of loss, the realisation that one day you will need to say the words most hardest to say and continue your life without them.

This realisation is not new for me. Both have battled bravely for several years now. But something about the last few months have left me feeling sick in the stomach, and made it clear that the end could come sooner then expected - far sooner than I'm ready for. Hence my decision to write this post.

The past few months have helped me realise that for my family and I to be better prepared for that that day, I must make certain changes in how I live my life now.

This is by far not an easy thing to do. However, it's something I simply must do to lessen the possibility of future regrets. (To lose them, will be hard. But to lose them and have the regret of not spending more time with them when I could, would be even harder.)

So in view of this, I've decided that it's necessary for me to especially make some changes to how I run Minky Minx Design Studio. 

But, don't worry. All stores will remain open and I will do my best to add new items as I am able to. I just wish to ask, though, that you please be patient with me. If an item is not ready to ship, it may take a few days longer to make and ship out then it might have done in the past. Also, please note that I will not be able to take on any new custom orders for the time being. As the situation changes I may need to make further noticeable adjustments, but that's all for now.

It's a big step to have just spoken about this (and yes, I've given great thought to it), let alone have to tell you about these unfortunate changes. But it's a step I simply had to take, not just for my family's sake, but for mine. I hope you understand...

♥

P.S. If you're concerned about me, don't be. As I mentioned at the outset, my firm belief in God's assistance helps me to keep going. Although it's still hard at times, He really does give me not only the strength needed to accept the things I cannot change, but also the peace of mind for the future. I am also comforted knowing that that although I may eventually lose these loved ones in death, our goodbyes will not be forever, nor will be our tears of sorrow.  : )

Diving in the Deep End - Our First Yarraville Market

So, I did it! After almost two years since my last Warrandyte Market - and much thought and discussion - I finally decided it was time to take the plunge and return to the market scene.

But I was determined not to go back to any old market. It had to be upmarket, classy and quaint, but most importantly indoor. Yarraville Market seemed to fit the bill perfectly, so I thought I'd give that go.

Located in hired-out Masonic Hall around the corner from trendy Ballarat Street, this was my chance to 'step up' and experience something new. And I sure did.

Yarraville Market

I didn't know quite what to expect. I only knew was that it wasn't going to be anything like Warrandyte... No dust. No dirt. No worries about whether our stall would survive the day. Or our stock for that matter...

Yes, this was a plunge into new unventured territories. And I was more then a little excited! As much as I loved atmosphere of Warrandyte, I was so over the hassles that came with setting up shop there. 

So hello Yarraville  and good-bye dust! 

Here's how my new look stall looked on the day... And yes, for those of you who remember my old market stall at Warrandyte, I did somehow actually manage to squeeze the best part of a massive 3x6 metre outdoor stall into a relatively tiny 3 metres space, and make it look reasonable pretty and organized. Not half-bad first attempt, I think!

(Apologies though, about the poor photo quality.. I, of course, had to forgot to take my better camera, didn't I...!!)

My 'New Look' Stall...

Full of pretty accessories

My lovely helper & I

And here's some of my fellow stall holders...

Handmade by Jacinta

Greediebird

Mr Moo

Endota Spa

Midge and Judy

Rainy Days Joy

The Little Sparrow

Beaded Works

Coushi

Here We Go Loopy Lou

Luana's Bead Jewellery

Mimoko

Winter Built

Spirit of Light

Soap Cuisine

Tasha's Treasures

Totally Innocent

Squirt Baby

Boldandstriking

So, now that I've go my feet 'wet', I very much look forward to doing a few more markets next year, all going well of course!

♥

Tell me, which market would you like to see me next at?

A time to celebrate!

After quite literally months of preparation, it finally all came together - a new store was born - and I was fortunate enough to see it.

Kids Style Hub - Opening day 15th October 2011

But first the lead up...

Only days before Kids Style Hub was to be launched, when I came by to drop off a few of my hair accessories, the store was a chaotic mess (sorry, Nicole). Boxes piled up high, half finished tasks lay everywhere, I had my doubts if Nicole really could pull it off in such a short time.

Kids Style Hub 3 days before opening

Rays of hope - front display window ready for stock

But, somehow, with much help from others, she did. And come Friday night, there was certainly a reason to celebrate.
Dressed in cocktail attire, the store was filled both with designers and others to meet, some for the very first time in person, and mark this incredible millstone at the pre-launch party.

Myself, Suzie Renda (Minky Minx) with my
sister Christine.

Julie Allen (Moops and hoops), Nicole Herrick (Kids Style Hub)
Melinda Weaver (Baby Ink) & Lauren Kirkwood (Boondie Baby)

Tracey (Melbourne Mumma's Market), Alli Price (Motivating Mum),
Katrina Musgrave (Market Angel) & Irene Tan (Missy Minzy).

Alli Price (Motivating Mum), Cath Connell (Leaf. Paper for Life)
& Janell Fowler (Baby Button).

And get a glimpse of the store so far...

...and some of it's many gorgeous handmade products.

Dollies by Deluli.

Hand sewn pretties by Miss Mienna.

We also were able to see firsthand some of the other spaces Kids Style Hub had to offer, including cafe, kids' play area, party room and gallery (although we had to use a little imagination for the gallery space which was still filled with boxes of stock at the time...).

Kids' Style Hub Cafe & seating area (aka Parents chill out zone)

Rubble Art Kids' play & crafting area

Upstairs Party Room - Decorated by Kiddilicious

Kids Style Hub Gallery

I'm sure I wasn't the only one who left that night completely astounded, not only at the amazing transformation of this store, but to be hand picked to be among such talent.

And to think that one person, one truly amazing lady, Nicole Herrick, could pull all this off with just a little social networking... Incredible!




(Many thanks to Lauren Kirkwood, Alli Price, Nicole Herrick and Lainie Brookman for taking the photos I didn't...  xx )

It's Official!

Do you find it sometimes hard to keep a secret? I know I do at times - especially when it's exciting news.

Somehow, though, I've managed to keep a very exciting secret for sometime now. Want to know what it was?? Yes?  I thought so. Okay, I'll tell you...

Well, let me first start at the beginning, and explain why, in part, I decided to keep quiet for a while.

It all began a few months ago, when much to my surprise I got an email from a fellow madeit seller. In her email she explained that she, Nicole, was in the process of setting up a new designer kids' wear store in Melbourne - except this wasn't going to be just any new kids' wear store. It was going to be a completely new concept in retailing children's products. Dedicated to all things kids (0-16) and maternity, it's aim was to support and nurture 100+ Australian and New Zealand designers. Yes, Australian and New Zealand handmade designers.

With an emphasis on getting designers the recognition and profits they deserve, this certainly was exciting news. But what especially got me, was that of the many hundreds of designers out there, she wanted me to be part of this - ME!

I was trilled, and, of course, quickly followed the links to her website to find out more.

This happened back in June this year - a little over 3 months ago - yet, in many ways it strangely feels much longer than that.

Since then I've joined Nicole on her journey to make this vision a reality. I've read her updates and emails, about her highs and her lows, and although I've yet to meet her face to face, I have to say I've been inspired by her energy, her drive to make this happen.

So why did I keep quiet about this for so long, you wonder?
Well, I guess, in part I have to admit, I wasn't sure if I was really ready for it. So, while I waited to announce it to the world, I got busy. I got ready.

Then came the day. Nicole made the big announcement. After searching for months, she'd found the perfect place in the right location and set the date for opening. Game on. Time to get serious.

That brings me to this week. After a few weeks to really think about the nuts and bolts of her offer, I officially accepted. I was going to be part of her concept, part of Kids Style Hub.

Hello & Welcome!

Yes, welcome to the Minky Minx blog page, and being our very first blog post, I thought it best to begin at the beginning... 

I'd like to introduce myself. My name is Suzie and I'm a textile, paper and jewellery designer/artist based in Melbourne, Australia.

Although I did study Studio Textiles - Design & Production at RMIT in Bruswick, my creative journey really began long before my attendance there... 

As the unexpectant last of three children born (there's a 17 year gap between my sister and I, and a 15 year gap between my brother and I) to artistically minded German immigrants, I spent much of my childhood making things. From little paper animals to miniature costumed dolls. I even was so determined to draw my favorite animals, horses, that I taught myself - by tracing.

However I really believe my creative jounrey began with the countless stories that my mother told me of my Grandmother. These stories, of her work at a seamstress for the theatre during the 30's and 40's, filled my mind with such wonder that I grew up wishing to one follow in her footsteps.

Later I was fortunate enough to even receive her sketchbook. Full of detail drawings of historical and theatrical costume, it is remarkable how, I too have since developed a deep love for all things vintage and historic and how much our interests resembled each other, as my mother would so often muse! Needless to say, this book remains one of my most treasured possessions from her. 

Although I was sadly only able to actually meet my grandmother in person shortly before her untimely death, she remains very much alive in my mind. As I said to begin with, I believe that though my mother - who not only taught me many of the dressmaking skills my grandmother used, but also helped me to develop a appreciation for all kinds of artistic merit - the story of my grandmother came alive and became, and still remains, one of my main 'creative inspirations'. (thanks mum!!)

Although I was sadly only able to actually meet my grandmother in person shortly before her death, she remains very much alive in my mind. As I said to begin with, I believe that though my mother - who not only taught me many of the dressmaking skills my grandmother used, but also helped me to develop a appreciation for all kinds of artistic merit - the story of my grandmother came alive and became, and still remains, one of my main 'creative inspirations'. (thanks mum!!)

So, in order to continue keep the story of grandmother (or 'Omi,' in German) alive, and possibly help to inspire still others with her story, I thought it a good idea to start this blog.

Thus, it is not purely to promote the minky minx label and associated products, but to explore my creative journey still further. 

I, therefore, in invite to you join me on this journey of self discovery into my inspirations, motivations and roots. Who knows what we might find...! : )