To Scalp or not to Scalp

For those living in a cave, Radiohead is touring Australia in November.
Fans (myself included) are going apeshit over this, given they only tour here every decade or so.

Understandably, Ticketek went into meltdown during pre-sales yesterday. Too many people trying to buy tickets on a site that seems consistently unable to handle significant traffic.

If they didn't anticipate the interest in this tour, they don't deserve to be in the industry.

The meltdown meant loads of people couldn't get tickets (glitches at the checkout meant tickets they thought they'd secured disappeared into the ether), and others have managed to bypass the system and snap up more than the alloted four per person.

And now those arsehats, those professional scalpers, are listing them on ebay for - in some cases - up to six times the retail price. Seriously, one person has two tix in Brisbane listed for $1200.

What is your take on this? Personally it makes me see red. If you don't want to go to the show, that's fine.
But don't ruin it for those who do by taking all the tickets and then making then unafforable. Live music is expensive enough these days, and those who try to blatantly profiteer by artificially inflating the prices are partially to blame.

There are plenty of other ways to make a buck in this world without raping the arts.

To those responsible, may your computers contract fatal viruses and your ipods play Rebecca Black's Friday on repeat for all eternity.

Make this mushroom brooch

Awwwww.
Learn to make this sweet brooch right here.

Flea Market Finds

I love serendipitous finds.
I've been really loving everything Noritake on etsy lately.
It's a Japanese company that makes the most beautiful tea and dinnerware.

I went to the Bardon markets recently and got chatting to a lovely couple who collect all sorts of amazing vintage goodies - coloured glassware, china, figurines etc. They said they love it so much they have custom cabinetry built for their collections. That's dedication.
However they have so much they have decided to start selling some of their less favourite pieces at the flea markets.

Which is sad for them, and good for me, and awesome for you.

Because I bought an adorable Noritake tea cup with matching saucer and cake plate - because what's tea without cake, amiright? - and have decided to list in in my vintage sister store, The Vagrant Duck.

My loss due to a tiny apartment is your gain.

Have a look at this darling set.



It's spearmint green, and has a forest pattern on it. The gent who sold it to me said it's from the 1960s.
It has an ever-so-tiny chip on the cake plate (no doubt caused by someone being a bit too eager to get their noms) but other than that is in perfect, absolutely immaculate condition.

It's listed now right here, and is very much looking forward to a new home with someone who will treat it to delicious brews while reading their favourite book.

For more Flea Market Finds you should go and visit Her Library Adventures.

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Sam the Super Smart Rabbit

Sam enjoys algebra, photography and carrots.
This new brooch is made from Eco-felt on a wood base.
Stay tuned for him to arrive in my etsy shop.


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Location:Sam the Smart Rabbit

New life into the craft

After the drought comes the rain.
I've not made anything for my store for a while. But inspiration and motivation have apparently returned from their holiday - how nice of you both to show up, and did you bring me back anything from your trip? - and the workshop has re-opened.
I scored a stack of old stamps from my mum. Her dad collected them and they've been sitting in Nanna's cupboard until mum unearthed them. She kept the ones she believed were valuable and gave the rest to me.


So now they're becoming gift tags. Soon to be listed...


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Location:In the Workshop

It's official - Aussies like culcha

Blue Rain Cloud Wall Hanging

According to recent ABS figures, more than a quarter of Aussies have a creative hobby - this means positively loads of us love to sing, sew, sculpt and strum.

In a country obsessed with sport - almost half the 6pm news these days is sports-related, and we laud our (male) cricketers as gods - this makes me happy.

I'm a jill of all trades kind of hobbyist. I like to know how to do a lot of things, but I don't do any exceptionally. I get bored easily, always have a load of projects on the go, and am in awe of those who can embark on massive, complex projects and see them through to the end.

This year I am getting back into cross-stitch - and making some brand new necklaces and brooches with this - which is something I learned to do when I was quite young.

I also want to learn how to work with paper.

What cultural pursuits make you happy, where did you learn, and what do you want to achieve with them this year?

Fab finds for under $5 - Beach

There are only eight official days of Australian summer left. How did this happen? I'm serious ... was it not New Year's Eve only five minutes ago?

Brisbane is making the most of the last week, trying to wring every last drop of sweat out of its residents before autumn rolls in. Might be time to hit the beach this weekend.

Here are some fab finds for under $5 to get you in the mood for sun, surf and sand. And ice cream. Definitely ice cream.

1970s Beach Bag Crochet Pattern from Heirloom Patterns


Polka Dot Scarf from Hidden Closet

Beach Umbrellas Card from Turn of the Centuries

Fish Stickers from Petite Paperie

The Pastel Duck

Anyone noticed how popular pastels have been on etsy lately?

Spring is about to hit the northern hemisphere and I guess they're gagging for it to happen quickly, what with the insanely freezing weather they've had.

It's nice to that Brisbane never gets that sort of weather. Why, even in the midst of winter there are often still days that are lovely enough that you can mosey on down to the park and lie in the sun.

My northern hemisphere friends, here are some new pastel spring goodies from The Vagrant Duck that will chase the winter blues away in no time.

Vintage 1950s Ice Cream Soda Cups

Vintage 1950s Tupperware Tumblers

Vintage Pair of Peach Ducks