
In some ways I lament the loss of physical community that humans (for the most part) need. Like most people – I tend to lock myself in – coming out when I’m good and ready to play on my own terms. Lazy but comfortable. I love immersing myself in things that fascinate and delight, and my favourite social/unsocial pastime lately, is markets, which Melbourne thankfully has in abundance. The Melbourne Design market was on last weekend and it was amazing. Music pumping, the scent of vegetarian paella wafting through the carpark and some fab stalls. And upstairs Fed Square’s Mark it. which was pocket emptying in the nicest way.
LOVE a good market. Strong design, knowing your money is going straight to the person who made it, and seeing how happy both parties are. Special thing.
I think that we all have something wonderful tucked away just waiting to be made whole in our hands. Something original and wonderful that is a gift just by being in the world. One way to get in touch with this amazingness is by participating in a swap. Sooz recently put the call out for participants in a ‘usefulness’ swap.
I love a good swap.
I love considering what to contribute. The making of the object(s), wrapping them up and sending them off and then the anticipation of what will come back. Mostly I love the sending off. That is just such a thrill. I almost forget that there is something coming back until there is a parcel delivered and that is a beautiful surprise. The theme of this swap was to provide something that was eco-friendly. I approached my contribution laterally and made a neckpiece for each of my swaps. All different and hopefully a nice surprise. They were made of Fimo which was mono-printed using newspaper so that they took on a light print. I forgot to take photos (did I mention I was excited about sending them off) and a few of them were black with a slight sparkle in the mix. They were wrapped in bags made of bamboo wadding, or the softest grey polar fleece I have ever felt. I hope they found happy owners.

Thank you to Dee for a crochet dish cloth too beautiful to use for its intended purpose, Jo for a pincushion (I so needed a new one!) and drawstring bag, Ellen for a wheat bag (again – so needed!) and some beautiful fabric, Sonya (no link) for some heavenly Garam Masala and handmade chocolate soap, Handmade lipgloss and some lollies all the way from Germany from Nicole (no link), A cotton facecloth and soap saver from Abbington (no link) which is again too beautiful to use but I will, Bookmark from Nikkishell, Eco travel lid from Breanna (no link), A marketbag from Rachel, and a Printed linen teatowel from my friend Alison.

Each item delightful in itself and because it was given out into the world with a happy heart and with a smile.

Each item lovingly turned over and appreciated.
Thank you ladies – I hope your ears are burning, you rock. 🙂
And thanks Sooz for organising the swap. It was such a lovely thing to be part of.