Sneak Peek...

I have finished my first 2 clutches for the Berlinski Bridal range…and I thought I would give you sneak peek before you can see more at the Stitches and Craft show!! I am really happy with how they have turned out! It really is hard to go wrong when I am using such good quality beautiful fabrics!! They are so much fun to make!! Here they are…

New Etsy Listings

While taking a break from all the sewing I have been doing to get ready for the stiches and craft show...I thought I would let you know about a couple bags that I have recently put up on etsy!

I found the vintage kimono silk, that I used in the top bag, at the Rozelle Markets in Sydney. There was enough fabric for me to make about 5 bags and some belts...I am all out of it and this is the last bag! I will miss that fabric...it is just gorgeous!

The Kimono silk used in the bag below is divine! I have used quite different areas of the fabric for each side of the bags so it actually looks quite different depending on which way you wear it!

Anyway...better get back to sewing!

Glenbrook Markets

My trusty old suitcase!

Mama Duck's super cute bibs

This weekend was a Glenbrook market weekend…yay!! The Rotary Glenbrook Markets are on the 3rd Saturday of each month and it's a surprisingly great market. There are heaps of stalls with so many talented local crafts people selling their products...the organic fruit and veggie stalls are also very tempting! It is such a relaxing, friendly market! I have to say, my stall is in the perfect possie for the warmer months…but on Saturday morning I don’t think I have ever been so cold! Apart from my frostbitten toes…it was still a great day! I have a few regular customers that I love seeing each month and I eagerly await to see the latest creations a few of my favourite stalls have up for sale! My absolute favourite stall is Mama Duck by Alison King http://www.mamaduck.com.au/. She creates a range of gorgeous accessories (rings, earrings and hair clips using vintage beads and buttons) and babies products (super cute bibs, singlet’s and dummie clips). My favourite piece in her range at the moment is a girl silhouette singlet…I just wish I could fit into it! So if you’re ever heading up the mountains on a Saturday I would strongly suggest taking a quick detour off the highway to check if it is the Glenbrook market weekend!

Shopping...shopping...shopping

I had such a great day today doing one of my favourite things…fabric shopping in Surry Hills! I had the day off work and was able to potter around for as long as I needed, with no one hurrying me along…perfect! I went to all my favorites…G&M Greenfield http://www.emgreenfield.com/ (all the staff were in good moods which made my day extra pleasant!), Tessuti http://www.tessuti.com.au/ (they were having an amazing sale…fun!), The Fabric Store http://thefabricstore.com.au/ , Chee Soon & Fitzgerald http://www.cheesoonfitzgerald.com/ and many more along the way! I found some beautiful pieces to start "Berlinski Bride". When I got home, Frida (the cutest black dog ever) was, as always, very interested in my purchases! What a great day…wish they could all be this good!

Bridal Clutch Bags

My recent finds of stunning vintage silver woven braids and beaded braids have inspired me to start work on a bridal clutch range, which I have been thinking about doing for ages. I think the Stitches and Craft Show in August http://www.stitchesandcraft.com.au/sydney is the perfect place for me to launch the Berlinski Bridal Range!

I discovered the vintage silver braids in a mind-blowing antique shop in the Southern Highlands. They actually have real silver woven through them giving them an incredible shine. The intricacy and detail of the hand-woven work is incredible…they are just so beautiful!

The silver and white vintage beaded braid was a lucky score at a recent Lawsons action (http://www.lawsons.com.au/). I had my very first successful bid…YAY!! The auction was for the closing down of a famous costume design business. They had huge amounts of fabrics, braids, ribbons and costumes up for sale. I put in bids for lots of pieces and ended up getting just one…lucky for me it was the one I really, really wanted!

The incredible detail, uniqueness and quality of these braids are exactly what I’ve been looking for to start this range. I think they are absolutely perfect for bridal accessories!

Weekend Finds...

I had one of those relaxing weekends where I was able to find time to explore my local op, retro and antique shops. I stumbled upon these divine hand embroidered linens. It always amazes me how people had the time to sit and hand embroider things like hand towels…I love the idea that people cared so much about their home to create such beautiful pieces to use for everyday items! Stay tuned to see what bags, clutches and belts these beauties get turned into!

My Little Bird...

Andrea Smith is the amazing creative talent behind my TO-DIE-FOR bird collage logo!! Andrea does the most divine illustrations and collages you have EVER seen…check out her website: www.andreasmith.com.au. Andrea was also at The Finders Keepers Market in May 2009 (the photo is of her beautiful display). I am so in LOVE with my little bird…

Hello

Welcome to my Berlinski blog! My name is Alison and I live in the Blue Mountains...just outside Sydney. In October last year I launched my new little venture called "BERLINSKI"!!

Berlinski products are one-of-a-kind handmade handbags, clutch bags and belts. Each Berlinski piece is created to be a unique work of art made from a variety of vintage, antique and contemporary fabrics. All pieces in my collection are designed and sewn by me! I have a passion for beautiful fabrics and detailed embroideries and have collected many pieces over the years and am now using them in my work.

I love the idea of being able to have beautiful, unique and environmentally friendly accessories!!

Over the past couple of months I have been sewing like crazy, churning out bags for a big market that I was lucky enough to be involved in called The Finders Keepers. Check out the website: http://www.thefinderskeepers.com/markets.php. It was such an amazing market with so many inspiring designers...I was in absolute awe!!

I have recently been contacted by Living Creatively (http://www.livingcreatively.com.au/) who asked me to be involved in the Sydney Stitches and Craft Show in August as an "Indie Incubator" which I am very excited about!! Check it out: http://www.stitchesandcraft.com.au/sydney. I am ready for many a late night in preparation for that...what would I do without freshly ground coffee and my trusty old plunger!!