2/19/2009
My holiday is over.
10/25/2008
Why buy handmade?
9/28/2008
Did you know that wheat bags work as a cold pack?
9/27/2008
Simplicity Complete
9/13/2008
Oopps... where are the new items? All fixed :)
9/4/2008
New Wheat and Lupin Bag colours!
9/1/2008
Burda patterns completed
8/27/2008
Butterick, Butterick and more Butterick
8/23/2008
Wheat Bags / Heat Packs have been rearranged
8/16/2008
What is new.....
7/20/2008
Small quantity available??
6/22/2008
That explains it!
6/18/2008
Project Sheets
6/2/2008
Back on deck!
5/27/2008
Trivets? What are they?
5/23/2008
Winter Wheat Bag Colours are arriving
5/1/2008
What have I been up to?
4/4/2008
How to make a wheat bag, heat pack or wheat pillow
11/15/2007
I was on the front page!
10/17/2007
Sewing sewing sewing
10/9/2007
WOW I am in print
9/25/2007
Style sewing patterns
9/17/2007
Back on Deck again
9/10/2007
I have made it
8/31/2007
Skills for enthusiastic rural entrepreneurs
8/25/2007
A little bit about Aquarian Craft
8/2/2007
Speed hump
7/22/2007
Stocking update!
7/19/2007
Welcome!
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Date: 2/19/2009
Title: My holiday is over.
Thank you for all your holiday wishes. I had a lovely time and got to see "The Stig" in action. If you want to make your husbands jealous then tell them your online seller went to see Top Gear Live. It was a blast and well worth the treck to NSW.
Now I am back on the farm and busy sending out all the orders that arrived whilst I was on leave. The last ones leave tomorrow. This give me more time to start listing new stock.
Aquarian Craft has outgrown its current premises so I am looking into moving it from my home to another premises for manufacturing. This is very exciting time for me but is being carefully planned so there are no interruptions to the business.
New ranges of items have been put on hold until the new premises is secured. But I do hope in the mean time to keep adding to the existing range, in particular sewing patterns.
Date: 10/25/2008
Title: Why buy handmade?
Well I have just stumbled upon this except printed in the Oztion Craft forums.
Why buy handmade?
Buying Handmade makes for better gift-giving.
The giver of a handmade gift has avoided the parking lots and long lines of the big chain stores in favor of something more meaningful. If the giver has purchased the gift, s/he feels the satisfaction of supporting an artist or crafter directly. The recipient of the handmade gift receives something that is one-of-a-kind, and made with care and attention that can
be seen and touched. It is the result of skill and craftsmanship that is absent in the world of large-scale manufacturing.
Buying handmade is better for people.
The ascendancy of chain store culture and global manufacturing has left us dressing, furnishing, and decorating alike. We are encouraged to be consumers, not producers, of our own culture. Our ties to the local and human sources of our goods have been lost. Buying handmade helps us reconnect.
Buying handmade is better for the environment.
The accumulating environmental effects of mass production are a major cause of global warming and the poisoning of our air, water and soil. Every item you make or purchase from a small-scale independent artist or crafter strikes a small blow to the forces of mass production.
I am a member of www.buyhandmade.org here you can pledge to be a member (free) to buy handmade items. I really wish I could blog here in HTML but go and visit the site and grab the logo. There is a link to it on my links page too!
Date: 9/28/2008
Title: Did you know that wheat bags work as a cold pack?
Wheat bags that are used as heat packs can also be used as a cold pack.
Just put into a snap lock bag and leave in the freezer for a few hours.
Simple and effective and a great way to use your wheat bag all year round!
Date: 9/27/2008
Title: Simplicity Complete
Well it is for the moment. Even found a pattern that is for a Size 4 Ladies!
Amazing the patterns I can find when I am looking for them...they are springing up all over the place.
Date: 9/13/2008
Title: Oopps... where are the new items? All fixed :)
Oopps...where are the new items for this week. Well I must confess I have been sorting through and enjoying my craft patterns.
The time has come to start to part from the many patterns that I have collected, that I will no longer have time to sew. There are Costume patterns, dolls patterns, homewares and craft.
I have just started sorting through them but the bonus is that they have started to arrive! Amazing what I have collected over the years! Happy sewing everyone!
Date: 9/4/2008
Title: New Wheat and Lupin Bag colours!
Well I am finally getting stuck into listing the final lot of colours for this season. I have a very limited Leopard Animal Print available! Jump in quick for this one!
Date: 9/1/2008
Title: Burda patterns completed
The range of patterns is on the rise again.
Burda is now completed with the majority being sizes 8 to 18 but some go upto a size 20 and even a size 24 blouse.
Don't forget that the search box will help you narrow down to a particular size or type of garment that you are wanting to sew.
Date: 8/27/2008
Title: Butterick, Butterick and more Butterick
The Butterick patterns for the moment are all listed. As always there are a few more here to be done but the majority of them are listed.
Sizes vary from Size 6 right through to Size 18.
The range of items is quite large and you should find something that you like and want to sew. To make it easier I have included the description (when available) on the back of the sewing packet. Feel free to use the contact us link if you would like information regarding, fabric needed or notions.
To help you find the right sized item just put the word size and the size number you are looking for into the product search box ie Size 14. This should bring up all the patterns that contain your size as most patterns are multisized. The search box can be found in two places which is in the top right hand corner of the white section or down the bottom of the menu list on the left.
Please remember that the postage calculator automatically thinks that the item being sent is a parcel. If you are only after 1 or 2 patters the cost is actually a lot cheaper as I can send it as a large letter. If you think the postage is too much then contact me prior to payment and I can amend the order. If you do pay and I find that you have paid too much postage you will receive a refund in with your purchase.
Happy sewing!
Date: 8/23/2008
Title: Wheat Bags / Heat Packs have been rearranged
Today I have rearranged the Wheat Bags / Heat Packs category.
Now if you would like it scented with lavender or peppermint you just need to check a box in the colour listing.
This should hopefully make it a lot easier to see all the colours available at any time.
There is also a special requests section where you can write some notes on the 3 pack and 10 pack listings.
Please let me know what you think about this setup and if you would prefer the new or old setup!
Date: 8/16/2008
Title: What is new.....
Well the first thing that you may have noticed is that the website goes directly to the storefront. This is keeping in mind that the splash page (where you would click enter here) might not be working for people on slower internet. So I am giving it a run going straight to the store, for a little while it would automatically redirect but I didn't like it. So everyone let me know what you think.
Currently I am working on increasing the range of heat pack colours in the store. But if you want a certain colour but it isn't listed, please let me know. I am hoping to revamp this section very soon.
The sewing patterns are getting listed. Doing some hard work getting up the Butterick ones at the moment. These do take a while to list because I like to include the pattern detail when it is available so you know exactly what you are purchasing. Feel free to contact me if you need information regarding the type of fabric, amount to purchase or notions required.
As always with patterns if the postage calculator charges too much (because it wants to send it as a parcel) please contact me. The shipping will be revised for you or you will receive a refund in your parcel if you overpay.
Date: 7/20/2008
Title: Small quantity available??
You may find that a lot of my items there is a quantity of only one available. The reason for this is that everything is handmade. As I make a selection of items I list them, then when they sell I make them again. I also don't have a huge stockpile of all the fabric that I would need to identically reproduce these items.
The benefit to you is your items are very limited and unique. But saying that if you do see an item that you would like more than the quantity available please contact me. I might be able to make a few extra exactly the same or offer something similar for you.
Crafters are a different type of people, sometimes we have 10 metres of one fabric in our fabric stash. Sometimes we only have 1 metre of a particular fabric in our stash. But rest assured all crafters have a fabric stash!!!
As quilters say (who are the queens of fabric stashing), "she who dies with the most fabric wins"
Date: 6/22/2008
Title: That explains it!
I received a message from a friend who pointed out I had no new items showing in the new items section. I am continually growing the range of items that are available for sale, it is a more organic experience when I am listing. It is what takes my fancy!!
So with no new items displaying people might think that it is the same stuff here that they saw last time. Anyways, I have worked out this setting now, so it is showing new items.
Of course this has inspired me to do some listing to test how this setting works so over the next few weeks the list could be really long or really short, depends on how I am tweaking the settings.
Date: 6/18/2008
Title: Project Sheets
I have started listing up the project sheets from Creative Hands. This a is a great way to start learning a new craft or skill.
Creative Hands was one of those publications that you bought every week from the newsagency and built up a great collection. I unfortunately didn't do that but found it many years later and have fallen in love with it.
I now source as much of it as I can and any doubles are offered here for sale. This is a great way to complete a collection if you stopped collecting or if you are just looking for a little project.
Individually these are sent as large letters. The shipping will automatically calculate it as a parcel. If this happens you will find a refund in your letter or alternatively contact me to resend the invoice with the correct shipping
Date: 6/2/2008
Title: Back on deck!
The flu season seems like it is going to be a tough one this year. I am normally really good at avoiding the germs being out on the farm but unfortunately it came and searched me out!!
So I am back on deck down and everything will be running smoothly by the end of the week. It is really typical as we had a long weekend in WA!!!
Thank you everyone for your understanding and patience.
Date: 5/27/2008
Title: Trivets? What are they?
Trivets have started to arrive in Aquarian Craft! What are trivets you ask? Well they are designed to protect your table from hot items such as casserole dishes or teapots.
There are two types that are being listed, spiced and tile trivets. The spiced trivets let of a beautiful spiced aroma when you place the hot item on it. The tile trivets are smaller and better suited to teapots.
So save on dishes and serve straight from the casserole dish or pot by using a spiced trivet!
Date: 5/23/2008
Title: Winter Wheat Bag Colours are arriving
The winter colours are now arriving for heat packs. Corduroy is a seasonal fabric so to keep things fresh I am always getting new colours from season to season.
This season it is about the mocha colours and printed corduroy. A nice change from the solid block colours. But as always new colours for this season and some favourites from last year too!
I am sorry I haven't been able to expand the range of sizes further. But as always if you want a different size please just send me a message! I am happy to create one just for you!!
Date: 5/1/2008
Title: What have I been up to?
So what has been happening in the land of Aquarian Craft.
Well I have been busy creating new items for listing. They are coming but when I had allocated some time for photography the sun ran away and it rained.
Perth (about 2.5 hours from here) has had a really wet month. Unfortunately, we didn't get as much rain as we needed to start seeding but we did get the thunder clouds.
So certainly expect a few new product lines to start appearing! Because I love creating and must get them out here for you to all see!
Date: 4/4/2008
Title: How to make a wheat bag, heat pack or wheat pillow
This seems to be something that people are really interested in. I do have a pattern for sale that comes with the instructions.
But you must have the following things to be successful at making your own.
First, a sewing machine or an overlocker. I use a sewing machine that does a triple stitch as I don't want that wheat coming out.
Secondly, some fabric - yes it must be 100% cotton. Remember you are zapping it in the microwave and you don't want it to melt etc. Thicker is better so stay away from thin fabric as the wheat can get hot!.
Finally, wheat. Now this is generally the hardest bit to get your hands on. For the heat packs in my "large" size you will need 550 grams of wheat (or 1.2lbs for those using imperial).
Sometimes it is just easier to buy one ready made. But then I am sure many of the people searching how to make one have a particular size, colour or style that they want. Don't worry as I make heat packs (and grow the wheat) just send me a message and I can let you know if I can do it!
Happy sewing!!
Date: 11/15/2007
Title: I was on the front page!
Yes I made the front page of the Merredin Mercury paper last week.
Thought I would share it here with you. I can't seem to blog in html here so if you are interested just have a look at the link below.
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f299/aquarianauctions/Taraeta-MerredinMercury.jpg
Date: 10/17/2007
Title: Sewing sewing sewing
Yep that is the mission,, I am sewing sewing sewing.
New stock will be arriving soon. Everyone who has been visiting thank you so much for your patience, there is so much stock and only 1 pair of hands.
In the few weeks these second pair of hands will be doubled as I have my friendly ghost sewer arriving who will be put to work.
What is a ghost sewer? Well it is someone who helps me out on the sewing machine so these pair of hands can be attached to the keyboard.
How did I find a ghost sewer? Well the answer is simple, I have gone back to my original teacher of sewing which is my mum!! Bless her she really comes in handy at these busy times including the lead up to christmas!!!
Date: 10/9/2007
Title: WOW I am in print
Went to my mail box today and what did I find but a copy of the RRR network (www.rrr.wa.gov.au) Spring Edition. Turned to page 14 and there I am - whhhoooo!!
If anyone is interested then you can download it at
http://www.rrr.wa.gov.au/documents/rrr_issue41.pdf
Date: 9/25/2007
Title: Style sewing patterns
Well I am am here again... the Sewing Patterns are slowly finding their way to the website. I have a huge back catalogue (nice way of saying huge stash) of patterns that I will be selling off!
If there is any thing in particular you are looking for just send me a message! If I don't have it I have a network of friends who are also sewing pattern hoarders who might be able to help.
Back to the grind I have a few more Style patterns to list before I go to bed!
Date: 9/17/2007
Title: Back on Deck again
Well I have made it back from the Australian Government’s Enhancing Entrepreneurial Skills Course.
What an absolute blast! I couldn't have asked for a better group of people to work with. The group was extremely diverse and the skills taught were excellent. I even have a lovely certificate to prove it!! I was lucky to be a part of the winning team who pitched a business idea to a panel of judges (experts). This gave me great confidence and a real buzz!
Now I am back in WA and catching up with all those emails and orders. Please be assured I am getting to everyone it is just taking a little bit of time. I really must grow (or hire) a few extra sets of hands.
Date: 9/10/2007
Title: I have made it
Well I am now in Melbourne. It was a long trip from rural Western Australia to Melbourne but I have made it!
I am looking forward to making new connections and friends, plus learning more about business. It will be a busy time but extremely interesting and looking forward to learning new things.
Any orders will be processed on Monday 17 September 2007.
Thank you to my customers for your patience whilst I am away.
Date: 8/31/2007
Title: Skills for enthusiastic rural entrepreneurs
I have been 1 of 16 people selected to attend the Australian Government’s Enhancing Entrepreneurial Skills Course.
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Sussan Ley, today announced the names of successful applicants for the course, to be held in Melbourne from 10-13 September 2007.
“Participants come from across the supply chains of a range of industries including pork, horticulture, cattle, seed production and agribusiness,” Ms Ley said.
“We have selected a group of 18-35 year old budding entrepreneurs who are enthusiastic about growing their businesses through innovation. This course aims to help young Australian farmers and business people to recognise opportunities and adopt a market-driven approach to their business.
“Participants will explore the big picture of their operating environment and supply chain, as well as the fundamentals of growing their business, developing markets and putting new ideas into action.
The course builds on the success of the first Course that was held in May 2007. Graduates of that course reported that they have more confidence and know-how to build their business and explore and exploit opportunities.
“By blending and sharing their diverse skills and experiences, participants get unique insights into challenges and opportunities that extend beyond their own businesses and industries to the entire agricultural sector,” Ms Ley said.
Further information about the course is available by calling (02) 6272 3292.
http://www.yarn.gov.au/cb_pages/news/EntrepCourseSeptAnnounced.php
Date: 8/25/2007
Title: A little bit about Aquarian Craft
After falling in love with and marrying a farmer, Taraeta moved to the tiny township of Trayning, W.A., and with limited opportunities for ongoing employment, turned to the land around her for inspiration. A love of all things handmade and an almost endless supply of grains saw the birth of Aquarian Craft and a new direction for Taraeta.
By focusing on the items grown on the farm, wheat, lupins and split peas, Taraeta has created a range of affordable and useful items delivered to your door for less than you would pay in the local chemist. Heat Packs, Eye Pillows, Clove Bags and Spiced Trivets form the basis of the range, with their handmade appeal and old world charm ensuring a steady demand.
In response to the large number of people who dislike using a wheat heat pack or with severe wheat allergies, Taraeta has developed the Lupin Heat Pack, which provides all of the same therapeutic benefits of a wheat heat pack, without the risk for those with wheat sensitivity. Lupins have been cultivated for centuries as forage and grain legumes, and are used for livestock and poultry feed as well as human consumption, but their versatility has proven particularly successful for Country Crafts with their use in the heat pack.
In conjunction with Aquarian Craft, Taraeta also sells a range of collectable items targeted at the younger market. This range, from a Queensland wholesaler includes tins, bags, mirrors and business card holders. International success has been achieved with these products. Parcels are regularly sent to the US and Canada, and parcel have been sent to Russia, Italy, Greece and Netherlands to name a few! Approximately 40% of the collectables are sent overseas! http://ebay.aquarian.net.au or http://aquarian.openstores.com.au
Despite the remote location and isolation, by thinking “outside the square” and by using her existing talents and the resources she could source on the farm, Taraeta has managed to build a successful business both on-line and with her items being stocked in a number of local outlets. Her story is a reminder to us all that with a little creative thinking and some motivation, the world of small business is free to be conquered. Location matters not; determination is the key.
Date: 8/2/2007
Title: Speed hump
Yes I have hit a little speed hump. To make sure I keep the household functioning I have taken a part time job.
This means a little speed hump when it comes to getting my store stocked. Firstly i have to spend 3 weeks in the city (urgh) training my life away.
But in the long run it will be worthwhile, because it means I can buy myself some new craft toys!!
So the store will take a little longer in "stocking" mode as orders take #1 priority.
Date: 7/22/2007
Title: Stocking update!
The life of listing is a fun game! Being a crafter is so much fun but listing the products isn't as much. The light is at the end of the tunnel, because you can't see my creations stored on the shelf!
In the last few days I have been amazed at the amount of stock that I have created! But the list of what to make next is continually growing too!! I wish I had a clone, I searched everywhere including eBay but there just isn't another me available!
So far I have listed the clove bags - which are natural moth repellents. Perfect for keeping those moths out of your pantry and linen cupboard.
Cool Neck Wraps - these are great for people who are outside in the summer heat! Keep yourself cool, just soak in water and wrap around your neck, no messy drips and due to evaporative cooling you stay cool!
Dog Cool Collars - these are a creation that someone asked me to make after seeing my Cool Neck Wraps for us humans. Basically they are a collar that helps your canine friend stay cool in the hot summer months!
Then I have found some cards. I so want to make more but first I must stock my store, but there is a nice selection already available and I do accept custom requests.
What else, oh the knitting patterns. I have so many knitting patterns it is beyond belief! So I have started to list them too! This will be a labour of love but collectors will enjoy the range of vintage patterns, and knitters with more time than me will be able to create some wonderful creations.
Ok that is my Sunday update (yes I work on a Sunday). The washing still has 22 minutes before it requires my attention. Back to the stocking of my store, so I then can dedicate more time to crafting and creating!
Date: 7/19/2007
Title: Welcome!
Welcome to my new blog and also web store. This is an exciting, but busy time for me at Aquarian Craft. Since August 2006 I have turned my hobby into a business. Finally Aquarian Craft has been given its own domain (www.aquariancraft.com.au) and a webstore, which you have found :) Firstly I must thank Rebecka at RealEz (www.reallez.com) for her skill in designing and setting up my store. Without her help Aquarian Craft wouldn't exist! Also, my thanks to Tony at WAHM shoppes (www.wahmshoppes.com/) who has created the web store software. Stocking a webstore takes time. So please continue to visit regularly to see the wonderful products that I have on offer. There are some FAQ's (frequently asked questions) listed which should answer some of your questions you may have. But if you have any other questions please do not hesitate to contact me. Well back to the wonderful world of listing! Thank you for visiting!
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