How you can help Handmade by Me become 100% locally produced…

Posted on June 17, 2013 by seraholland

I have just launched a campaign to help bring Handmade by Me home and now I need your help to please help me make this happen! I made this little video to help explain my story…

Because there are tremendous upfront costs in getting my printing done locally I am asking you to help support my campaign by essentially pre-buying Handmade by Me products (which means you get something) and I get the capital I need to start printing locally. By pledging Handmade By Me’s fantastic rewards listed on on my campaign page - you will effectively be pre-buying my 1st batch of 100% local, handmade accessories and interior products from a choice of either: my current range, my new unreleased winter collection, OR a brand new, once-off custom design that can only be purchased through this project when I reach my first target.

I am using a new South African crowdfunding platform called Thundafund which essentially works like the more popular US version, Kickstarter, where I, the project creator, can set up a project, whereby if people like it, they can pledge money (buy rewards) to make it happen. The project creator sets up a funding goal and deadline and projects must reach their funding goals to receive any money.

There are free rewards, rewards to suit any budget, and I would absolutely love it if you could please share my video, share my campaign, share this post, and anything that will help spread the word will be greatly appreciated!!!

Please support my campaign and help bring Handmade by Me home!

Now available at…the Presents in the Post online shop

Posted on June 4, 2013 by seraholland

You might remember that I recently did a blogpost about a Handmade by Me and Presents in the Post surprise? We even ran a competition where one lucky lady won a surprise in the design of her choice. She was really delighted : ) and it all turned out to be a really great success…and now finally the surprise is revealed to all….

Napkins! The perfect gift to start your own collection of Handmade by Me products. Own them all in your favourite design or mix ‘n match for the ultimate printastic dining extravaganza. These designs were chosen by the lovely Raj of Presents in the Post and so far everyone was delighted with their surprise! We even got these little appreciation instagrams from two of our lovely subscribers…awwwww

And now you can get your hands on these designs anytime across a lovely selection of products straight from the Presents in the Post online shop. Shipping is free so get ordering : )

to market, to market…

Posted on May 28, 2013 by seraholland

We have 3 awesome markets coming up this weekend : ) so fear not if you were worried you might be missing out on some seriously awesome retail therapy!

First up on Saturday is the lovely Treasury Market which sells a hand picked selection of gorgeous handmade goods. This is my regular monthly market and if you don’t know it, its on on the first saturday of every month at Oude Libertas in Stellenbosch. Its completely covered from the rain and there is such a fantastic selection of different designers every time you have no reason not to visit again and again! Plus its part of the Stellenbosch Slowmarket which has the best fresh food options in the area, whether its to eat in or take home, you will not leave hungry or empty handed.

Then for the first time the V&A Market on the Wharf is having an Accessories Fair with handmade products by local designers. Its on upstairs above the food market opposite the aquarium, and will be on all weekend from 9:30am to 6pm. There are already plenty of awesome food options there and its completely covered too, so there is absolutely no reason not to pop in say hi : )

And for all my Joburg friends, Room Online will be bringing Handmade by Me and lots of other lovely local designer goods to Collective, the monthly design pop up shop in Kramerville. Its on on Sunday from 10am to 4pm and I’ve heard its one of the best markets to go to in Joburg!

HAPPY SHOPPING : )

pop goes the woodlands….

Posted on May 23, 2013 by seraholland

And the lovely Woodlands Market is now OFFICIALLY EVERY LAST MONDAY EVENING OF THE MONTH! That means there will be one this coming monday the 27th May! With an awesome selection of designers selling awesome products, from art to fashion to jewellery to interiors to plants to food to all kinds of bits and bobs, this is a market that you don’t want to miss out on! Keep up to date and in the know by liking the Woodlands Market facbook page!

To get you in the mood here are a few of the brands and designers who will be selling their wares this monday…

Windowsill, Bow Peep, Lindsay Boucher, Roxanne Amos, Lauren Fowler, Postcard Happiness, Jill Trappler, Ninon Shoes and Handmade by Me of course : ) plus there are still more confirming as I type…

And don’t forget the lovely Will of Willy’s Food will be in the kitchen making his famous prego rolls and willy poppers or something just as amazing sounding…and Lauren Gange-Harris of Flavour-Its will take care of your dessert with her delicious cupcakes… so you can safely assume monday night dinner is sorted!

Here are some pics from the last market courtesy of Leila Badsha of Bow Peep : ) Thanks Leila!

You are also very welcome to order ahead any products from the handmade by me online shop and collect from the market on Monday at no extra charge, that way you can pay online by credit card or eft, have your item/s wrapped, and make sure you don’t miss out on any stock! Please just let me know if you will be collecting there.

I look forward to seeing you on Monday!

win win…

Posted on May 21, 2013 by seraholland

A few months ago I received an email from a family who were looking to adopt a child from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Because adoption is such an expensive process they were looking to raise the appropriate funds by having a big giveaway on their blog, Outnumbered and living to tell about it. With the thought that last year there were 147 million children living without parents and only an estimated 25,000 adoptions in mind, I immediately offered to help by supplying them with a tea towel for their giveaway. Apparently I wasn’t the only one, as they managed to get so many products, that they have been able to have 2 completely separate giveaways.

Today I heard that they have a referral and will be adopting a little 4 year old girl to be their new daughter. I am so delighted to hear this and timing couldn’t be better as the 2nd giveaway (including a handmade by me tea towel) is up for grabs as of today! You can help support their adoption too by entering the giveaway here, a donation of $5 equals one entry and it really is so easy to do! If you can’t help financially maybe you can share the link with your friends and families. The winner will be chosen randomly on May 27th… Winner takes all!

Here is what is up for grabs…please click on this link to enter the competition, and see the actual giveaway post on their blog, as well as all the live links to all their lovely sponsors…

http://craftadoption.blogspot.com/2013/05/fundraiser-giveaway.html

Now available at…Veldt Deli in Glasgow!

Posted on May 15, 2013 by seraholland

Yay handmade by me is now available in Glasgow, Scotland!!! I am super delighted about this as Veldt Deli is the gorgeous creation by an old friend of mine who is South African and her Scottish husband. Veldt Deli is Glasgow’s only Scottish/South African fusion deli where they make their own home-made Boerewors, Biltong and have daily bakery specials such as Koeksisters, Malva Pudding, Melktart and Peppermint Fridge Tart. From what I’ve seen so far it looks unbelievably welcoming and delicious and I can’t wait to visit for myself and try one of their red espressos made with homegrown Rooibos tea with a side of milk tart and possibly a koeksister : )

There they are in the window : ) They opened their doors last week and after only 4 days they had this amazing write up in the Herald Scotland. If you’re still not convinced (are u kidding me??) then check out these gorgeous photos below…this should get your mouth watering and make you want to book yourself on the next flight out!

You can keep up to date with all kinds of specials on their facebook page and their new website will be up and running soon.

House and Leisure Night Market

Posted on May 13, 2013 by seraholland

I just want to give all my Joburg peeps a heads up that all kinds of delicious and delightful Handmade by Me products will be available to buy at the first House and Leisure Night Market in Kramerville this Thursday! Our super awesome stockist Room Online will be selling a lovely selection of our products, including our new tote bags and purses, along with a huge array of other gorgeous designer goods.

“When it comes to optimising your night market shopping experience, House and Leisure has specially selected some of South Africa’s foremost designers, makers and artisans to showcase and sell their creations. From fashion to homeware, you’ll be able to find gorgeous offerings from top-quality vendors.”

Please do one of these in Cape Town House and Leisure!!

In anticipation of the event this is what House and Leisure had to say about Room Online:

“When it comes to craft and design, too often the fruits of the independent designer’s creativity remain hidden away in tiny studios and backrooms, where few can appreciate or acquire these precious gems. This is especially true in South Africa, where independent designers typically don’t have the budget or resources to market their goods on a large scale.

Room Online hopes to change all that. We’re the first of our kind: an online platform whose primary mission is to showcase South Africa’s wealth of local design and decor talent. As the founders, we’re passionate about all things South African. Because of this, we’ve trawled the length and breadth of our vibrant country to be bring you the very best in design and decor. We’ve created an online retail space where you can browse and buy beautiful things for your home, all of which have been locally-inspired, locally-designed and locally-produced.”

All in good taste…

Posted on May 10, 2013 by seraholland

If you read the lovely Good Taste magazine you may have seen a small feature on me and Handmade by Me in the “Latest Looks” section which features “all the newest decor and design trends” yay I couldn’t be more delighted! and they featured my favourite Fly Away Birds cushion cover : )

Here is a closeup of my Fly Away Birds Cushion Cover…

This design is also available in tea towels, napkins, aprons, bags, purses, wallpaper and lampshades. Visit the handmade by me online shop or email me for more details : )

Handmade by Me is flooring it…

Posted on May 3, 2013 by seraholland

Floor vinyls for everyone! House and Leisure have listed floor vinyls as no 2 in their “top 26 flooring finishes”. This is what they had to say…”Today’s vinyl is slick, highly durable, easily maintained and installed, cost-effective, and can mimic anything from travertine, quartz and stone to real wood, porcelain and slate.” I can design you your own custom floor finish if you’d like, or pick one of my current designs like my Square Style in Pink as featured in the House and Leisure article below. Email me at sera@handmadebyme.co.za for a quote.

And here’s a closeup of my Square Style in Pink Design…also available in fabric and wallpaper.

Wishing you all a lovely weekend!

Handmade by Me, Decorex and the CCDI…

Posted on April 29, 2013 by seraholland

As most of you know handmade by me made it to the Cape Town Decorex this year as a part of the CCDI Collective Store. The expo ended yesterday and I was lucky enough to go and have a mooch around last Thursday. Here are some photos of (mostly handmade by me goodies) on display alongside the 40 something designers that were all chosen to be featured. Please excuse the shoddy iphone picture quality!!

While I’m at it, I would really like to introduce you to the Cape Craft & Design Institute (CCDI) and tell you a little more about what they do. And if you are a crafter, or a designer who makes products and lives in the western cape, this is for you!

The Cape Craft & Design Institute (CCDI) was set up in 2001 to promote and grow craft as an economic sector in the Western Cape province of South Africa. A not-for-profit company, the CCDI is a joint initiative of the Provincial Government of the Western Cape and the Cape Peninsula University of Technology. The CCDI has also been adopted by the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) as a model craft hub, to serve as a template for the establishment of similar craft institutes in other provinces of South Africa.

The CCDI supports craft producers and helps to network all players in the product-to-market chain. This includes craft producers and designer-makers, retailers, marketing agents, exporters and service providers such as designers, product developers, skills trainers, business development practitioners and mentors. Government and other funders form a vital part of this collaboration, to build relationships across sectors.

For more details check out their website www.ccdi.org.za

And lastly….don’t forget its the lovely Woodlands Market on tonight from 6pm!! I have lots of lovely aprons and tea towels if you’re looking for any last-minute mother’s day gifts! Its a perfect day for it, I hope to see some of you there : )

handmade by me

Author Archives: seraholland

How you can help Handmade by Me become 100% locally produced…

Now available at…the Presents in the Post online shop

to market, to market…

win win…

Now available at…Veldt Deli in Glasgow!

House and Leisure Night Market

All in good taste…

Handmade by Me is flooring it…

Handmade by Me, Decorex and the CCDI…

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