Melbourne Craft Cartel helps patch up economic woes - Call to action! Craft-in demonstration to be held in Bourke St Mall, Melbourne CBD, Monday December 8th

The Craft Cartel will be supplying craft materials at the Craft In and encouraging passers-by to make a crafty gift or card themselves. The Craft Cartel will also be handing out an alternative gift buying guide, with plenty of ideas for Christmas gifts that don’t cost the planet or our communities.

On Monday December the 8th the Rudd Government is giving big cash bonuses to pensioners, parents, low income families and first home buyers. The objective of this handout is to boost peoples spending in order to keep the economy pumping. What the Government isn’t talking about is the most effective way to spend this handout to truly support the economy.

As crafters we understand the importance of buying handmade.
We want to give the community the message that if they really want to contribute positively to the Australian economy, they should forget the plasma tv and Buy Handmade and Buy Local this festive season.

Did you know?

• For every $100 spent at a locally owned business $45 goes back into the community and our tax base. For every $100 spent at a chain store only $14 comes back.
• Local business are more likely to purchase goods and services from other local businesses which dramatically reduces transport costs, one of the biggest causes of climate change.
• Handmade goods are unique, high quality and set trends rather than following them!

The Craft Cartel will be supplying craft materials at the Craft In and encouraging passers-by to make a crafty gift or card themselves. The Craft Cartel will also be handing out an alternative gift buying guide, with plenty of ideas for Christmas gifts that don’t cost the planet or our communities.

We are looking for more crafters, designers, makers and handmade retailers to join us on the street to spread the message of buying handmade. We encourage people to bring examples of your work and promotional material to spread to people on the streets. We want people to come talk to passers-by about the pressures they face trying to earn a living making and selling handmade goods.

So come join us on the street and spread the word amongst your communities about buying handmade!

RSVP on Facebook and spread the word!

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It’s been a crazy few days so I’m about to take a Nana nap - Before I do here’s a look at LoungeKat & Bucket’o'Thought’s (collaborative) 2008 Christmas card.
It’s part of this years artists edition Christmas cards available from Villain Store.

If you take a closer look you can see just how we do it here in Australia

Not too many sleeps before BoT and I get to celebrate in a similar fashion.
Happy Bloody Christmas Mate!

Don’t forget the sunscreen!

Go Saints! (Winners of the 1966 AFL premiership)

A reflection of “Delfin Living”.

Mmmm hot and greasy.

Bottle opener necklace - tre’ classy.

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Yes, it’s primary gifting time again… Once a year we buy like we’ve never bought before, and for those in Australia this is a special time as jolly uncle Kevin has given most of us a handy $1,000 bonus (even more if you’re skilled breeders.) So spend like your economy depends on it and join me in a bit of pre gifting madness.

My suggestion? LoungeKat of course - and for the cranky activist or stormcloud in the family? You can’t go past Bucket’o'Thought. We’ve both added a swag of smaller “budget friendly” prints and trinkets for you this holiday season. As for the economic downturn - we would like to remind all of our US customers that the Australian dollar has fallen to a massive low- That means you save money and we still get to eat. Yay!

Every order shipped between now and the end of December will include a free greeting card! Awesome!

LoungeKat’s NEW Store - Prints from $24AUS!
Bucket’o'Thought’s Store - Prints from $12AUS!

Poison Apple Necklace $16AUS and Earrings $7.50AUS


LoungeKat Skateboards $160AUS Each


Bucket’o'Thought Laser Etched Moleskines $40AUS Each

Bucket’o'Thought Propaganda Remix Prints $60AUS

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If you’re anything like me you’re going to love Lochers (France) and Trixie Delicious (NZ).
I don’t usually blog about these kinds of things but seriously, how can you not love girly script coupled with swearwords? Check out the stores for plenty of both - Fukkn Lovely!

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Here’s a peek at the first run of LoungeKat textile prints.

The designs are digitally printed onto quilting grade cotton ( by Spoonflower ) - the fabric is thin but very easy to work with.

Overall I’m really happy with the result and I’m planning more designs for production in the next month or so. The process of getting a design printed is fairly easy and the turn-around was quick, especially since the printing was done in the US.

One thing I did find was that the red in my designs came back orange, this was a problem with the settings of the printer versus the settings in Photoshop. The problem can be fixed using a colour chart that’s available from the Spoonflower blog (which I’ll be using for my next run).

I’m not sure what I’ll be doing with my fabric other than covering a cushion (with Late) and making a lampshade (With Blimey Skulls). The leftovers will be sent to my sister who is a bazillion times more crafty than I am and whatever she makes will look brilliant. I promise to post pictures when the time comes.

While we wait, does anyone have any suggestions on what to make?

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