Hong Kong 2012

My first trip to Hong Kong. A strange place to visit if shopping malls are not your thing. It's all pretty interesting but wearing branded clothing is not my choice. Fashion to me is when you wear something that makes everyone go "wow where is that from" and them not knowing. To wear clothes where everyone can say oh look she is wearing a blah blah! or look she has a blah blah!! not my cup of tea.

The people watching is a treat though.  Anything from suits to multi coloured mix n match teens to octo generians. The main focus here is to shop. But it's the same shops as everywhere else. I don't think I like globalization!!!!!
Macau was interesting. I was told to check out the Venetian casino. What a treat. A minimalists nightmare!!!! shopping mall like your in Venice, gondolas and all.

Macau has a world heritage listing and there are lots of interesting landmarks to wander around. Macau has a quaintness and some soul left where HK lost it's soul along time ago.
Next stop SHANGHAI!

ON THE ROAD TO MELBOURNE

Well it is that time again. "TRADESHOW" time. Lots of prep before hitting the road to Melbourne.

Endless lists have been made, things ticked off, price lists prepared and double checks and then triple check of all stock and props ready to be loaded.

One year the freight company responsible for freighting all my props and stock to Melbourne lost the lot so, we went out and bought a station wagon and have driven down every year since. All those years doing markets taught me how to pack a car.

 So car is packed and we hit the road

I really enjoy this part of the trip. Out on the road watching the country side zip past. Sometimes it is lush and green other times dry and parched. Passing farms and through small towns until we hit the Hume then all small towns are bypassed.

 We always break up the trip and traditionally stay in Albury the first night. So after a Japanese dinner of okonominyaki we went to the movies and saw  Captain America in 3D

In the morning before we head off we visit an art deco exhibition.

Then back on the road to Melbourne.

First stop get keys for apartment.

 

Unload our baggage and on to the showground to start building the stand.

We start with a shell of black walls and floor. This is me putting up wall covering.

Then we get the floor down and then put up the shelving.

Now we did have some lovely pictures of the finished stand on Mark's new camera but somewhere along the way he pushed a button and eliminated them all. So here are a few pics of products and you can see a bit of the stand in the background.

Lots of silk and cotton booties

Our new silk kimonos made for both women & men with matching boxer shorts or lounge pants.

And our new cotton kimono with matching shorts or pants trimmed with vintage Japanese silks.

Now 5 days of hello blah blah blah look at my product blah blah blah would you like a pricelist and more blah blah blah!!!

PREPARATION or AVOIDANCE

Hi sorry for lack of blogs but been pretty flat out and now it is prep time for my next trade show in Melbourne. 

Totally stressed last week as I make new samples like a mad person, check and double check and check again that I have everything. This means endless lists that get re written again & again & again.

Anyway as a distraction I am in the shop learning about my new phone so I just took a little video of some of the delightful kokeshi for sale in my shop

BUSY DAYS

I don't understand the word boredom. This week in the shop it was gloomy and wet outside so I set myself some sewing tasks as well as a trip to Melbourne searching for silks, obis and kimonos.

I started the week making obi belts from vintage silks, obis & braids  see previous blog. http://alittlebitofeverywhere.blogspot.com/2011/05/back-in-shop.html

Then I converted all the hill tribe skirts into wearable skirts

Then I decided to make some hot hotties. On these cold wintery days a hot water bottle can be so comfy and even more so enclosed in something perty.

To make these gorgeous covers I first have to turn my work shop into a total mess

by rummaging through my braids

and fabrics

I have used most of the obis and old kimonos bought in Japan last year so the search has been on.

Anyway I found some obis and kimonos a long way from home but worth the journey.

Scrounging for kimonos

And I finished off the week in the shop unpicking some of the obis I bought ready to reconstruct into bags and belts

BUSYNESS!!!!!!

BACK IN THE SHOP

Back in the shop after 4 weeks tripping across Vietnam buying and designing.

It's a chilly day outside so people are staying in by the fire and not in a shopping mood. Not good for shop keepers but I spend my quiet days sewing for my shop.

Today I made six OBI BELTS. I use black linen as my base as it shows off the vintage obi silks and kimono silks I use. Then I trim with vintage braids I have collected over the years.

 This one features a 1930's silk and 1960's braid

 

So a day well spent.

Tien Biet vietnam

Well another trip to Vietnam over. Samples checked, new finds from distant places. Interesting new joint ventures I hope and plenty of people to catch up with when I get back.

I packed last night and managed to make 40kilos like 20kilos. Packed Mark and removed the things he snuck into my luggage. 

Down for brekky in the delightful courtyard of the Continental Hotel.

One last shower to last me until i get back home tomorrow then out to the airport to see Mark off to Laos and then time for me to while away the hours until my flight.

This was my fave drink this time "fresh guava juice". Could do with one now sitting waiting to board after sitting waiting to check in. 

Until the next trip.

Last days in Hoi An

Last days in Hoi An. Finalizing samples, shipping dates etc. Lunches & dinners with Thao & Huong, a visit to Miss hue & Gunner from V Cafe. Most important lunch at our favourite restaurant, Morning Glory.

I love in Vietnam when you buy sparkling mineral water it comes in bottles that I am sure are at least 30yrs old but are just constantly recycled.

Thao & Huong in front of their new house in Hoi An. They should be moving in very soon.

 No plane delays this time and we arrive in Ho chi Minh and arrive at the Hotel Continental.

 I feel like I am in the Carrington in Saigon.

Our room. Upgraded to a suite Yes!!! So over the top. I am sitting at the big old desk doing my blog and out of the window is the Opera house. Today is a public holiday, "Labour Day" so breakfast went until 10am.

This is the courtyard setting for brekky. I think there is a wedding here today and I found the cake decorator busy at work.