Sanchia

Today I took my lil man for a haircut and whilst we were waiting we stopped in at Target and Myer for a quick browse of the toy section. What we found, isle after isle of plastic.. what I call landfill. Seriously, take a visit to your local trash and treasure and all those toys and plastic stuff that lines the department store shelves as today’s “must haves” will be tomorrow’s trash.

I love the idea of this website “Buy Handmade”. A pledge to buy handmade for ones self, ones loved ones, and request that others do the same for you. It means that the items you buy are one-of-a-kind, that you support the artisan or craftier that made the item. Its better for people and the environment. It is usually more expensive than the local department store, but along with this comes the above mentioned and also a quality and attention to detail that can’t be achieved by mass production. A couple of blogs by Etsy artists I follow have also addressed this topic, have a look for their take on it, White Plum and Angelenefay Jewellery.

There are fabulous sites on the net now supporting handmade artists where they bring this marketplace to us. Etsy, is one, it is American based but now has sellers and buyers worldwide, for Australian sellers on Etsy see this site, DUST team. There is a web site for 100% Australian Handmade, called Made it. Also a new one to come out of Sydney is Zibbet.  Or a google search for a particular item will bring up a heap more links. Right here in Brisbane we have a monthly market dedicated to the handmade, the Boutique Markets at Portside Wharf, Hamilton.

I think there is just as much fun in making or creating something yourself It can be as simple as a card for a friend or for decorating, and furnishing your home. Try visiting Ebay, Op shops or Trash and Treasures for beautiful one off pieces to complement your style and home as is, or give it new life with a bit of DIY. I have recently been doing a revamp on an old rocking chair which my dad gave me from his “shed” when I had my first bub. I will show you once its finished. Its been fun!

So buy handmade- try it!

xx Sanch

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Simple living in today’s society? The idea of minimizing the amount of stuff you have, being more self-sufficient, or simply choosing specific products from small cottage industries, are not always  popular ones.

To achieve simplicity requires, 1. Imagination: A little imagination goes a long way in simple living. It’s easy hand over cash in order to acquire something instantly, but much more imaginative to make, create it yourself or search for it. 2. Individuality: Just because a friend got an i-phone, spa or new 4wd, it doesn’t mean you need one too. Instead of following the herd to the shops and grabbing the first thing that jumps out at out, stop, sit and think about your lifestyle. 3. Flexibility: everyone is used to the quick-fix of running to the store and purchasing something. Be willing to accept alternatives.

Living simply goes beyond home and lifestyle, it also entails the kind of person I want to be. To put it simply, being authentic and embracing that. I know that I am on a journey to simpler living, and the process is gradual. I’m hoping somewhere along the way to find the real me – without the imprint of anyone else’s opinions. Its about making decisions based on what is best for your family and self, and being proud of that. Not judging and giving others the freedom to be real with you also.

My blog is my place to share who I am, what I do and I will always try to be be authentic here. I hope you are inspired to be authentic and live simply,even just one small step at a time.

xx Sanch

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