Show and Tell

There has been a great deal of research done on people's claims - how fantastic their products are and that kind of thing. "Best ..... since sliced bread", you know the deal. Now it's time for you to come and share your thoughts. EcoDepot is hosting an exhibition next Friday night - our version of show and tell in our locale.

Please pop in and say hello!

Time to Breathe

After taking a couple of weeks out with my 2 year old son due to family day care having a well earned break, I realised actually how important it is to pause for a moment and....BREATHE...to actually enjoy just being.

Not be to be preoccupied with the business admin. as you're making school lunches, not to think about getting the washing on the line whilst you're doing the accounts, of trying to plan what to cook for dinner when really, the most important thing is to cut yourself some slack and get caught up in the moment of whatever it is you're doing!

For a while I've loved origami - something about taking a sheet of paper and animating it. We've had a box of old catalogues sitting around for a while and it seemed criminal just to get rid of them (as there really is no such place as 'away'). So it seemed to make sense - make stuff! Soon we'll be exhibiting EcoDepot in Austinmer (opening 28th November), there will be flocks of Catalogue 1 cranes hanging around to greet you. Planning also on selling the cranes in packs, all money will be donated back to bushcare. The cranes are such a joy to fold on the front verandah as the kids monkey about in their treehouse. We live in a fantastic part of the world, where the local bushcare groups do awesome work.

So it's nice being able to share something in return.

Garden Delights

Found:
Soft and snuggly treasure from the talented hands of Chi Chi. Ben and I met her at a fantastic market in Sydney and were immediately drawn to her stall. All the hand crafted little birds chirped out to be patted and held. Zip open their tummies and there is a pocket to fit your phone/ cards/ cash/ secret notes. Each and every creation takes Chi Chi a good three hours to construct these pets from discarded fabrics and notions. We couldn't leave any of the flock behind, so if you'd like to see images of Orange Pops family, please leave a message.

Organic Expo - whew!

What an event!!!Thank you to all the lovely people who popped in to chaeck out our range. We loved having the oportunity to have a chat, let people play with the wind up torches and gererally touch stuff. Ben and I had a ball, but we couldn't have done it without the help of the wonderful inlaws, keeping our 2 children out of mischief.

Organic Expo 2008

It’s been a hectic couple of weeks in the lead up to Sydney’s Organic Expo in Darling Harbour. There have been a few challenges to overcome in the quest to do things in the Eco Depot way, but it is all starting to come together.

The first trick was figuring out the layout of the stall – 3m x 2m is not a lot of space to work with. Once that was sorted we needed a way of making it a reality with recycled, reused and rejected materials. So where do you start? Well at home of course – use what you’ve got, then go from there.

We managed to find two old doors, 4 sawhorses a bunch of pins, some old labels and a rug that would cover the floor nicely. That left the walls, tablecloths and some way of holding it all together, to still be sorted…. Second stop, Reverse Garbage in Marrickville.

If you are in Sydney and you have not visited this treasure trove of second hand, rejected and reusable delights then write it on your ‘to do’ list. Reverse Garbage and The Bower have a couple of warehouses full of fabulous salvaged items that will help with anything from refurnishing to renovating. Check out their website to see what they’re all about www.reversegarbage.org.au

There is also a bunch of new products we have been testing out and it is time for them to meet their market. One of the new ones we love are the ‘Jewels of the Tile’ range, lovely old domino and scrabble tiles have been rescued from certain burial at landfill and transformed into one-of-a-kind, painted and covered works of wearable art. Raffaella, the local artist who makes them has such a passion for her creations, and we love a person with passion – especially when it is an eco friendly one. They are not on the website yet, they will be at the Expo though.

Coledale markets

Come one, come all ! Coledale Markets are on again this Sunday at Coledale Primary School. We'll be displaying our latest goodies - Tubeway Armie Warmers and Woolly coin purses, deliciously fragranced beeswax candles, Liana Kabel jewellery and some new treats from Tikimau.
Most scenic markets on the east coast - you'll also find yummy coffee, lunch (or breakfast) and loads of local treasure. Handmade delights, vintage pieces in fashion and homewares, and some that defy description.

The magic of shops

I think the magic for me started growing up in a general store in a small country town. Rows and racks of stationery, groceries, souvineers and not forgetting the lollies! So many delights! A well thought out store can truely inspire. How many of us have been so overcome that we've splurged on the impulse buy, being sure it would make a great gift and then not being able to part with it. (Happened to me recently)
From here I'll be keeping you updated on the treasures we find for EcoDepot , where we will be making guest appearances and what inspires us.

Be well, Sarah

This vision was from our trip 2 years ago whilst travelling along the east coast before jumping into EcoDepot with a youngster and another on the way.