BaBee Blocks

BaBee Blocks is one of the unique and exciting businesses you can expect to see at the market on September 9^th.

Rachel initially purchased her sewing machine to sew her son’s cloth nappies. She considered selling her MCN creations but after sewing her second son a cloth book her husband suggested she sell books rather then nappies! Not long after creating the first fabric book Rachel made a little fabric block, which was also loved by her sons. So in late 2010 Rachel set up a Facebook page to see if she could sell some of her creations. Before she knew it BaBee Blocks was receiving so many orders that Rachel was forced to limit the number of custom order spots available!

BaBee Blocks now makes soft balls, crayon wallets and rolls as well as cloth books and blocks. Rachel said her specialty is interactive baby toys, “I have discovered my creative side and love it- so that’s why I started, and have kept going with my little business!”

Rachel is also passionate about her eco/organic range.  She expressed frustration at the number of products available which are advertised as ‘organic’ but in fact are only partially so. Rachel is careful to ensure that her organic/eco range is exactly that- 100% what it claims to be.

Rachel hopes to continue with BaBee Blocks and to see it grow into a full time (day) job once her children begin school- rather then sewing 7 nights a week! She will continue with her current lines but also has pages of ideas for future products. Rachel has also considered making an organic/eco line of clothing with funky prints as it can be so difficult to find organic items in any colours other then pastel!

BaBee Blocks currently supplies four local shops- three of which are solely organic suppliers. In the future Rachel hopes to see her products in more local shops and perhaps do a market once a month, “…just to get out there amongst it all- working from home means you miss out on the social aspect of ‘going’ to work.”

Rachel is grateful that the business enables her to use her creativity to make individualized items all while having her young kids at home with her.

BaBee Blocks products make perfect personalised gifts for baby showers, namings, christenings and birthdays- or just because! You can check out BaBee Blocks very own website here, or follow them on Facebook. 

Peppertree & Paisley

Peppertree & Paisley is a new local business started by Loren Heathcote in April of this year. Loren had been making accessories and toys for her family and friends for a couple of years but then started receiving requests for custom orders. Peppertree & Paisley create handmade gifts and goodies for the babies, children, and mothers, from cute and cuddly owls, to gorgeous jewelry. Loren loves to create special little gifts for special little people that are anything but "disposable".

Loren got her love of craft and sewing from her mother and grandmother and before having children, she worked as a designer and product developer in the fashion industry. After the birth of her daughter, motherhood become her main job, however, she still needed a creative outlet. Although now, she found it much more interesting creating items for her daughter, which led to the birth of Peppertree & Paisley.

Her range includes toys, nursery decor and accessories for babies and children, as well as a few accessories for the well-deserving mothers. Loren aims “to ensure these items are both beautiful AND practical.”  During her studies a lecturer told her that colour was her strength, and she has “always had an obsession with beautiful printed fabrics. I try to make these the emphasis of my products” she explains.

Loren hopes “that the goodies I make will survive the annual toy box/wardrobe clear out and one day be put away in a keepsake box, or stashed in a suitcase under a bed in a uni room perhaps.”  Despite her items being handmade, they are also affordable. Loren is not interested “in being another children's business that caters only for the wealthy minority market - we have enough of those already! I have no desire to be exclusive - I'd rather be inclusive any day of the week.”

Loren’s favourite thing about owning Peppertree & Paisley is that she is able to decide when she wants to work, and how much work she wants to do. She is enjoying being able to spend these few special years with her daughter before school starts.

Peppertree & Paisley is still only starting out and Loren’s goal is to continue to be able to create the things she loves.

Come and meet Loren and view the beautiful items she creates at the Northern Rivers Child &Family Market, on Sunday 9^th September, 2012 at the Lismore City Workers Club between 10:30-3:30. Also, be sure to pop over to her Facebook page and say hello!

Well I'll be Darned

As part of our fundraising efforts for LBH’s special care unit we’re running an amazing raffle that has been made possible by the generous donations of businesses.

One donator is the lovely Kelly from ‘Well I’ll be Darned’. Kelly thought she may never be blessed with children after 16 years with one partner and no pregnancies. So when Kelly found she was pregnant with her new husband at age 36 she described it as “…a major shock and a blessing.” Kelly now has two little ones and is able to stay at home with them while running ‘Well I’ll be Darned’.

Kelly had made some knitted props for a friend working in photography, absolutely delighted with what she had created she urged Kelly to consider setting up a little business. Kelly checked around and discovered there weren’t many knitters selling on Facebook and almost no custom knitting available. So ‘Well I’ll be Darned’ was born on April 4^th 2011, Kelly’s birthday! Just over a year later and the business has 1772 likes on Facebook! The ‘little’ business became so busy that Kelly was forced to refuse further orders for nearly 6 months in order to keep up with the massive influx!

Kelly can knit anything. She said she does make suggestions, and most people will stick with those with maybe a colour or sizing change. Occasionally, Kelly said, she does have someone ask “…for totally unique items. So I do pattern searches, search down specific yarns etc., really do whatever the client wants. Variety is amazing and something that keeps my interest rather than knitting the same thing day in, day out. I love it!”

Quality is important and Kelly ensures nothing leaves her store that she wouldn’t be happy to put on her own kids. “I definitely knit with loves and truly hope that shows through in my work,” Kelly said.

Kelly said she is happy with where her business is at the moment. She makes just enough to treat her kids- mostly to more handmade items from fellow FB stores, Kelly says she is a real handmade addict! Kelly says while she could employ knitters to grow her business if it ever got big enough but she feels she would be to concerned about relinquishing control when they might not have her enthusiasm or love of the job.

Kelly has offered to donate one boys item and one girls item to the raffle, stay tuned to our Facebook page where we will showcase the raffle prizes available in the months to come. Be sure to check out ‘Well I’ll be Darned’ on Facebook as well and thank Kelly for her generous donation to the Northern Rivers Child and Family Market. 

If you would like to hold a stall or contribute a prize to the raffle and help to support the Lismore Base Hospital's neonatal care unit then please email us at nrcfmarket@hotmail.com