Herbert and Friends - Handmade Softies by Torunn

Mr Walrus has joined Herbert's consort of quirky friends. Welcome to the team Mr Walrus! He's a custom order but he has completely won me over so there'll be more walruses to come.. 

Also, today is the first day of spring! I love winter but it's always nice when spring comes around, so here are some 'spring' photos for the sake of it. 

I have another new stockist in Surry Hills, Koskela, which I checked out for the first time today. It was absolutely stunning! It's a design/furniture shop - the kind of place where you wish you could buy absolutely everything. It has a very scandinavian feel with a lot of light-coloured wood and simple clean designs. Most of the products and furniture is Australian made and they stock a bunch of local independent designers like myself. Their address is Level 1, The Imperial Slacks Building, 91 Campbell St, Surry Hills NSW. Check it out! Unfortunately I didn't have my good camera with me so this was taken with the iphone. 

This photo is from the Koskela website. 

Over the last couple of days I've been updating some web stuff, including my 'creature' page which was in dire need of a revamp. I've also resurrected my Etsy store! There are a few more web things that need attention but I feel it's been a productive start. 

In other news, each Friday we get a fruit and vege box delivered which is surprisingly very exciting - mostly because we never know what we're getting. Today we got 2 bananas (among other things) which is even more exciting because I haven't eaten a banana for about 5 months! In case you're interested, we get our box from Chippendale Fresh Food Co-op.  

This awesome little publication from New Zealand has included one of my red pandas in their 'objects of desire' section in the current issue - very exciting! The novelty of seeing your work in print never gets old. If you want to get more info on the little mag check out their blog! 

As many of you probably know, the lovely ladies behind the Finders Keepers Market have opened a shop in Surry Hills called Follow Store, and some of my little critters have set up temporary residence there! I stopped by the store over the weekend and it's everything you expect and hope it to be. It's full of little delights from local and international designers and the shop fittings are the original pharmacy cupboards from 1898. They've done a sensational job putting it together so if you find yourself in that part of town take a look! The address is 380 Cleveland Street, Surry Hills, NSW. Opening hours are 11am – 6pm Weds to Saturday and 11am – 4pm on Sunday.

Photos are from the Finders Keepers website. 

With another friend's baby on the way, I decided to make an owl mobile. I've been thinking about making one for a while so it was the perfect excuse to finally do it. Admittedly I had a few doubts during the production process but I think it all came together in the end. Hopefully the baby will think so too!  

Today I had a trawl around on Etsy for the first time in ages - it was a combination of procrastination and 'research'. Here are some of the gems I found along the way...

Whale throw pillow - Delft blue, by Mengsel designs
Salt and pepper bouls, by Paulova
Zebra cup from Gefle, design Eugen Trost, by Lenaanstis
STOCKHOLM Yellow and white XL French Messenger-8 pockets, by Ikabags
Vintage Copco Tea Kettle by Michael Lax, by Modfolk
Triangles Screen-Printed Loop Circle Scarf infinity, by White Moth

A couple of weeks ago we got together with a bunch of friends to make a wall hanging/story telling device for some friends who are having a baby. The basic idea is that you made a background wall hanging in felt and each person makes a character or object with some velcro on the back so it can be stuck onto the background anywhere you like and they can all be moved around. We decided the background would be fairytale themed with a sci-fi twist, and I have to say it turned out pretty awesomely! Each little character is very unique and in some ways reflect the personality its maker. Last weekend it was given to the friends having the baby, and from what I hear it was a hit!   

This is a selection of the characters - there were more added that I didn't get a chance to photograph. 

This week we're in Falls Creek for our annual snow trip. Today was our first day on the slopes and the conditions were perfect - the sun was shining, it snowed and there was no wind. The mountain was also remarkably uncrowded. Here are some photos courtesy of the old trusty iphone.

Yesterday my friend, Diana, looked after my market stall at Eveleigh Artisans' Market while we were road-tripping to the snow. I wanted to say a big thank you to her as well as everyone who visited the market - it sounds like it was an excellent day!