Crispy designs

New Little Miss handbag range now online at lyssymay.com - featuring sweet applique and handmade buttons!

Handmade in Melbourne

Wednesday night was the launch of the second edition of the 'Handmade in Melbourne' guide at fortyfive downstairs in Flinders Lane. I was thrilled to have been included in its pages and it was a great opportunity after the recent craziness to take an evening out and meet up with some of the many artisans featured in the book which includes not only individual profiles but also guides to great suburbs in Melbourne to discover handmade stockists and studios.

I have some copies available for purchase on lyssymay.com and for more info on the book and to register your interest to be included in the next edition click here.

Hello from the fair!

Well I made it! Here are a few snaps of my stand at the Life Instyle trade show (apologies for fuzziness and poor lighting - they were taken before the houselights went on!).

I am meeting lots of lovely stockists from all over the country and so I will be excited to let you know where a Lyssy May design will be popping up near you over the next few weeks.

The new range is being very well received and I can't wait to share it with you. The next step is for photography and it will be on lyssymay.com in the next couple of weeks but first I think I will need a couple of days on the couch to recuperate!

She's alive!

For those who have wondered where on earth is Lyssy May - well I haven't been doing anything exciting or glamorous. My time has been predominantly devoted to taking lots of days 'out of circulation' to endure a second flu this winter (for Brisbanites take an Ekka flu and times it by 10!). I have then been spending the remainder of my time wondering how I will be setting up my stand at next week's life instyle trade fair.

I have been very lucky to enlist the help and vision of Laura and Jem from Like Butter who have brought my 'shopper girl' from the lyssymay logo to life to keep me company during the fair (she's my height and it's a little freaky!). The talented Like Butter duo are also helping me with some other pieces for my stand so I am looking forward to sharing with you how it all comes together.

Big decisions - how to paint and decorate my new friend!

Being able to collaborate and draw on the skills of other designers is definitely one of the things I am loving most about Ironside Studios.

KerreraSkye knitting

I recently received a lovely email about my blog from Wilma in Scotland who mentioned her daughter, Shirley's Etsy store called KerreraSkye which is brimming with beautifully knitted treasures. I love the colour combinations which on a wintry evening are so cosy to look at - the capelet below is a favourite for me. Plus if you head to the blog there is a corsage giveaway happening this week!

Mulberry Tree Organic

It is always exciting to see another fabulous female venturing into her own business, adding to the increasing number of women I know who are 'doing it for themselves'. I am so impressed with Nicky Flood's online store that she has just launched called Mulberry Tree Organic. This super cute shopping experience takes all the hassle out of seaching looking for organic and fair trade clothes and accessories for babies. Plus they are oh-so-stylish having been carefully sourced from all over the world. The range will be continually expanding so a definite must to visit and check out to see what's new for little ones.

Sewing Sustenance

Today was a bit chilly around the ankles when I arrived at the studio but my little heater soon took care of that and as I paused for a yummy treat and a cuppa I couldn't help but smile at my cosy state and how I much I am enjoying creating some new designs - a sneak peek is hopefully on the agenda for next week!