Rock your Stockings Xmas Market

This Saturday Lyssy May will be at the 'Rock your Stockings' Xmas  Pop Up market at 118 High St Prahran from 10 AM to 3 PM in aid of the Smith Family. Would love to see you there - there will be fabulous stalls to browse!

(p.s. doing a little last minute shopping? Like us on facebook to get 20% off everything in our store within the next 24 hours).

Every girl needs a sanctuary

Whilst my fingers have been idle on the keyboard, they have been anything but in my day to day existence with a house purchase, move and now renovation happening in the last 2 months.

This weekend however I decided to luxuriate in some quality time at the studio and whilst taking pics of some new designs in the laneway I was reminded how much character and history resides where Lyssy May has lived at Ironside Studios for nearly 3 years.

Unfortunately the warehouse is under development threat and there is a public meeting coming up for the council to hear objections from the general public. Fingers crossed heritage will win out and our beautiful creative haven will be preserved.

Swoony fabric

Just flicking through the October issue of Living etc and my heart skipped a beat when I saw this ad for a new collection by Villa Nova (UK) called High Society. Just lovely...

(pics: http://www.villanova.co.uk/collections/new-collections/high-society.html)

Weather's a little choppy

Today was a classic 4 seasons in one day in typical Melbourne style. In the 2 mins of sunshine Minnie May posed for a picture with a new chopstick design. Summer is the inspiration for this little collection of designs (now in store). Just need the weather to co-operate!

French Checks - zip purses now in store

 Check 'em out via the online store

New Designs - Lunch in Daylesford

I have had a creative burst using fabrics I sourced when I last visited Thea's studio (with more to come). Just added to the store is her beautiful Marguerite design in 2 colourways new to Lyssy May. The designs remind me of a leisurely day in Daylesford...now in store.

Artistic Direction

Now in stock in the shopfront- wallets featuring the Campus maps of the Victorian College of Arts and RMIT. Other Universities/Colleges etc available on request if they are available!

 back view of wallets

Little Miss Picnic

I do love working with Italian fabrics and this super pretty waffle pique I found in the Garment District in NYC was destined for a Little Miss design the moment I spied it on the shelves. Available now in the shopfront.

Keep it Simple

In keeping with an overall strategy to simplify my everyday life I've 're-jigged' the Lyssy May website. Admittedly its not as pretty as it has been in recent iterations however it will hopefully be just as inviting!

The big change that I am experimenting with is a big cartel store. This is part of a move to put more 'one only' designs on the site and this shopping cart option makes it easier for stock management. Plus the big cartel app allows the store to be integrated with facebook so hopefully it makes it easier for shoppers to see what's new and purchase all in the one place.

I hope to build up the number of products listed over the coming weeks so there will be lots to browse by the time Christmas shopping rolls around.

Anyway, that's been my Sunday's worth of work - I hope you've all had lovely weekends!

Skipping along

One of the many things I love about being based at Ironside Studios is you never know what will greet you when you arrive at the warehouse. With so many artists and designers there is always something to inspire and enjoy. Lately a scrap metal recycling skip has landed in the laneway which proved the perfect backdrop to take some images of some retro fabric clutch designs I've just finished...

Hanging Out

[Yes - I am still here!] Whilst browsing one of my most favourite Australian retailers - kikki-k - I stumbled across these hanger shaped paper clips that come in a cute glass jar. It reminded me of how at primary school we used to fold coloured paper clips into hearts and thread them onto our shoe laces and thought it was the height of coolness. (visit kikki-k here or even better go and soak up the loveliness of one of their retail stores if you can).

Back on Deck

Any holiday is good for the soul but my trip to NYC was pretty special. As I swirl the new ideas through my jet lagged brain I am excited about the inspiration I received from the art, music, beautifully hot summer days, the pace and the people. Expect these to be woven into some upcoming Lyssy May designs!

Central Park looking towards Upper West Side apartments

Gone Shopping

Lyssy May is on holiday (mixed with a little business). I will be back from 18th July and will try and post the odd update on facebook. Hello NYC - I feel we might be good friends!

(photo: redbubble.com)

New Stockist: Redbird

Today I had the great pleasure of meeting Anna, whose Seddon store - Redbird - stocks an eclectic mix of handmade treasures, books and furniture... and now also Lyssy May's designs. Be sure to pop by this treasure trove when you are next in the neighbourhood. It is located at Shop 3 / 107 Victoria St, Seddon. Ph. 9687 9840.

Tiger and Hare - open studio

Lyssy May's lovely Ironside neighbours - Tiger and Hare - will also hosting an open studio this Saturday (18th June). Amanda will be on hand to welcome visitors to show their label's super sweet handmade designs. Yay!

New designs for winter '11

New designs have arrived at lyssymay.com...

each of the following comes in alternative colourways...



Vintage Mosaics 

 Have you any wool?

French Totes



Onabee in Kensington

Lyssy May has just delivered a batch of wallets to Onabee (200 Bellair St, Kensington), including these new ones featuring original pages from a 1970's Girls Annual which are lined with the recycled pages of a dictionary. Owner of Onabee, Fiona, is passionate about both craft and her community which shows in the cosy and crafty ambiance of her store which has the most beautiful selection of wools which sit along side gorgeous handmade wares. If you are in Kensington for a coffee be sure to pop by to see this local treasure!

Celestial intervention

I've been looking for the perfect accent for a little colour themed display I'd created a couple of weeks ago using books so I was pretty happy to spot this 'Billy Button' bottle vase by Angus and Celeste at the Fed Square market on the weekend. I've been spying their beautiful ceramics for a while - the hardest part is choosing!

Markit this weekend

If you are in Melbourne this weekend you may want to pop by Markit @ Fed Square featuring lots of fabulous wares. I am excited to be going to a market as a shopper for a change! My main reason to visit though is to see my favourite jewellery designer from Queensland -  Nicole from Hot Toffee . I think I will have to treat myself to yet another pair of her beautiful handmade earrings. Take a peek here.

Singapore daydream

This time last year I was wandering lazily through the beautiful Orchid Gardens in Singapore so today I have been flicking through my holiday snaps like this one.

I am reminded I should make more of an effort to have my digital photos printed and create some good old fashioned photo albums...like these 'beautiful accordion style design influenced by the horizontal scrolls and folding screens of traditional Japanese art' found online at Notemaker.

Save the Date - open studio

Lyssy May will be opening its doors for you to come and check out our studio and designs on Saturday June 18th from 10 AM to 2 PM. We'd love to see you there! 

Bag adventures by Esther Frieda

How fantastic are these photographic prints? Entitled 'Bag Adventures' they are the creations of Melbourne photographer Esther Frieda.

'Party Girl' (above) will soon be adorning the walls at Lyssy May's studio - yay!

Birthday Brooches for All...

Lyssy May has just turned 8! My little girl is celebrating by sending all our lovely customers a handmade fabric brooch for any orders received before the end of May. Nominate your favourite colour during checkout to ensure you have something extra special for you.

Thanks to my beloved customers and supporters for an amazing 8 years - it's been a truly special journey and I am excited to see what else lies ahead for this little label.

Odd Molly

Lyssy May has long been a fan of Odd Molly (Stockholm). This gorgeous damask number with embroidered detail is on my most coveted list for an upcoming adventure to escape the Winter.

New Stockists - West and South

I have been remiss in updating Tassie and WA readers that Lyssy May designs are now available at Embellish (Launceston) and Out on a Limb Eco Design Store (Perth). Both stores are run by savvy ladies with an eye for the unique. Would love the chance to pop in myself soon!

 Out on a Limb Eco Design Store - 194 Whatley Cr, Perth

Embellish - 157 Brisbane St, Launceston

Happy Mothers Day

Special wishes to all the Mums today. This is a favourite pic of mine once taken in my Grandmother's kitchen. It encapsulates a lot of the joy our family gatherings here particularly amongst the lineage of females - home baking in the cake tins, cups of tea and sunlight streaming in the window with lots of conversation and laughs. I hope you have a few moments of simple pleasures today.

Brisbanites: Thea & Sami Opens its own Store!

Lyssy May's dear friend, Thea & Sami is opening a new Store/Studio in Capalaba this Saturday. You can find all the event details here on Facebook. Thea produces beautiful handprinted natural fabrics in a range of stunning original designs which I love to feature in the Lyssy May range. Her new store is sure to be an oasis for those who love quality Australian made fabrics and homewares. I can't wait to check it out when I am next back in Brisbane!

Sisters' Market this Saturday

If you are in Melbourne this Saturday it would be great to see you at the Sisters' Market, Brunswick Town Hall from 10 am to 4 pm. Lots of gorgeous wares to browse!

History Lesson

Recently Lyssy May has had the immense pleasure of working with pages from 1920's & 1930's editions of the Queensland Times to create a series of bespoke wallets for Province Modern Country in Ipswich. The owner of the store, Naomi, discovered the newspapers when renovating her Queenslander.

Locals have been loving the ability to take home a piece of history with their beautiful advertisements and compelling articles about the turbulent times of war. A favourite in the latest batch features an advertisement for "King Tea". Whilst the love of a good cup of tea is still shared amongst females I am sure the words of this ad are highly unlikely to make an appearance decades later...."to be known as the perfect hostess is the rightful aim of every good housewife"!

Busy as a Bee

I do love a little weekend adventure and have just returned after a couple of days in Canberra. I lived there for a couple of years when I first left uni (let's just say I didn't last long as a public servant but do miss that 'flexi time'!). I hadn't been back in over 10 years and as I was greeted by hot hair balloons drifting above the lake on my drive in from the airport and I remembered how pretty and relaxed Canberra can be. After a leisurely breakfast at Manuka it was off to the The Ballets Russes exhibit at the National Gallery which is an amazing insight into the world of costume design and the condition and detail of the designs is stunning. I also popped in to one of Thea's stockists , The Bodhi Leaf, which is a gorgeous eco store in Braddon that also is home to a couple of other cute and quirky stores. There I purchased a beautiful handmade bees wax candle by queen b (photo courtesy of website above). It is fantastic to find a funky take on the bees wax candle - I adore that aroma!  Lots of laughs and catching up with friends plus a brilliant Saturday night at the Enlighten Festival all made for a great break. There is more to that town than politicians - thank goodness!