Monday 3 September 2012

Spring has Sprung!


Not a day goes by without me being thankful for the beautiful flowers which grow in our garden.  They really do bring me so much joy.  This wonderful bunch of things which I picked last week certainly confirmed the presence of Spring here and even though the official first day of Spring occurred last Saturday, I think here in Brisbane we've been experiencing the loveliness of Spring weather for the past few weeks.



To celebrate the arrival of Spring, last Saturday we held an exciting and unprecedented Spring Flea market at Black & Spiro. 



We collaborated with a few local artisans including the very talented artist Pip Boydell whose work we have all fallen-in-love with since her first exhibition at Black & Spiro last Christmas.  Just like her first exhibition, her pieces on Saturday sold-out within the first couple of hours.  All 17 pieces...sold! 



We were also very excited to have the incredibly creative Kara Hynes & Ellen Newman from Lulu Lucky display their wares.  The girl's pieces were absolutely beautiful.  I couldn't help but bring a few of their divine pot plants home for our verandah...not to mention the fabulous multi-coloured Hmong clutches!!



My little garden posies proved to be very popular along with the delicious home-baked treats by Lora Calvisi...the proceeds of which will be donated to St. Vincent de Paul.  We were also thrilled to have a few of Vanessa Macphail's original artworks for sale and a huge thank you to her for doing the amazing chalk street signs...she is one talented girl!!



The other amazing, hard-working and talented girls I would like to mention are Olivia, Alexandra & Sarah...my wonderful team of girls at Black & Spiro.  Without them Saturday would never have been.  From sewing a patchwork of fabric for our window diplay and bunting for the street to organising the invitations, the stock, the packaging of the baked goods, the list goes on and on.  These girls are the backbone of Black & Spiro and they must be thanked and bowed down to because they are a wonderful, hard-working, happy and obliging bunch of girls!!



This brings me to you..the clients, the friends, the supporters, the followers...I must say that you, YES YOU, never cease to amaze me on days like Saturday.  I really was blown away by the turn-out with one lady lining up before I arrived at 6.30am and then as it approached 9am the line just got bigger and bigger and bigger.  I can't believe that you all line up there like that.  I really can't.  And you all do it so nicely and orderly and you are all so friendly to each other.  The sense of community spirit is there in that line-up and it follows right through to that dreaded line to pay.  I worked on the till at this event and I will admit to you that it stressed me to no end that you all had to wait so long to pay for your lovely things.  But again you all stood there so patiently and hapilly.  So I would like to thank you for your amazing support and I want you to know that I feel so special that you all come along and enjoy what we do. 

I would also like to say that we are planning a Christmas Flea which we hope to hold around the 1st of December....perfect timing for Christmas gift-buying.  What I want to achieve with these fleas is to encourage you all to support our local Brisbane up-and-coming artisans.  I will be calling for submissions for our Christmas flea as we would like to add a few artisans to the line-up we already have.  And next time I think we will hold it entirely in our carpark at Black & Spiro so that it can be bigger and better!! 

Thank you again and I really hope you enjoyed our first Black & Spiro Flea Market.  Let's support local artists, local craftspeople, local businesses because it wouldn't be the same without them!!

xx
Anna

10 comments:

pve design said...

Anna,
I just wish I could hop on that line to see and shop for some pretty things. Love the way you just magically make it all happen. Love that bouquet.
Happy Spring to you while we hop to Fall.....which I love too. I love all the seasons....
pve

WorthyStyle said...

What beautiful flowers from your garden! And the different displays are lovely as well. So happy you had a strong turnout!

Renée Finberg said...

ohhhhhhhh.......
i would love tobe there.
when i finally move to maine...
it will be the beginning of our winter!
COLD.

these are happy visions!
:)

Keren - The Brown Trading Co. said...

Wow look at that line up of dedicated 'Fleas' hehe

Truly fabulous Anna - congratulations to all involved. Can't wait for Christmas.

Keren
xx

Unknown said...

Oh Anna! it was such a wonderful day and I can't wait to be a part of the next one! xx

Shell Sherree said...

I'm so happy it's Spring - my favourite season, Anna. And I was so sorry I couldn't come along on Saturday ~ I thought of you and the girls busily arranging everything, and the glorious weather, and knew you'd have gathered plenty of beautiful things. Those sweet peas of yours would have been the first thing I'd choose. x

Faux Fuchsia said...

I love my beautiful vase and fabric.

Standing in line is always fun because the people are so nice and funny and there is always Good Chat!

Everything as usual was so attractive and beautifully presented.

Can't wait for the Christmas Flea market.

Cheers, xxx

Joy S. said...

I love your blog. That is all. Someone told me about it this year when I needed ideas for our home. Other home decor websites were also mentioned, but over the months they have fallen by the wayside and only this remains. I don't know if it's our common love of old things picked up and made our own or if it's the warmth and beautiful sense of design that comes through in your blog, I love it all.

Yelle said...

This post is absolutely colorful, perfect for my Saturday, and I love all of the chalk board, so cute!

Clare Lancaster said...

Hi Anna, I've just rediscovered your blog after moving back to Brisbane from London. Love that you're supporting local artists and other small businesses and can't wait to visit your Christmas Flea! xo