Sassypop Kids

The Art of Doing Nothing

2011-05-06T23:19:00.000-07:00

School started this week, and it was a big week. It was my daughter's first full week in Prep, up until Easter holidays they had been having Wednesday's off school for rest. If that was not big enough, they also had cross country this week, a long way to run and a lot of excitement.

So this morning was spent in the celebration of the Art of Doing Nothing. It found us by 9am wrapped in warm blankets on the couch, heating on, chocolate cupcakes in our hands and a movie on..... quiet moments are sometimes much needed.

Nearly Back to School

2011-04-30T15:20:00.000-07:00

These holidays - like all - have gone so fast. We had three full weeks off school and we seemed to have put so much into our days. What do you enjoy doing with your kids on holidays? We try to do a mix of down time and activities out of the house. We went roller skating, visited old friends in Castlemain and Marysville, had a couple of birthday celebrations, enjoyed an easter hunt, saw big dinosaurs at Docklands, went to the movies and more.

But some of the best days were spent at home. The weather in Melbourne has been wonderful, beautiful Autumn weather, the leaves outside my window as I write are golden on the big tree (and making a huge mess) and we have spent a few days outside with friends, making cubby houses, pulling out all our craft making things out and doing lots of baking together.

We also had a wonderful time at the new park in Marysville. This park was the intiative of some wonderful mums from the community and the result has been the most beautiful children's garden, with lots of quiet space but also lots of wonderful things to play on and explore.

So tomorrow it is back to routine and school...... it comes around too fast.

Waiting on a Delivery

2011-02-03T17:07:00.000-08:00

Today I am working from home. It is raining and I am waiting for a delivery of some new products to arrive. It has been the first week with both children at school. My daughter started prep this year and has completed her first 4 days (Wednesdays are a rest day from school). I got to thinking about when they were young and the games they played and what were some of their favourite toys?

When my son was very young we gave him a set of nesting oval boxes with lids from IKEA. They were glossy and brightly coloured - beautiful and he spent hours and hours stacking them, taking the lids on and off and putting the boxes inside each other. Problem was he chewed them and ate parts of the soft cardboard.

Then someone gave him some nesting boxes with Beatrix Potter designs. Classic images and so pretty. These boxes were played with by him and then is younger sister. They stacked them, created towers and knocked them down, put them in size order and then when the kids got older, they used these nesting boxes as homes for their farm animals or as garages for their cars. The imaginative play from a series of boxes was endless...

Sundays

2011-01-30T15:47:00.000-08:00

During the holidays we headed down to the beach for a week. Time was spent with different friends coming to stay - days at the beach and a couple of trips out and about. We love the Strawberry Fields in Red Hill. Pick your own and then to enjoy a treat at the cafe. Love their home made Strawberry Ice cream Sundays!

Lego Fun

2011-01-25T17:31:00.000-08:00

Lego came to Melbourne in January and thousands turned out. Held at the Melbourne Town Hall by a group of volunteer adults who love lego they opened their expo to the public on Sunday. Queues were a 2 hour wait. But it was worth it once we got in. My son loved it. So inspired and we got to talk to some amazing people, including a man who was one of 12 in the world, lucky enough to be employed to set up huge lego models. We had a great day out.

Summer Holiday Fun

2011-01-25T17:18:00.000-08:00

Things have been busy in the world of Sassypop Kids. Not only have I been juggling two children on Summer Holidays but sales have been strong and I have been involved in stocking some of the Sassypop Kids wooden toys in The Coffee Apple Shop. This wonderful shop mainly stocks beautiful hand made items from very talented mums, however the Sassypop Kids wooden toys were seen by The Coffee Apple Shop owner and we were asked to be a part of it all. Situated at 28 Railway Pde in East Ringwood, the dream is to move into a larger premises and combine a cafe with lovely products to purchase. All would be family friendly. If you live in the area pop down and have a look at the wonderful seletion of products.

Sale Items at Sassypop Kids

2010-11-16T16:38:00.000-08:00

With the last few weeks for christmas shopping, Sassypop Kids is having a clear out. We had lots of items with only one or two left in stock. So it is time for the Sassypop Sale. Log onto the site and finish off your christmas shopping and pick up a bargin. Or pick up a stocking filler - most items under $5.00. We also have just had a delivery of beautiful wooden fairy bowling sets and the cute Tin with the Doctor/Nurses kit is back in stock for Christmas.

Enjoy this beautiful day!

A Perfect Melbourne Day

2010-11-08T20:17:00.001-08:00

The sun is shining. In fact it is about 28 degrees in Melbourne. I have had a spoiling day today with lunch out with my mum and her friend. I have a few minutes before I have to go and collect children and the house is so quiet.

Yesterday the new Owl backpacks arrived from Stephen Joseph. I love this design.

Back in stock are the Turtle backpacks and Turtle Tote bags. The totes are perfect for taking to the pool or to the beach - stock up on them for Christmas.

Fairy Floss Market

2010-10-26T17:15:00.000-07:00

Early in October I attended the first Fairy Floss Market. It was held in Doncaster and was such a beautiful market. There were the most talented, creative stall holders and the room that it was held in was sunny (it had huge windows) and everything was set up so beautifully. On arrival each stall was set with a white tablecloth and each stallholder received a beautifully decorated chocolate cookie.. Kirsty - the organiser did such a brillant job and marketing the event and in the organisation of it the day ran so smoothly and the crowds did not stop until right on closing time. Kirsty has since held one in Geelong, there will be one in Berwick in November, another in Williamstown and Doncaster in December. The Fairy Floss Market will be a huge success for all who take their products and for the shoppers. Visit one near you.

One of the new tea sets - Pink Polka Dot from SparkleT that I took to the Fairy Floss and Yarra Glen Market in October.

Sassypopkids Catch up

2010-10-26T16:39:00.000-07:00

So much has been happening at Sassypop Kids since August when I last did a blog. Two months ago, that is shocking - I am so sorry to have been so slow. But today I will get on track. School holidays put things on hold sometimes and today for the first time in ages I have a week day to my self. My daughter will finish Kinder at noon and then is going to a friends house for a play so I have a whole day to work uninterrupted.

In September outside markets began again in Melbourne in a big way. School fetes start happening and lots of people are out and about. Sassypop Kids returned to the Yarra Valley Food and Wine Market at the Yarra Glen Racecourse, second Sunday of each month and the crowds have been out and about. See our site http://www.sassypopkids.com.au/ for a list of market dates. In October I took to this market all our usual lovely toys plus a table of wonderful handmade lovely items - knitted dolls from a clever friend of mine Michelle, beautiful sun hats and funky shower caps, some great felt cats from a lovely lady I met at the Sisters Market and the best t shirts done by Caroline. The stall looked so colourful and great - the sun shone and it was a lovely day out.

The last of the Flippsy Floppsy Dolls in Stock. Made by a SA mum

These felt cats I found at the Sisters Market made by Heather. I love them.

My friend Michelle makes these knitted people and chickens.

These brilliant T-shirts have iron on pictures so funky made by Caroline

A range of pretty sun hats with pretty material inside as well. In all sizes

A Rainy Day

2010-08-18T05:40:00.000-07:00

Sunday in Melbourne was wet, cold and a bit gloomy. Both of my children were tired and a bit run down, so we had a day at home and friends and family drop around throughout the day. But before we had any visitors, we had a huge play together. The old duplo came out, the wooden tree, a pond for the birds, the Janod Farm House and Flexi wooden farm animals. We had taken over the bedroom and we played and created - it was marvelous. I love creative days like this.

To Market To Market - Sister's Market

2010-08-14T03:40:00.000-07:00

Today we attended the Sisters Market. This is a lovely indoor market at the Brunswick town hall www.sistersmarket.com.au I attended in June and Jess and I went back to have a stall today. Due to the size of stalls (small), we only take one range of our stock. So at this market we showcase the Calafant cardboard art kits.

One of the great things about a market is the other stallholders. When there is a lull in selling, stallholders chat, swap stories, recommend other markets, - it is lovely meeting all these great people.

Today I was blessed to have my stall near to lovely women. Right next to me was a lovely young girl - Marina and her friend Lisa. Marina is incredibly talented. She has taken a break from work, to launch her own business - Green Essence Candles. Her stall display was stunning. These candles were the best smelling candles I have my vanilla one burning tonight and the price was so low. However the best thing is she makes all the candles herself out of EcoSoya Wax and sources the beautiful tins and bottles herself. Her site will be live on 30 August so check it out at www.greenessencecandles.com.au and then visit her at a market. I am blown away by her talent and courage to get this out to the rest of us.

Opposite my stall was the lovely Annabelle. She is the mother of two boys and this was also her first market. She was sewing and making the most pretty, soft and beautiful tops for children. With applique and buttons - there was a look for any child. I am so poor at sewing that I truely admire anyone who can keep two pieces of materials together let alone design something as brilliant as these tops. Contact me for her details if you wish to order any or find out which markets she will be attending. Your children will look so pretty and cool in these tops and rompers for bubs.

Jess spent last night, decorating our Calafant Castle display. And of course it looked stunning on our table, children were drawn to it and could not help but open doors and play.

Winter at Sassypop Kids

2010-08-03T17:22:00.000-07:00

Well at the foot of Mt Dandenong it is cold. Winter has really set in and I am longing for Spring. However we have managed to have some days outside while the sun has shone. We have spent some great weekends at our friends farm in Yarra Glen, only about a 30 minute drive and then we are out in the bush, the dogs are running mad and the children are off exploring. I love the days spent there, it is what childhood memories are made of. A couple of weekends ago we were there all day and into the early evening with a very large bonfire roaring to keep us all warm. There is nothing better than days spent with friends.

On an exciting note, my friends in Marysville have commenced the building of their new home. Again I have spent some lovely days up with them, watching the build progress, sitting in the warm sun that blessed on our visits. The house is going to be amazing - it is a slot and groove house, with all the frame work just slotting into each other like jigsaw pieces - really wonderful.

On the business side of life, Sassypop Kids is eagerly awainting the better weather as more and more markets begin to pop up all over Melbourne. The calander is already beginnning to book up and we love getting out and showing our range of products to everyone. This weekend we are off to the Children's market, then the following weekend to the Sister's Market. See our site for address details.

We have also taken in some new exciting stock from SparkleT - beautiful building blocks, naughts and crosses games and imaginative play sets. They are wooden and so beautifully detailed. Very good prices for the quality of the toys.

Calafant Products Arrive at Sassypop Kids

2010-06-14T19:27:00.000-07:00

These new products are amazing. If your child likes art, likes to decorate, or even likes putting things together such as lego then they are going to love the range of cardboard products from Calafant. Designed by German cartoonist, the Calafant range is made from sturdy , recycable cardboard and comes in so many great designs. For younger children there is the level 1 range. This includes a dinosaur, horse and carriage, space ship and many more - all packs at this level include 6 textas and the products slot together (no glue or scissors are necessary) and then the design is ready for decorating. Cost for level 1 is $12.50

At the level 2 range there is a farm house, a mermaid cove, and two different castles all ready to be put together and decorated with the 12 textas that are included. Once completed children can then add their farm animals, knights or other toys to create imaginative play. Level 2 range is $19.95

Level 3 is the larger range. Designs include a dolls house, castle, palace, pirate fort, indian camp, and the beautiful tree house. For the older child and particularly for any child who loves to put things together and build. This range is $29.95 and you need to add your own paints to decorate.

The largest product is the Robot. He stands at 39 cm in height and has moveable arms - he is amazing. He costs $35.00

Relatively new to Australia, these products will stretch the imagination when it comes to decorating them and then playing with them. And best of all, they are recycable, so when the children no longer play with them, out they go in the recycle bin.

New Craft Packs and Activities

2010-05-09T21:27:00.000-07:00

I arrived at my son's school last week to the most beautiful sight. The children in art had created the most colourful and magnificent hanging decorations and mobiles. The teachers had supplied the materials and each child's creation was truely individual and unqiue. I was so inspired, as soon as I got home I was on the phone to Jess chatting on and on that we truely needed to bring back some handmade products into our range and to keep creating some craft kits for children to purchase. So we have. Soon you will find, inexpensive craft kits for your children on our site. These kits will contain all that you need for your child to make the project. They will be simple, fun and a great idea for a rainy day over winter holidays. Or buy a few for an activity with friends. If you live near Melbourne then at the June Yarra Valley Racecourse Market come out to our stall to join in the activities. At the market for a small cost your child can join in and actually make a craft project on the spot and they will be able to choose their own materials to use. Or if you don't have time for them to make it at the market, then take home a pack for them to do later. And the best news, is Sassypop Kids has their stall right need the food and coffee area, so mums and dads can relax with a coffee and we will entertain your children. We are really excited to be trialing this new idea of Sassypop Kids Craft and Art Activities at the market in June.

May 2010 Yarra Valley Market

2010-05-09T21:13:00.000-07:00

The May Yarra Valley Market was a little bit quiet due to some unfortunate advertising from the Healesville Market that redirected and confused a few shoppers. For those who found their way to the correct market at the Yarra Valley Racecourse they found a great day of shopping in place! The weather was lovely, there was food, treats and coffee a plenty, jumping castle and lots of beautiful produce and products. Jess and I decided to really focus on the Stephen Joesph range for this market - and we rejigged the display. Jess did a great job and the stand with some of the Stephen Joesph range looked just stunning. The Sunday 6 June 2010 is the last market until September. Come along and join in and have a great shopping day . It is a great day out for the family. Remember it is the Yarra Valley Racecourse Market held at the Yarra Glen racecourse 9am to 2pm. See past blogs to see a sample of what is on sale by talented craftsman and women.

So Many New Products

2010-04-10T03:59:00.001-07:00

We have been overwhelmed by the fantastic new products at Sassypop Kids. We have received beautiful new items from Stephen Joesph - including a beautiful Turtle backpack for the girls and a great range of stainless steel drink bottles. For budding artists we now have a range of art pads for kids by Stephen Joesph at the great price of $12.95

We also have introduced lots of fun items for under $6.00, range includes skipping ropes, whistles, yo yo's, notepads, pens, transformer animals and pencils, this range of items are great for party bag fillers or little gifts. We have also taken stock of some fantastic, bright pirate umbrellas we have proven to be very popular. Check out the site under New Items to see all the new products this month www.sassypopkids.com.auThe most exciting news is we have imported our first line of our own backpacks. We have imported two designs for the boys - a dinosaur and a tractor and a flower design for the girls. The colours are bright, the detail is beautiful and they are wonderfully made with extra padding for comfort in the back. Perfect for preschool bags or a bag for child care. We are thrilled with them and hope it will be the start of importing for Sassypop Kids.

To Market To Market

2010-03-17T04:08:00.000-07:00

The street festival by the bay was fantastic, we hope to take part next year. The day was warm and sunny, the festival stretched all the way down to the beach, the customers shopped and the other stall holders were ace. Everyone loved our stock and our fairy costumes were a huge hit. See photo below to see one very happy customer in her hot pink ballerina flowered tutu, she looked beautiful and was dancing away to her dad's band, who played the afternoon away near the station. Jess and I were also entertained by roving banjo players who sang up a storm out side our spot - all about our fairy dresses - we had a ball.

Girl Travel Bags In Stock

2010-03-01T15:41:00.000-08:00

The very popular travel bags for girls are back in stock and very limited. These travel bags are ideal as an overnight bag or even as a nappy bag. They are easy to clean and are big enough to fit a pair of pj's, change of clothes and a favourite toy. The butterfly design is very popular but all bags are fun and brightly coloured. Selling at $26.00 each they are a great bargin

Oh The Places You'll Go

2010-02-16T15:58:00.000-08:00

I read this book to the children last night. I had not read it before and I thought it was amazing. Such wise thoughts on life - good old Dr Seuss. I wanted to share in particular one page I thought was great about waiting in life....
"You can get so confussed that you'll start in to race down long wiggled roads at a break-necking pace and grind on for miles across weirdish wild space, headed I fear, toward a most useless place... The Waiting Place....for people just waiting. Waiting for a train to go or a bus to come, or a plane to go or the mail to come, or the rain to go or the phone to ring, or the snow to snow or waiting around for a Yes or a No or waiting for their hair to grow. Everyone is just waiting. Waiting for the fish to bite or waiting for wind to fly a kite or waiting around for Friday night or waiting, perhaps, for their Uncle Jake or a pot to boil, or a Better Break or a string of pearls, or a pair of pants or a wig with curls, or Another Chance. Everyone is just waiting." Dr Seuss - Oh The Places You Will Go.
Wise words, stop waiting, take the opportunities that come your way and if they don't come, stop waiting and make opportunities for yourself. Owning and running Sassypop Kids has taught and is teaching me this lesson. No one will come along and make a business succeed, opportunities may come our way but mostly we have to be imaginative, creative and build our own opportunities - finding new products, building new relationships with customers, promoting the business... No sitting in the waiting place for me!

New Bags Arriving At Sassypop Kids

2010-02-15T15:58:00.000-08:00

Hopefully by the end of this week, or early next week we will have another range of bags arriving at Sassypop Kids. This new range is a butterfly design in pink or purple. They are made from a washable canvas so a new material as well. We have always found butterflies to be very popular, so we hope everyone likes these. Items that will be available will be a backpack, shoulder bag, travel bag and coin purses. Keep an eye on the website for availability we are just waiting for them to arrive.

Yarra Valley Racecourse Market

2010-02-08T03:49:00.000-08:00

Since September 2009, Sassypop Kids has been part of the new Yarra Glen Racecourse Market. Over the months, Deb Sinclair the Events Co ordinator has worked extremely hard to build and campaign this market and it is growing and growing. This month in February saw fantastic crowds and wonderful stalls - all who will be attending the next market in March. All markets are currently held on the first Sunday of each month at the Yarra Glen Racecourse. It is a great day out for the family and a chance to see some fantastic talented artists and crafters, some yummy and fresh produce and a great variety of products. In this post are many photos from some of the stallholders that I manged to get to see during the February Market:

Sassypop Kids attends each month and we bring to the market and wide range of our wooden and craft kit products from our online store www.sassypopkids.com.au,

Janet from Amelan brings children's decor and gifts - beautiful hand made fabric letters and other beautiful goods email Missj_1@bigpond.com

Collette from Sugar Plum Tree creates handmade childrens gifts and jewellery for adults,

Tanya from Quirky Bird makes beautiful hair clips, bows, magnets, tape measure hair clips and more. Contact via mobile on 0409 931 133

Pauline from Posh Totty Jewellery designs and makes her jewellery for adults and unique range of handbag style gift bags - www.poshtottyjewellery.com.au

Donna brings to the market the most funky clothes for kids and adults called Funky Chunky - chenille clothing the colours are bright and fun see www.funkychunky.com.au

Gabe designs and makes the most beautiful quilts for cots and beds. The fabrics range from beautiful florals to retro western - they are simply stunning quilts and really reasonable prices, she also makes doonas and canvas and pillows contact through sassypop kids and we can put you in contact,
And also check out Oneseed, with one seed you can make a difference. One seed partners with organisations who help people overcome poverty with their own resources, by supporting one seed you are helping developing nations grow. Go to www.oneseed.com.au they bring to the market great bags and beautiful fabric toys.
The talent at this market is growing each month. Come down and check it all out

Black Saturday a Year On

2010-02-08T03:42:00.000-08:00

As I drove to the Yarra Glen Market at 7am I was touched by the wonder of the morning. a day we will not forget a year ago, which started with such wind and heat , today a year on, a peaceful morning. The Yarra Valley had fog rolling in the fields and in the fog as the sun rose, beautiful hot air balloons took off. I... was mesmerised and pulled to the side of the road to watch. My beautiful personal moment to remember the past year, I hope the deep sadness I still feel today for my friends will begin to ease, as the morning today felt full of hope, a fresh beginning. I continue to be in awe of my friends courage, resilience and dignity. Today truly was a beautiful day.

The Last Summer Holiday

2010-02-02T15:39:00.000-08:00

We have just returned from a big family holiday at Cobram. Weather sunny and hot each day. Hours and hours spent by the pool. My four year old basically spent the whole holiday teaching herself to swim under water. So proud of her! There were so many things to explore around Cobram or near Cobram, it was a pity the weather was just so hot. Which meant that any outings really needed to be done very early in the day or later at night. A few of the best things to see was Thompsons Beach ( on the Murray) a great place to meet international travelers and the biggest cactus garden we have ever seen just out of Cobram on the Murray Valley Highway. The water park at Yarrawonga was fantastic for the kids. The water slide and water fountains had them entertained for ages. I have been converted - caravan parks are a haven for children to holiday - just allow me the air conditioned comfort of an apartment or cabin.

A Day at Warburton

2010-01-24T03:25:00.000-08:00

Sometimes you need to just go past our hills and venture on further. My favourite place to visit and we are spoilt as it is only 30mins from home is Warburton. We had tried to organise a big picnic with lots of friends but everyone was busy doing home improvements. Well not us, we set out and had a lovely day in the sunshine of Warburton. The hills were glorious, the food was great and the kids totally enjoyed paddling in the river - though it would have been swimming if we had let them. Thank you to the lovely Indian family who arrived and took our children out to the middle of the river to sit on the large rocks - sometimes strangers can be so lovely. If you have the chance, Warburton is worth the drive. Wonderful scenery, beautiful river, great cafes and fantastic shops to tinker through. Would have loved more time to be able to do this, but the children were a bit restless with the shops. There is a great bric a brac shop in a two storey red brick building, worth finding and taking the time to search through her items. A lovely tea shop is on the main street, with all different tea pots and teas to try, there are wonders to be found in this town. Then came back to reality tonight and worked hard to put all our new items on the website. If you love playing board games with your children, then look at our site www.sassypopkids.com.au and check under puzzles and games. We have a lovely new range of Orchard Toy Games in particular I am looking forward to trying the Post the Most game. Think it will be lots of fun.

A Year in Celebration

2010-01-22T02:34:00.000-08:00

It is nearly a year that Sassypop Kids was created. Inspired after the February trade show in Melbourne, two creative and passionate mums developed a business to bring more creativity and imagination into the lives of children. We wanted to do this by finding products that had no batteries, were made of natural products eg wood, paper, cotton or wool. Products that inspired children to create and play. Within our first year we achieved these goals and then expanded our range to provide a wide range of bags for young children, backpacks, travel bags and tote bags. Jess and I are proud of what we have achieved to date and we look forward to increasing our range and bring more products to our store. Currently we have beautiful art folios from the Stephen Joesph range and Sassypop Kids is the only retailer stocking these in Australia. We still dream of opening a bricks and mortar shop, but advisors around us say it is not the way to go and to focus on the internet - where the future lies. However I watch with interest women who are doing the retail shop and who are so successful in this area, for example Alison from Lark Made. Her products are beautiful and the pictures of her shop on her website speak for themselves. I look at her journey and live in hope.