༺ Uncommon Creations ༻

I don’t know about you, but I love to create with my hands, and making something beautiful out of nothing, that is the best outcome of creativity in my mind! Like skeins of wool into a twisty, cabled knitted top, or a lump of clay into a cloud brooch with rainbow raindrops…

It’s an anchor that makes me happy no matter how or why or what else is going on, and it’s also a thread that literally touches every area of my life from housekeeping to mothering, to one of my favourite hobbies ~ blogging.  (*• ᴗ ᵕ*)∠☆

As such, I have much sympathy for artisans and creatives; really anyone that makes a living from what they create. I think it’s cool, and it’s definitely a dream I fiercely defend ~ anyone who wants to make a living using their imagination and creative talents should be able to have a chance to do so.

Thankfully, we’ve come a long way from artists needing to find a rich patron in order to survive, and I am really happy to introduce a brand to you that is a part of creating a worldwide market for artists and creatives ~ Uncommon Goods.

Uncommon Goods started with a common idea, the market place where makers can gather to sell their wares, and turned it into a fantastic service where you can purchase beautiful, handcrafted pieces from individual artists and have them delivered to your door!

And a special note about that delivery ~ I was really pleased with the packaging of the pieces I was sent. Not only does packaging use recycled materials, it was really, really protective! The two clay pieces I chose are stunning, but being pottery ~ there’s always the off chance that they might break in the post. When I opened my package, I knew there wasn’t any chance of that happening in this case. The pieces where wrapped in bubble wrap, buried in packing peanuts, boxed their own individual boxes, then wrapped again in giant bubble wrap inside a huge exterior box! They arrived perfectly safe, and I was very impressed with the careful shipping.

The two pretty pieces that came to my doorstep? Meet my Blackberry Jam Yarn Bowl and thread spool Sewing Station! These are gorgeous, quality handiwork accessories that are excellently designed for their purpose, but they both are also elegant things of beauty as well ~ which is my absolute favourite combination!  ʚ♡ɞ*(• ᴗ •❁)

I really could’ve chosen just about anything ~ there are so many gorgeous items ~ from gardening accessories, to jewellery, to kitchen implements and more. I had a very hard time deciding! Even better ~ there’s something there for everyone. Children will enjoy the array of toys and games for Kids, those troublesome Father’s Day presents can be taken care of quick as a wink with the Gifts for Men {it’s not just me that has a lot of trouble picking out a present for my Dad ~ right??}, and I really loved most of the items in the Top 25 Gifts for Mothers section ~ I think I could easily whip a rather large wish list from that category alone! 

To show you how well my Blackberry Jam Yarn Bowl works {and don’t you just love that name?} I picked up a knitting project that I’ve been working on for a while now. It’s a lacy, 1930’s pattern in navy wool. I thought I should compliment it by wearing the Flossy & Dossy’s Quick Knit top I made prior to this current project, and I also paired it with one of my handmade polymer clay brooch, which is ~ as you’ve probably guessed ~ a cloud with dangling rainbow raindrops.

I’m a very slow knitter, as I only knit in winter, and that tends to hold me back quite a bit, but I also have a knack for getting myself thoroughly muddled every once in a while, so that I have to spend a lot of time “frogging” my projects and reknitting sections! {Knitters call pulling apart their knitting frogging because you have to “rip it, rip it, rip it”… Haha!}  I’ve knitted parts of the front neckline on this particular top at least seven times… *sigh*

However, it doesn’t diminish my love for the hobby ~ I find something very relaxing and rhythmical about the process of knotting up the yarn until it finds it’s shape. And when the pattern gets properly stuck in your head {though that still won’t stop me from getting muddled over other bits!} it has a sort of ‘flow’ to it that I really enjoy ~ a bit like dancing or music! ٩(⁎❛ᴗ❛⁎)۶

Which hobbies do you find influencing the greater spheres of your life? My deepest, boundless hobby is definitely making life beautiful! And I’m glad I can do that in many ways, including adding pretty crafting accessories to my home thanks to Uncommon Goods!

xox,

bonita

Disclosure | This post was created in collaboration with Uncommon Goods and the items I have received were gifted to me, but all views and opinions expressed in this brand spotlight are solely my own.

༺ ♡ ༻

Black Satin Bow | Old
A 40’s Twist Top in Plum  | Me Made, 2014
Rainbow Raindrops Brooch | Me Made
Houndstooth Pleated Skirt | Thrifted
Bow & Frill Socks | Gifted
Ye Old Faithful Mary Janes | New Look, Old

༺ ♡ ༻

Find me:
Instagram | missbjvear
Pinterest | bjvear
Ravelry | BJVear
Twitter | bjvear
Youtube | Bonita Vear

༺ The Honourable Miss Fisher ༻

I went for a short two-day trip to see the Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries Costume Exhibition at Old Governor's House, Parramatta, Sydney ~ and boy, oh boy! It was fantastic!

I could go on and on about the different costumes, describing each one in detail ~ but I won’t, because that would take reams and reams of writing. Suffice to say ~ the costume designs where marvellous, the styling fantastic ~ but it was the fabrics and the construction that really made my vintage seamstress heart squee!

             
~ All the photos are straight from my iPhone and haven’t been edited, but I hope this gives you a glimpse of what we saw ~ there was a lot more than this of course… And quite a few plot spoilers too! Haha! ~

One of the great features of this exhibit was that they had fabric swatches paired with the descriptions of each outfit, so though you couldn’t actually handle the costumes themselves {Argh, sometimes it was sooo hard to keep my hands off of them, I realllllyyyyy wanted to feel how the fabric draped and moved!! `(>▂<)´ }, you could at least get a closer idea of how the clothing would have worn by feeling the swatch.

And let me tell you ~ there were really some divine fabrics! I have forever changed my opinions of chiffon ~ not cheap polyester chiffon, I still abhor the stuff, I think it’s quite awful, but silk chiffon? Ahhh….. It feels so delightful ~ I can see why it’s fabric someone would want to wear! Though, it’s probably still a nightmare to work with… Haha! (ˊᗜˋ*)

And silk velvet?? I need some of that fabric in my life…. There was this heavenly snow-white silk velvet with “burnt” cut-outs ~ basically, the silk velvet took the form of a floral motif on top of the sheer net backing ~ that was the cut-out part. So there was a lot of dimension to the fabric with the raised shapes, and the texture was really interesting, as well as being as plush as a baby bunny! Too fabulous for words!

Though the best thing about the whole experience was undoubtedly the chance to hang out with the stunning Ellen from A Wild Tea Party again. I’m always so grateful when I think about the friendships that I have had the opportunity to make through blogging. And even more so every time I get to do something fun like obsess over vintage with a fellow vintage aficionado that understands exactly why I am swooning over a pair of sunglasses {they are Bakelite circa 1930!}, or an original 1920s tabard {with gelatine sequins that might be slightly melted, but better than anything modern I’m sure…. All the sparkle!}…

  

Ahhh… Good times! Of course, after all the breath-taking beauties that knocked us senseless left, right, and centre {oh, where is a chaise when you need one?}, a restorative cup of tea was absolutely essential. Luckily for us, the Gatehouse on the grounds of the Governor's House provided such delectable dainties as gluten free pikelets with our Devonshire Tea, so we were able to be sufficiently restored! (*• ᴗ ᵕ*)∠☆

 

I was also very excite to see that they served their ambrosial tea in actual, for really real, china! There is nothing more heartbreaking than tea in coffee cups, or worse… Mugs! So this sight really made me happy, and was the icing sugar on an already perfect day!

I know this post is already quite overloaded with images, but I have to leave you with this series of photographs titled: “When Vintage Bloggers Decided To Coordinate Their Outfits, And Twin For An Event They Must Document Their Fashion Styling Correctly” 
- Alternative title: “#bloggerlife” 
- - Alternative to the alternative title: “Goofing Off & Getting The Giggles!”

xox,

bonita

༺ ♡ ༻

Vintage Velvet Pillbox Hat | eBay
Granite Marcasite Bow Earrings | Gifted
Vintage Black Nylon Scarf {worn as dicky} | eBay
1950’s Very Violet Suit | eBay
1950s Black Bow Gloves | eBay
Vintage “Call The Doctor” Handbag | eBay
Ye Old Faithful Mary Janes | New Look, Old

༺ ♡ ༻

Find me:
Instagram | missbjvear
Pinterest | bjvear
Ravelry | BJVear
Twitter | bjvear
Youtube | Bonita Vear

༺ Currently: Pony Affairs ༻

‘Currently’ posts are a series of memoirs, featuring snapshots of one small life story by briefly touching on events that are occurring in my day-to-day journey. These episodes feature photos from my Instagram, do come and say “Hi!” if you are around. Also, if you would like to participate in this feature yourself, please feel free! I’d love to read your posts, so don’t forget to leave a link.  ♡

READING:

The Divergent Series ~ well, except I’ve finished them. I have mixed feelings ~ I thought the author did a great job in setting the world, and really working on the character development mixed with the action; the stories had great pacing ~ up until book three. No spoilers, I just did not like how the character’s POV were suddenly switching back and forth, and in the end I felt like the books were a little too dark without any purpose. Not my favourite read, but very well written. I did enjoy them, just not book three so much. But you need to read all the books to finish the story, so there you are.

WONDERING:

What’s next for me… There’s a few priorities that have shifted which means I’ll be heading in a new direction for a while…. Sorry to go all “vague blogger” on you there! And also, when will my horse get better. There’s a reason for this Currently episode’s title.  (TT ^ TT)

FEELING THANKFUL:

For coffee!  ୧( ⁼̴̶̤̀ω⁼̴̶̤́ )૭

EATING:

Boiled eggs with salt and pepper for snacks. Yummy, and very filling.

WATCHING:

Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries ~ fun, and of course ~ the clothes!!!  *le sigh*

WORKING ON:

Getting my pony fixed! He’s been really sick over the last two months or so ~ it’s a long story, but he has been hit by a neurological condition that requires long term management and recovery. It’s been hectic overseeing that process to say the least… And stressful I must say… (*´Д`)

LOVING:

My new Collectif Plaid Swing Pants. Country Western Pop Acapella ~ don’t knock it until you try it. Home Free is the name, and they are awesome! Snapchat {missbjvear ~ snap me!}. L.A. Girl Pro Setting Spray. Coconut Oil hair masks. Golden autumn leaves. Hanging out with my horse. Meeting new people and making friends! Discovering new vintage goldmines ~ Heheh. Playing with makeup. Feldenkrais ~ awareness through movement.   

ATTEMPTING:

To downgrade our status from “Chaotic” to “Organized”.  I feel like that just about says it all really! (〒︿〒)

WANTING:

To keep calm and drink tea…

DOING:

A lot of horse care, not enough housework, and walking a tightrope between all the important priorities and life. Once again, all the things!  (⁰ - ⁰)’

(‘Currently’ post inspired by Danielle of Sometimes Sweet and Kaelah of The Clueless Girl's Guide!)

xox,

bonita

༺ ♡ ༻

Find me:
Instagram | missbjvear
Pinterest | bjvear
Ravelry | BJVear
Twitter | bjvear
Youtube | Bonita Vear