Madeit seller - Michelle from 'The China Hutch'

For this month's Madeit seller feature, I am introducing Michelle, from 'The China Hutch'. Michelle makes the most gorgeous porcelain products that she hand paints. Grab a cuppa and enjoy reading about her products ...

Tell us a bit about 'The China Hutch' ...

My shop is called The China Hutch and I hand paint on white bone china or porcelain. I only use the best quality pieces to paint as there is such a lot of time and firing of each piece involved. First off I decide what I shall paint - unless it is a commission! It is a combination of my imagination, old pictures in books, especially things for young children or something that has caught my eye somewhere. Then I  sketch the design either straight onto the piece of china with a special pencil or onto paper and transfer it onto the china with graphite paper. Once that is done I use an old fashioned pen with a fine nib and the paint is the consistency of ink and ink over the pencil lines. Then fired in the kiln at 825C. Next I can start to apply the on glaze paints, and refire. Depending on the colours required, it can take a few trips to the kiln to keep applying the paint until the depth of colours has been reached. When the kiln reaches the high temperature the glaze on the piece melts and the paint sinks into the glaze so that once it is cold the glaze has re hardened and the paint is set into the glaze. 

What is a favourite item that you have created?

My favourite piece I think was a lovely Royal Doulton plate with a handle that I painted with Morning Glory, or it could have been the higeldy, pigeldy dutch village I painted on a long plate when we were living in Holland for nearly 7 years and I had a full time business there as my dutch was not good enough to work as a nurse on a neonatal intensive care unit. 

What is next? Do you have some new products or ideas planned?

I just paint what I like and think might sell or take on some commissions and try to do what that person wishes, I always send them a photo of the outline before I do the 1st fire to see if it is what they want.

Thank you Michelle for sharing with us about your Madeit shop and about your items.

To visit 'The China Hutch', please click here. 

If you are a Madeit seller or if you have a favourite Madeit shop that you would like to be featured, please let me know by clicking here.

Thank you for stopping by!

~ Jen.

P.S - If you have enjoyed reading about the story behind Tupsy Turvy Designs' products, why not become a 'Golden Ticket Member'? It is FREE and membership entitles you to regular updates, exclusive sales, discounts and opportunities. Simply click here and enter your email address. Easy! I look forward to sharing more ideas with you soon ...

5 Top Reasons Why A Visit To The Op Shop Is OK

Ok ... I love it! I visit my local Op Shop weekly and I can't help but purchase a few goodies. If you have never visited one before, don't feel bad. Shake off any stigma and  embrace the treasure trove of delights in front of you, as those days are long gone.

There are many reasons, why shopping at an Op Shop is benefitial. I share my top five ...

#1 - Save Money

This one is HUGE! I have purchased new or near new clothing for a fraction of the price that you would pay in retail shops. Instead of buying one item for around $30, I can buy around six items. It is amazing value. Worried about their past? Simply throw them in the washing machine. At my local Op Shop, they have half price days for certain price tags, making it more of a bargain!

#2 - Find A Treasure

Ever heard of the saying, "Another man's rubbish is another man's treasure"? Well ... it is totally true. People get rid of the most amazing things which can in turn can be delightful to you.

One of my boys wanted a pair of footy boots. I just happened to find a pair, my son's size for a bargain of a price. All they needed was a little scrub. My other son desperately wanted a tie to wear (yes ... a little crazy, particularly when he doesn't like to wear his school uniform tie!). Guess where I found one? Yes ... the Op Shop! Even if his 'tie faze' is brief, it only cost me a couple of dollars.

#3 - Reduce Landfill

This is a good reason! People like to declutter their belongings now and then. When donated to an Op Shop, these items are then given another chance in the big, wide world rather than simply being dumped. They can be reused and recycled by someone - like me! My products are all made with at least some element of recycled material. The source? Yep ... the Op Shop! It's the place where I purchase material, threads, books and picture frames, sparing these items from life at the dump. Not only do I save money on my craft supplies, but I also do a little part in saving the environment.

A word of warning though ... don't let that item sit on the Op Shop shelf as these items also have a limited time span. Unfortunately, if they are not snapped up, they too will be discarded at the dump after a number of weeks.

#4 - Inspires Creativity

Oh, yes! Clothes that are purchased can be layered with others to create your own individual style or they can be altered to create a totally new look. I often purchase materials or items that are then transformed into new items with some tweeking. Earrings are used as pendant bases, book pages have paint splattered on them to create bases for artworks, photo frames become embroidery frames ... the list continues. Search the internet and examples of clever crafters appear with beautiful and creative designs that use recycled doilies, tea towels, clothing, cups and saucers, etc.

#5 - Support Charity

When I walk out the Op Shop door with my bundle of treasures, I walk out happily ... not only because I have scored a bargain or have found something special, but simply because I have helped someone out. The money that is paid for purchases at a charity organised Op Shop, supports their work in helping others. I find this the easiest way to support charities.

Added to the above list ... visiting an Op Shop is fun as it is totally unpredictable! You never know what you will find.

Thanks for stopping by. I would love to know your favourite item that you found in an Op Shop.

Have fun shopping!

~ Jen.

P.S - If you have enjoyed reading about the story behind Tupsy Turvy Designs' products, why not become a 'Golden Ticket Member'? It is FREE and membership entitles you to regular updates, exclusive sales, discounts and opportunities. Simply click here and enter your email address. Easy! I look forward to sharing more ideas with you soon ...

A photo, a rabbit and perspective

Do you have a favourite photo? I do ... it happens to be a photo of my dog that was taken quite a few years ago. Here it is ...

I love how he is looking up at me with his expressive face. He seems to have a look of 'demand' - I want you to play with me, I want you to take me for a walk, I want a treat ... the list continues.

The opportunity arose to design a fabric and paint art work for a dear, little girl that had experienced a tough time of late. The result is similar to the above photo ... take a look ...

The little girl loves rabbits, so once again I made the motif a rabbit. I thought I would change the perspective of the rabbit, compared to the earlier rabbit design, this one looks as though it is looking up you. I ended up creating two of the same design. The first one I made had white highlights around the ears and on the feet and it was the design that I ended up giving to the little girl I had in mind (photos are available for viewing on my Instagram feed. Click here.) This one has dark brown highlights and this one is currently in the Etsy store (Click here to view).

Which one do you like the best?

Thank you for viewing!

~ Jen.

P.S - If you have enjoyed reading about the story behind Tupsy Turvy Designs' products, why not become a 'Golden Ticket Member'? It is FREE and membership entitles you to regular updates, exclusive sales, discounts and opportunities. Simply click here and enter your email address. Easy! I look forward to sharing more ideas with you soon ...

Now open ... Tupsy Turvy Designs Etsy Store

Tupsy Turvy Designs NEW Etsy Store is now open! To view, please click here.

Thanks for stopping by!

~ Jen.