Guest Blogger: Romi from The Dreamy Tree

This week our guest blogger is Romi from the Dreamy Tree. Romi contacted me a few months ago asking if I would be interested in being apart of her blog competition. She's planning on having some regular giveaways and I was lucky enough to be a winner in her last competition. Here's al little bit about the lovely Romi....

What do you make?


I make prints, but mostly jewellery! I make earrings and necklaces, re-made as I say, from old and also vintage watchparts- my motto is "Making something new out of old things" and I think that sums it up brilliantly well!

How/when/why did you begin making?

How When Why! How-I honestly have no idea! Because it felt perfect to be doing that.
When- Only this year, maybe in May I started photographing, and later than that did I start with jewellery.
Why- Because making something new from these old materials is what I find inspiring and it makes me happy.

What do you love the most about your craft?

I guess my motto is summing things up for me! That and just the feeling- I adore making brand new things out of something that used to be something, then was nothing.

It's like giving a new life to something that's almost lost all the hope it ever had.
Where do you get your ideas and inspiration?

My mind I think is a sutiable answer!; Things just come to me- and when I was doing photography and prints, I loved the way I could capture something innocent as a pile of buttons and then let myself make it into something I found to be special and interesting.

Everyday things, nature, ideas and moods.

Who buys/uses/wears your products? How does this make you feel?

Thus far, no one sadly! I've been on etsy for a little while now, but as of now, nothing has sold; but let's imagine Emma Watson went out wearing one of my little lockets- I would feel positively lightened, exuberent and would be screaming for joy and happiness for a long, long time.

She's inspiring.

How long does each item take you to make?

Not that long, once I get into it- but the accurate time is impossible to gauge.

How long have you been blogging?

Almost a year on WTWCTW and a little less on TDT. (wherethewritercomestowrite and thedreamytree)

Who is your favourite blogger?

Oh, I couldn't say that!

Where can people find your products? (Shops, markets, website, madeit/etsy)

They can readily buy my things on my etsy store (and please do all you out there!) Willows and Whispers-http://www.etsy.com/shop/rief4000?ref=si_shop

I don't ever want to seem overly eager, but I can offer a discount code if anyone wants anything! ( :

14 Days Left for the Giveaway!

There are 14 days left for the Manca Un Bottone giveaway. Pop over and like us on Facebook here and leave a comment over here to let me know that you want some free button goodness. It's not hard, I promise.

There will be TWO winners. You can even be cheeky and leave your favourite colours in your comment so I know what might make you smile.

If you are having a giveaway, or know someone who is, let me know and we can spread the word!

CurlyPops Stops By For A Visit

So last weekend I emailed a few of my favourite bloggers and asked if they would be interested in making a guest appearance on my little old blog. My expectations for a response were low given my reputation in blogland is somewhat small. 30 followers, sporadic posts and occasional foul language with a twisted sense of humour isn't really a recipe for success in my book. HOWEVER, I was super excited when the first response I got was from Cam at CurlyPops.

Cam is fabulous. She blogs regularly, makes a range of gorgeous handmade goodies and is actively involved in fundraising and campaigns to do her bit to make the world a little bit nicer.

Below is her little Manca Un Bottone interview and a list of places you can find her beautiful wares. Thanks for stopping by Cam!


What do you make?
I make anything and everything, from handbags to softies to clothes and all things in between.
For my business, I focus on my textile brooches and lifestyle accessories such as pouches and handbags.
I've been creating and using my own fabric designs for more than a year now, so that has been exciting.

Why, when and how did you begin making?
For as long as I can remember, I've always loved to make things, and over the years, I've dabbled in every craft imaginable.
I started sewing seriously about ten years ago, and began my business approximately three years ago.

What do you love the most about your craft?
I really just love being creative, and knowing that I can make anything I like, whenever I feel like it.
My house is a bit like a craft shop - I have every supply I could ever need so I can just create on a whim without having to buy anything first!

Where do you get your ideas and inspiration?
Ideas seem to pop into my head at the most random times. It could be something I see, or something that someone says in a conversation. An idea can be generated from anything really.
Sometimes the best ideas are a result of a happy accident. The first incarnation of my flower brooches came from some accidental felting of yarn.

Who buys/uses/wears your products? How does this make you feel?
I still get such a buzz when I see someone wearing one of my flower brooches, it's so exciting! I've made lots and lots and lots of them, so there are lots of ladies all over Australia (and a few overseas) wearing them.
My pouch range is unisex, so I hope there are lots of blokes wandering around with their sunnies, or gadgets protected.

How long does each item take you to make?
The time varies on each product. For the items that I make for my business, I try to make them in batches so that they are cost effective.
There are lots of steps in the making of the brooches (including drying time) so this has to occur over a number of days.
When I'm making handbags, I make each one separately. They take a minimum of two hours each.

How long have you been blogging?
I've been blogging since January 2008, so that's about three and three quarter years now.
I blog most days depending on what else is happening in my life.


Who is your favourite blogger?
I couldn't possibly pick a favourite - I have 486 blog subscriptions in my google reader. I love them all for different reasons, but most of all, I love them because they're real people making stuff and sharing it with the world.

Where can we find CurlyPops?
I'm on a market hiatus at the moment, but you can find my products in my online shops, and at my retail stockists:
My Big Cartel Shop - http://curlypops.bigcartel.com/
My Made It Shop - http://www.madeit.com.au/curlypops
Open Drawer - http://opendrawer.com.au/
Little Shop Of - http://littleshopof.com/
Big House Collective - http://bighousecollective.blogspot.com/
Red Brick Gallery - http://www.theredbrick.blogspot.com/

WANTED: Guest Bloggers

So while I remain motivated and inspired I have decided I might try and get some guest bloggers...crafty, creative, clever ones.

If you are interested, please send me an email at : thereisabuttonmissing@hotmail.com
I'll try and stalk some nice blogging type people as well.

It will be simple and fun and a great way to promote your blog/products if you sell online or at markets.
I will send you a list of questions, you answer them and send me some pretty pictures. Simple huh?

The Shop is Stocked!

The Manca Un Bottone shop has been restocked. Lots of pretty things in store.

www.madeit.com.au/thereisabuttonmissing

Don't forget to enter our giveaway, just two posts down!