Trifle!!!

A new shopping experience that is about to hit the world! Trifle is an online retail store made up of handpicked high end, well established designers, niche companies, handmade artists and one or two start up companies.

You can read up more on Trifle and the designers at Trifle Notebook.

Here at Natural Star we are really excited to be a part of trifle amongst such fantastic and inspiring designers.

Little Kiwi's Nest

Little Kiwi's Nest was created by two stay at home mums (Amy and Suzan) who saw the need for a professional way to sell unique handmade items from home. It showcases the most adorable handcrafted items, focusing on babies through to five year olds. With independant designers producing beautiful, original items ready to send direct from their 'nest' to yours.

Even though this site has only been launched over a week ago it is already attracting attention and sales. There is a good cross selection of products for the under 5's and new shops will be coming soon. The site is easy to navigate! (Always a bonus!).

Australian Etsy Blog

I have received a surprise convo via Etsy letting me know that I am one of 6 New Zealanders featured on the above blog. (Pays to check the emails before going to bed as it has ended a really good day perfectly!) Thanks Nic from VintagePrincipessa. You may want to drop by her Etsy shop and view her collection of beautiful and unique vintage wedding gowns and princess prom dresses. They are breathtaking!

Eco Mums and Bubs - New Retail Stockist

I am thrilled to be supplying Eco Mums and Bubs in Australia with my Bamboo range of Baby Handknits. They have in stock newborn matching beanies and booties for the adorable little boys in your life and matching beanies, headbands and mary jane booties all with flowers for the gorgeous little girls in your life. They have an online web presence here with a retail shop opening soon. You can also read about their news and updates on their blog. They are well known for the brand Cheeky Butts Modern Cloth Nappies.

I am also busy getting another wholesale order ready to ship to them at present. More colours and sets in different sizes.

New Patterns coming soon!

With the success of releasing three patterns onto the market I am in the process of getting another 8 patterns test knitted. They will be available to purchase in my shop on Etsy over the next month.

ALSO, behind the scenes (where possible) are 10 new designs waiting to go from drawing to reality. All drawings and notes are completed and on paper. It is great to get them out of my head finally instead of clogging up the brain and not being able to focus on anything else! I will post on here when they are ready for release. My husband is so tolerant of me and my obsession.

PLUS, I have purchased some wonderful patterns both handknitted and crocheted off designers on Etsy with permission to sell these in my shop. You will see these new products plus some vintage handknits periodically appearing at Natural Star. These will be my light relief from orders, patterns and designing. Those nights where you just want to sit down and knit without thinking!

Cakes, cupcakes, biscuits and more cupcakes!

I recently had the good fortune to meet Katherine (through her buying my Beanie with Flower Pattern that is for sale on Etsy). She is a fellow New Zealander who puts my cake decorating skills to shame (and I was a chef up until my son started school). Katherine claims to be an amateur at cake decorating...but, in my opinion I think that she should go professional and sell them!!! Her cakes are decorated far better than some of the professionals that I have used in the past.

Another reason that I think she should sell them is that then I could put in an order for the Hello Kitty cake for Emma's 5th birthday in September, she has fallen in love with it and wants one just like it for your birthday cake. (NO pressure Katherine ! lol) I shall just resort to leaving birthday cake decorating books laying around the house in the hope that she changes her mind to something that gives me step by step instructions.

Her blog 4 Goodness Cake started for a very different reason other than to showcase her master pieces, you can read about it in her profile. What an amazing friend and person Katherine is, and I am still envious of her cake decorating skills!

Pictures are from Katherine's Blog and were used with permission.

Organic Baby

Another wonderful online presence for all things baby and organic. Organic Baby web directory and complete guide to natural parenting. A huge amount of information on one website! They have a New Zealand Website and a USA Website, just click on the country and you will find information relevant to the country of your choice.

You can also join their organic baby club for amazing benefits like a fabulous organic joining gift and monthly discounts.

They have a webstore with great baby products including Natural Star Merino Baby Handknits. You will also find their retail store Organic Baby (Green Living) at 115 Jackson Street Petone, Wellington, where they stock an amazing range of baby items.

There you will find the Beanies with flowers, booties and headbands. And, I am about to put another order of headbands in the post to them.