Fun Gift Wrapping

I feel like I have been wrapping lots of presents lately. 

1st birthday presents, newborn presents and birthday presents...

It is lots of fun trying to come up with new ideas for wrapping gifts. I always try to wrap gifts with a bit of flair and personality and try to make them look fun and happy...

I'm quite partial to brown wrapping paper as my base and styling it with washi tape, ribbon, bakers twine, and other fun bits & bobs, new & old.

We just need some PRARDS to go with them... 

Designs for cards coming along nicely...Products for the cards is a bit slower. So many ideas, so many decisions to consider. Selling them via etsy is very different to packaging and selling them in shops. Packaging seems to be something I really need to consider before going to print and choosing products. Will they fit in standard packaging bags? I don't want to have to customize envelopes or cello bags. Postage is also another big consideration? Still a long way to go.

 Here are some wrappings from the past month.

I had such a giggle wrapping this 1st birthday present with a #1 balloon on top..but must say it was a tad embarrassing walking in with it. My one year old didn't seem to mind holding on to it though!

I received this vintage looking paper bag whilst buying something a few weeks ago. I thought it would make nice wrapping paper for the right size gift.

The opportunity came around to use the cute bag this week when wrapping a gift of hand moisturizer for a friends b'day. I had some left over bag, so turned it into a tag!

I've had this paper for quite some time and finally got around to using it recently. I had fun embellishing the paper with ribbon, a yo-yo and button.

I thought it would be cute to 'swaddle' this little gift for a recent hospital visit to a friends newborn. Simply swaddle, add some washi tape and it's ready to be gifted! I must say, it was much easier swaddling this little girl than the real thing!

I keep seeing gorgeous fabric bunting in shops lately, so I was inspired to make a bunting card

and some bunting wrapping to match with the card

A bit amateurish, but enjoyed using buttons, vintage lace and other fun craft pieces

I certainly can't claim this masterpiece. My friend wrapped our present for a recent 30th Birthday. Love the pearls!        

Now off to party...

Twiney's Workshop blog begins...

Welcome to Twiney's Workshop.

My name is Alana. I live in Melbourne, Australia.

I love creating products that POP with colour, mix new with vintage & are unique, quirky & kitsch...a bit like me! I love to dream up, invent & scribble down new products and ideas for my little business.
Then try and put them into action. I have had ideas for products for years and years, but have never gone about sharing my ideas and products, even though that is what I dream of.

Well, I have finally taken the plunge.
I'm starting small & opening an etsy store.

I hope to continue on and have my products in stores in Melbourne...But my ultimate goal is to try & have my products sold in a store in the city that never sleeps, the city where "if you can make it there, you can make it anywhere" - NEW YORK CITY!
A funny goal for some I'm sure. But an ultimate goal for me.

So, I have decided to start a blog to document my progress.
I hope to share with you how I try and get my business up and running, showing you my inspirations, some of the fun sights, smells, tastes & sounds of Melbourne, Australia - the great city that I live in.
I hope to also show you lots of "MY FAVOURITES" my favourite shops, my favourite websites, my favourite restaurants, cafes, products, outfits....anything that POPS!

Why Twiney's Workshop?

The name Twiney comes from a riddle my precious late grandfather used to tell to my siblings,  cousins & I. He told the same riddle to my Mum and her Brother. His brother also told the riddle to his children and grandchildren. I'm  not quite sure where the riddle started from?

The first line goes...

Twiney was a little boy...

In my imagination as a child listening to his riddle, I pictured Twiney as a little boy, wearing a checked peak hat (similar to what my grandfather wore), wearing a tweed jacket, a nice vest, a lovely pair of trousers with an old fashion brown postman bag slung over his body.

In his memory I have named my business Twiney's Workshop.

So, what do "Twiney" and I produce?
Twiney works very hard in his little workshop to bring you unique, practical, fun, bright and happy party favours & greeting cards.

Twiney likes to call them PRARDS ©- present cards.

Why give a card when you can give a present on a card.

Not only do you get a party, wedding, favour or greeting card with a present attached but you also get a beautifully printed, vintage designed card which can be framed, pinned to a mood board or resent as a postcard.

Some suggestions of how to use PRARDS, on guests plates at a wedding, handed out at children's parties, sent as an exciting keep the date free, as a fun promotional tool for businesses, sent as a thank you after a big event, a charity thank you, a birthday, Christmas etc

Twiney also has lots and lots of other fun filled ideas for products, so come along for the ride to see what we have installed for you in our etsy shop!

Finally, a little bit about me.
I have a beautiful husband and a gorgeous daughter.
I am a social worker and have been specialising in Dementia and the care of people and carers of people with Dementia for the past 8 years. I love my job and helping people through the difficult journey of Dementia.

I have always lived in Melbourne, apart from the fun filled year working in the UK with my then boyfriend, now husband.We have traveled around the world together, exploring different countries, eating different foods, trying out different languages and being as adventurous as possible.

I love crafts, stationary, kitschy zakka (think crazy Tokyo household items, stationary etc), pilates, going on adventures to find new hidden craft shops, clothes shops & cafes, helping those in need and disadvantaged,  having a laugh with friends over dinner and of course I love most of all spending time with my adorable, playful daughter, husband & extended family.

I can't wait to share the day to day life of Twiney's Workshop with you all.

xx