Free Range Living

a Hootalicious birthday party!!

2012-03-01T00:56:00.000-08:00

Recently we hosted Sienna's 9th Birthday Party.

The theme was "Hootalicious" and using the pattern from our gorgeous designer Clare, from Craft Schmaft, we helped Sienna, her sister and eight of Sienna's friends, to make the uber cute sock owl softies. The Birthday girl also received our little gift of her Owl Rosette Brooch/Hair Clip (a little birdie had told us her favourite colour was blue).

Sienna's mum had opted for our Deluxe Party Package, and as such, the girls enjoyed a healthy munch and crunch platter of grapes, carrots, cucumbers and organic corn chips, with apple juice, during their crafting, and our absolutely fantastic Sweet's Station, styled by local business Devine Eventions, incorporating the most yummiest owl cookies from another local business, Gingerbread Kiddies!

Sienna was gob smacked with her celebratory Birthday Cupcake Tower, baked by local business Suzy Cool Cupcakes.

If you are looking for a unique, fun and engaging party experience for your child's next birthday, contact Free Range Living today on info@freerangeliving.co

taking a little break

2012-02-01T18:50:00.000-08:00

Last weekend I (Deni) took a little break, and went for a walk with my daughter Amalia, and Loren's twins in the pram.

It was a gorgeous afternoon, and I thought I would share some of the images with you that I snapped along the way.

This walk is across the road from Free Range Living, in the Kamay Botany Bay National Park.

We love it here! So much to do, enjoying the outdoors!

Whether it is fishing, paddle boarding, swim in the beach, riding your bike or scooter, learning about the history of Captain Cook's Landing Place, relaxing under a pine tree or taking an adventure walk through the forest!

Why not plan a weekend visit, bring the family for a picnic, or lunch at The Endeavour Cafe, browse the Kurnell Art Gallery, and meander through our Free Range Living emporium!

School Holiday Creative Workshops

2012-01-23T01:44:00.000-08:00

We have had an absolutely wonderful time over the past week with our School Holiday Creative Workshops. We are so proud of all the youngsters that have joined in on the fun, most of whom had never done any hand sewing before!

Our workshops have been designed to develop skills and knowledge in design and hand crafts, and we have introduced participants to applique, rosettes, hand sewing and machine sewing, as well as making fabric and felt plushies, jewellery and accessories, plus paiting and drawing techniques.

We are excited to be now stocking kits and patterns for sale in the shop, and during the new school term, we will be running sewing classes and workshops for young people, introductory classes for children, and also contemporary handcraft skills workshops for adults.

Following is a collection of photos taken during one of our Fantastically Fabulous Fashion workshops facilitated by Laura Maidment (Fashion Designer).

To be updated on our workshops and classes - make sure you follow our facebook page, or sign up to our mailing list in the contact section of our website.

School Holiday Workshops!

2012-01-06T03:09:00.000-08:00

FRL workshops are designed to enhance childrens' techniques and knowledge in a range of creative arts and contemporary hand crafts.

We want our kids to feel inspired and empowered, in their ability to CREATE and EXPRESS THEMSELVES. These skills will be a life long parnter, great to access in quiet times at home, for relaxation or as a boredom buster, and will always bring joy and a sense of achievement.

Children are asked to bring a healthy snack for their morning/afternoon tea, and a Paint Smock or old shirt is advised for Art Workshops.

All workshops are $35 per child - Price includes all high quality creative arts materials and workshops are run by experienced professionals.(see Facilitor Profiles for more information)

To book your child in to one of our workshops, email info@freerangeliving.co or pop in to the shop.

Places are limited to ten (10) children per workshop, so it is highly advised that you don't hesitate, to avoid dissappointed little people.

Shop Pics December 2011

2011-12-26T15:41:00.000-08:00

Did you receive some money for Christmas?

Well have we got an emporium of goodies for you to spend it on

and treat yourself to something extra special!!

The Free Range Living store is open this Wednesday, Thursday and Friday

from 10am - 2pm, and then we return to normal trading Wednesday-Sunday 2012

New Designer - 4 Leaf Clover

2011-12-08T22:29:00.000-08:00

Just in time for our Christmas Shopping Night, a gorgeous selection of products from our newest designer, 4 Leaf Clover.

Offering a stunning selection of textiles, handbags, make up and coin purses, tea towels, and wall art.

All designs by Fiona Budzynski, with screen printing and manufacturing based in Sydney.

Laura Maidment - Summer 2012

2011-12-08T02:26:00.000-08:00

We have had local fashion designer, Laura Maidment, in store since our opening, and her clothing has been a massive hit amongst our customers!

We are thrilled to be receiving her Summer 2012 collection of floating maxi dresses, skirts, and her orinal tank dress, in gorgeous bright, bold, block colours!

New Designer - Belinda Morris

2011-12-08T02:23:00.000-08:00

In the beginning, when I dreamed up the idea of Free Range Living, I started looking for images that inspired the spirit of what I wanted FRL to envoke in others. You can check out some of these images in our earlier posts.

When I came across Belinda Morris, I immediately thought back to those early images, as it was almost like she had designed the dresses worn in those images.

Belinda tells us: "I definitely love a bit of a vintage feel. All that style, glamour and playfulness of bygone eras is really appealing to me. I love cloths and accessories that are soft and feminine, but with a twist. I like my cloths to be a bit of a personal expression and not the standard off the rack look and love a handbag that makes a statement all on its own"

New Designer - Leonie Simpson

2011-11-26T12:39:00.000-08:00

I first discovered Leonie Simpson back in mid 2010 whilst on a talent scout for a boutique market I was a part of. I instantly fell in love with the bold colours and strong features of her jewellery.

We are very excited to have Leonie's collection available in the emporium, and you will able to find some of her gorgeous necklaces as shown, plus brooches and earrings too!

Shop Happenings

2011-11-25T03:01:00.000-08:00

We like to make changes and move things around in the shop, recently we added some more racks and shelving to house new products coming in.

New Designer - By Meg

2011-11-23T03:22:00.000-08:00

It was a dreary rainy day today but FRL was bright and cheerful, and even more so when we received the package from our newest Designer to the emporium!

The attention to detail is stunning in all the products made by Megan Barnao, and these include nappy wallets, burp cloths, bib and bootie sets (in their own little cotton gift bags) and our FAVOURITE, her bags!!

Each of the bags is superbly finished. Megan tells us:

I really like to use tea towels for my bags because they are different and there are some REALLY beautiful tea towels that need to be shown off. I love that you can take something cut it all up and sew it back together and turn it into something else.
And I like that a lot of the bags I make are either one of a kind or only very few are made using the same materials. Even if I use the same fabric on the outside it is nearly always different on the inside. I like making the inside a bit interesting, wether its the pockets that are made out of the handle scraps or the little felt birds sewn on the pocket..........I don't really know what i'm going to do until I get to that part!
I don't use a pattern, I just go by my measurements, it all depends on the fabric/tea towel and the print on it, that's what decides on what style of bag it going to be turned into.

We know that you are going to love all these products, just as much as us! In fact, it was great to see one of the Nappy Wallets leaving the emporium today, only a few hours after hitting the shelves!!

We are OPEN!!

2011-11-17T19:34:00.000-08:00

What a fantastic week we have just had - thank you to all who visited during the Grand Opening Weekend, and then also popping back in through the week.

We have new designers and products coming in every week, so keep an eye on the Facebook page or just pop in and check it out!

Sneak Peek #8

2011-11-11T00:08:00.000-08:00

After receiving our parcels in the post, we then ventured in to Surry Hills to pick up stock from the gorgeous Julia of Vinyl Design.

The main product line from Vinyl Design is their uber cool wall decals. The concept behind wall stickers is flexibility and affordability: they provide a convenient and inexpensive way to add a personal touch to your blank walls without the long term commitment of wallpaper, nails or a paint job. Wall decals are perfect for renters, for children’s rooms or simp...ly for those who get easily tired of a decorating theme and love a change. With a huge range to choose from, you can create an original, modern design that is easy to apply and to remove and that allows you express your own personality with a custom styled design. In three easy steps you can transform a boring room into something funky.

Also in the emporium, you will find Vinyl Design screen printed tea towel and totes, and coming soon, some very funky tees for women and men!

Sneak Peek #7

2011-11-11T00:04:00.000-08:00

Today was exciting for two reasons, the first being that we received a parcel of stock from Melbourne! We are both very much taken by this gorgeous chunky jewellery by Ruby and Sage.

Ruby & Sage began in 2009 as an experiment, as Megan wanted to create affordable and unique pieces of resin jewellery that were also durable and hard-wearing. Several years later, the Ruby & Sage style is evolving organically and has gained a loyal following of fans. Everything is done by hand, from creating moulds based on clay sculptures, through to hand-sanding and polishing each piece.

Megan begins by shaping a bangle out of clay, before casting it in silicone to create a mould. From there she casts the resin piece, which involves mixing two liquids together that heat and then solidify. After casting each piece, it is then removed from the mould to sand and shape it, before polishing it. Megan will also often add pigments to the resin, or insert objects such as feathers or buttons.

Sneak Peek - FRL Workshops with Kristen Doran

2011-11-10T03:24:00.000-08:00

So we have been giving you little snippets of the gorgeous Australian hand made goodies that you will be able to purchase in store at the FRL Emporium. We really hope that you are as excited as we are!!

This time we thought we would share a really exciting sneak peek in to the FRL Creative Learning Space!!

We were absolutely thrilled to welcome Kristen Doran to Free Range Living, and are even more excited to spread the word about the fantastic workshops that Kristen will be running in the FRL Creative Learning Space!

Kristen is a very talented and respected Australian artisan in hand screen printed textiles and contemporary crafts.

Make sure you subscribe to our mailing list, as we know that Kristen's workshops will be in high demand!!

Sneak Peek #6

2011-11-10T02:49:00.000-08:00

Ok, so anyone who knows Deni will know that this next collection will be SO much up her alley!!

And in fact, Deni first met Sophie Cooper, of Scoops Designs, at Mathilda's Market back in May this year (they were working back to back, each with their mother's alongside!)

Sophie's background is as a graphic designer and art director. We are so excited to have Scoops Designs in the FRL emporium, as there is such a fantastic variety of hand made laser cut brooches, earrings, hair pins, Christmas decorations, mirrors and mobiles, plus gift cards, prints and baby tops.

Sneak Peek #5

2011-11-10T02:38:00.000-08:00

There is nothing more tranquil in ones home, than the scent of a candle or essential oils, and when we came across the gorgeous selection of candles, melts and diffusers created by Khaya Candles, we knew this was a must have in the FRL emporium.

The name Khaya is derived from its meaning of home in Zulu. A home is a warm, tranquil abode which is further enhanced with beautiful fragrances. Khaya Candles aims to provide that extra touch of warmth to your home. Their environmentally conscious products are designed, made and packaged with simplicity, care and maximum fragrance.

Khaya Candles uses only 100% Natural Soy Wax. It contains no an...imal by products, chemical additives or paraffin. Soy wax is non toxic, burns cleaner and cooler and is longer lasting and water soluble. All candles are individually hand poured and made in Australia. We use 100% cotton wicks which are lead free.

Sneak Peek #4

2011-11-09T03:41:00.000-08:00

This time, something for {Little People}

We have had the pleasure of working alongside the beautiful Anne Rennie, from Czarque, several times over the years with our children's fashion label Cheeky Chickies. We have always been gaga over her absolutely stunning baby shoes, which have been designed by Anne and made by hand in the old fashioned way, right here in Sydney!

These beautiful shoes are made from the softest leather, and make for the perfect extra special baby shower or Christening gift. We also look forward to some new releases in the coming months!

Sneak Peek #3

2011-11-09T03:00:00.000-08:00

Today we welcomed our biggest shipment, with TNT courier's arriving with two jam packed boxes - we had a ball carefully unwrapping all the goodies inside, here is a little sneak peek for you!

The gorgeous Gabriella Tagliapietra, originally from the Sutherland Shire, now resides on the beautiful coastal shores of Lake Macquarie NSW. Gabriella draws inspiration from native flora and fauna for her gorgeous hand screen printed textiles and homewares.

We are so thrilled to have a gorgeous selection of her wares in store, and we know this is going to be a very popular source for Christmas gifting!

Sneak Peek #2

2011-11-09T02:11:00.000-08:00

This sneak peek is a little different - the photograph is of Deni with our gorgeous fashion designer Laura Maidment, both wearing dresses from Laura's collection. You will also find some great Cape Tops and floral skirts.

Laura's designs are feminine and funky - the designs are great for women of all ages and shapes. We are so thrilled to have Laura on board with FRL, and to see all the gorgeous designs she comes up with!

sneak peek #1

2011-11-08T03:27:00.000-08:00

So excited to be bringing you our first {sneak peek} into the beautifully crafted Australian hand made products that we will be showcasing in the Free Range Living emporium!!

Hayley Fulham is an Australian jewellery designer who has discovered that a passion for graphic design and jewellery could be molded into one!

Creating bold, yet feminine and elegant jewellery from leather, we know that our customers will love this gorgeous range of ornate and intricate designs.

Final days before opening!

2011-11-07T00:35:00.000-08:00

So we thought we would share some images of how the furniture and fittings is coming together inside the shop!

From top left: our custom made counter, and some great wall shelves for prints and cards etc; larger shelving and glass display cabinet; our gorgeous retro Namco dining table and some of our clothing racks; lastly, looking across from the creative learning space (still a work in progress) to the emporium, and our funky red vinyl lounge setting.

Would love to hear your thoughts! We can't wait to get all the products up on display and looking forward to our Grand Opening this weekend!!

Our FRL Community...

2011-10-29T01:24:00.000-07:00

Who is behind FRL?

2011-10-26T02:30:00.000-07:00

The creative minds behind FRL are sisters Deni Fowle and Loren Zoka.

Deni Fowle, aka Mrs Chicken. Deni first opened an online children’s store, Cheeky Chickies, back in 2006 whilst on maternity leave with her first born, Amalia. The opportunity had arisen, and seemed to be a welcome change from her work as an adolescent psychologist within youth mental health and juvenile justice settings. Working alongside Australian designers in the kids product industry, Deni’s inspiration was flowing, and after the birth of her second child Taelan in 2008, decided to launch the Cheeky Chickies an all Australian made from 100% certified organic cotton clothing label. Having dreamed of opening her own store for several years, and becoming increasingly weary from all the running around between Expo’s at Darling Harbour, pop up shops at Westfield shopping centres, and the odd boutique designer market, the timing felt right for Deni to {take a step back} and settle in to one fixed location.

Loren Zoka has always had creative bones, studying Interior Design @ Enmore Design Centre. Her portfolio includes contracting with local Interior Designers, and working with private clients on residential, retail and hospitality projects. Feeling the need to be busy, she changed course a little and worked as a Trade Representative to Architects, Interior designers and builders in the natural stone and tile industry. In 2005 she and her husband designed and built their own home overlooking Botany Bay in Kurnell, and 4years later welcomed their beautiful miracle twins, Zsa Zsa & Axel. Loren’s Interior Design skills have not gone unnoticed, with her stunning nursery space featured in 'Little ONE Baby magazine. Loving motherhood and wanting to be as available to the twins as possible, Loren looks forward to working close to home, and keeping her creative juices flowing in FRL.

Image courtesy of Frankie Zoka Photographic Imagery.

Local Images

2011-10-24T04:14:00.000-07:00

Thought we would share some images of the beautiful village where Free Range Living emporium is located!

Images are courtesy of Frankie Zoka Photographic Imagery. Some of this work will be available for puchase in store!

Kurnell boasts the stunning locations of Bonna Point, Silver Beach, Potter Point, Voodoo and our heritage listed wetlands of Towra Point.

Shop Finds!

2011-10-23T03:05:00.001-07:00

Vingtage finds for the shop!

a little inspiration expedition

2011-10-21T03:16:00.000-07:00

This week we headed out on a little expedition to get some inspiration for shop fittings and creative projects. First stop was Reverse Garbage in Marrickville, and then on to Doug Up On Bourke. We took turns carrying the twins when pram access was not feasible. Below Deni on left at RG and Loren with baby Zsa Zsa.

Next we headed in to Cloth - Deni being a massive fan of Australian textiles designers, and then stopped by the new store Follow - run by the two funky chicks behind the famous Finders Keepers Markets.

humble beginnings

2011-10-09T04:00:00.000-07:00

We thought it was about time we shared some images of what will become the Free Range Living emporium and creative learning space!

Located opposite Kamay Botany Bay National Park, Kurnell NSW. For those of you who are not up on your History of Australia - this is where Captain James Cook first anchored the Endeavour and ventured out to discover what our beautiful land had to offer, way back in 1770.

We are in Shop 1 of 2-4 Prince Charles Parade, Kurnell, opposite the park entrance and the beautiful shores of Silver Beach, Botany Bay.

The building, completed in 2008, also hosts a great cafe, and then next door, you will find Kurnell Art Gallery.

As this will be the first use of the space, we have to submit a Development Application to Sutherland Shire Council, though are very lucky to have access to the shop as we wait for the approval to go through.

As you can see, we have covered up the windows for some privacy, and we have started cleaning the space to make room for the fittings - one of which will be this great reclaimed timber palette!

Inspiring Images

2011-10-03T04:28:00.000-07:00