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How to mix plaster and make a mold

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Mixing plaster bucket - Deanna Roberts StudioFirst things first – get yourself a clean bucket – if the bucket is a bit gritty or dirty then this will leave little marks or dimples in your plaster.

  1. Work out how much water/plaster you’ll require. (Ratio of water:plaster is 1.3 water:1 plaster – for example, 5kg of water will require 6.5 kg of plaster)
  2. Weigh your water in the bucket and tare the scales with the bucket first – 1 litre = 1 kg.
  3. Weigh your plaster
  4. Gradually add plaster to the water in the bucket (never add water to plaster – always plaster to water to prevent lumps) allowing the plaster to slake down – this will only take a few minutes
  5. Immerse your hand in the bucket mix and stir gently – any rapid stirring will create bubbles and air into your plaster mix. You can also use a long spoon to mix however using your hand is better so that you can feel and squash any lumps in the process.
  6. Continue to stir until your mixture begins to resemble thickened cream – this will take another few minutes.
  7. Rotate your bucket backwards and forwards to bring any air bubbles to the surface and tap the sides of the bucket too if necessary.
  8. Spray the surface of your plaster mix with a 50/50 mix of methylated spirits and water to remove any surface air bubbles – or use a spoon to lift any bubbles off the top.
Mixing Plaster - Deanna Roberts Studio

To make a plaster mold

  1. Prepare your item to be cast by placing a mold frame around your item. Paint any plastic surfaces, eg if the mold frame is plastic, the bench top, a plastic model etc, with a 80:20 Water to dish detergent mix (this will prevent the plaster sticking)
  2. Plug any areas around your mold frame with clay to prevent any plaster running out from underneath or through the sides of your frame.
  3. Pour the plaster mix slowly over your model and into the frame ensuring your model is covered by at least 2.5cm
  4. Stir the plaster with a soft brush or narrow wooden tool, eg a chopstick or wooden spoon to ensure the plaster fills every nook and cranny
  5. Tape the sides of your mold gently to bring any air bubbles to the surface and spray with your methylated spirits/water mix
  6. Clean up by washing out your bucket and any tools immediately to prevent the plaster setting
  7. Leave your mold until the plaster sets – you’ll be able to gently touch the surface and feel it get a bit warmer as it sets after which you can remove the mold
  8. Turn your mold over and gently remove any clay and then the mold frame/base board
  9. Clean any edges of your newly created plaster mold with wet and dry sandpaper or a rasp
  10. Allow the mold to try completely – this can take a number of weeks depending on your climate. Your mold will be ready to use when it is completely dry.

Easy Onion Relish in a Slow Cooker

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Easy Onion Relish in a Slow Cooker

This is one of the easiest onion relish recipes ever!  So simple!  It’s all done in a slow cooker so it’s just a matter of cutting up all your ingredients, popping them into the slow cooker and leaving it for 8 hours – Done!  Too easy 😊

What you’ll need:

4 litre slow cooker

Chopping board

Sharp knife

4 medium sized sterilised jars

Ingredients:

¼ cup olive oil

¼ cup balsamic vinegar

1 tsp grated ginger

1 tbsp sweet chili sauce

1/3 cup brown sugar

3 large red onions – peeled and diced finely

4 Granny Smith apples – peeled and diced

100g unsalted butter – cubed

1 teaspoon chopped fresh sage leaves

Method:

Collect ingredients and place everything in the slow cooker on LOW. 

Give it a stir to mix up the ingredients then place the slow cooker on low and put the lid on.  Leave the cooker for 8 hours giving it a mix every couple of hours.

While still hot, place the mix into sterilised jars. 

Note: To sterilise jars, wash as per normal in dishwasher then leave to dry.  Give them a rinse then place in the microwave on high for 90 seconds, then place the mix into the sterilised jars and seal immediately. 

Keep relish refrigerated once you’ve opened the jars. 

Delicious with paté, served on a cheese platter, mixed in with savoury pastries, on pizza or a burger, in a sandwich or with cold or hot meat dishes.

Gluten Free Lemon Drop Cookies

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These are just to die for!  Gooey, with a soft lemony centre, light and easy to eat and a slightly crispy shell – just divine.  You won’t stop at one!  When I first made these cookies, I doubled the recipe but left the number of eggs the same…whoops!  However – it turned out to be the best recipe ever – so a simple mistake was actually a very lemony blessing.  An electric mixer makes things a lot easier too as the mixture does end up being lusciously thick and gooey.  (I recommend a Kenwood mixer and the K attachment – or similar).  Makes about 60 cookies.

You’ll need:

Oven temp 175 deg C

Electric mixer

Small bowl

Large bowl

Scraper or spatula

Teaspoon

2 large baking trays (plus 1 spare for cooling)

Baking paper

Ingredients:

6 cups almond meal

1 ½ cups caster sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

3 eggs

125 grams of unsalted butter (melted)

½ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

Grated rind from 2 lemons (about 2 teaspoons)

Method:

Preheat oven to 175 deg C.  Line 2 baking trays with baking paper.  Keep the third baking tray aside.

In a small bowl thoroughly mix 3 eggs with the melted butter then add the lemon juice.  Set aside.  (Note:  this can be done by hand or in the electric mixer)

In the larger bowl and the electric mixer, blend the almond meal, caster sugar, baking powder, salt and lemon rind until well combined.   Add in the egg, butter and lemon juice from the smaller bowl and mix in well.  This will produce a nice gooey, sticky mix so make sure all ingredients are well combined.

Using a heaped teaspoon of mix, drop the dough on to the lined baking trays allowing about 5 cm between each cookie.  The cookie mix will spread a little.

Bake for 12 minutes and remove the cookies by sliding the cookies on the baking paper on to a cool tray to prevent any further cooking.  Allow to cool slightly.  The cookies will be soft initially (they’re really yummy when they’re still warm!) and firm up a little but will not be hard and crunchy, but still soft and easy to eat when cool.

Keep for 7 days (or freeze) in the fridge.

Optional: Drizzle a 50/50 caster sugar/lemon juice combination (about ½ cup required) over the cookies as an icing if you wish.  They’re great just plain or with an extra tangy icing.

I’d be curious to know if this recipe works as well with oranges or limes…. anyone?

From old to new again

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Just when you think something is worth disposing of, there comes a flash of creativity and brilliance. I was in need of a glasses case and this one appeared in the archives. So, here it is – all fresh and shiny brand new, using acrylic markers…. just love those things!

Aren’t these colours just great? If you’d like some yourself you can get them by clicking on the link below …. and yes… I may receive some benefit from any purchases of this product. Enjoy your creativity!


Flourless Fudgy Avocado Brownies

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These are THE best brownies ever… you can add your own chopped almonds, or cherries, or even chopped ginger for that extra squish of yumness!

YOU WILL NEED:
2 X 11 X 7 inch Baking tins

Baking paper

Hand mixer or food processor

Mixing bowl

Large knife

Mixing spoon

Plastic scraper

A Deanna Roberts split-leg apron

Cooking temperature 150°C or 325°F

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup almond meal

3 ripe avocados (peeled, pit removed and mashed roughly)

1 cup cocoa powder

4 eggs (at room temperature)

1 cup brown sugar or coconut sugar

½ cup Peanut butter (or almond butter, cashew spread, brazil nut spread)

2 tsp baking powder

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

½ teaspoon salt

1 cup dark chocolate chips or dark chocolate roughly chopped (you can also substitute part of this for milk or white chocolate chips or rum and raising chocolate pieces if you prefer)

Optional: ½ cup of chopped ginger, chopped almonds (skin on or off), cherries, brazil nuts, pepita seeds etc

METHOD:

Pre-heat the oven to 150°C or 325°F

Line a 7″ x 11″ baking dish with baking paper – add a little cooking spray or butter underneath the paper to make sure it sticks to the tray

Add all ingredients (except the optional ginger etc) into to a mixing bowl or food processor bowl and mix until smooth and creamy, ensuring all the avocado is blended into the mix.

With your mixing spoon, fold in any nuts, ginger etc gently ensuring it is mixed through

Scrape your bowl out cleanly and pour or spoon mixture into the tin smoothing over the top to get an even thickness – should be about 1.5 to 2 cm in height.
Place your tray on the lowest oven shelf possible but not the very bottom of your oven (you want a slow even cook) and cook for 20 mins, then turn the tray around cook another 20 mins or until the centre is cooked through.  It will be slightly firm to the touch.  If it is too firm it can be overcooked.  Note:  Even if it is a little soft in the centre it may still well be cooked and rather gooey – yummy!

Allow the brownies to cool in the pan completely before placing in the fridge.  When firm, run your plastic scraper around the edge and using the plastic scraper edge or knife, slice the brownies into squares.

Just before serving give them a little sprinkle of icing sugar to decorate and add a smidge of sweetness.

Will store in the fridge for about a week or in the freezer for about a month– if they last that long 😉

Fabric & Sewing Acronyms

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On social media there are a lot of fabric and sewing groups designed to allow users to sell, discuss, share advice, inspire and collect a wealth of sewing ideas. Often we find acronyms are used – what do they all mean? Here’s a list in alphabetical order compiled so far (and I welcome any additions!) that may assist you in navigating your way through all those wonderful posts.

(Original Image by Robin Higgins from Pixabay)

If you have any other suggested terms/acronyms/abbreviations that may also assist, please comment below.

BNIP – Brand New in Packet

BRB – Be right back

BUMP – Bring Up My Post

CB – Centre Back

CF – Centre Front

CL – Cotton Lycra

CQ – Crazy Quilting

DBP – Double Brushed Polyester

DD – Direct Debit

DISO – Designer in Search of / Desperately in search of

DTY – Drawn Textured Yarn

ETE – Edge to Edge

F – Following

FBA – Full Bust Alteration/Adjustment

FBMR – Fabric by Missy Rose

FL – Fold Line

FM – Free Motion

FMQ – Free Motion Quilting

FOE – Fold Over Elastic

FOMO – Fear of Missing Out

FW – Fusible Web

GL – Grain Line

HST – Half Square Triangle

HTF – Hard to Find

IDK – I don’t know

ISO – In search of

ITD – In the Ditch

ITY – Interlock Twist Yarn

LA – Long Arm

LAQ – Long Arm Quilting

LOOP – Listed on other pages

MBJM – Made by Jack’s Mum

MTO – Made to Order

NF – Not Following

NIL – Next in Line

NOS – New Old Stock

OF – On Fold

OOAK – One of A Kind

OOP – Out of Print

OP – Other Person/Original Poster

PDF – Portable Document Format

PHD – Project Half Done

PP – Plus Postage or PayPal (or sometimes ‘Per pack’) or Paper Piecing

PPU – Pending Pickup

PUL – Polyurethane Laminate

QAYG – Quilt As You Go

QC – Quilting Cotton (or Quilter’s Cotton)

RSO – Right Side Out

RST – Right Sides Together

RSU – Right Side Up

RTW – Round the Waist / Ready to Wear

SA – Seam Allowance

SIY – Sew it Yourself

STL – Standalone Lace

SUF – Sew Unique Fabrics

TIA – Thanks in Anticipation

TTYL – Talk to you later

TY – Thank You

UFO – Unfinished Object

WC – Woven Cotton

WIP – Work in Progress

WTB – Wanted to Buy

WOF – Width of Fabric

WS – Wrong Side

WST – Wrong Sides Together

Why everyone should own a split-leg apron

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Why-everyone-should-own-a-split-leg-apron- Deanna Roberts Studio

When I first saw some fellow artists wearing split-leg aprons I sought out various fabrics that would suit my own design and began to search for high quality fabric offcuts from industry, deceased estates and private collections for their hard-wearing, durability and endurance qualities. It’s a great way to reduce, reuse and recycle and my aim is to bring new life to these fabrics that were originally designed with another purpose in mind. We artists do make a mess and this type of fabric is perfect for the materials, paints, coffee, garden soil, clay and glazes and every other messy bit we tend to throw at it… literally! These aprons have proven to be valuable for so many trades with many sold to baristas, chefs, bakers, tattoo artists, gardeners, tradies, hens’ parties, art and craft workshops, dog and horse groomers, makeup artists, costume makers, jewellers and artists.

As a pottery teacher I made myself many of these aprons as teaching a few classes a week required a clean apron each time! Many of my students also purchased more than one apron and were very proud to parade them around the studio or in their workplace.

The aprons are ideal for when you’re sitting or standing while working as they keep the mess off your clothes and cover your legs well below the knee. They’re also great while sitting working at a bench as it saves having to have a towel draped over your legs.

There’s quite a bit that goes into these aprons:

Firstly… the fabric is sustainably sourced (as much as possible) so purchasing retail fabrics just doesn’t happen. Website image - pottery split-leg aprons 1 Fabrics are new and unused and in a small way, we’re all contributing to saving the planet one apron at a time, by reducing, reusing and recycling – avoiding unnecessary waste going into landfill.

Next…. pieces are chosen and matched, laid out and cut to size, individually overlocked, seams ironed and pieces sewn together with high quality thread, a designer label and washing/care instruction label inside.

Website image - pottery split-leg aprons 2

Next… the most complimentary colour of straps/ties are selected, measured to fit and pressed.

Next… once each apron is completed, it’s photographed from different angles to highlight its features, each photo edited and uploaded online.

Then… upon purchase, each apron is carefully folded, packed and on its way to you via Australia Post.

As a side note – caring for your aprons is a must. If they’ve got a lot of food residue, factory dust, working tool residue, clay and glazes and other marks on them, be sure to give them a good hose-down by pegging them to your washing line first. For many, this type of wash will suffice. You can then throw them in your washing machine on a gentle cycle and add fabric softener too if you wish.

Thanks for all your support. It’s such a pleasure making these aprons and I’m only too happy to share the joy around. Please leave me a comment below or testimonial from having bought your own, unique split-leg apron.

To purchase your own unique, one-off apron – visit the Shop

Cheers, Deanna

How to set up a market stall

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HOW TO SET UP A MARKET STALL

So, you are looking to sell your products at a local market?  There are lots of things to consider when thinking about how to set up a market stall.  Here are a few hints and tips that may assist you when getting organised:

How to set up a market stall - Deanna Roberts Studio

Do your research

  1. Do your homework.  What markets are in your local area?  What markets are in your local area?  There are some websites that list markets and when they operate in your area.
  2. What do the markets sell now that may be in competition to your items or that sell well?  Are there buyers queuing up to buy your type of goods?
  3. What is the weather going to be like?  Is it a factor in whether the market runs or not?  Does it affect your setup?
  4. How often do the markets run?
  5. Have a look at online reviews of the markets you are interested in, or visit one for yourself and check out the local traffic, parking facilities, custom, hours of operation etc.  Talk to some of the stallholders and regular visitors for their thoughts and what they are looking for and expecting to pay for goods and stalls.

Applying for a stall

  1. Most market organisers will have a form for you to complete including your name and address details, contact information, products to sell, compliance with their rules, terms and conditions etc.  There are several things to consider.
  2. What is the cost for a stall?  Is it going to be worthwhile?
  3. How long is the market for – a few hours? A few days?
  4. Are you required to have your own insurance? (Highly recommended – see below).  There are also various insurers and brokers that allow you to have insurance per event/market or you can purchase insurance for a nominated period.
  5. What happens if you cancel your stall?  Will you get a refund?  Will someone else take your space?
  6. Check the Market’s terms and conditions.  If there are not any, be wary.
  7. Is the market purely for arts and crafts?  Is it a trash and treasure market combined with crafts?  Generally, buyers expect markets to offer cheaper prices.  Be prepared to barter with your customers and to bring your prices down if you are at a car boot sale or trash and treasure type market.
  8. Book ahead and pay for your site.  Plan and think well in advance about how you want to stock and set up your stall.
  9. Night markets v. day markets?  Which ones suits you best?  Which ones will most likely attract your target market?
  10. Does the market allow you sufficient space?  Your stall size could be 3 m x 1.5 m, or 3 x 3 m or something different… see what options are available.
  11. Does it allow you space to demonstrate your craft?
  12. What position is your still likely to be in – close to the entrance, exit or food suppliers?  Close to the entrance is not always a good idea – sure your stall may be the first one people see, but often, visitors will want to see what else the market offers before coming back to your stall, if they do.  Being close to food suppliers can be a plus, or not.  Most people are interested in buying food and not in anything else.  They may however eat and browse.

Stock

  1. Make sure you have got plenty of stock.  Sometimes it is difficult to know how much to take, however, more than what you think is good.  If you sell out – bonus!  Always good to have something to replace a sold item.  Keep your stall looking healthy and full.  An empty stall looks like all that is left is what everyone else didn’t want.
  2. Don’t lay out all your stock first.  Clutter = confusion and makes it difficult for a buyer to choose the right item.
  3. Once an item is sold, then replace it from your stock.
  4. Pricing your stock is not always an easy task.  Check out what your competition is charging.  Talk to the market organisers as to what their customers expect – cheap or higher pricing?  Visiting a trash and treasure market might be ideal for you to offload some of your excess stock or seconds at a cheaper price than normal.
Display - Deanna Roberts Studio - How to set up a market stall

Display

  1. Keep it minimalistic.  Less is more.
  2. You can pick up all sorts of display items cheaply at trash and treasure markets, car boot sales, local tips and their shops – where they keep items back from landfill for sale.  Visit hardware stores, recycle centres, online market places and op shops.
  3. Think about display boxes, cloths, ornaments, trinkets, dividers, food (for functional ware), plants or fruit e.g., apples in a large bowl and any sort of partitioning and shelving.  Remember, shelving can be free-standing, on a table, stacked, or hanging.  Storage boxes are great to turn upside down and place under cloths to gain extra display height.
  4. Be sure to check whether you need to BYO tables and chairs or whether they’re provided.  Investing in a couple of trestle/fold-up tables and camping chairs is a great idea.
  5. Think about the setup and how your customers are going to feel when they see your display.  Is it welcoming?  Is it intimidating?  Is it light or dark and easy to see your display?  Sometimes people don’t feel comfortable having to move into a space where you’re sitting or if it’s too far back from the main path or if they feel they’re being watched.  Consider a u-shape design where they can move around easily or even just a front table where you sit or stand behind.
  6. If the ground is uneven on the market site, take chocks along to raise your table height, or if possible and safe to do so, use a hammer or pick to create a hole in the ground to lower one side of the table.
  7. Keep your cash float hidden.  When customers purchase using a credit or debit card always keep the card in their view so that they know that it’s not being tampered with or scanned etc.  I’d highly recommend using Square for credit card purchases – it’s cheap, quick and easy and you receive notification (via email) of sales instantly.  It takes about 3 days for the cash to hit your back account and yes, they have a fee, but you can also include that in your purchase price of course.   If you’re interested in signing up for their services, just click here and receive free processing on up to $1,000 in sales during your first 180 days – Square.

Signage

  1. What signage do you have to promote yourself and/or your business?  Do you have a banner?
  2. Business cards, gift vouchers and posters – can they be placed around your stall so that they’re easily visible?
  3. Display item prices
  4. Consider displaying a short paragraph or two about yourself and your background, how you came to produce the items you do, your inspirations etc – people love a good story.
  5. Think about the colour of your signs.  They need to be easy to read and stand out.  Bargains are always a standout in a red coloured font.
  6. Sandwich/A-frame boards are also a good idea as people will see them before they even get to your stall
Signage - Deanna Roberts Studio - How to set up a market stall

Insurance

  1. Consider purchasing your own public liability and product liability insurance.  There are plenty of providers out there for one-off events or for an annual premium.  If you’re an Australian Ceramics Association member you can organise insurance along with your membership.  Regional Arts Victoria also offers insurance packages, as do various insurance brokers.  It’s worth doing your homework.  This is highly recommended in case someone makes a claim against, you, your products, or your practices.  Check out insurance companies that support vendors like you and in your industry.  Chat to other stall holders too or the business organising the market – they may have some contacts you can enquire with.  Insurance is often available for just one day, or for a nominated period.
  2. Keep insurance at the top of your priority list and protect yourself and others.

What to take

  1. A friend to help you setup and sell!
  2. Marquee/display tent
  3. Cash float
  4. Tables, boxes, shelving, racks
  5. Table cloths
  6. Display boxes and stands
  7. Floor mat for the ground – could be a rug, bamboo mat, rubber mat etc – prevents dust from getting into your products
  8. Stationery (bulldog clips, notepad and pen, price tags, price stands, scissors, rubber bands, ‘Blu-tak’, thick textas
  9. Wet wipes and cleaning cloths (some sites can be dry and dusty)
  10. Promotional banner, business cards, gift certificates, flyers
  11. Carry bags, gift wrap, gift bags
  12. Tools – hammer, rope, tent pegs, sandbags, S-hooks, tape measure
  13. Food and drinks
  14. Wet weather gear – umbrella, rain coat, gumboots, tarpaulins, plastic cloths
  15. Your products
  16. Trolley for moving items from your car to your stall
  17. Camera – always good for PR shots of your stall and promoting the event on social media!
  18. Towels – just in case it rains – one for you and one for your tables and products

Advertise

  • On social media – use your own photographs or videos or ask the market organiser for permission to share theirs
  • In local newspapers
  • On your own website – product and blog pages
  • On the local radio – can you organise an interview to discuss your business?  Perhaps you can take along another stall holder with you.
  • Letterbox drops
  • Local stores may display a poster in their windows for you
  • Local galleries
  • Other markets, festivals and other events prior to your scheduled market day
  • Local community groups
  • Word of mouth
Market stall display - Deanna Roberts Studio - How to set up a market stall

Markets are great fun and can be a wonderful community of people who are willing to help you out on the day, look after your stall and share their hints and tips.  Get along, have some fun and sell your stuff! 

Please leave us a review on our website and let us know your thoughts and experiences in setting up your own stall!

Cheers, Deanna 😊