koolaman

Christmas is just around the corner!

2011-12-07T16:45:00.001+11:00

Have you started Christmas shopping yet? If you're thinking of shopping at koolaman designs for Christmas our advice is to get in now. To ensure you receive your Christmas koolaman designs in time, we ask that you place your orders by midnight 8th December in WA, QLD, NT, New Zealand and midnight 12th December in VIC, SA, NSW, TAS and ACT. This will give us enough time to create your koolaman personalised jewellery sterling silver and 9ct gold personalised pieces and pop them into the post.

Orders placed after this date, may not reach their recipient in time for Christmas.

Koolaman gift certificates can be purchased up until 3pm on Christmas Eve, we'll email you a copy for you to print off and pop in a card.

We've got gifts for everyone this Christmas;

Maybe there's a baby due near Christmas or in the New Year. Order a gift certificate and the recipient can choose their own.

hand-stamped sterling silver cuff bracelet personaslised as a special gift!

Sterling silver cufflinks personalised with names, dates or special words.

Cufflinks with initials stamped. koolaman designs is not just for parents!

The Amelia necklace, one of many in our silver seeds range.

The petite Lulu sterling silver personalised dog tags are a great gift for boys or for the Mums in your life.

The Charlie cuff with the Violet pendant. A gorgeous hand stamped sterling silver bangle for girls.

Liesel bangle, one of our all time favourites, perfect for lots of names or special words. This personalised sterling silver bangle is available in four sizes, childrens, petite, standard and large.

Perfect for growing families and especially for Grandma's and Nanna's. Pop the initials on each koolaman silver pendant.

We're giving a set of William cufflinks to the first person randomly selected and an Amelia bracelet to the second random winner this Christmas!

To win simply
1. Make sure you're following our koolaman blog!
2. Pop over and 'Like' our koolaman page on facebook.
3. Visit the koolaman online store and then leave a comment below with the name of your favourite koolaman piece and who you would give it to for Christmas.

The giveaway finishes at midnight 12th December. Winner drawn at random and announced on our blog on Wednesday 14th December. Prize not transferable or redeemable for cash.

Penny for your thoughts!

2011-11-22T06:51:00.000+11:00

Well, think we did. The giveaway was meant to make it easy for the koolaman team to make a decision on the name of our new pendant. The overwhelming response to the giveaway with hundreds of suggestions meant that we had plenty of names to choose from. There was a varied response, with lots of Mums suggesting their children's names, names inspired by friends or special people, phrases, some humour, some suggestions of beautiful names already in the collection and we even received a poem.

We've selected the name with thanks to Brooke. Brooke suggested PENNY(the pendant) is round and penny shaped (even though there is no middle) and its just a pretty and simple name that fits with your other pendants.... We debated about PENELOPE as there were a few suggestions for this beautiful name too however we decided on PENNY. We all agreed, PENNY certainly fitted with our koolaman designs silver collection and we think it's a fitting name for our new pendant.

Congratulations to Brooke who is going to receive one of the first ever koolaman designs PENNY pendants

We'd like to thank everyone who sent through their ideas, we were amazed by how many of you there were and we certainly appreciated your efforts.

Here are a few of the interesting replies we received.

The Poem by AM

Your pendants are inspired by children's names
And just like children, none are the same!
Your new pendant suits both female and male,
So a unisex name is guaranteed not to fail!

While I have only one son, I have not chosen his name,
Instead I have decided to play your game.
I considered names such as Alex, Quinn or Marley
But in the end, I settled on "Charli(e)".

What a lovely name for a girl or a boy!
I hope you feel this name will bring you joy,
And be a wonderful addition to your collection,
Of pendants, tags, chains and other selections!

Maria said
Hi Stacey and Lisa,
My suggestion is May! It is the month of May...Mother's Day! It is also the name of my first child of four I could fit all my children's names on this pendant! May Margaret, Samuel Alan, Max Bernard and Thomas John Kent!!!

Fiona suggested
I think it should be called Fiona - cos it's big and round just like me!!

Amelia suggested
Aimi. Has Mia (backwards) in it but adding an extra letter to make it a new name but still part of it's original name

Libby suggested
Ethel Turner wrote the australian classic, Seven Little Australians. This pendant is just the thing needed for mums with thier own seven little australians, therefore I suggest ETHEL.

Renae suggested
My suggestion is "hula" when I first saw the photo I thought of a hula hoop, and all the laughter joy and excitement a hula hoop brings to a family .. Old and young :-) it creates memories that last forever in the family photo album

Olivia suggested Riverina - it just goes on and on

Tess suggested
Angelina - even she could fit all her kids names on it! ;)

Plus there are hundreds more of your suggestions on our facebook collection page and the blog
PENNY is now available at our online store and at fairs and expos leading up to Christmas. Don't forget if you're need a Christmas gift for yourself or someone else, order by midnight 8th December if you live in WA, SA, QLD, NT or midnight 12th December VIC, SA, NSW, ACT, and TAS. Orders placed after this date may not reach their destination for Christmas.

Thank you
Stacey & Lisa

A new pendant for Christmas 2011 - giveaway

2011-11-18T09:51:00.001+11:00

Well it's not entirely new, it's our beloved MIA pendant, you know the silver circle necklace worn by Johannah Griggs on Better Homes and Garden. It's been with us since we started and is one of our signature pendants. Lots of our customers loved it but didn't have enough room to fit their entire family. Now, we've decided to introduce it using a smaller font as well, which means up to 46 characters can fit around the pendant.

Perfect personalised gift for Grandmas and Nanna's. Or someone with a large family!
You can win your very own, simply tell us which name you'd like to call it and why. The pendant is valued at $250. Leave a comment on the blog and your details or under the image on facebook. Winners announced on Monday 21st November 8pm and the pendant is released for sale on Tuesday 22nd at 9am.

Out and About!

2011-11-16T12:14:00.000+11:00

Out and About! We're embarking on a very big weekend travelling all over visiting some beautiful places, Toowoomba, QLD, Tamworth NSW, Hamilton VIC, Brisbane QLD and Geelong VIC to exhibit our koolaman designs personalised jewellery range. The koolaman team is spreading out and our Mum (affectionately known as Mama) has jumped on board to help us.

It all starts at Toowoomba Bush Christmas. The Bush Christmas started 14 years ago as a way to showcase talent in outback QLD and NSW. We've been fortunate enough to be accepted into the exhibition this year. The exhibition is open from 18th - 27th and Mama (Lisa and Stacey's Mum) and Stacey co founder of koolaman designs will be there on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Entry is gold coin donation.
We've had some great coverage from Lee and Lizzy at 3GR and they are giving away a koolaman designs Audrey pendant and William personalised cufflinks this week. If you're a Toowoomba local tune into 3GR and check out their facebook page for the "koolaman kodewords" and you kould win one yourself!

Recent display at the Henty Machinery Field Days with Kristie (koolaman customer service) and Mama (jack of all trades).

Our final Brisbane Mathilda's Market for 2011 will be a huge Christmas extravaganza held at Eagle Farm Racing Club. Tess will be there and can take your Christmas orders. It's all under cover and rain hail or shine the show will go on.


koolaman designs 9ct gold hand-stamped pendant VICTORIA with 9ct curb gold chain

Then it's down to Tamworth to the Brain Foundation Christmas Fair, held at the Tamworth Racecourse we'll be exhibiting Saturday 19th November 9.30 - 4pm. This is our first time taking koolaman designs to Tamworth and I'm sure it's going to be a lot of fun! Look out for Stacey who will be taking orders.

koolaman designs sterling silver round pendants KATE with large ball sterling silver chain

Much further south we'll also be down to Hamilton to the Three French Hens at the Hamilton Racecourse. We had a great time last year purchasing some lovely christmas gifts, beer and proteas. Can't wait to see what they've got in store for us this year. The fair goes for two days Friday 18th and Saturday 19th 10am - 4pm.. koolaman designs will be exhibiting SATURDAY ONLY and Lisa will be able to take orders.

koolaman designs CHARLIE sterling silver cuff personalised childrens keepsake bracelet. This is a stunning gift for a baptism, christening or naming ceremony

Sunday is the final Piccadilly Market for 2011. We've really enjoyed exhibiting here at this Geelong Market. Visit Janina's blog to see all of the stall holders and their beautiful wares.

Just remember any orders placed at the fairs will be sent to you free of charge saving $15 postage fee. See you there!

Have you ever forgotten something very important?

2011-07-21T10:33:00.001+10:00

Well I must confess.... like all Mums we lead busy lives, with extracurricular activities, working, maintaining a house and caring for children, tasks here and there ... Often some things are forgotten along the way.... some not so important and some very important.

It was a sunny Wednesday afternoon, I was in town doing a few jobs, Miss Lulu was at daycare and Bella Boo with her familycarer. My car was being serviced and I was running behind schedule. The car was taking longer than it was meant to and as I was waiting around for it to be ready, kept thinking that there was something that I should be doing...... After a horrible sinking feeling, realised that Augie had gone home on the bus but there wasn't anyone to meet him... Now ours isn't your standard bus stop, it's in the middle of a gravel road and maybe a car or three a day would pass, no bus shelter nearby and 5kms from our house, and there isn't any mobile phone service.... Nearly too far for me to walk, let alone a 6 year old boy whose day on the bus started at 7.25am.

After I pulled my heart from the ground, all of these thoughts ran through my head, he's left out there by himself that he'd be in tears, a random person (not that likely considering the lack of traffic) could have picked him up... Then I rang my mother in law, who like a 'supergranny' travelled at the speed of light to get to the bus stop. And in the meantime I wiped my tears and headed home not knowing what state I was going to find Augie....

Well it's fortunate that he's grown up to be a resilient child, our kindly bus driver patiently waited for 35 minutes for someone to arrive (ours is the last stop)... and then as he drove down the last 5 kms to our house met 'supergranny' on the road. You see he didn't want to drive to the house because he would have missed me on the road and he was worried I'd be concerned that the bus wasn't at the stop (little did he know I was 50kms away) and he also didn't know if there were any adults at koolaman as he wouldn't drop Augie off and leave him to his own devices..... God bless him!

As for Gus' emotional state, he had a great trip home, wasn't concerned at all, in fact he enjoyed it as he had an uninterrupted ear with the bus driver and the bus driver said that he shared many an interesting story (not sure if I like that or not).

Since that fateful day there have been a few systems popped in place! I have a daily alarm on my phone for pre-school pick ups, school pick ups and bus pick-ups! And it goes 15 minutes early for me to make sure that I have enough time to pop arrangements in place, if they aren't already. The bus' UHF radio has been repaired and the bus driver can call up the houses or the boys in the paddocks if needed and a UHF radio has also been installed in the car. And finally everyone at koolaman are made aware of any changes to the bus routine..

Have you ever forgotten something very important? I'd love to hear your thoughts....

Arriving at the bus stop, and I'm there to take him home!

The perfect bag - win one for yourself!

2011-06-22T23:47:00.000+10:00

We love exhibiting our silver and now our gold collections at shows and expos around the country. There are a couple of reasons; to meet our customers who always give us such wonderful feedback which often help drive new ideas and the second is to catch up and meet with other exhibitors.

This weekend, Friday 24th, Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th we'll be at the Brisbane Pregnancy Babies and Children's Expo along with the girls from Isoki.

We've been meeting up with the Isoki girls at the Pregnancy Babies and Children's Expos around the country for the past few years. We've always admired their sophisticated range of baby bags and accessories. And we've often bought bits and pieces for presents for family and friends. In fact the word ISOKI is derived from an African word meaning 'a beautiful gift'. Thanks to Maria and the girls we're lucky enough to have a beautiful ISOKI bag to give away valued at $199

All you need to do is pop on over to ISOKI view their gorgeous collection of bags select your favourite and tell us why in the comments box here. Download a free ticket to the PBC Expo and you can see all the bags for yourself! Easy! For an extra chance, pop a comment into the ISOKI comment on the koolaman designs facebook page. Giveaway is open to Aussie residents only and closes at 8pm on Thursday 30th June 2011. What better way to finish the financial year than a beautiful bag. Winner drawn at random. Prize is not transferable and not redeemable for cash. If you don't have a Google ID just leave it as anonymous and your contact details.

Don't forget if you're in Brisbane and looking to buy a silver koolaman designs then place your order at the PBC Expo and you won't have to pay postage! (save up to $20) And,we're giving away one of our Liesel bangles soon, simply visit our stand at J19 and pop your details down to win a LIESEL bracelet . This koolaman designs JUNE giveaway will be drawn 8pm on 30th June 2011.

Mother's Day 2011

2011-04-26T18:09:00.002+10:00

How are you going to spend Mother's Day 2011?

It's sowing time at Koolaman Station and it's usually a picnic in the paddock while the boys are sowing the wheat crop. This year won't be any different, with a sausage on the bbq, marshmallows for the kids to toast. Mother's Day is a quiet day, at least I don't have to worry about dishes. Last year the kids made special cupcakes complete with parasols.....

Don't forget to pop your Mother's Day order in by midnight tonight for WA, QLD and NT addresses, Visit our online store to place your order for one of our unique Mother's Day gifts in sterling silver or 9ct gold. Other states, have until midnight tomorrow 27th April to decide on what Mum would like this Mother's Day. If it's for a grandmum, what about the SOPHIE pendants with grandchildren's initials on each tag, a Mum who wears gold the GRACE pendant is perfect and for a Mum who has everything, try the EDWARD keytag

SOPHIE sterling silver pendants - perfect gift for grandma

We're giving away a Liesel bangle this April for anyone who visits our stands at Magnolia Square or any of the other markets and fairs and pops their name in the giveaway.... The March winner was H Colyer from Joslin SA

LIESEL bangle

as good as gold!

2011-03-01T01:31:00.001+11:00

Stacey and Lisa and the koolaman designs team are very excited to be launching the gold with character collection. After many requests the gold has finally arrived, and not just any gold, koolaman light gold, a 9ct subtly coloured gold, just like the sunsets at koolaman station. All ready in time to be the perfect gift for Mother's Day 2011.

VICTORIA - a stunning circular pendant that is sure to be one of our most celebrated pieces and treasured by all who wear it.

CATHERINE

CATHERINE is both petite and elegant. The gorgeous light gold pendant with fixed jump ring offers the flexibility to be worn with one, two or three pendants, reflecting each individual style.

The stunning koolaman designs ELIZABETH light gold pendants team beautifully together with sets ranging from one to six pendants. Best described as a combination of city chic and country charm.

GRACE

The name GRACE was chosen for this koolaman gold pendant to relect its true old world glamou. Known as our heirloom piece, this pendant really does transcend time and passing trends. This round familiar circle is designed for those who appreciate both simplicity and elegance.

GRETEL

Classic and contemporary the GRETEL is suitable for both males and females. Wtiht he ability to wear up to five pieces on the one chain, this is the perfect way to celebrate and keep close to your heart all those that are special to you.

You're going to love these delicate gold pieces recreated from our favourite sterling silver pendants. Pop on over to the koolaman online store and see what all the fuss is about! koolaman designs handstamp sterling silver pendants and now are hand stamping 9ct gold.

We love the soft 9ct koolaman gold on the sterling silver ball chains... and we know you will too!

The winners of the koolaman designs Valentine's Day Giveaway

2011-02-16T10:58:00.000+11:00

Hope you all had a lovely Valentine's Day. Even if you were like me and it passed like every other day ! From all your comments, I need not feel left out, as it seems though there are many partners out there that aren't drawn into the Valentine's Day hype.

The winners were drawn at random using random.org . The first winner Heather won the silver AUDREY pendant and large ball chain. were #86 Heather with her comment "

With 4 year old Matilda at pre-school today, it's just my 2 year old main man Toby and me this Valentines Day. No pressie or flowers for me today...but plenty of cuddles and kisses!!!"

The second winner, the winner of the WILLIAM silver cufflinks is Maisy Dee #59 with her comment "My husband doesnt do anything for valentines day either ~ it would be nice but i consider everyday to be a good day. My husband does all my housework - washing, ironing, cleaning etc.. All i have to do is cook! So I am lucky enough to be treated everyday!! :)"

The AUDREY and large ball chain - sterling silver hand stamped pendant

Congratulations to Heather and Maisy Dee !

Thank you to everyone who kindly spent time on the koolaman blog, entering the giveaway. We're also on facebook and will be announcing other giveaways and launching of new products in the coming weeks!

KATE pendants and large ball chain

Roses are red.....

2011-02-14T06:02:00.000+11:00

Roses are red, violets are blue, koolaman is special and so are you!

We've been busy stamping away our Valentine's Day orders. There are lots of people who have shopped online to get their partner something special this Valentine's Day. Our sterling silver hand stamped WILLIAM cufflinks have proven to be one of more popular gift for the men and the AUDREY pendant is a stand out favourite for a gift for the girls.

Now, if you're anything like me, I've never received a Valentine's Day gift and I don't think I've even received a bunch of flowers on the day. It was bk (before kids) that a bunch of flowers would arrive, but as far as a Valentine's Day gift.... Nope not ever! My husband, is a Valentine's day non-believer!

Anyway, because we know there are people out there who would love a Valentine's Day gift (like myself) The koolaman team have decided to give away a handstamped silver pendant with silver chain and a hand stamped silver set of cufflinks to two very lucky people.

A set of the WILLIAM cufflinks and an AUDREY pendant and chain and if you're like me, the only way to receive a Valentine's Day gift is to buy it or win it yourself!

Tell us what you're going to do this Valentine's Day, a special gift you'd like to receive or give or perhaps (just to make the Valentineless people like myself envious) a special Valentine's Day treat or surprise someone's given you! Or even just a few words to describe your Valentine!

Giveaway is open to Aussie residents only and closes at 11pm on Monday 14th February 2011. Winner drawn at random. One entry per person please. If you don't have a Google ID just leave it as anonymous and your contact details.

The good things about living in the country! (and married to a farmer)

2011-01-16T15:47:00.000+11:00

You can ring the pharmacist for medical advice (he's kind of like the local Dr anyway) and he knows you and the kids. You can even ring the local DR and get to speak to them too!

That we can take Merv his lunch and enjoy a long picnic with him down in the paddock under a tree.

Take-Away food simply isn't an option.

When Merv's not busy he comes in for several cuppas a day and takes the kids with him to check on the sheep.... and I have a moment to catch up on the jobs of the day.

Stopping on the side of the road for a toilet stop for three children, people driving past slow down to check if everything is okay.

The lamb and pork we eat is grown on our own property. Chooks have free range and we have the most delicious eggs!

When the mailman arrives, he calls us on the radio to say that the mail has arrived , the previous one used to drop the mail on the kitchen bench.

The day I developed mastitis with my newborn second child, after having previously having experienced it with my first child, I rang my Dr who is 200km away who faxed the script through to the pharmacist and my mother in law who was in town shopping brought the antibiotics home with her.

Taking things home on "appro" still happens in country towns.

The mailman only comes two days a week, but our next door neighbour works in town every day, and when I need to post parcels and I'm not going into town, I ring my neighbour and hang the parcels on the grid and she picks them up on her way past.

Run out to the clothesline (yes, we still have room for a clothesline in the yard) after a shower covered in a towel and not worry about any neighbours popping over the fence.

Our kids can ride their bikes on the tracks and I don't have to worry about any traffic.

Our kids at koolaman are fortunate to have their grandparents living next door and can ride their bikes or walk between the houses.

You can still get driveway service at fuel stations

We know everyone in our street (road), in the district...

Very rarely, does someone just pop in and surprise us in our pj's.

It's a long way to come to Koolaman for a visit and I love how visitors always stay longer than just for a cuppa.

These are some of the advantages of living in the country, on a farm and married to a farmer! There are plenty of negative but we're looking at the glass half full!

What are the good things where you live?

Liesel

2010-11-28T22:08:00.000+11:00

If you've visited koolaman designs at one of our exhibitions around the country you might have spied this classic sterling silver bangle. It's a very special piece for us at koolaman having named it after our beautiful friend Liesel who passed away from breast cancer in 2008.
Liesel was the type of person who everyone loved. It's difficult to find the words to describe the beautiful woman she was. A wonderful friend, Liesel and her daughter Kate were very supportive in the early days of koolaman designs, with plenty of encouragement and helping us package our silver pendants.
Like it's namesake Liesel bangle is a classic, stunning piece and will be loved by everyone.
Never forgotten and always missed. L xx

Life down on the farm

2010-11-09T22:41:00.000+11:00

koolaman wool

Stacey and I grew up on a farm, and although it was a small distance from town, and we sometimes felt isolated, it's nothing in comparison to living at Koolaman. Koolaman is 50km from the nearest town and 70km from Balranald. Today, as I negotiated (I wouldn't say drove - because that would infer I was in control) the 40km stretch of dirt road into town, I wished that we lived a little closer to town, that we had a bitumen road from our front door which led us there. The deep boggy muddy stretch that in dry times would be described as a road took us twice as long as normal to negotiate. I also then thought of some of the things that we've done in the past week and how fortunate our children are growing up on a farm and the things they are able to experience.

It's been shearing time at Koolaman this week. The culmination of a years hard work, nurturing the sheep to grow a fine wool, to have it shorn off the sheep and sold at auction. It's a rewarding time and it's also one which creates a buzz around the property. There are ten staff on the shearing team who stay in the quarters at Koolaman during shearing, consisting of the cook, shearers, rouseabouts, wool roller, classer and a presser.

The kids have loved interacting with these visitors and dare I say the team have enjoyed having young kids interested in what they're doing. I love that our kids know where the wool for their jumpers come from as well as their roast lamb!

Lulu

And, as well as one of the busiest times of the year with shearing we had a visitor in the form of a 'crop duster'. A most unusual sight in this Mallee/Riverina area. This year due to the substantial rainfall that has fallen, the crops at koolaman are looking the best they ever have. With high yields, (provided the locusts are contained - that's another blog to come) predicted, robust grain prices this year is something farmers have been hoping for ever since the drought began.

The reason for the visit from the crop duster is that although the rains have created these monster crops, it's also created problems with stripe rust which is a fungal disease and it loves this wet rainy weather. There is only way to remove it and that's to spray it with a fungicide and to do so by ground would mean that we'd knock down too much of the crop. The only option was to call in the 'crop duster'. If you've never seen these pilots in action you're missing out.... dodging trees and powerlines all the time spraying the crop from a few metres above it. Here is a photo of the plane negotiating a tree in the paddock.

Crop duster spraying fungicide on the koolaman wheat crop

The people we meet.....

2010-10-04T18:39:00.000+11:00

We've met some wonderful people during our time with koolaman designs. We often wonder where we'd be if we weren't working with some of the most beautiful silver jewellery and making something so sweet and personal for our clients.

two ISOBEL pendants on an extra large ball chain

Among the delightful people we've met along our journey is the gorgeous Kristy from Sisken... this graphic designer turned bag fashionista creates the most beautiful leather bags for every purpose in colours that you'll be drooling over. We were very excited when Kristy asked us earlier in the year if she could use some koolaman designs in the photo shoot for her latest look book. We were even more excited when we saw the results of her hard work. These bags are a must have in any girls wardrobe... And except for a piece from from koolaman designs, these would have to be the perfect christmas present.

Montgomery tote and the koolaman FINN pendant

Pictured here is the Sisken, Large Montgomery tote $349 which has a convenient cross body strap, perfect for the times when you need a free hand, I love it when I've got my toddler on my hip and my pre-schooler holding my other hand. Model is wearing the sterling silver hand stamped FINN pendant on the 80cm large ball chain.

Sisken Bronte Clutch with the koolaman Stella pendant

And here is the Bronte Clutch Bag $220 which is a secure zip around clutch bag with a detachable strap. And the gorgoeus model is wearing the hand stamped sterling silver STELLA pendant on the 80cm large ball chain from koolaman designs.
The SISKEN bags are available in 9 colours including espresso, milk, licorice, stone, cherry, honey, blueberry, pomegranate and plum. With names this delicious you may even need two!

And Kristy is going to be giving away one of her very special Tarlee tote in Milk ($299). All you need to do is pop on over to the SISKEN site and select your favourite SISKEN item and then tell us which one and why in the comments box. Giveaway is open to Aussie residents only and closes at 8pm on Friday 15th October. Winner drawn at random. One entry per person please. If you don't have a Google ID just leave it as anonymous and your contact details.

That one day in September....

2010-09-27T23:06:00.000+10:00

Months of training, every Tuesday and Thursday evening and then a football game every Saturday (which took up the entire day by the time we drove the 260km round trip to get to the away matches) every Saturday for the past 21 weeks. The two local teams, the seniors and the reserves team made it to the finals. I admire the dedication, and the committment that the players have. I also think more should be made of the committment that wives and partners (particuarly those with children) have too!

Last Saturday we barracked for Merv's team in their attempt to take home the Grand Final trophy for the reserves and unfortunately it wasn't to be.... Even after Joh's super effort at creating t-shirts and everyone wearing their red and white, the footy team lost by 12 points. The senior match result was different and they won by a large margin. The disappointment felt by the reserves overshadowed by the win of the seniors.

It's back to the drawing board and as we look forward to free weekends and Tuesdays and Thursday nights at home, 2011 will be here before we know it.

Help.......

2010-08-10T22:40:00.000+10:00

One of our new pieces for 2010 is ready to be launched, it's the stunning "NEW MIA". A little smaller than MIA and bigger than the KATE pendant. Already proving to be a very popular piece as we've shown clients at fairs and expos in the past month.
We haven't been able to decide on a name, so we're going to leave it to our wonderful loyal clients, who make our job such a pleasure to contribute! It's your chance to win a hand stamped MIA pendant and silver large ball chain valued at $210 customised especially for you by simply suggesting a name and leaving it in the comments section here. You can also let us know why you think it would be a great name.

Pop your entry in the comments box here and the comp closes 8pm Wednesday 19th August 2010, winner will be announced on Friday. If you don't have a Google ID just leave it as anonymous and your contact details.

Here is an image with the KATE, "New MIA" and the MIA pendant just to give you an idea of size

Just in time for Father's Day

2010-08-04T01:10:00.000+10:00

Just in time for Father's Day, we'll be at Magnolia Square, at the Malvern Town Hall, this Thursday 5th, Friday 6th and Saturday 7th of August.

The stunning WILLIAM set of cufflinks have just been launched for Father's Day 2010. Pop on down to Magnolia Square where you can place your order, view the curated wares and drop back to pick up your personalised silver with character gift. Don't worry if you don't have time to wait, we'll stamp your unique piece of hand stamped jewellery and post it out free of charge. And if you can't get to see us before Father's Day, don't worry just make sure you have your order in by the 30th August.

And, the following week you'll find us in Perth, WA at the Claremont Showgrounds for the Pregnancy Babies and Children's expo, visit our website to download free tickets to the expo.

The simple things in life

2010-07-30T09:58:00.000+10:00

I love birthday parties, I love all of the birthday bits and bobs, the themes, the matching paper products from places like the cupcake wrapper co and sambellina party supplies. And I also love the simple things and when we were invited to Lara's birthday the other day I was delighted to see these gorgeous homemade goodie bags... All decorated by the birthday girl and her four year old sister. In between coordinating two year old birthday parties Lara's Mum is busy making delicious olive oils and olive oil products

And, then the not so simple. Talia, one of the koolaman team members said that she was going to create a Humpty Dumpty cake for her daughters birthday, we imagined one about 10-15cm high, with an egg as humpty dumpty and a piece of cake covered in chocolate icing for the brick wall. We were astounded when we saw this spectacular Humpty Dumpty masterpiece. As I'm sure little Amaya was too! Talia also used the 'reusable' cupcake wrappers from Kathy and Natalie at the Cupcake Wrapper Company.

Don't forget we'll be at the GEELONG Piccadilly Market this Sunday 1st August from 10am - 4pm.

A sneak peak of the WILLIAM cufflinks

somewhere OVER THE RAINBOW...

2010-07-27T23:39:00.000+10:00

Rainbows never fail to amaze me with their beauty and this week we were treated to a double rainbow over Koolaman. You can see the main rainbow and the second one popping out on the right.

Here is mother nature in all her beauty with a double treat for us at Koolaman.... And to wash away the rainbows five minutes after this image was taken the skies opened up and it rained and rained and rained..

There are some organised koolaman clients out there who have been placing their fathers day orders for our cufflinks, keyrings and pendants. Here's a sample of what we've been busy creating. To ensure your Fathers Day order is received in time, please place your order at koolamandesigns.com.au before the 30th August. And look out for the new cufflinks which will be launched next week, we know you're going to love them!

Winter Holidays @ koolaman

2010-07-12T22:38:00.000+10:00

School holidays are over. On the last day of the holidays it rained for most of the day today and the girls and I were looking for fun things to do inside. Lulu's idea was to paint our nails, a beautician in the making.... It looks like it might have been torturous and bloody but there was far too much laughter happening while the toes were being murdered. Lulu & Belle might need a bit more practice of painting the nails and less of the toes!

We had a couple of days in Melbourne, where we went to a footy match to see Gus' beloved Hawks... Melbourne turned on the cold weather and despite our best efforts we had to duck out at three quarter time and watch the last quarter of the "best game of the year" from our hotel.

Watching the players warm up... and getting a bit of practice in for when the Hawks score a goal....

We can highly recommend dinner at Carltons Bistro Two Dozen. A beautiful restaurant we'll visit again, next time without the kids. Not because kids aren't welcome, that's not the case at all, we arrived early and we were all waited on by the staff, all delighted to be able to help us out. No, the reason I want to go again, is to enjoy a drink in the wine room downstairs, before dinner and then be able to sit back and take my time digesting the delicious meal. It's situated at 180 Rathdowne street and is easy to find, I'm looking forward to another date with bistro two dozen...

Gus in the wine cellar at Bistro Two Dozen

Gus Lulu and Belle loved the Disneyland on Ice show...

And, don't forget Father's Day will soon be upon us... We've got some new things to show you soon but in the meantime you can admire the Henry cufflinks here. Pop the 30th August into your diaries. This is the last date for orders to ensure delivery for Fathers Day.

koolaman designs finalists in AusMumpreneur of the Year Awards

2010-07-11T21:53:00.000+10:00

We were very very delighted when we heard earlier this week that we have been selected as one of five finalists of AusMumpreneur of the Year. And we were doubly excited when we also found out that we're a finalist in the category of Handmade Mumpreneur of the Year.

The awards recognise the innovative and professional women who are Mums working in Businesses all over Australia and New Zealand. We are thrilled to be in the same company as all of these Mums (& Dads) see all the other finalists in the AusMumpreneur awards here.

There is also a Dadpreneur Award too, and we were really pleased to see Daniel from Ear Muffs for Kids as a finalist. Since June 2009 the koolaman kids Gus, Lulu, Bella, Chloe, Lenny and Teddy have been roadtesting the Ear Muffs for Kids. They are perfect for any time when the kids are near loud noises and importantly the kids love wearing them.

The awards ceremony will be held at the Connect2Mums conference in Brisbane at the end of this month. There is still time to get your tickets to the conference and awards night visit connect2mums for more information.

Frosty outside but it's warm and toasty on the inside.....

2010-07-02T23:21:00.000+10:00

Brrrrrr, it was cold in Canberra on Sunday, but the Mathilda's Market at the Federation Ballroom at the Hyatt Hotel was warm and toasty. There were lots of beautiful products on display. Sunday morning in Canberra was a frosty -3 degrees, but the ballroom was warm and toasty, causing all the Canberrians who visited to peel off their coats, hats and mittens.

Corrie from RetroMummy was there with her gorgeous crochet hats, and fine frocks all made from the cutest coloured fabrics. We met Corrie at our first Canberra Mathildas in February. There is a picture of her 'hat tree' exploding in the finest crochet hats.

Anastasia from Cheeky Textiles had her display of wall art, I loved the robin red breast screen printed artwork. Helen from Ensparkle and her personalised ceramics and they look even better in real life... The brooches are the perfect gift or even one for your winter coat.

Sarah from Gifts Created have the cutest little birds in a cage that you've ever seen! Can't wait to get back to Mathilda's and get one for the girls room. And Justine from Baldi Bear Art with her beautiful illustrations and custom portraits, this is one clever Mama! Justine's daughter was helping out on Sunday and she even has her own portrait on display.. I did a double take when I saw the pretty image and then the real thing!

Koolaman is a sheep and wheat station, we grow wheat and we also grow sheep for meat and wool. I especially love seeing wool made into beautiful pieces of clothing and these stylish, yet simple childrens vests from Katherine at Little Blue Children's clothing are the perfect thing for winter.

a snippet of some of the retailers from the market.

Look out for
Michelle from Poppy, Bean and Bloss and her handmade toys and more was there. It's school holiday time and she has the perfect craft activity to keep the kids entertained...

Another appearance at the Canberra Mathilda's Market, and we're constantly amazed by the beautiful historical building of the Canberra Hyatt. The Market operates in the Federation Ballroom and is an absolute delight to visit and exhibit. We can recommend the delicious hot chocolates from the Hyatt too, worth the eight hour drive..

A little nook at the Hyatt in the wide hallways...The Canberra Hyatt Hotel at night....The black baby grand.....

Fun in Brisvegas...

2010-06-24T16:37:00.000+10:00

Brisbane is a beautiful place to visit. We love the weather in June, with it's subtle hints of winter. Dining alfresco in the middle of June wouldn't happen at Koolaman....but it does in Brisbane and it's absolutely delightful.

The weekend was packed with action as we exhibited koolaman designs in two locations. We were at the the ever gorgeous Mathilda's Market on Saturday morning and the busy three day Pregnancy Babies & Children's Expo at South bank Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Our able assistants Tessa, Tara and Susan helped us over the weekend. Thanks girls!

We saw some interesting things around Brisbane and here is one of them if you look carefully you'll see a small dog in a seatbelt on the back of a motorbike......only in Brisvegas....

Here is another it's the urban pram bike the taga bike which wouldn't go well on the bumpy gravel roads at
Koolaman but wouldn't it be delightful if you were in the city and had to pop down to the shops, with the baby and toddler in tow.....

And finally a very big thank you to everyone who popped their details in our weekend giveaway.

Congratulations to Kelly Rowling who won the TULLY bracelet in our combined Mathildas Market/Pregnancy Babies and Childrens Expo giveaway.

If you're in Canberra this Sunday, visit us at Mathilda's Market at the Hyatt Hotel 9am -1pm, we'll be exhibiting the entire silver with character colllection we'll also have another giveaway, this time with the popular MIA pendant as worn by Johanna Griggs and Julie Goodwin.

See you in Canberra on Sunday!

Special Request - SOS

2010-06-16T20:45:00.000+10:00

Last week at Magnolia Square in Sydney one of our customers made a special request. Her Dr has advised her to wear a medical alert necklace/bracelet or even a tattoo to notify medical personnel of her condition.

Well, our customer wasn't too keen on the tattoo idea so when she heard we were coming to Sydney for Magnolia square she asked us to customise a silver medical alert pendant on a chain for her. We stamped the details on our FINN pendants. The first pendant was stamped with MEDICAL and the second with her condition and Dr's name and we put it on one of our new extra large ball chains.

Top left - some of the pretty at magnolia square, Johanna and Jodi (Abby's Mum) and the beautiful baby Abby, Bottom Left - Abby catching some zzzzz's in the very comfortable sleepi spaces moses basket and the koolaman stand at magnolia square.

Also at Magnolia Square in Sydney we met the gorgeous Johanna from Sleepi Spaces and her beautiful range of moses baskets and perfectly fitting liners. These are a must have for a new baby, come in the most divine range of colours and are very comfortable. To prove it little baby Abby tried it out. And quickly fell asleep above is a photo of the little poppet sound asleep.

And we had lots of lovely people enter our draw for the $200 koolaman gift certificate giveaway and the winner is.... Alison Sinclair!! Thank you, we had a wonderful time at Magnolia Square in Sydney albeit very wet, but as a farmers wife and daughters of a farmer we'd be cursed if we wished the rain away...

Brisbane here we come!

2010-06-14T23:08:00.000+10:00

Look out for us in Brisbane this weekend. We're going to be in two locations! FRIDAY, SATURDAY and SUNDAY 18th - 20th we'll be at the Pregnancy, Babies and Children's Expo at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, South Bank Brisbane. Save yourself $14 and download a ticket to the Expo from our website under the exhibit tab or download from here. You can get the best advice and find out the latest parenting products and innovations. A must for pregnant and new parents!

CHLOE pendant pictured with a large ball chain

We'll have on display our entire silver with character collection, the silver seeds collection and some new items not yet available at our online store. We'll be personalising all of the orders on site, if you're looking for something special, visit us, place your order and wait around for pick up.

SATURDAY June 19th ind us at Mathilda's Market 9am -1pm. The entire collection will be on display here for four hours only at the Brisbane Racing Club at Eagle Farm, 230 Lancaster Road, Ascot. Mathildas Market is a fabulous niche market that offers unique, stylish and affordable baby & kids goods that are lovingly handmade or manufactured. The market is indoors, rain hail or shine you'll be able to view koolaman designs and the collection as well as gorgeous other stall holders and their wares like Suzy Allen and her gorgeous collection of little skirts, tops, little frocks and rain coats. At Mathilda's we'll take your order and the order can either be picked up from the PBC expo, South Bank on Sunday or posted free of charge to you on Monday.

And a little of what's been happening at koolaman station, we've had some tradesmen creating an outdoor space for us to use all year round... shade in summer and protection from rain in winter and what better way to keep the tradesmen returning but to make delicious morning teas and lunches...

Gussy, Lulu and Belle enjoyed these MORE than the "tradies" did!!

Play time at koolaman

2010-05-16T23:18:00.000+10:00

Sometimes I can be a 'bad mum'! The one that doesn't have paints in the house and the craft box is packed away because the mess last time was too much to cope with. After all isn't that what playgroup and pre-school are for anyway! Besides, we have a backyard as big as a city and there are so many things to play and do outside. I faltered this week and in my haste in becoming a "good mum" got the playdough bits and bobs out and we made some playdough. But it was too sticky! Not like the one at pre-school at all which is perfect, doesn't drop too many crumbs, doesn't stick to your hands and feels as soft as a babys bottom.
If anyone can help me with a great play dough recipe then please pop it into the comments section. You don't need to have a google id, just ensure you leave contact details or email them to us at koolaman designs. For your trouble we're randomly going to give away one koolaman designs apron, embroidered with our logo and just the thing for a "Good Mum" to be wearing in the kitchen!

Washing up! koolaman style

The big sister

2010-05-02T20:56:00.000+10:00

You've all heard about Tully the gorgeous cuff bracelet that has been a very popular piece this Mothers Day. For those of you who have seen us at Mathilda's Market in Canberra and Hobart and the more recently successful launch of Magnolia Square in Adelaide you would have spied the stunning MEG piece.

MEG is the older sister and is a stylish cuff bracelet, double the width of TULLY and includes the same the unique clasp and uneven band. The highly polished finish looks even better with wear and tear.Stamped with fourteen characters, this classic piece will be in the koolaman collection for a while yet.

And not that we could ever forget the younger sister, TULLY but here is another photo just in case you missed her last time.

Little CHARLIE the baby of them all is pictured here. Suitable for children 4+

Looking for something different, CHARLIE is the perfect gift for a naming ceremony, christening, special birthday or just 'cause.

Three reasons why I love Mothers Day

2010-04-18T21:09:00.000+10:00

We're busily stamping and packaging getting our orders dispatched. To ensure your order is received by Sunday 9th May, make sure you order is in by midnight Thursday 29th April. All orders placed by this date will have priority.

Here are three reasons why I love Mothers Day. Not for the presents, I'm happy with cold toast and artwork from pre-school but for these beautiful children who make me smile and teach me something every day.

And, they are all wearing underpants!

We're giving away a set of two MILLIE pendants before Mothers Day valued at $260. We're randomly drawing the winner and all you have to do is write positive words to describe your Mum in the comments section here in our blog or on our facebook page.

Easter bunny has visited..

2010-04-08T21:14:00.000+10:00

Images from our Easter egg hunt last weekend. Six children and lots of eggs. The faces were covered in too much chocolate to show you. xx

Welcome Julia

2010-04-08T15:35:00.000+10:00

Introducing Julia! A new take on an existing pendant. Julia is the same shape as ISOBEL but we've used a smaller font to fit more characters on it. We can hand stamp up to 38 characters including spaces on the pendant.

With Mothers Day only a few weeks away this could be the perfect gift for your Mum.

To view JULIA and the rest of the koolaman designs - silver with character® collection click here

And, thank you to Kate from Sambellina for judging the koolaman ELIZA giveaway. Thank you also to everyone who contributed to the blog. Congratulations to Erika, for her winning party tip of the big coloured balls of string. View the Eliza Giveaway post for all the party tips and ideas.

A busy weekend with koolaman designs - here, there and everywhere!

2010-03-28T21:31:00.000+11:00

We had the most wonderful weekend at koolaman designs for different reasons. Stacey was busy flying around the countryside exhibiting the silver with character range at the Mathilda's Market held in Hobart in the picturesque apple isle and new and exciting Piccadilly Market held in Geelong.

Mathilda's Market in Hobart was full of beautiful things. And, while at Mathilda's Market in Hobart Stacey caught up with delightful Danielle and Monique from B.Box who have a range of practical and stylish products for parents and her favourite was the nappy wallet. We'll be returning to Tassie on July 17th for the next Mathilda's Market.

The next stop was into Geelong for the new Piccadilly Market held at Deakin Waterfront. The market was held in a stunning spacious venue and there were a large number of retailers with beautiful wares on display. One of Stacey's favourite was Sophie and her husband Justin from Ellani Petite and their gorgeous range of children's accessories. And to the organiser from Piccadilly Janina Lear for coordinating an impressive event. We're looking forward to coming back to Geelong again soon. A list of where and when we'll be exhibiting can be found here.

While Stacey was jet-setting around the countryside I was having fun at Anthony and Jane's wedding. Jane looked stunning and the groom as handsome as ever. The reception was held on the family farm in a picturesque lakeside setting in southern New South Wales. It was a perfect place to celebrate a wedding of two wonderful people who deserve every happiness together.

Pregnancy Babies and Children's Expo

2010-03-15T23:02:00.000+11:00

Koolaman designs are exhibiting in Adelaide this weekend 19-21st March at the Pregnancy Babies and Children's Expo, Adelaide Showground in Wayville. We'll be there customising on site our gorgeous range of silver with character pendants, cufflinks, keyrings and silver seed necklaces and bracelets.

Place your order and then wander through the expo and we'll have your silver with character pieces ready to go. Save $20 on express postage costs with every order placed at the expo.

On Sunday we're giving away one of our new TULLY bracelets valued at $210 to a lucky visitor. Just pop by and put your details in the box to go into the draw. The TULLY bracelet comes in three sizes, small for children, narrow and wide cuff sizes for adults. These are the perfect gifts for a baptism or christening or to celebrate baby's first birthday.

Free tickets are available from our website, just go to the exhibit tab and save $12 per adult.

Win an ELIZA set of pendants!

2010-03-11T14:30:00.000+11:00

In a matter of weeks it will be Miss Eliza's 4th Birthday and to celebrate we're giving away one of the beautiful ELIZA set of pendants. One of our most popular pendants, the ELIZA has been with us since we started koolaman designs way back in 2007.
One of the reasons this necklace has been so popular is that you can add another pendant as your family expands.

Miss Eliza affectionately known as "Lulu"

To win the set which includes three pendants and a 45 cm large ball chain (as pictured). is easy, and will help me on 'party day' All you have to do is include your party hint, favourite recipe or an idea to keep a group of 4 year olds entertained, perhaps it's a theme that we can use or what's the thing that you do to make your party run smoothly with as little effort or maybe it's something totally different but is your favourite party thing. Include it on the list please, we'd love to see it.

We've asked Kate from Sambellina who is very well known around the party scene to be the guest judge with this ELIZA giveaway. Since we discovered her beautiful partyware last year at Magnolia Square, we've been in love. From the gorgeous pale pink and white dot party cups and matching plates to the bright red and white dots, there is something for everyone in the Sambellina range of 'kids partyware and stationery' which is not just for kids!
Pop your entry in the comments box here and the competition closes 8pm Wednesday 31st March, winner will be announced on Thursday evening. If you dont have a Google ID just leave it as anonymous and your name or email address. Just some way that I will be able to contact you.

The beach

2010-03-02T00:11:00.000+11:00

After a family gathering in Geelong we spent a couple of days at the beach. Lulu couldn't remember going to the beach before and Bella Boo (18 months) hadn't ever experienced beach sand between her toes and the smell and the taste of salty water. The kids ran and played and swam and then did it all again, and at the end of the day fell into bed exhausted.

And, on the days when we thought it too cold to swim, the kids from koolaman, stripped off and played and swam in their underwear.

Holidays and Mud

2010-01-09T01:37:00.000+11:00

As I mentioned in my previous blogs Koolaman Station has experienced a large amount of rain in the past month. Luckily for us and unlike our farming friends in the north we haven't experienced floods.

The rains resulted in some large mud puddles and with cousins visiting for the New Year, the lure of the mud was too much. Gus Lulu and their cousin Tom ran, jumped, splashed and frolicked in the mud puddles.

And, here is Ned. Ned is Tom's youngest brother and he would have loved to have been playing in the mud, but after breaking his leg on Christmas Day and now in a plaster cast from his chest to his ankles he was confined to the wheel chair or lying on the bean bags .

Fortunately for Ned and his family his outlook is very good. His break will heal and he'll be able to run and jump and splash with us in the next holidays. As you can see from this photo Ned's in very good spirits. He even managed to work out how to thrust himself off the bean bag and drag himself around the room by the end of his holiday at Koolaman.

Festive greetings to you!

2009-12-24T15:37:00.000+11:00

Have a wonderful festive season break. Enjoy catching up with family and friends, after all it's not just about the presents, despite what Master Gus (5 years old) says. We're bound to have a very busy Christmas morning, we're just hoping that it's not an early morning, after 7am would be perfect. We wanted to share a photo of 'our inspiration' at koolaman designs.

L to R - Lisa, Stacey holding Edward (Teddy), Augustus (Gus), Eliza, (Lulu), Chloe, Leonard (Lenny) and front Isobel (Bella Boo)

Cheerio and Seasons Greetings to you all!
Lisa & Stacey xx

Harvest at Koolaman

2009-12-10T22:10:00.000+11:00

Harvest time is one of my favourite times of the year, it means summer, Christmas and holidays. The culmination of six months of preparing the land for sowing, then seven months growing the wheat it's finally harvest time. All the preparation in the world can't make a crop grow if it doesn't have any rain. This season started to be a very promising year indeed but with a two month period without rain in the middle of the growing season saw our bumper crops reduced to 'hopefully there will be a harvest' crop.
Koolaman was fortunate and we did receive some rain much later in the season and we watched our bumper crops reduced to below average yields but at least we've able to harvest some wheat. And amazingly, because of rain (the most amount of rain to fall in one week in over twelve year) the harvest has been delayed well into December which hasn't happened for years.

Harvest images at Koolaman Station

Magnolia Square

2009-11-25T23:36:00.000+11:00

Magnolia Square in Malvern is in its sixth year and we love that we get to participate in such a unique event. The Melbourne Magnolia Square is to be held this Thursday 26th , Friday 27th and Saturday 28th November. Just in time for Christmas shopping this fair is the perfect place to find the perfect christmas gift.

We've had a few days to rest up after the Sydney Magnolia Square and we're looking forward to catching up with our Melbourne friends. We'll be stamping most pendants, cufflinks, bracelets and necklaces at the fair, pop down and have a look.

We love 'giveaway's and this Magnolia Square we're giving away another of our KISS KISS pendants valued at $170, all you need to do is come down and see us and pop your details in the draw....easy!

A little bit of koolaman is still in Sydney

2009-11-25T23:24:00.000+11:00

At the successful Sydney Magnolia Square last weekend we caught up with friends from the Infancy stores. Leah and Kate had their gorgeous clothing for little ones on display. I mentioned in my last blog about the cute outfit that Bella Boo was wearing and couldn't resist buying another frock.

As part of the visual merchandise display for our stand at Magnolia Square we brought some wheat. The well travelled wheat (it's a 1000kms from Koolaman Station to Sydney) was a great talking point. Instead of returning with it we gave it to a good home for Leah and Kate to use in one of their stores.

This is a view of the Rozelle store window.

See you in Sydney for the girls' weekend!

2009-11-18T00:36:00.000+11:00

We're off to Sydney for the gorgeous Magnolia Square which starts on Thursday. In a first for the girls from koolaman designs we're leaving all the babies at home, Bella Boo is now 16 months old and little Teddy is 9 months and instead of our usual trip of coordinating friends to come with us and babysit, it's going to be a girls' weekend.
Here is a photo of Bella Boo in a little dress I found at the July Magnolia square from the girls at INFANCY. We're looking forward to exhibiting the koolaman designs collection and also viewing the other beautiful wares at the boutique fair.

the sisters' fair

2009-11-05T21:58:00.000+11:00

It's very exciting, only six more sleeps until the sisters' fair. An opportunity to view our gorgeous range of silver with character koolaman designs, along with unique textiles, children's cothing, accessories and decor, chandeliers, cosmetics, gourmet food, toys and handmade wares by local women. Some of the beautiful pieces are made by Tilly Tom, Vintage Chenille and these pretty brooches by Sophie Isobel Designs
The sisters' fair is an opportunity to catch up with friends and enjoy the visually inspiring pieces. To be held Wednesday 11th November from 5pm-9pm at the Robinswood homestead, on the banks of the Murray River in Robinvale.

Proudly supporting Balranald Can Assist branch - supporting people with cancer in Balranald, Euston and Robinvale.

FREE Tickets to PBC Expo in Melbourne

2009-10-15T23:30:00.000+11:00

We love being able to give FREE tickets to our koolaman designs customers. The Pregnancy Babies & Children's expo is on again in Melbourne 16th -18th October at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre, Southbank.
Download the free tickets from our website. Save yourselves $16.
Koolaman designs will be at stand H39 where we'll be customising onsite our gorgeous collection of 'silver with character'. Order at the expo and save $20 on postage. Pop your details in the draw to win one of our beautiful pendants.

Tickets are available from www.koolamandesigns.com.au

koolaman designs and the MasterChef

2009-09-29T00:33:00.000+10:00

Celebrity spotting with Australia's first MasterChef Julie Goodwin, recently photographed wearing her koolaman designs MIA pendant. The pendant was stamped for Julie and includes her three boys Joe, Tom and Paddy. Here is Julie pictured in the feature of the Most Influential for 2009 in the Australian Financial Review Magazine this week.

Help name our angel....

2009-09-21T14:05:00.002+10:00

Christmas is one of our favourite times of the year we love catching up with family and friends. This year koolaman designs have a series of christmas ornaments. Every pendant is made from sterling silver and hand stamped by the girls at koolaman designs. The pendants are the perfect way to commemorate a first christmas or a special gift especially for grandparents. The pendants will be launched next month but we're having trouble naming them.

We're giving away a hand stamped Angel all you need to do is include in the comments a "name" for our angel. If there are multiple entries of the same name, the person who named it first will be announced the winner. Entries close on Friday 25th September 8pm. *Competition is also held on our facebook fan page koolaman designs.

Master Gus turns 5

2009-09-15T22:20:00.000+10:00

We love birthdays at koolaman, any excuse to get friends together for a party. The most recent party was for Master Gus who turned five. To celebrate I tried to make a 'chick hicks' cake however inspiration eluded me and I made use of a toy car on top of the cake.
Fortunately at Magnolia Square, we met Kate from Sambellina who has the most beautiful partywares. The Sambellina party wares made up for the uninspiring birthday cake. Stacey and I admired the bright coloured plates and cups from across the row at Magnolia Square and took some home with us for Gus' Birthday.

The early bird catches the worm

2009-08-04T00:04:00.000+10:00

Where else can you find a wonderful array of gorgeous wares with all of the retailers selected for their unique signature, exceptional quality and contemporary appeal. Magnolia Square of course!

We're off, leaving the dusty tracks at koolaman station behind to have a few days in Melbourne at Magnolia Square. Magnolia Square is held at the stately Malvern Town Hall on the corner of Glenferrie Road and High Street. It's a superb setting for a day out to shop for that special something. There are homewares, women's wear and accessories, jewellery and food available from the retailers. Where else can you have a glass of wine as you shop? Come to Magnolia Square this weekend. It's open Thursday 6th August 10am - 9pm, Friday 7th August 10am - 5pm and Saturday 8th August 10am - 4pm.

The first five orders placed at koolaman designs each day will receive a pair of silver ball stud earrings valued at $49.

We'll be personalising our koolaman designs - silver with character range at the fair. Have a wine or a coffee while waiting for us to complete your silver with character.

For the men in our life

2009-08-02T22:31:00.000+10:00

Just in time for Father's Day, koolaman designs - silver with character have these silver cufflinks to celebrate the special relationships with the men in your life. HENRY and LEONARD are the silver cufflinks that we've introduced especially for Father's Day 2009. The HENRY cufflinks can be personalised with up to four names on each cuff link. LEONARD are the double faced cufflinks. Two lines of characters can be stamped on each face. These are the perfect gift for men in your life!

One of the special men at koolaman. He's not wearing cufflinks yet, but his name will be soon stamped on a pair.

COUNTRY STYLE

2009-07-14T22:33:00.000+10:00

koolaman designs were at the gorgeous first ever Sydney Magnolia Square a couple of weeks ago. Our silver pendants caught the eye of the deputy editor at Country Style, Victoria Carey. Country Style is one of my favourite magazines and we were absolutely delighted that our silver with character range was awarded Country Style magazines 'my favourite product'. Here's a photo of Stacey (right) Victoria Carey and myself receiving our award!

The Wedding

2009-07-09T23:19:00.000+10:00

koolaman designs - silver with character keeps popping up everywhere! Here is a photo of the beautiful bride, Tracy and handsome Rob on their wedding day a few months ago. See the shiny cufflinks - a beautiful set of silver cufflinks hand stamped with Robs initials.
The koolaman designs cufflinks are a unique gift for groomsmen and the groom on the special day. Names, dates, and special words can be hand stamped to personalise the cufflinks.

On the road again

2009-07-08T00:02:00.000+10:00

We found this echidna wandering along the road as we were returning from the first Sydney Magnolia Square event, which was great fun and a huge success. There were lots of Sydney koolaman designs - silver with character customers who came to view and purchase their pendants. We were busy hand stamping the pendants for customers orders over the three days. We can't wait until the Christmas Magnolia Square in Sydney when we return.

koolaman designs in Brisbane - FREE TICKETS

2009-05-31T21:04:00.000+10:00

Only a few more weeks and koolaman designs silver with character will be in Brisbane exhibiting our gorgeous range of silver hand stamped silver jewellery. The two littlest koolaman kids, Bella Boo and Teddy will also be in tow. As well as Kathryn and Tara our trusty assistants, Stacey and I will be at the Brisbane Pregnancy Babies and Children's Expo from the 19th - 21st June.

Free tickets to the PBC Expo can be downloaded from our website. Normally they are $14 each. We'll be customising most of our pendants onsite. If you already know which pendant you'd like, email us and pick it up during the expo. Most pendants can be ordered and picked up on the same day. To check that the pendant you want will be available on the day email us.

koolaman designs - My Child Winter

2009-05-28T21:08:00.000+10:00

koolaman designs have been busy in the press. The recently published My Child Winter edition features a piece on koolaman designs and features the gorgeous ELIZA pendants.

family circle - silver with character

2009-03-22T22:52:00.000+11:00

This is our latest addition to the koolaman designs silver with character collection, the family circle pieces. The matching necklace and bracelet is the perfect gift to celebrate the special relationships in your life. It's the perfect gift Mothers Day for Mums and with plenty of room for pendants this one is perfect for Grandmas too.

What's cooking good looking?

2009-03-22T22:24:00.000+11:00

This little beauty came my way this last week. After years of wishing and hoping, finally I could justify the expense of buying this shiny kitchen appliance. A friend said to me a couple of years ago, after I commented on her kitchen aid mixer, "it's just a mixer". I now know that she was only being kind and there is a difference between the one I have used all these years and my new kitchenaid mixer .
My Dad bought the second hand mixer for me that I have faithfully used for the past ten years. It's now retired to the shearers quarters, to be used for a short period only once a year by the cook at shearing time.
I do love my new mixer. AND I love how I can use it and the kids and I don't need to wear our ear plugs when it's turned on.. I mean we can actually still have a conversation when it's mixing. To justify this gorgeous appliance I have said to my husband that it was a necessity to prevent 'industrial deafness' for the members of our family.

There is one problem though, I want to use it all the time but there is a limit to the amount of fluffy cakes and yummy slices we can have at Koolaman.