Sorry Sorry Sorry! I have not forgotten my blog. My laptop has a little fan inside that just stopped working and meant while the thing would turn on I'd have 1.5 minutes to check emails and get off before it would BLOW UP! so I stayed away to save the poor thing. And now thanks to a trusty IT friend It's fixed and ready to go.

The shop is in FULL XMAS swing. I am hoping to soon have pics of the very lovely xmas party but till them here's just random shots of the shop...

For a long time now I have been blogging about the new looks of the shop or product that is new in and sometimes even whats going on for a holiday. Today however I am just going to write about one thing. My customers. One of the most touching things in my life is that all my hard work is rewarded everyday when someone, man and woman and even child takes time out of their busy day to spare a moment to tell me what the shop means to them. Their appreciation/your appreciation is why I get up in the morning. I was told by the local beauty therapist (Asha) that she saw me in the shop late Sunday night and wagged her finger at me and said " you need to take it easy don't work so hard." Firstly, I love Asha she is a brilliant business woman. She cares for everyone and I know that she meant well...but she ain't foolin' me! She works just as hard and I know its for the same reason. Our customers and clients mean a great deal to us. We are proud to be of a caliber of retail that won't sell you what you don't need, Will give you the time to pay off something so your not strapped for the next fortnight, want to know how you Mom is doing after that foot surgery and more than anything want to feel like I am serving you well. So when last week I had my 3rd compliment on the shop of the day I nearly cried. Some people go their whole lives not knowing what they do is appreciated or worth while. To know that is a great gift. However long I am blessed to be in this business I will not take it for granted. You, the customer are a smiling stranger. You are a kind visitor from out of town, a child that has saved their money to get a wee bunch of flowers for Gran, an excited husband buying his first wee soft toy for his newborn across the street at the hospital. You are my friend. I am so proud to serve each and all of you everyday.

What a great night it was!!! Here are the pics of our first ever Juniper Halloween Costume Contest. a great time was had by all. there was a sausage sizzle put on by Adelaide community creche, a coin toss for Plunket, a great pumpkin race and pin the mouth on the ghost. We had loads of lollies and all the kids were so well behaved and very enthusiastic.

We're having a Costume Contest! this Halloween at juniper.
Wednesday, 31st from 5-6:30pm There will be prizes given for
*the spookiest
*the cutest
*best recycled materials costume
*best dressed baby
plus treats, scary stories, and games.

Last chance for this years Stitching Class. As we get closer to the busy retail season Thurs the 18th of October will be our very last stitch night for the year. that's
Thursday the 18th of October 8pm in store. Cost is $10 per person coffee and tea is provided along with a wee kit and a pattern pack of your choice. Just bring a cushion to sit on. And as always we have 3 prize draws on the night. Also discounted shopping in store that night only. You must reserve your spot as they fill up quick.
phone (04) 389 4058 to book. We do accept group bookings as well. Hope to see you there!

NEW!
in store today... Sand Cassel Kids hats by Goorin Brothers If your kids are a Dapper Dan or Little Diva we have just the hat. prices range from $30-$40 so not too bad in price either. great quality and so unique.

SUKIE!!! Beautiful Boxed letters by artists Darrel Gibbs and Julia Harding published by Chronicle Books of San Fransisco.
Boxed set includes 6 designs repeated 5 times (30 sheets) matching envelopes, address labels, illustrated seals too! uh makes me want to write to Santa in every language.

only $38

Back by popular demand. Juniper's button rings! And at a new sweet price of $18 each. get'm while they're here. I won't be making more till who knows when.

Goorin Brothers Handbags Styles shown are in store now.
Go on, get some colour in yer wardrobe!

featured artist Sarah Lawn of Tui photograms

We are pleased to introduce "Tui" photograms and pendants.
Designer Sarah Lawn has been involved with photography for 20 years. A devout dark room junkie, she sets out to create her works with a passion for the basic principles of photography and image making. You can view her gorgeous jewelery range in store now. We also have a sample photogram in store for viewing and we'll be taking orders.

Featured Artist
Kelly Joseph

Kelly Joseph has to be one of juniper's most successful selling artists. Her works range greatly in medium but are all tied together by colour texture and a hint of the past. She never stops creating and always delights. I hope you'll pop in and view her lovely work.

Back in stock this week are the beautiful soaps from Taupo Lavender Farm. These soaps (and we've tried a lot) are the best for smell and skin sensitivity. The blends are as follows... Lavender, Lavender & pumice, Lavender & oatmeal, Lavender & coconut (My favorite! totally smells like a cocktail) Lavender & citrus, Lavender & green tea (Nicky's favorite) all bars $4 ea. And we now have the large body bars available. $8 ea. scrub-a-dub-dub!

New stock of Egg Press in store now!! our biggest selection to date. Old favorites with some fantastic new designs they've cooked up. This Oregon based letterpress company is unsurpassed in quality and design. These are the cards you give when you need that person to open the envelope and put their hand to their mouth because they have no words to say how lovely it is.

Suffocating under a pile of Sewcherry sewing the other day I thought to myself "Self (I said) why don't you sell all of these scraps you keep saying you'll do something with and never do?" So I thought that was a pretty good idea and crawled out from under the pile, went down to the shop, had Nicky and I put together lots of wee packs of patchwork fabric. If you are passing by this week and need a cold weather project snap up a wee pack of fabric only $2 ea. We'll even give you a few tips of what you can create. Above is a sneak peak at fun you can have with fabric. (images from top to bottom pin cusions by indygo junction, badges by sewcherry, toys by sewcherry, quilt by Denyse Schmidt, brooch by sveetcoture)

New season Goorin Brothers Hats are here!
It is sooooooo hard to choose a favorite. The last seasons hats we had were hugely popular. This lot (I think their best range to date) is set to impress. There is a wide variety of gorgeous fabrics and textures. Here's a peek...

I'm BACK!
Miss Gretta and I had a lovely time on our trip to Michigan. My sister had just had a baby girl named Maya and we wanted to surprise her. And boy did we. When all the crying was over and the "NO WAY's!" We had a brilliant time. Here some wee peeks at our trip. Bit random but pretty. hope to see you in the shop this week we've got lots of new bits to show you. see you soon!

I'm off...now my lovelies don't fret I shall return with beautiful things to inspire us all. (fingers crossed) But I can't yet say where I'm going because it will spoil the surprise for someone I love dearly and whom does not know I'm coming. The shop will still be open 7 days a week and Nicky, Sue and Annie will be there to help you with all you shopping needs...till August Ciao! xox

Today's post...is all about BLUE. I can't resist it! After the huge storm we had last night here in windy Wellington the clouds have parted to reveal the most amazing shade of blue behind the puffy white clouds. So I am in a blue mood.
see if you can figure out who is who...Alenna Hennesy, Egg Press, Justinamaria,Sharon Spain & foxy & winston. (I have mixed the order for degree of difficulty)