WOMEN OF INSPIRATION

Posted by Linda Fagan on Sep 8, 2011 in NEIGHBOURHOOD | 1 comment

Little Finch's Jennifer Barrington and Sarah Roberts

This post is dedicated to all the women who give. You know who you are. Right now you’re caring for your child, sewing a Book Week costume, cooking meals, paying the bills online and rushing off to a Fundraising Committee meeting tonight.

I’m continuously gob smacked by the inspiring stories I hear of women giving, doing and challenging themselves.

Take Rachel, a woman of grace and energy working full time, a wife and mother of two.  Rachel’s son has autism and is starting high school next year. She and hubby are going through the complexities and assessing the limited options before them.

Rachel is a hands on and make it happen type of person and one of the many things she does is volunteer for the ACT Autism Asperger Support Group.

Autism Asperger ACT is self funding and offers support for families in the ACT and, at the end of another successful but extremely tiring fundraiser, Rachel was considering stepping down from the committee.

Then a call came. It was a mum, new to Canberra with two children with autism. She was ringing six weeks after the birth of her third child inquiring if she could help the committee. Rachel was in awe of this lady and the call has spurred her on.

Why is it that some women keep pushing themselves, taking on challenges even they, if honest, would query if they can pull off? Some see an opportunity and jump. Some are motivated by personal experience and others act on their dreams.

Meet Jennifer Barrington and Sarah Roberts both from Braidwood. Sarah is the visual merchandiser for Bliss Garden & Giftware in Pialligo and mum to three children. Jennifer, apart from being able to make great coffee at Dojo Bread, is mum to four children and, together with Sarah, is fulfilling a dream.

These enthusiastic and visionary ladies have opened a retail space called Little Finch, a shop full of products made with loving care. In their spare time they have sourced the most incredible stock and within three weeks of talking themselves into it, actually opened for business.

The stock keeps coming extended from home made to melamine plates, fabulous flying ducks and galloping horses as laser cut sustainable timber covered shapes in vintage wallpaper, handmade in South Australia. Phew!

Some of us are flat out getting out the door most mornings let alone fulfilling our dreams.

I’m in awe ladies.

Want to know more about Little Finch? Read on…

Little Finch - a treasure trove of beautiful handmade wares...

Little Finch opened at 78 Wallace Street Braidwood in August. It’s on the right hand side of the main street when heading to the Coast.

Just like at Shop Handmade in Canberra, stepping into Little Finch is like Australia 1955 with a modern organic twist.

The products are adorable. There are locally made cards for all occasions and they’re really fun and beautiful. The bags are delightful. There are calico screen printed library bags ($4.00) and “Tommy” satchels in lots of colours for not much more.

Little Finch stocks Erica Soy Candles (made by a Canberra mum) available in both melts and candles; and jewellery made by local teenage jeweller Matilda, under Miss Honey’s Beespoke Jewellery label – think bracelets in all sorts just like the liquorice. There’s jewellery you can personalise through cross stitching and voila! You have a unique pendant to wear or give.

In the age of sustainability, Little Finch offers the gift of seeds. Sow ‘n Sow’s gifts of Seeds are a true find. There’s a variety of organic seeds to choose from sun flowers to chilli, instructions and an envelope for giving, all included. At $8.50 they’re a joy to buy and give.

We all love soap but when there’s a true story behind the production of one it’s even more sweet. Look out for Nicole Nicholson hand milked handmade goats milk soap.

The gifts for children are unique and fun. Lizzie Hall’s soft and cuddly whales are already a sell out. Made from recycled fabric and hand stitched, they are little gems.

Little Finch also stocks Abby French’s handmade Oopah soft toys priced from $30.00. The hobby horse has just arrived in store and will be in a few Santa sacks I’m sure.

Did I mention the clothes for mum and baby? Locally made beanies and pinafores are delightful. There are vintage quilted jackets for children sourced from the region and interstate and, something I hadn’t seen before, the Jeans Skirt. It’s a wrap around in three sizes designed to be worn over your jeans priced from $25.00.

There are crocheted scarfs by Blonde Patrick and aprons that would have made Robert Menzies proud.

Little Finch is a must stop shop on your next visit to Braidwood. It’s open Thursday to Monday 10.00am – 3.30pm with a website coming soon.  Call them on 0427 267797 or 0423 969 432 and find Little Finch on Facebook.

To find out more about what’s happening in Braidwood, follow their ‘What’s On” facebook page.

Linda Fagan lives in Braidwood with her husband and two sons. Having left Sydney for the simple life Linda is busier than ever juggling a family, a job in Canberra and a renovation. Linda has the best of both worlds living the country life and visiting the big smoke regularly. Through HerCanberra Linda hopes to share some tales and hear from you too.