Jubilee Jubilations !

Celebrating the Diamond Jubilee, we have put together a selection of our fav "memorabilia". Hopefully the palace would approve !!

diamond jubilee mug | union jack candle | tea towel | "proud to be british" tea cosy | bunting |
ER cushion

5 great gift ideas for Mothers Day

With Mothers Day only 2 weeks away, choosing a memorable Mothers Day gift is easy with these five wonderful ideas. No matter what Mum is interested in, these gifts are sure to let her know just how special she is.

1. Beautiful Beeswax Candles.
These Australian made candles are sure to put a smile on mum's face. Choose from a variety of tealights, tapers or the cute beehive candle, that will give off hours of calming candlelight. From only $25.

2. Organic Skin care

Pamper mum with this gorgeous certified organic skin care. Sweet scents of sandlewood, vanilla and coconut will soothe the senses and soften skin. From $45.

3. Rustic Reclaimed Wood Frames

Print out one of your favourite family photos, to create a memory mum will treasure forever. Alternatively these frames include lovely black and white images and can be left as 

is. From only $38.

4. Iphone Case

This simple iphone case makes a fabulous and functional Mother's Day gift idea. Handmade from vintage fabrics, lined with canvas and finished with a leather clasp. Only $45.

5.Chilote House Shoes

With winter approaching, Mum will love having warm toes with these stylish house slippers. Handmade from wool and salmon leather. Only $65.

Don't forget that gifts for Mum can be wrapped free of charge (just choose the free gift wrap option from your shopping cart). 

The new shop

We are so pleased to announce that we have opened as a retail shop in Jindabyne ! So if you happen to be visiting the beautiful Snowy Mountains, please pop in to say hi.

Inspired by Autumn

At barker&stone we love a crisp Autumn day ! Seeing all the beautiful colours as the leaves on the trees change to yellow, orange and red.

We've found some lovely homewares and interiors inspired by great Autumn colours, to share with you. Let us know what you think .....

From top:

Handmade Iphone case from barker & stone
Barista ceramics from Robert Gordon
Beeswax candle from barker & stone
Knitted stag head by Rachel Denny, USA
Refurbished chair from Revival Furniture, NZ
Ceramic baking dish from barker & stone
Ottoman made from recycled coffee sacks, Velvet Bean
Organic cotton throw from barker & stone

What inspires you this Autumn ?

Vintage Mason Jars .....

have just arrived at barker & stone, and we love them !

These stunning jars were originally used to can and preserve food. Invented in 1882, the jars featuring clamped glass lids were also known as “lightening jars” for their ease of use. Our vintage mason jars come from the USA were they have been manufactured since the late 1800’s.

These days they have become popular decorator items and can be used in a variety of ways around the home. Here are a number of gorgeously creative ideas in which to use your jars.

5 gorgeous ways to use Mason Jars  ...... 

Candle holders

Add some sand or small decorative pebbles to the bottom of the jar to hold the candle in place. Pop in your favourite candle or tea light. And voila ! An easy way to add ambience to any setting. These would look stunning with our natural beeswax candles.

                                                                                    (readymade.com)

Mason jar partylights

Still on the subject of lighting, how fabulous do these mason jar party lights look ?

Hang the jars along a length of rope or clothes line, then fill with strings of fairy lights.

                                                                                       (bhg.com)

Herb Terrarium

This lovely idea comes from the Better Homes and Gardens website.

“Vintage mason jars are the ideal containers for a kitchen herbarium. They're inexpensive and attractive, especially on a sunny windowsill, and will provide you with a year's supply of fresh seasonings.

Almost any herb can be started from seed in a mason jar. Chive, thyme, and rosemary are excellent choices. For each, follow package instructions and keep soil warm, moist, and in full light until seeds have germinated. When they outgrow their space, you can cut them as needed, or transplant them into a larger container or into the garden.”

Mason Jar Vase

Here’s an easy one, even I could do it! Fill with water and your favourite fresh blooms and you have a lovely centerpiece for the table.

                                                     (weepingcherries.wordpress.com)

Craft Storage

This cute idea was made using some wood and hose clamps. As well as storing craft materials, you could easily use the same idea in the bathroom or garden shed. 

Mason jars are also a popular choice as centerpieces at weddings. They also make great inexpensive gifts (fill with favourite chocolates / lollies and tie with ribbon). 

At barker & stone we have both pint and quart sizes starting from $28. As our jars are genuine vintage items they will show some signs of previous use - but that all adds to the charm ! Check out our range here.

Do you have any great mason jars ideas you’d like to share ?

If so pop over to our Facebook page - we would love to see them.

Green gift ideas for your Valentine

With Valentines Day only 2 weeks away here is some gift inspiration for that special someone. Take a look at these great, green gift ideas that won’t cost the earth (pardon the pun !)

                                   

1. handmade ‘hearts of pompeii’ bracelet beautifully adorned with hearts of pewter and white volcanic stone. $78
2. organic perfume ‘devotion’ $87
3. handmade beeswax pillar candle $29.95
4. handmade goats milk & honey soap - 3 heart soaps in kraft gift box $12.95             

                  

1.                          

     

        5. organic exfoliating body massage $60

        6. ceramic ‘love’ milk bottle (makes a cute vase) $15

        7. short on cash? handmade chocolate heart tarts. Find the recipe here.

        8. relaxing handmade eye pillow filled with lavender & linseed $25

For the traditionalists amongst you (or as an addition to the gifts above), try handmade organic chocolates from Lindsay and Edmunds   or a bottle of organic wine - enjoyed in the light of a beeswax candle ?

and for him .... check out these eco undies from Aussie Bum ! 

Don’t forget that we have Valentines cards also available, and all purchases made from barker& stone can be gift wrapped free of charge.

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY !

Welcome!

Hello to all our readers wherever you may be!

Welcome to our first blog post.

We are pleased to announce that our new online boutique, barker&stone is now open for business.

The barker&stone website is now nearly complete, with the last few products being loaded on as we speak, but as we are getting deliveries through thick and fast, it is a herculean task to load, check, double check etc, but we are getting there.

We are continuing to build our business by seeking out new suppliers who can provide us with the eclectic mix of sustainable, handmade and ethical home wares and gifts. If you have any suggestions of products we should include please let us know.

With this blog we will keep you updated with new and gorgeous products as they arrive, showcase the brands we stock so that you can get to know where your purchase comes from, and also put together gift guides to help with your shopping. Alongside other bits and pieces that we hope you will find interesting and fun.

Hope to see you back here soon, but in the meantime we would love for you to visit our store and let us know any feedback you may have.