Handmade Mum

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Handmade Mum

Your cosy corner for all things handmade with heart right here in Thames, New Zealand. Let's make handmade the heart of everyday 🩷

Handmade Mum is all about creating thoughtful, useful and totally giftable treasures for you and the people you love.

26/10/2026

🌸 Our best market yet! 🌸

What an incredible day at the 2026 Lake Tarawera Spring Fair! ☀️

The sun was shining, there were loads of people about, and it was so lovely to see everyone out supporting small businesses and spending locally 🩷

A huge thank you to my hubby and Mum for helping me throughout the day. I couldn’t have done it without you! 🥰 And of course, my two girls had a wonderful time and behaved beautifully, just as they always do at markets 💕

A massive thank you to everyone who stopped by and supported Handmade Mum 🛍️ Your support means so much to my little handmade business!

It was so exciting seeing my Hottie Covers, e-Reader Sleeves, Handy Little Bags and Quilted Keychain Wallets heading off to their new homes 😍 It’s especially exciting seeing people choosing my newer creations — it makes all the time, love and effort that goes into making them so worthwhile!

I’m home and unpacked from the long weekend feeling very grateful, with a big smile on my face and so much excitement for what’s next 🩷

Thank you for choosing handmade, supporting small and helping Handmade Mum grow.

🌷 Happiness is handmade 🌷

20/10/2026

🌸 TARAWERA SPRING FAIR – HERE WE COME! 🌸

There’s something extra special about this market! 🩷

I can’t wait to be back home at the Tarawera Spring Fair at Stoney Point Reserve, with the absolutely beautiful Mount Tarawera as my backdrop for the day!

Honestly, what a view to work with!

This is one of my favourite markets! It’s family-friendly, has such a lovely atmosphere, and is a wonderful meeting spot for everyone to come together, enjoy the day and support local.

Of course, I’ll be bringing along lots of Handmade Mum goodies, all handmade with love right here in NZ.

🧵💕 Perfect for treating yourself or finding a special little gift!

📍 Stoney Point Reserve, 150 Spencer Road, Lake Tarawera. Rotorua.
Sunday 24th October ⏰ 10am – 2pm

💰 IMPORTANT: This is a CASH-ONLY fair, so make sure you bring some cash along! 💵

Gather your family and friends, come enjoy the gorgeous surroundings, and pop over to say hello! I’d love to see some familiar faces and meet some new ones too 🩷

Let’s hope for a beautiful spring day! ☀️🌸

Happiness is handmade. 🩷

07/10/2026

🌸 IT'S SPRING… BUT THE HOTTIE COVERS ARE HERE TO STAY! 🌸

Well, it's officially Spring! 🌷☀️

And while you might think my Hottie Covers would be packing their bags until next winter… think again! 😂

When I launched these earlier this year, I honestly had no idea just how popular they would become.

50+ Hottie Covers sold! 😍🔥

And what's made me even more excited is that I've now had repeat customers coming back for more — including buying them as gifts! 🎁

These aren't just a winter phase anymore… they've officially earned their place in the Handmade Mum collection 🥰

Each one is made from rescued vintage wool blankets, giving those beautiful old blankets a whole new life — and because every blanket is different, each Hottie Cover is completely unique ♻️🧵

And just look at this newest beauty… 😍

She is now LIVE on the website! 🩷👇🏻

https://handmademum.nz/product/hot-water-bottle-cover-coral-coast/

I'm honestly amazed, incredibly grateful, and so thankful to every single person who has purchased one, recommended one, gifted one or simply cheered me on 🥹

50+ and counting…! 🥰
Happiness is handmade.

✨ And while we're talking about new things… 👀

There may just be another little project brewing behind the scenes at Handmade Mum… 📚🦋✂️

Something involving old favourites, a little bit of imagination, and giving treasured things a whole new story 🥰

I can't say too much just yet… but let's just say Once Upon a Journal… ✨📖

Coming soon to Handmade Mum 💕

Keep your eyes peeled! 👀

02/10/2026

OMG 😍😍 LOOK WHAT MY HUBBY HAD MADE FOR ME! 🥹🩷

A brand new Handmade Mum market sign! 🌸🧵✨ And the best part? He made the wooden frame himself! 🥰 What an absolute legend — such a thoughtful birthday surprise and I LOVE it! 🩷

And today it gets its very first outing! 🎉

✨ HANDMADE MUM HAS ARRIVED AT Aroha Cruise In ✨

We are all set up and ready to go at the Te Aroha Racecourse! 🚗💨🌸

There are classic cars, custom cars, hot rods, a Spring Market, Auto Swap Meet, Retro Pageant, live entertainment, food, rides and heaps happening all day! 🎡🚗🛍️

Come say hi to Handmade Mum, check out all my handmade goodies and have a fabulous family day out! 🩷

📍 Te Aroha Racecourse
🗓️ Today — Saturday 3rd October
⏰ 9am–2pm

And can we just take a moment for that sign… 😍

Happiness is handmade — and apparently so are the market stands! 😂🩷

25/09/2026

🚗💨 ONLY 1 WEEK TO GO! 💨🚗

It’s officially ONE WEEK until the Aroha Cruise In! 😍

📅 Saturday 3rd October
📍 Te Aroha Racecourse
⏰ 9am – 2pm

I’ve been a little behind the scenes lately — between being busy and playing catch-up with the girls being sick, it’s been a juggle! 😂 But I’m finally kicking butt and getting things done! 💪🩷

Inventory is being written down ✔️
Stock is being sorted ✔️
Market gear is getting packed ✔️
And somehow… we’re getting there! 🤣🙌
Now I’m just keeping everything crossed for some beautiful sunshine ☀️, because this is looking like such a fun family day out!

🚗 Classic Cars
🔥 Custom Cars & Hot Rods
🛍️ Spring Market
🔧 Auto Swap Meet
👑 Retro Pageant
🎶 Live Entertainment
🚂 VW Train
🎡 Tea Cup Ride
🍔 Food & more!

I’ll be there with Handmade Mum, so come and say hi, have a browse and check out what I’ve been making! 🩷🌸

ONE WEEK, PEOPLE! 😍

Let the market countdown begin! 🎉

18/09/2026

🚗🌸 WE’RE CRUISING INTO TE AROHA! 🌸🚗

Handmade Mum is heading along to the Aroha Cruise In and we’re so looking forward to it! 🩷

📍 Te Aroha Race Course
📅 Saturday 3rd October
⏰ 9am – 2pm

And this isn’t just a car show… there’s a whole lot happening! 👀👇

🚘 Classic Cars
🔥 Custom Cars & Hot Rods
🛍️ Spring Market
🔧 Auto Swap Meet
👑 Retro Pageant
🎶 Live Entertainment
🚂 VW Train
🎡 Tea Cup Ride
🍔 Food Vendors
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Entertainment
✨ And plenty more!

Come along, check out the incredible cars, have a browse around the Spring Market and, of course, come and say Hi to Handmade Mum! 🩷🌸

We’ll have a selection of our handmade goodies with us — perfect for a little treat for yourself or a gift for someone special 🎁

🎟️ Public entry: $10 per person
👧 Kids FREE!

Sounds like a pretty awesome Saturday to me! 🚗🌸🛍️

Aroha Cruise In — see you there! 🩷

02/09/2026

Here's my experiment - Look what happened!

A whole labour of love. The handy little bag made for all the LITTLE things!

This is a one-of-a-kind handmade patchwork makeup bag, created from beautiful fabric scraps that were simply too good to let go to waste.

This was my first time making a patchwork bag, and I absolutely fell in love with the colour, texture and interest that comes from bringing so many different prints together.

And the surprise doesn't stop on the outside… the lining is patchwork too! There are two large tabs either side of the zipper.

Every little piece has been carefully sewn together to create a bag that is completely unique — there won't be another one exactly like it. Lovingly made in the Handmade Mum studio here in Thames.

Roomy, practical and made with lots of love, it's perfect for makeup, toiletries, sewing bits and pieces, or simply keeping all those little things together.

Once this one is gone, it's gone — the exact combination of fabrics can never be recreated.

She's for sale over on Trademe 👇🏻
https://www.trademe.co.nz/6112388315

30/08/2026

🩷🩷🩷 Brand New Product Alert 🩷🩷🩷

A pretty little everyday essential for keeping your small must-haves close.

Say hello to the little wallet that you’ll wonder how you ever lived without.

These beautifully quilted keychain wallets are just the right size for those essentials you want to keep together – whether you’re heading out for a quick errand, attaching it to your handbag, or popping it inside your favourite makeup bag.

Each wallet is lovingly handmade by myself in the Handmade Mum studio. They have a quilted outer, coordinating lining and a secure zip closure. The handy lobster clasp means you can clip it straight onto your keys, handbag, nappy bag or anywhere you want to keep it in reach.

Perfect for bank cards, folded cash, coins, lip balms, beauty essentials, earbuds and small everyday bits & pieces. Approximate size 11.5cm x 13cm.

Find a print you love? Don’t leave it sitting in your cart too long – once it’s gone, it may be gone for good!

Shop them here 👇🏻 RRP $22
https://handmademum.nz/product-category/thoughtful-things/handmademum-nz-products-quilted-keychain-wallet/

04/08/2026

💚💜🩷 Meet... Puriri Twilight!! 💚💜🩷

Every Handmade Mum Hottie Cover begins its journey as a rescued vintage New Zealand wool blanket.

This beautiful blanket started life at Napier Woollen Mills before being lovingly transformed into something new. Instead of sitting forgotten away, it'll soon become a small collection of cosy Hottie Covers, each with its own story to tell.

Giving beautiful old treasures a second life is one of my favourite parts of what I do 🥰

Only a handful of Hottie Covers will be made from this blanket, making each one a limited edition!

Available soon 😘

💚💜🩷

28/07/2026

☆☆☆ Another Brand New Treasure has just landed - available online now ☆☆☆ 'Rimu Ridge' $35

Remember the cosy comfort those pure wool blankets gave us as kids? Nothing warms you like cuddling a hot water bottle. They’ve been around forever, and for good reason. Wool is naturally antiseptic and absorbent. Hot water bottles provide warmth, comfort and can soothe aches and pains.

Handmade by me in my studio by up-cycling vintage New Zealand made wool blankets including the original blanket stitching. They will keep your hot water bottle cover warmer for longer. They each have an envelope closure. Simply pull up or down over the top of the bottle, there is no need to remove the cover to fill.

Handmade Mum’s Hottie covers are a lovely, snuggly and caring gift, perfect for any time of the year.

Shop them here 👇🏻
https://handmademum.nz/product/hot-water-bottle-cover-rimu-ridge/

Address

THAMES
Thames
3500

Website

https://handmademum.nz/shop/

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