Winnie&Clem...the name of hats !!

Congratulations and best of luck to Winnie & Clem on the BIG website launch today 20th July 2011 at 8pm. Well done on a fantastic achievement.




Anita with her gorgeous children who are also one of her inspirations.


Winnie & Clem is a handmade store specialising in stylish handmade accessories with a strong focus on handmade hats and caps for babies, children and adults. Winnie & Clem is run by the lovely Anita, a work at home mum of 2 beautiful children aged 4 and 2yrs. Headquarters for Anita is her home on a farm in rural NSW! Anita named her business after her grandparents ~ Winifred and Clement. Winnie & Clem, a little cute, a little old world and a lot of love! Check out our interview with Anita but most importantly pop over to her new webpage - Winnie & Clem

When was Winnie & Clem born and what were your original thoughts of what it would be?

Winnie & Clem was first born in January 2010. Initially I didn't really know what I wanted it to be, what products I wanted, business or hobby? I was really just testing the waters. I started with quite a variety of handmade products to gauge responses to them. Then when I launched a facebook page in April 2010 it became apparent from the feedback that there was a need for well made stylish hats, for both kids and adults.



This is one of Winnie & Clem's winter
 wonderful 'Cloche' hats.

 Where do you get your inspiration from when creating?

My kids, my hubby, my mum, life, fabric, beauty and nature!

You are about to launch your website, what were the steps involved once you had decided you wanted to launch Winnie & Clem on the web?

I am by no means an expert in this area, very much learning as I go! The first step was to get my domain name registered. With that sorted I chose a web provider and then organised my graphic designer. Sounds like a simple process when written in a few brief sentences but it was a lot of work and learning.


How do you juggle your crafty career and family life?
I am very fortunate to treat my business as my job and hence I have the kids in childcare for 3 days a week. I also have an incredibly supportive husband.


We both run small businesses and although that means a lot of work we both can be flexible and share the load when necessary. I am also naturally an organised person and use lists, diaries and planners to keep on top of everything. I am also a strong believer in routine for the kids, it helps everyone (including them) to manage day to day.


Like AnK Bowtique you also live in a rural area - tell us a bit about your surroundings and do you find them limiting ?
I live on a farm in the Southern Tablelands of NSW. It is predominantly a sheep and cattle breeding area. Our closest city is 60km from the farm and nearest main centre is Canberra, 2.5 hours away. Sourcing supplies for my business locally is almost impossible, I rely heavily on online ordering of supplies. Access to major markets is also very difficult with most markets requiring travel of between 2-4 hours.


When did you start sewing and what was the first item you finished?
I started sewing when I was about 5 yrs old. The first item I finished (aside from the practice sheets my mum use to make us sew) would have been either a needle book or a pair of elastic waist shorts, its a long time ago its hard to remember, but I do recall sitting at the big kitchen table with Mum and my older sisters waiting my turn to use the machine.

Anita's fabric combinations are timeless and
very versatile.

Where do you see Winnie & Clem in 5 years time ?

My aim is for Winnie &Clem to be the name of hats! But in five years time I hope to have employed some help so I am able to concentrate on not only making my products but able to work on more designs as well. I also plan to have a branch of Winnie & Clem producing and selling patterns for the sewers who would like to make their own hats.

Anita is truly a fantastic business woman who excels in the field of hat making.  AnK Bowtique wish her every success with her new web page. 

Merry Christmas to all!

I have been cooking madly today and making beds.  My husband and I are very fortunate to have both of our families with us for Christmas.  We are doing a combination of both hot and cold dishes for lunch tomorrow.  The good thing about that is all the leftovers for boxing day.  We are having neighbours over for boxing day for a bit of swimming, cricket and clay target shooting.  Kristy is having christmas with Alex's family and then they are off to the coast for boxing day.

These photos are just a little sample of what is heading to our Made It store in the new year.  We have lots of exciting ideas to start work on in the new year as well.

This is our last post for 2009 and will start again in January.  We wish all our valued clients, facebook fans and new blog followers a very Merry Christmas and Best wishes for the New Year.

I am off to have a some chrissy drinks.

Angie and Kristy