The other thing is that there is a difference

The Dunkleys Great New Zealand Craft Show seems to be a bit of an institution here in New Zealand, getting to many towns at least once a year, with the usual twice yearly visits at the main centres.

I have been to it four times in the last 12 years, but I came back from the latest show in New Plymouth underwhelmed.

We've always paid for the show which is in itself a difference from other craft markets, and Dunkleys is, when all is said and done, another craft market.

The admission for adults this time was steep - $9 for adults, with only a $1 discount for students and senior citizens. This is a lot of money to pay for a forum where you are expected to go in and purchase stuff.

However, in the past, Dunkleys has always had that "Aha!" factor for me - several exhibitors have had something new and different.

But not this time. There was a lot of doubling up of the stalls.

I can get T-shirts anywhere, and you can only buy so much fudge, scented soap, stamp pads, handmade blouses, scarves and jewellery.

The woodwork and leather stalls had the same old mirrors, chopping boards, belts and (expensive) handbags. The stock was more limited than on previous visits, and there wasn't much that I couldn't find for sale at any larger town craft market.

The other thing is that there is a difference between a "show" and a market. At a show one would expect a certain amount of extra entertainment value, watching people actually working on their chosen craft and being able to marvel at how they make it look so easy.

The Village Blacksmith was a highlight, and it was nice to see someone actually practising their craft, instead of just selling things. And I know knitting is a craft, as is patchworking, but in NZ it is not exactly a dying art, so I please excuse me if I don't get all excited about it.

Maybe I have been spoilt by markets in Nelson, Auckland and Brisbane, but I miss the weaving of cloth and flax, the spinning of the wool that is to be knitted, the jewellery making in front of your eyes, and the leather goods man who makes things to order while you wait.

The first time I went to Dunkleys in New Plymouth 12 years ago the TSB stadium was packed with new and interesting crafts which I still remember.

There were bronze earrings with many Maori themes, particularly those symbols which are not so well known. I think the man who makes cool things out of copper was there for the first time, and his stall was interesting and innovative. This time his stall was not very full, and everything had a tired look about it. I looked for the amazingly painted teapots, and the beautiful woven Maori kite, but none were to be found.

 The 'Cougar Town' star, whose divorce from David Arquette was recently finalised, was joined by her close friends including Isla Fisher, Molly Sims, Laura Dern and Tobey Maguire's jewellery designer wife Jennifer Meyer, at a party in Santa Monica, California.

The former 'Friends' star, who has an eight-year-old daughter, Coco, with David, shared a few pictures from the party on Twitter, including one of her with her famous friends with the caption: "Dancin with my girls. (Sic)"

 She also posted a picture of her with Coco, writing: "Every birthday is perfect with my favourite girl."

Other guests at the bash included Courteney's co-stars Christa Miller and Brian Van Holt, but her close pal Jennifer Aniston was noticeably absent.

Her ex-husband was also not at the party despite Courteney recently insisting that David is still her best friend.

She said: "He's my best friend in the world. I love him.

"I appreciate David more now than I ever did. I mean ... it's hard. I don't recommend divorce in general, but, you know, he is my best friend and we've both grown and changed."

The couple got together after meeting of the set of the first 'Scream' film in 1995 and married in 1999, before separating in October 2010 but only filed for divorce in June 2012 and it was finalised last month.
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I had in the big leagues has been the biggest thing

The Seattle Mariners drafted Ackley right behind Washington Nationals ace Stephen Strasburg in 2009 because he’s a hitter, which he displayed with a record-setting career at the University of North Carolina.

“Just relaxing and taking my mind off the failures I had in the big leagues has been the biggest thing,” Ackley said. “There’s no pressure to do anything like there is at the big-league level and that’s really the mentality I have to take here and then continue to take up there.”

Never in his career has he ever had to seriously cope with shaken confidence. His .412 average in three years at UNC is the best in school history and he still holds the record for most hits (28) in the College World Series.

But for the first time since leaving North Forsyth High School, Ackley regressed instead of progressed. And it happened against the best competition, in the brightest lights and on the biggest stage.

“I think anybody you talk to realizes baseball is a game of failure,” Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik said. “The greatest hitters fail seven times out of 10. It’s how you handle it, how you make adjustments.

“What happens when you get into certain habits and there is no where to go, you are on a big stage, in front of everybody, and you’ve got to work your way through it? Sometimes you may be able to and sometimes you have to take a step backward.

He didn’t know how to deal with his mental approach and needed the space and opportunity to figure it out.

“I’ve gone through slumps and failures and things like that, but I’ve always worked out of them,” Ackley said. “But those were kind of different. This year it’s been more of a mental thing than about my swing, and just trying to think too much. The times I’ve hit well in my career, I’m not thinking about anything other than hitting baseballs, so I think that’s really what I’m trying to get back to right now.”

It’s not uncommon experience for young player, but, with Ackley, expectations are greater. He is supposed to be a staple in the organization for years to come, especially since Zduriencik came to Seattle heralded for his player development and focus on building through the draft. Ackley was his first pick.

Rainiers manager John Stearns was drafted in 1973 with the No. 2 pick and eventually made four All-Star teams with the New York Mets, but not before making his MLB debut only to be sent back down to Triple-A.

“I went down and played mad the whole time,” Stearns said. “I wanted to show them what I could do. I felt like I was playing at 110 percent. That’s how I went about it. You just got to go down with the mindset that you are going to get your game together and get yourself back up to the big leagues. I see a lot of that in Ackley.

Nick Franklin has played well since replacing Ackley at second, prompting the Mariners to push Ackley on the same route as Jesus Montero and get him used to a position change in Tacoma before returning to Seattle. Ackley started in left field for the Rainiers on Wednesday — the first time he’s played outfield since college.

“That would be tough,” Ackley said. “That wouldn’t be ideal. It would be a tough transition. But if I had to, if that’s what it takes, I’ve changed positions to second, I guess changing to somewhere else wouldn’t be something I couldn’t do.”

Well, the Mariners deemed he has to. He can’t let it further shatter his confidence, lest his road back to Seattle and as a fixture in the Mariners future be delayed or even dismissed.

“He has natural gifts,” Zduriencik said. “But they’ve been masked through this whole process that he is going through. In the end, what he’s going through now will be the best thing for him. And when he gets back here, we will have the same expectations we had when we drafted him.”

Said Ackley: “I’ve worked my way out of mechanical slumps and things like that, but this is the first kind of mental thing that’s really ever wore on me. I think if I climb my way out of this one, hopefully I’ll be good for the foreseeable future.”
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what to expect from these guys

Whether Cardinals reliever Trevor Rosenthal is chosen to be a member of the National League bullpen in next month's All-Star Game or not, there is no denying that the young right-hander is putting up All-Star-type numbers.

The 23-year-old righty entered Wednesday with a 1.69 ERA and had not allowed an earned run since April 24 -- a span that includes 18 appearances and 19 1/3 innings. He had also tallied 29 strikeouts against just three walks during that stretch.

Yet during Wednesday's visit to the MLB Fan Cave in Manhattan -- where he was joined by fellow St. Louis reliever Joe Kelly -- Rosenthal said the thought of being an All-Star hasn't crossed his mind at any point during his impressive run.

"None of us have really talked about the All-Star stuff in the clubhouse or anything yet; we're just focused on winning games," Rosenthal said. "But making the All-Star team at any point in your career would be a really cool thing to do and be a part of. Obviously, it's a huge honor, so it would definitely be really special to be on that team someday."

At this rate, Rosenthal will find himself on that team sooner rather than later. The righty has played a vital role in helping the Cardinals' bullpen rebound from a tough April.

St. Louis' relievers ceded 43 earned runs over 66 2/3 innings in April, resulting in a 5.80 ERA. With an influx of young arms, combined with veterans stepping up, the relief corps has allowed just 38 earned runs over 104 2/3 innings since for a solid 3.27 ERA.

The bullpen has gone through a lot in the season's first half, including the loss of closer Jason Motte to season-ending Tommy John surgery before he even threw a regular-season pitch. Reliever Mitchell Boggs, who had a 2.21 ERA over 78 appearances last season, struggled to pick up the slack, posting an 11.05 ERA over 18 appearances before being optioned to Triple-A Memphis.

Through it all, St. Louis' relievers have found their niche, helping the Cards to a Major League-best 42-22 record entering Wednesday night.

"It's kind of the aura of our team -- when one guy goes down, the next guy steps up," Kelly said. "We have such a great Minor League system and great coaching staff that it's easy to come up and immediately be relaxed and just kind of be yourself out there."

In St. Louis' case, it has actually helped, to some extent, to have so many young players in the clubhouse. The Cardinals have already had seven pitchers make their big league debuts this season, and three -- Rosenthal, Kelly and Shelby Miller -- made their Major League debuts just a season ago.

Rosenthal and Kelly both agreed that has helped team chemistry -- and that was on full display on Wednesday at the Fan Cave. The right-handers -- both drafted in 2009 before debuting a month apart in '12 -- made the most of their Cave experience, participating together in a spontaneous photo-booth session with the ensuing photographs, complete with Mardi Gras masks, drawing laughs from all the Cave Dwellers.

"We all have really similar personalities -- so many competitive guys competing on the field and then off the field as well, it makes for good relationships," Rosenthal said. "It keeps things light and loose and makes it a lot of fun showing up to the clubhouse every day knowing that you've got a lot of friends in there and guys that are always going to be working hard."

Kelly, 25, even jumped at the opportunity to take a trip down the Fan Cave's home run slide, then shared a special moment with a young fan waiting patiently outside the Cave's doors. Shy at first, the young boy sporting a David Freese jersey warmed up to the Cards relievers once Kelly urged him to demonstrate his best Freese home run-swing impression. Kelly then encouraged the boy to show off his home run trot around imaginary bases before scooping the child off his feet and lifting him high above his head as he reached home plate.

"A lot of us have been on the same team at every single level, from the Minors to the big leagues, so we know what we're going to get out of each other and know what to expect from these guys on the field and in the clubhouse," Kelly said. "You're a lot more relaxed rather than you just being called up and you're with a team of 24 other veterans and you're the only rookie. We have the perfect mix right now, and it seems to be working."
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Having worked as a salesperson at Cash Converters

Almost an anachronism since the advent of easy credit and interest-free finance - or are they?

Do pawnshops remain the last refuge of drunks and problem gamblers - or are more Aussies than one might imagine quietly dropping off their jewellery and iPads for some quick cash, with few questions asked?

IT test manager and bar owner Lauren Allen, 35, says she did in 2006, when other avenues were exhausted and the rent was due.

Home early from a three-month overseas holiday after the money ran out, Allen had six weeks to wait until a new job started, an $8000 credit card debt and $300 in the bank.

Ineligible for Centrelink benefits and unable to secure a personal loan, she was loath to borrow from family members, some of whom had already spotted her some cash for her trip.

Having worked as a salesperson at Cash Converters during student days, Allen was familiar with the system. She decided to pawn her only portable item of major value, her engagement ring from a failed marriage three years earlier, for $1500, redeemable with monthly interest of 25 per cent.

Pawnbrokers offer short-term loans in exchange for items of value, which they retain as collateral until their money is repaid with interest. The maximum advance is usually about half the second-hand resale value of an item. Interest is charged monthly, at a rate set by the pawnbroker. About 20 per cent is common,In home display although some outlets charge double this.

If an item is not redeemed, or its loan term extended, the pawnbroker is entitled to sell it to recoup its funds. Most also operate as second dealers and buy and sell items outright. ''I thought about a private sale on eBay but I needed [the money] quickly,'' Allen says. ''That's where the pawnshop came in. The process itself was quite easy … If there's no other options, it's a good option to go for.''

It's not clear how many pawnbrokers are operating in Australia. The ABS does not collect specific statistics on the sector. In NSW, they're regulated by the same licensing regime as pay-day lenders and second-hand dealers, although many of the latter do not lend money.

While one-offs such as Allen are not uncommon, pawnbrokers say the bulk of their business comes from repeat customers, who pawn the same item over and over.

The owner of Fairfield Loan Office in western Sydney, Laurie White, has been in business for 40 years and sees about 20 customers a day. Home energy management Many of his regulars are new migrants or people on benefits or low incomes, with no cash reserves or access to conventional credit. When they're hit with an unexpected expense - a power bill that's higher than expected or car repairs that can't be deferred - he's their only option until pay day comes round. Others are poor money managers.

''A lot of people don't plan or budget well and use us as a stopgap,'' White says.

''Some people are in every month or every other week. I know 50 or 60 per cent of them by first name. It's always for the same problems … There's a tremendous amount of people with no other service available to them.'' A small sum is sufficient to tide most over.

While pawnbrokers occasionally lend five and six figures, the average is about $100. It's too little to warrant applying for a personal loan or credit card, even if criteria could be met. Time is also of the essence. Bank loans take several days to be approved and ''people have got a bill to pay tomorrow'', White says. ''They just want a quick fix.''

Shanon Folden, the general manager of Happy Hockers, which has four outlets around Sydney, says the pawnbroker is as much social worker as hard-headed haggler. ''Everyone has a different reason why they're borrowing money,'' he says. ''You've got to ascertain what someone needs … we help people in their hardest moments. We're like the bank of last resorts.''

In times gone by, lawnmowers, electric irons, TVs, VCRs and portable stereos were popular collateral; these days jewellery, mobile phones and all things Apple are the most common items to cross the counter.

Occasionally customers proffer more esoteric goods. Folden says he's been asked to lend on bondage gear, old telephone boxes and 1200 head of cattle, while White reports being offered ''the cross off a coffin, false teeth, hearing aids and the gold bridge from someone's teeth''.

About 75 per cent of customers redeem their items, usually within three weeks, Folden says.

Melbourne accountant and financial adviser Steve Enticott says while the interest rates are ruinous, the industry provides a lifeline to people who are out of other options.

The line of suitors for Pomellato

The combination of a clampdown on corruption and on ostentatious buying in China that has hit watch sales, an increase in consumption by women in Asia that has boosted jewellery revenues and a trend of “branding” the fragmented jewellery industry has upended the world of “hard luxury”, generally defined as watches and jewellery.

Where sales of watches have been the engine of growth for more than a decade, the fastest-growing area today is jewellery. That trend is triggering the biggest round of consolidation the luxury industry has seen in many years.

Claudia D’Arpizio, a Milan-based partner at Bain & Co, says the branding of the jewellery sector is the big trend. “There’s a huge potential for creativity and growing a brand in this market,” she says.

Erwan Rambourg, HSBC analyst, also argued that, in China, jewellery sales will outpace sales of watches as Chinese women overtake men as the dominant consumers.

Their predictions have proved correct. Altagamma, the Italian luxury goods association, and Bain expect sales of jewellery to outpace those of watches over the next 12 months. In its annual consensus, Altagamma sees sales of hard luxury slowing to 7 per cent growth a year, a “sharp deceleration” of the watches industry because of destocking.

Ms D’Arpizio points out that the past two years have shown that the reality of tapping into the rapid growth in the jewellery business that has traditionally been dominated by “mom and pop” stores, is difficult. Running a mono-brand successfully needs significant funds to be invested in distribution and working capital. Even then, for new entrants the chances of breaking in are slim. “It is not an easy game, so you don’t see many major players in that segment of the market. Although there are many talented designers, it is very difficult to establish a new brand globally. It is very expensive and it’s very difficult to become profitable.”

Thus, the question facing the world’s largest luxury goods groups is whether to acquire or build a jewellery business out of their current brands. At Richemont, Johann Rupert, the chairman, has signalled that he is leaning towards organic growth and exploiting the brand power of its stable of established elite watchmakers. “I’d rather have Piaget [owned by Richemont] expanding in jewellery than buy another jewellery company,” Mr Rupert said last month.

Meanwhile, private equity groups are scrambling to pick up smaller brands. Clessidra, the Italian private equity group, last month bought out another Milan jewellery brand, Buccellati, days after the Pomellato deal.

The line of suitors for Pomellato, maker of the cult “Nudo” and “M’ama non m’ama” rings advertised by Tilda Swinton, the actress, underlines the desire of investors to get into the sector.

With takeover momentum at fever pitch, industry executives expect more consolidation of the few remaining independent, established jewellery brands. David Yurman, Tiffany and Chopard are considered to be next in the sights of global aggregators or wealthy Chinese or Middle Eastern investors keen to pick up trophy brands, if the price is right.

By contrast, the heat has come out of the watches business, at least in the short term, say analysts. The most recent figures, published at the end of May, showed Swiss watch exports to China fell 12 per cent in April. Globally, they rose 6 per cent after years of double-digit increases.

Thomas Chauvet, an analyst at Citi, believes the tough stance of China’s President Xi Jinping on corruption and extravagant spending will probably limit the recovery of the market this year.

Nonetheless, Betty Yap, a luxury expert and partner at international law firm Linklaters in China, says that China is still the market to be in for sellers of high-end wares, watches included.

“Anecdotally, people are seeing some signs of slowdown, but the reality is that China remains the highest growth market for luxury items,” she says.

As a consequence, Ms Yap says that one of the important difficulties for luxury retailers in China remains real estate. “There are plenty of issues to overcome in order to find that spectacular site for your flagship store,” she says.

Moreover, the future of watch sales in China may well come from the same market that is boosting sales of jewellery in that market – women buyers.

Ms D’Arpizio says this “girl power” that is fuelling growth in branded jewellery is also giving a boost to the watch market.

“There is a trend of women buying watches for complications and movements, not only for aesthetic value. This is a new trend. It is going to be a big driver for watches.”
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The cozy cottage bathroom has a large deep

Original crafted timber fret work, restored original decorative plaster ceilings and many original light fittings add to the character and authenticity of this home which stands on 1081sqm.

Once you have entered this property you will immediately be captivated by the magical, landscaped English gardens.

These gardens are truly award winning and have had 20 years of hard work, dedication and love to reach this breathtaking display.

Total privacy was of utmost importance for this family.

Inside has an ambience which has existed throughout the 96 years this home has stood proud.

The long hallway depicts the era, with the amazing picture rails and timber features.

The current owners have replaced the old kitchen with a handcrafted Tasmanian Oak kitchen, crafted by a local tradesman.

On inspection you will appreciate how the modern timber works blend with the old.

The cozy cottage bathroom has a large deep bath for soaking, with an overhead shower, two other showers can be found in different sections of the property, one being in the wash house.

Three bedrooms, two boasting the 10’ plastered ceilings, wide windows and original built-in wardrobes.

The lounge room will bring the family together with the open fireplace and offers a warmth of its own.

A grand room where you can step out onto the front verandah, or back into the dining room if required.

The back section of the house has been filled in as a sitting room and captures the glorious morning sun through the bay window.

A step down den, believed to be the original cellar is now an office with character.

Another new addition to the property is ‘the office’, designed to work as a private office, a large storage room, bathroom, split system airconditioner and internet access were extras added.

The backyard is breathtaking and words cannot explain atmosphere.

Features such as the original stables, the wash house, the outhouse and the storage room. Along with a double Colorbond garage.

Disclaimer: The above information

has been furnished to us by a third party.

We do not accept any responsibility to any person for its accuracy and do no more than pass it on.

All interested parties should make and rely upon their own enquiries in order to determine whether or not this information is in fact accurate.

Please do not hesitate to contact our office if we can be of further assistance as it is all part of the service.
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The new commercials of online shopping

We have one common laptop between us. I take it to my office in the morning and once I return home, she monopolises it for the rest of the evening - checking mails, networking on Facebook - appreciating hundreds of friends/semi friends on their original/stolen/plagiarised posts, clicking likes on their never-ending changed profiles.

Social networking for her is like an evening stroll - into a community of people whom it is impossible to know well because every day, the friends add acquaintances to this crowd, which has a sort of blanket approval of being a decent crowd.

It is like the old city colonies which were known by the type of people staying at different locations - you don't have to be pally with all of them, but you don't mind exchanging pleasantries.

Facebook replicates this social norm in its own ways - the way one handles the likes, smiles, shares, comments and reciprocate comments and uploads are good enough instruments to calibrate one's social exchanges with members of the digital community. I got used to this pattern of her virtual socialising till I noticed a significant change in her Facebook sojourn. Like all changes, it did not hit me overnight; its manifestation was visible in a different chain of events.

I noticed that the most frequent visitors to my flat in the last couple of months were boys of different courier services delivering goods purchased online. The purchase had no predictable pattern - it varied from a revolving mop to a pack of dangerously shining set of kitchen knives shoved in a multi-slot wooden sheath stand, perfect prop for a murder mystery. One fine morning, In home display I discovered a pack of tummy trimming oil in my shaving corner, with a hand written message (massage). This was too much and needed to be sorted out.

There were other unexplained behaviour patterns, too. Earlier, every purchase would have resulted in a very predictable dialogue pattern. "Let me show you what I have bought"; or "Do you like it ...good ... tell me ...na". I suddenly remembered that I had not been receiving indents of purchase messages in my mobile on my way back home. There were also zero requests at the weekends to take her down to some shopping mall for the past couple of months. Suspicion added suspense in the family drama.

I peered over her laptop. The Facebook page was replaced by sites like Homeshop 18, FlipKart, Olx. I clearly remembered last year, when she turned down a request to book an air ticket online. "I don't like interacting with machines, there is no human face!" Also, there were those agonising moments when you have made an online payment and all you see is a vortex of uncertainty, spinning with the occasional warning "don't touch the refresh button". And then, everything stops with a penultimate verdict: Internet Explorer can't find the page. Oh my God! What has happened to my money? Has it sunk in the digital ocean?

In the virtual world, you are the only customer. You have complete liberty to toy with idea of buying a brand. You suddenly connect with your larger than life self. The computer screen acts like a magic mirror, a sweat-less world of shopping where base things like haggling for price, extracting a bargain and fear of online payment/exchange are magically removed. You get discounts you can only dream of; the apps tell you which product in which price range is the best value for money and why. You don't need a so-called expert/friend to tell and approve your choice. And, don't worry about payments. Do it your way. Pay on delivery. If you don't like it, return. No questions asked.

Wow! That was a privilege for the rich and famous only a couple of years back. In fact, entire emerging India is salivating on it now, at the threshold of a huge techno-social change silently happening in small town India.

On my way to Roorkee from Delhi, I saw in the city bus stands young people under umbrellas in the scorching sun, selling apps to small town young and middle-aged men and women.

"I make quick bucks from selling apps," said one of them. "The net is full of apps on brands of dresses, accessories, tech products, loans, gadgets - even jewellery. I download them in the customers' comps, show them how to use it and they pay gladly."

People are purchasing electronic gadgets right, left and centre, online. I know a lady who has just brought a Nikon Coolpix camera after downloading an app on cameras. She is completely convinced she could not have a better buy at that price. Ever since she had cross checked the offline price of the model at a Nikon store in Delhi, she has forgotten to stop her smile.

Online is crafting out a new language of relationships. Among the young boys and girls, it is the harbinger of goodies; for them, the new gazal line is "courier aayee hain" and not "chitthi aayee hain".

Guardians and parents - it's time to upgrade yourself; visit your out of station children through Skype. Send your aashirvaad and good wishes online and in kind; they will love it! The other day, I called my daughter and could overhear her roommates whispering "tell your dad to order an online pizza, they will deliver within 20 minutes....got bored with hostel food." The pizza was dutifully ordered by dad from a distance of 2000 km and in the next 20 minutes, saw the Skyped images of girls dancing and eating, and, of course, thanking dear aunty and uncle.

The new commercials of online shopping also portray a new perspective on relationships. Take for instance an eBay commercial. The ad, which features a husband procrastinating about a Sunday shopping spree suggested by the wife, takes an unexpected turn once the wife sees the discounts on eBay. Suddenly, she is all understanding and eager to stay at home, to make most of the online deals.