Wanted: Creative Entrepreneur!

We are looking for new creative entrepreneurs to join our partnership from January 2017. So what exactly does this mean? 

• You have a unique little shop to showcase and sell your handmade products and/or give workshops
• You have a workspace to use for making your products and/or giving workshops
• You keep 100% of your sales for your products and/or workshops
• You work with fun, like-minded “mompreneurs”
• You work in the shop 1-2 days per week (one week day per week plus one Saturday per month)
• You share in the costs of running The Creative Café (ie. rent, supplies, …)

Contact us at thecreativecafe111@gmail.com if you think this is the perfect opportunity for you to “take the plunge” to move your business in a new direction!

December Events & Workshops

The countdown is on....Christmas will be here in a few weeks!!!!! Are you ready? Do you have all your gifts purchased and wrapped? Well, we are here to help you out!! This month, we will have: extra opening hours to allow more shopping time to find that unique gift DIY workshops to show you tips and tricks for gorgeously wrapped gifts and, for those of you lacking time or perhaps creativity, gift wrapping services will be available in the two weeks leading up to Christmas (Bonus: gift items purchased from us will be wrapped free of charge!) oh, and did we mention GLÜHWEIN and gingerbread? It's the most wonderful time of the year...and we can't wait to share it with you!

Events & Workshops - December 2016 All events and workshops below can also be found on The Creative Cafe Calendar tab on our blog. In order to give you a little more time to get in all that Christmas shopping, The Creative Café will have extended hours in December as shown above!  We will also be offering gift wrapping services from 11-22 December. Gifts purchased from The Creative Café will be wrapped free of charge - we will also wrap your other gifts, however, a fee will apply for items not purchased at The Creative Café.  Come out of the cold and warm yourself up with a cup of Glühwein or Christmas tea and some gingerbread on the following days in December:   Saturday, 10 December Saturday, 17 December Wednesday, 21 December Workshop: Last Minute Gift Card Packaging Saturday, 17 December (10:00-12:00; 14:00-16:00) Tuesday, 20 December (10:00-12:00; 14:00-16:00) Don't you hate giving gift cards in simple little envelopes? In this workshop, we will help you make gift card envelopes and little boxes to perfectly wrap those last minute gift cards or small gifts for the hard to buy for people on your list. All materials provided to make 2 envelopes and 2 boxes.  Cost: CHF 25 (includes all materials and refreshments)  To register, stop by the shop or e-mail us at thecreativecafe111@gmail.com.

Christmas Open House THIS Saturday, 19 November!

Wooohooooo! Our Christmas Open House is in 2 DAYS!!!

We are so excited to welcome you to our happy little place with a nice, warm cup of Glühwein and tasty treat to help get you in the spirit of Christmas! Loads of new products have been made in the past couple of weeks that will help you tick off the names on your list. Additionally, Petra  from Apotheka Havlik, will be doing various demonstrations with the awesome bio skincare products we sell - think super, soft hands afterwards!! To keep the kids busy while you shop, we will also have a little gift tag making area for them to make some handmade tags for the gifts you buy!

Stop by anytime between 10:00 and 17:00. You really don't want to miss this event!

Here are a few sneak peeks to get you excited!

Christmas Workshops in November & December

Mark your calendars now!!!! We have some awesome workshops coming up in November and December that you do NOT want to miss! They are all aimed at helping you add a little homemade touch to your gift giving this year. You can register by emailing us at thecreativecafe111@gmail.com or by stopping by the shop to see us!

We are also happy to do private workshops for you and your friends (minimum participants of 3, maximum of 5) if you would like to organise a night out with some of your friends or family (or both)!

Do you love giving beautifully wrapped gifts but need some inspiration on how to do it? Each participant will learn how to make and take home a handful of goodies, including:

1. Stamp one cotton drawstring bag and 3 paper bags. 
2. Make 3 gift tags 
3. See how easy it is to make decorative wooden clips 
4. Tassels and pom poms oh my !!! The perfect topper to any box. 

Lots of other supplies will be available to use including stamps, pattern papers, yarn, ribbons, washi tape, paper doilies ect. 
All supplies will be provide in the workshop, as well as beverages.

This course will be offered on: 

Tues, 7 December: Morning (10:00-12:00) / Afternoon (14:00-16:00) 

Cost: CHF 35 (includes all materials and refreshments) 

Join Sandra to create a unique, handmade Advent calendar for someone special in your life! There will be lots of goodies to choose from, including a wide variety of gold & glitter, sacks, clips, stamps and many more little bits and bobs!

This workshop will be offered on the following dates:

Thur., 17 November (time flexible between 9:30 to 17:00) 
Sat., 26 November (10:00-13:00) 

 Cost: CHF 40 per person (includes all materials & refreshments)

If you like to give handmade Christmas cards or add a special, handmade touch to your gifts, this workshop is for you! Julie will help you create four beautifully stamped cards and a few gift tags to jazz up your gifts.

Space is limited to 5 people at a time, so please register by 19 November if you are interested in attending any of the three workshops!

This workshop will be offered on: 

Mo., 21 November (19:00-21:30)

Tues., 22 November (9:30-12:00 / 13:30-16:00)

Sat., 3 December (9:30-12:00 / 13:30-16:00)

Cost: CHF 40 per person (includes all materials & refreshments)

Hope to get creative and crafty with you soon!

Tis' the season...almost!

Although fall is still lingering, Christmas has arrived at The Creative Café!

Check out our advent and gift wrapping corner

Loads of Christmas stamps, papers and accessories for your creative needs!

Beautiful shawls and wraps handmade in Nepal

We look forward to welcoming you and helping you find the perfect gifts to check off of your Christmas list!

Who is Jamais Vu?

Danièle & Monique Stadler, Owners of Jamais Vu

In continuing our series of "Who are the ladies behind The Creative Café?", we introduce to you the owners of Jamais Vu. Danièle and Monique Stadler are two sisters who created the backdrop for The Creative Café, through experimenting, painting and giving new life to old things.

How did you start Jamais Vu, and then The Creative Café?

We were fortunate that Daniéle could lease the space of a former electrical shop on the Alte Landstrasse in Thalwil in order for us to display, store and, of course, sell our handmade creations. Our mission was to make our creative ideas into a reality, and the big windows in the corner shop are perfect for displaying our handmade products, including paintings, furniture, hand-sewn items and more. From the beginning, our idea was to have a happy place to drink coffee in any form, to sit together and to share ideas.

What inspires you most?

Inspiration is found everywhere - from travels, exploring antique markets, discussions with friends and, naturally, from roaming around the Brockenhaus. It is always fun to wander through the flea markets and Brocki and find hidden gems. As many of our friends know, we are always taking the old things we find and bringing a new life to them. Ideally, we would like to have a huge workspace and LOADS of time to bring all of our new ideas to reality!

Where are you from?

We grew up in Winterthur and Monique still lives there, while Daniéle lives with her family in Kilchberg.

What do you like about The Creative Café?


Although we cannot spend as much time as we would like at The Creative Café, we are so pleased to see the dedication and engagement of the other ladies and how they are bringing our little corner shop to life with events, workshops and continuously adding new products. We wish the team many, many more new ideas in the days and weeks to come!

Fall Break at The Creative Café

What's new in September?

Now that school has started and everyone has settled back into the routine of everyday life (well, sort of...as much as one can with kids, jobs, homes to care for and so on!), it's a good time to share a few new things we have in the shop!

Procopio Jewelry Design 

We have a new selection of repurposed vintage jewelry pieces handmade by Beth Procopio, an amazingly talented young lady who not only makes jewelry, but also sings, paints, draws, knits, etc. etc. etc. (you get the picture!). If you are looking for a unique, special piece of jewelry for an event or wedding, stop by to check out our selection. You can read more about Beth's jewelry design on her website. 

J Blume Bags, Tags & More

Julie has made some adorable little pencil etui bags that are perfect for holding your pens, pencils and items that you need for school, journaling and generally keeping track of all the little bits that tend to get lost in the bottom of your bag. 

She's also put together some cool journaling kits that will soon be available. Sign up for her Creative Journaling workshop on 13 September to embark on a journey to learn more about different kinds of journals and how to find one that works for you! This workshop will be offered every month, so if you are interested and cannot make it in September, you will have other opportunities!

Seize the Stamp

Be sure to stop by to check out all the new stamps, papers and embellishments from Rachel! I can guarantee you will find something you "need" to have for your projects :-)!

We look forward to welcoming you soon!

xx

SaveSave

Meet our new creative lady - Sandra Ritter!

Sandra Ritter, Owner of Hügelwerkstatt

We continue our series of "Who are the ladies behind The Creative Café?" with an introduction to Sandra Ritter, a new member of our core team of sales staff, but not new to our shop! Some of you may know her through her witty and inspiring text blocks and magnets, or perhaps you've purchased one of her adorable notepad holders or clipboards. Sandra will be replacing Rachel (Seize the Stamp) in order that Rachel can fully focus on her two small children. Although Rachel will no longer be working in the shop regularly, she will continue to sell her amazing stamping and paper products, as well as help us out every now and then! So, we will not say "good-bye" to her just yet.

Here is a short introduction to Sandra!

What inspires you most?
I have ideas throughout the day and night, and therefore always have paper and pen on my nightstand. I love to make everyday items pretty and give a new life to old things...In a Brocki, I become a treasure hunter and when I see a pretty package, it's love at first sight! I'm inspired by so many things - meeting with friends, travel, my little boy and the world around us!

Where are you from and how did you end up at The Creative Café?
10 years ago I moved for love from Berlin to Zurich. I settled very well in Zurich and made ​​good friends who supported me in my creative work. At the beginning, I sold my little sayings out of an old suitcase at some of the local "Koffermarkts". However, as many weekends are booked with my little one, I looked for small specialty shops which could sell my handmade products. I met Julie at a Koffermarkt just after she opened the Creative Café and, after seeing the place and meeting all the lovely ladies there, I knew that was the the place I wanted to be. I am happy to welcome you every Thursday at The Creative Café, as well as at selected workshops!

What do you like about The Creative Café?
 I love the creative atmosphere at The Creative Café. From enjoying a coffee with friends to helping an "uncreative" person realise they can make something beautiful in a fun, informal setting is awesome. There's always some new little jewel to find in the shop and what could be better than working with dear friends?

June & July Events at The Creative Café

Hello friends! Summer is on its way - hoorah! And with summer, comes TRAVEL, SUNSHINE and GOOD TIMES!   This month, we will have some travel-themed workshops and products to help you document your adventures, as well as hold all the essentials when going to the badi, beach or out in the city for the day!   Who are the ladies behind The Creative Café? Jo Millar, Art Club Café In continuing with "Who are the ladies behind The Creative Café?", we will both introduce and say a fond farewell to Jo Millar, founder of the Art Club Café, that meets at The Creative Café on Friday mornings (and some Tuesdays, as well). Jo will be leaving The Creative Café team in mid-June to start a new teaching job after the summer holidays. Thank you, Jo, for bringing your creative inspiration to our team and best of luck in your new adventures! What do you love most about being at The Creative Café? "I like being surrounded by all those lovely things. It even smells nice in there. It is a little sanctuary, which is all mine on Art Club days." How did you come up with the Art Club? "I love a sketchbook with snippets of ideas and observations. With the Art Club I can explore whatever pops into my head. I prepare visual prompts based on the chosen theme and then the Art Club ladies have something ready to inspire them. I often prefer their take on my kernel of an idea. So the Art Club is a little cycle of creative thought, along with a few laughs and a lot of chatter."

New in June We've got some lovely new items this month to add a bit of sparkle, as well as functionality to your summer travels! Workshops and Events in June & July All events below can also be found on The Creative Cafe Calendar tab on our blog. Join us for a ladies evening with Stella & Dot Stylist, Nadia Austin. She will show you the beautiful summer line of Stella & Dot jewelry, bags and accessories. Food and drinks will also be available so you will not want to miss this event! More information on Stella & Dot can be found on their website: http://www.stelladot.com.  Workshop: Adventure-themed Bookmarks Saturday, 4 June (10-12), Thursday 9 June (10-12) Do you know an avid reader? Join us to make two one-of-a-kind bookmarks using a variety of paper, punches, stamps and more! Space is limited to 5 people, so please register by 2 June or 7 June, respectively. Workshop will take approximately 1.5 - 2 hours. Cost: CHF 20 per person (includes all materials & refreshments) To register, stop by the shop or e-mail us at thecreativecafe111@gmail.com. Workshop: Travel Journal Thursday, 16 June (9:00-12:00) & Saturday, 18 June (9:00-12:00) Are you planning to travel this summer and wish to have a little journal to take note of all the fun things you do? This workshop is for you! We will make a travel-themed envelope journal with space for pictures, journaling and pockets to hold little bits that you collect in your travels.  Space is limited to 4 people, so please register by 14 June. Workshop will take approximately 3 hours. Cost: CHF 40 per person (includes all materials & refreshments) To register, stop by the shop or e-mail us at thecreativecafe111@gmail.com. Masala Chai - tea the Indian way Tuesday, 21 June (13:30-16:00) The lovely smell of Masala chai, the mixed-spice tea that you are being served on every street corner in India, will linger in the shop. While enjoying your tea, you have the opportunity to learn more about the work that is being done with our Indian partners, and to see some very special items brought home from Nina's recent visit. Bring your friends and come visit us! Location: The Creative Café, Alte Landstrasse 111, 8800 Thalwil Art Club Café Every Friday: 9:00-11:00 & 11:30-13:30 This is your last chance to meet Jo Millar and have fun creating with different mediums, such as pencils, paints and more!  The final dates of the Art Club Café are as follows: Fridays: 3, 10 June Tuesday: 14 June You can find out more information on her website here. Summer clearance sale & Apéro Saturday, 2 July (10:00-16:00) In order to clear out our stock before the summer holidays begin, we will start our summer clearance sale on 2 July with a bit of prosecco and snacks (and hopefully LOTS of sunshine)! First come, first serve on all unique sale items, so be sure to stop by before it's too late. SUMMER HOLIDAYS: SHOP WILL BE CLOSED FROM 18 July - 19 August 2016 The Creative Café will be closed for the summer holidays in order to enjoy time with our families. We hope you have a wonderful summer, full of adventure, sunshine and good times!   Contact us at thecreativecafe111@gmail.com for more information on the above events. You can also stop by the shop during our opening hours: Tuesdays: 9:30-12:00, 13:30-18:00 Wednesdays: 9:30-12:00, 13:30-18:00 Thursdays: 9:30-12:00, 13:30-18:00 Fridays: Art Club Café from 9:00 - 13:30 (FINAL SESSION: Tuesday, 14 June, 13:30-17:00) Saturdays: 10:00-16:00 Have a great week and we look forward to seeing you soon!

Spring Open House & Apéro

We will be having a Spring Open House on 21 May with nibbles and drinks, so mark your calendar and grab a friend to come check out the spring and summer collections! 

We have 10 % on everything in the shop, except furniture and custom orders, plus additional offers on selected items. 

Hope seeing you there!

May news and events at The Creative Café

Hello friends! April showers are (hopefully!!) over, so now we can enjoy the May flowers! We don't know about you, but we LOVE spring. Trees blooming, flowers pushing up out of the ground, warmer temperatures, the promise of summer that is just on the horizon - we love it all!  This month, we will bring some new, brighter patterns and ideas to help you get rid of the winter blues!   Who are the ladies behind The Creative Café? Nina Zetterberg, owner of INDesign4U This month we will introduce you to Nina, founder of INDesign4U, unique products for you and your home. Nina has dreamt of a business of her own for many years and just needed an idea to get started. How did you come up with the idea for INDesign4U? "I always felt a strong draw towards beautiful, fun and unique things to decorate indoor and outdoor spaces. While living in India, I came into contact with lots of artisans and their handicraft - furniture, textiles and decorations. An idea was born when I came into contact with Spring Rythym and their lovely hand block printed textiles. Once my own home and garden was decorated, I thought it would be great if other people could have the opportunity to surround themselves with these beautiful home textiles as well. And INDesign4U was born." From India to Switzerland, how do you find it? "We always knew that our time in India was limited, so after 2.5 years it was time to move on. We arrived in Switzerland in August 2013 and it was definitely a huge change - calm, clean, beautiful and easy to adjust to. Even so, I still find myself missing the exciting, colourful life in India from time to time. That's why it is so great to have the business. It gives me the opportunity to stay in contact with India and still live a lovely life here in Switzerland." What do you love most about being at The Creative Café? "Even though I don't consider myself a "do-it-yourselfer", I love to be surrounded by creative people and their ideas. I also love meeting and interacting with customers, which also gives me the opportunity to work on my German! Being employed all my life, I noticed how much I missed having colleagues around - one of the best things is to work together with people and to be part of the lovely Creative Café ladies!"

What's new in May? May is a month to enjoy all the colors and beauty of spring and to prepare for summer because we all know that it will be here before we know it! Here are a few bright and colorful items you can find in The Creative Café this month! Workshops and Events in May All events below can also be found on The Creative Cafe Calendar tab on our blog. Nina will be showing her spring and summer collection in the café at Holmes Place, Seestrasse 97, 8942 Oberrieden, on Tuesday, 10 May. You can stop by for a nice coffee and browse after a hard workout at the gym! Don't forget to sign up to receive your free entrance to the gym, spa and classes: Sign Up form  Birthday Card Workshop Thursday, 12 May (time is flexible during opening hours) Do you like to send and receive handmade birthday cards? If you do, this is the workshop for you! Come any time during the day to make four birthday cards and a few tags if you have time.  Space is limited to 5 people at a time, so please register by 10 May so we know how many are coming and the approximate times. Workshop will take approximately 2.5 hours. Cost: CHF 40 per person To register, stop by the shop or e-mail us at thecreativecafe111@gmail.com. Spring Open House & Apéro Saturday, 21 May - all day (10:00-16:00) We will be having a spring open house with free food and drinks, so mark your calendar and grab a friend to come check out the spring and summer collections! This is also a great opportunity for you to come by to check out the spring and summer INDesign4U collection. Purchases of in store INDesign4U products on this day will receive a 10% rebate*! *Note: rebate does not apply to special orders  MEchic Italian Design Pop Up Sale Friday, 27 May from 17:00 to 21:00 Summer holidays are going to be here soon and that means sunshine, beaches and pretty little dresses! Join us for an apéro with MEchic Italian Design to find the perfect little dress or bikini for your upcoming holidays. Apéro will be sponsored by the lovely Eva from Salottino Italian Specialties from Horgen, so you should mark your calendar now! More information on MEchic can be found on their Facebook page. Art Club Café Every Friday: 9:00-11:00 & 11:30-13:30 Looking for a way to release some of your creative energy or maybe learn something new? Jo Millar has openings in her Art Club Café that is held in The Creative Café on Friday mornings. You can find out more information on her website here. ASCENSION DAY (AUFFAHRT): SHOP WILL BE CLOSED FROM 5-7 MAY 2016 The Creative Café will be closed from 5-7 May for the ascension holiday weekend. We look forward to welcoming you back on Tuesday, 10 May!  Contact us at thecreativecafe111@gmail.com for more information on the above events. You can also stop by the shop during our opening hours: Tuesdays: 9:30-12:00, 13:30-18:00 Wednesdays: 9:30-12:00, 13:30-18:00 Thursdays: 9:30-12:00, 13:30-18:00 Fridays: Art Club Café from 9:00 - 13:30 Saturdays: 10:00-16:00 Have a great week and we look forward to seeing you soon!