Mama Mia

If you don't already know of her.. Mia Freedman is an inspirational Australian woman who amongst many, many things runs her own website www.mamamia.com.au and writes a weekly editorial in The Age, Sunday Life magazine. 

On Sunday the 14th August, Mia wrote an article about NOT having a present drawer or any appropriate wrapping supplies. In an effort not to waste an opportunity, my friend Gabby from 'Gabby Wears' www.gabbywears.com.au and I sent Mia a parcel..

 

The parcel contained individual rolls of wrapping paper in seven different categories along with coordinated ribbon, gift tags and double sided tape. Gaby included 5 copies of her beautiful book, 'The Book of Giving' www.thebookofgiving.com.au which quite frankly is the perfect gift for any occasion.

 

The box was then couriered to Sydney where Mia lives and works. The result was amazing.

Mia received the box and loved it. She wrote a personal email followed by a twitter comment and finally she included the details in her open post on the Mamamia website.. viewed by hundreds of Mia fans this of course started a flurry of activity in the inbox of How To Wrap An Elephant howtowrapanelephant@gmail.com and led to my first ever sale!

So thank you Mia for loving our gift and for helping me along the way to pursuing my dream.. 

Bon Voyage Mon Ami

On Friday, I farewelled a friend who is off to Eat, Study & Love in Paris.. Not only was I excited for my friend going on such an adventure but also for the opportunity to prepare a French themed farewell gift!

My first stop was another close friend, Gabby who owns the fabulous accessory company Karma Kameleon and is the inspiration to follow my dreams. Gabby was able to source the most perfect French scarf (neckerchief) or as I like to call them, scarfette.. I have heard that the French like to wear scarfs for every occasion. I then put together the rest of the package; a compass so she 'can find her way home'; a notebook with a picture from my all time favourite painter, Pissarro; a pen to write in said notebook; some hydrating face cream for the plane and a L'Occitane, travel towelette.. Oh joyous now for the wrapping!!

 

Originally I had intended to place the items within the scarf, inside a box and wrap the box, but as I was searching for a box, I came across an old cannister which I had saved. I was instantly inspired and changed my plans; covering the box with some stunning French themed paper and stickers,  tying it up with a gorgeous red/white/blue twine aptly named 'airmail' and finishing it all off with some gorgeous miniature Eiffel Tower pendants, I had found several weeks ago - Voila!! Teamed with a french card and a very cute luggage tag.. I was off to farewell my friend..

How Do You Wrap An Elephant?

Welcome to my blog. I hope the first of many.. Inspired by a love of beautiful things; encouraged by a team of incredible friends and driven by a desire to share my passion with the world; I am embarking on a journey to share with you all the art of Wrapping an Elephant..

The first thing you may ask is why an elephant? My first response to that would be why not - however  as I don't actually condone the idea of giving an elephant as a gift and would prefer that instead, all elephants were left to go about their business unwrapped; I would have to say that the real reason lies more in the fact that I believe if you can conquer the art of wrapping an elephant, then you can wrap anything at all!

The truth is, I am no more an expert than the next man on how to wrap a beautiful gift. There is no degree in gift wrapping and I doubt it is in our genes but it is my passion and it is one I have spent many years nurturing, perfecting and practicing. It is a passion that eventually became a hobby and has resulted in me requiring an entire room in the house to store my supplies! It doesn't require great skill or intelligence but time, love and thought. There is no limit to the creativity and there is always room for new ideas.   

So please follow me on this journey and share in my love of beautiful things.. Be inspired to find amazing presents for those you love and to then wrap them in style.