The House of Vintner

The House of Vintner
Offering great specials!

Celebrating Women - Join the Forum

Celebrating Women - Join the Forum
Giving every woman a reason to celebrate who she is!

Melissa Creamer of Where to Start Websites

Melissa Creamer of Where to Start Websites
Affordable websites created professionally!

Heavenbound Gifts

Heavenbound Gifts
Personalised Gifts

Sunday, December 13, 2009

A special moment.... The House of Vintner celebrates!




This week Peter & Michelle Hayward of The House of Vintner are celebrating with their eldest daughter who was  awarded DUX of her school on December 8th, as well as receiving an Academic Award for excellence.  She was one of 7 School Leaders and House Captains in 2009, chosen out of over some 30 (plus) students who nominated for the role!  We, her parents, are so very proud of her and the celebrations continue!  Thank you for allowing us to share this very proud moment with you!

*Above is a picture of the stunning crystal trophy she received!

Michelle Hayward

Monday, November 30, 2009

OUR SITE IS CURRENTLY MOVING HOMES/SERVERS

Hi Everyone

Please be patient with us as we move our website "The House Of Vintner" http://www.thehouseofvintner.com.  It has not been hacked or otherwise tampered with, we are simply moving to new servers and you will notice some down time in relation to this!  Or in some cases - irregularities!

Everything is safe and above board - some things will work and some things won't ... we hope to have this rectified ASAP!  Please bare with us as we transition!

Michelle Hayward
Welcome to The Network Boutique






Melissa Creamer and Michelle Hayward are excited to bring you The Network Boutique, a fresh concept in networking, advertising and marketing for burgeoning your business. It is our aim to help you take your business to the next level.

The Network Boutique is a new concept offering many facets to operate your business from. This site will contain more than just a Forum, we will offer you a HOW TO Guide - where to start in business - with links to pertinent details you need to start your business or to make it more viable!

Articles will be made available in your package to inspire you, as well as articles delivering hot tips and hints about 'how to get your business started, or how to get it really happening!' What could be more vital?

The most exciting part of The Network Boutique venture, is that we are offering you the opportunity to be part of our very special innovative and unique Gift Registry - otherwise known as The Gift Network! This will help you to network more effectively and draw attention to your wares! You will be able to upload key pieces of your products, organise packages with other members (as either wholesale products) or as gift baskets/packages etc... customers can log in and utilise your services/wares for weddings, parties, baby showers, christenings or other special occasions ... or... just about anything really!

The Network Boutique is all about YOU! Working together in harmony and with the big project of working hand in hand with as many other businesses as possible, is our mission! We want you to take control of your business, harness your energy and inspiration and pour it into expressing yourself in as many dimensions as you wish within the Boutique and beyond, with all of your networking connections! Help to grow your business, and grow others! The parallel life-force of this experience is that it will gain you so much more exposure, on so many levels!

At The Network Boutique - Advertise on the front page on the front of one of our beautiful boutiques - show off your business name in style - and link back to your product. How exciting and helpful will this be to your Christmas promotions?

You will have the chance to work hand in hand with other members whose products compliment yours and on-sell them as packages. Get involved as a group and host an e-party where you offer a percentage off to your guests and make sales by being part of the connection (or network!). Do some fundraising too if you wish, and donate to your favourite charity/school/association!

How can you get the word out there!? We will be creating a flyer that you may distribute to attract attention to The Network Boutique, which will subsequentally draw people to you! Do a letterbox drop, leave it with your Daycare Centre or at your local maternity hospital! We need to help each other draw a crowd! One of our main aims is to reach those mums who have given up work, gone on maternity leave and who may thinking 'I really don't want to go back to the corporate world/ratrace...I want my own business!' We can ALL be mentors for those starting out! What a great way to begin - with a network of friends who are already doing it!

Melissa and I began this project to help you promote what you do! We want so much to inspire you to greater things and to give you a bigger platform to work from! We want you to harness that power within and excel! We want to see your business burgeon! So often we hear the questions "How can I market myself better, do I need a website, should I be GST registered, where do I begin..." The Network Boutique will aim to put and end to your questions! But please, if over the course of time we haven't answered your questions, email us with suggestions! We're always open to hearing how we can help YOU!!!!!!!!! That's exactly what we're here for!

We look forward to sharing this experience with you and helping you grow your business and soar!

See you in the Boutique,

Michelle Hayward & Melissa Creamer

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Red Heart Gifts ... for simply every occasion!




Website... www.redheartgifts.com.au  

This article was compiled by the very lovely Lynnelle Richardson
to promote Red Heart Gifts


Red Heart Gifts the first choice for gifts when you need a little help in the creativity department. Beautiful gourmet hampers delivered to your door and filled with delights to tantalise tastebuds. From gourmet chefs to golfers, coffee lovers to chocaholics - hampers are put together to suit your budget. Gift sets also available such as romantic weekends away in the mountains and city breaks are available in the Brisbane and Sunshine Coast areas and having personally stayed in the accommodation, Lynnelle has experienced the friendly service and enjoyed the locations before offering them to her clients. Pamper packages are also available however at the moment, these are only available in her local area of Kingaroy. It is envisaged that more service providers will come on line in the next few months giving greater choice for clients and expanding these services across the South East Queensland region.

So where did the idea come from? The concept came from personal experience when hubby continued to struggle to come up with gift ideas and always ran out of time to organise something as he worked out of town. Buying for yourself takes the surprise element out of the gift and after talking with other women who experience the same, Lynnelle identified that an opportunity existed to help men keep their women happy! Happy wife, happy life - or so they say! Opportunity also existed on a local level for gourmet hampers for all occasions, not just Christmas and Lynnelle is in the process of linking up with business operators to supply them with hampers as a thank you to clients all year round.
When do you need a Red Heart Gift Hamper (or pamper)....Mmm, the list is endless:

Birthday

Anniversary

New Baby

Corporate Gift

Get Well

Christmas

Mother's Day

Father's Day

Valentine's Day

Thank you

I love you



Any occasion is a good reason to give a hamper or pamper package!

The website allows customers to choose from a range of different hampers filled with indulgent treats and gifts or hampers can be made to budget. Ordering is by email or phone and Lynnelle will be in contact to arrange delivery and payment.

Our facebook site has the latest information on what is happening, new products, specials, etc so customers are kept up to date on the latest news and events.

Hampers can be sent Australia wide and using her creative flair, Lynnelle can trim any hamper in corporate colours or theme for a special occasion or event e.g. new baby.

With Christmas coming, we expect demand to be on the increase and are encouraging customers to pre-order their hampers so that they are guaranteed delivery prior to Christmas. One company has just ordered 20 plus hampers for Christmas as they saw our sample and loved them!

For Christmas, the hampers make a great choice for a valued client or staff as a way of saying thank you! Even those difficult gifts have been made easy for family and friends - a gourmet hamper filled with treats that they will love and remember.




 
Thank you Lynnelle for sharing this beautiful idea with The House of Vintner!

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Design Services join forces!






The House of Vintner is delighted to announce that we have joined forces with the delightful Melissa Creamer of Where to Start Websites, creating some beautiful design packages just for you!

Melissa designed our website and we were so impressed with her services that we are delighted to have the opportunity to work hand in hand with her in this way!

We will be offering joint design ideas as a complete package to get your business started, or to revamp it and grab you that attention you deserve!

What can we offer?  Where to Start Websites has your web hosting and your website design covered! The House of Vintner will be supplying the stunning banners and logos to complete the look, so that you can achieve your business package all in one place! 

Where to Start Websites has been endorsed by The House of Vintner.  We are proud to work with such a trusted business name!

Please see our Testimonials:


The House of Vintner
Where to Start Websites

Friday, November 6, 2009

CELEBRATING WOMEN in Business! - Press Release



Celebrating Women is a forum for ‘all women’, operational since May 2009. Created by the author of ‘FALLING’, writer and designer Michelle Hayward - this online connection evolved to give women a place to network and play. Over the course of the past 6 months, Michelle has successfully networked with many women, and formed some strong alliances and friendships with them. She is now helping many WAHM’s to cement their business in the corporate arena, while expanding her own business in partnership with her wonderful husband Peter Hayward, The House of Vintner – for all of your graphic design needs





Peter and Michelle are the designers of corporate branding, resort wear, gifts, souvenirs, home wares and promotional merchandising for your business. They specialise in logos, banners, flyers, brochures, book covers, digital designs and more. See their merchandising website for more details http://www.cafepress.com/HouseofVintner. Yes, they have two websites! Michelle markets her business successfully via Celebrating Women and has helped to forge clientele for herself and for her members through this medium.

If you’re looking for an online shopping experience that won’t break the bank, but also ensures using quality and the opportunity of dealing with trustworthy businesses, then look no further than the members of Celebrating Women.

Of course we’ve all started thinking about Christmas and what better place to start than shopping online to avoid the crowds? Just some of the businesses recommended by Celebrating Women are listed here, and of course they have many many more in the Forum just waiting to be discovered! Join them to find out more! But first, let me introduce you to the amazing line-up of hot property we have to offer.




Lisa Kavenagh of Overall Being offers a vast array of product! Lisa says of her business – “Overall Being is a personalised yet loving way of giving unique gifts to others to make a lasting and memorable moment. Owned and run by a mother of four darlings and Reiki Master.




Melissa Creamer of Where to Start Websites - Are affordable, chic and stylish! Are you considering starting your own business? Contemplating turning a hobby into a business? Where to Start Websites is the perfect place to turn your ideas into reality! – Web Design – Blogger Design – Facebook – Twitter.

*We are thrilled to say we commissioned Melissa Creamer to design our website for The House of Vintner, and she did an absolutely beautiful job!  We use and recomment her for everything now. She has just started offering Web Hosting packages!





Angela Bencivenga of Heavenbound Gifts – offers a very personalised service of gifts and stationery that can be tailored to your needs. Heavenbound Gifts are noted for their ability to personlise their items with all of your favourite pictures and themes. It's so simple! Just email them your chosen pictures and they design the item around it. The result is simply stunning personalised merchandise.*See their vast array of Diaries, Journals, Writing Sets, List Pads, Keyrings and more... Heavenbound Gifts has this month’s spotlight on business at Celebrating Women!






Caddie Noakes of MillaRuby Designs – talks children’s clothing and products! Millaruby provides clothing,toys and accessories that are stylish, unique and affordable. Most products are predominatly handmade by myself and other talented wahms. Currently have the new Baby Bella Maya Range on pre-order this range has sold out in america!






Joanne Debnam of The Toy Bug brings Educational and Fun Toys to You! Choose from Educational toys, traditional Wooden toys, soft Baby toys, fun Novelty toys and great Sensory toys. Find that something special that little ones will love playing and learning with at the same time. Free Gift Wrapping and 12 week Lay-By service.





Rebekah Cross of Purely Natural Living - specialises in making small batches of Natural Skin Care & Hand crafted Body Products. Our products are lovingly created using only the highest quality natural ingredients. For all your natural, chemical-free alternatives




Leigh Pendergast of Mum e Assistant provides products and services to women to help simplify their busy lives and get back some much needed "ME" time. Time for pampering, working out, lunch with friends, playing with your kids in the park, meditation and rejuvenation .......time for YOU and what YOU want. Products include; DYO meal planner, organisers, health & well-being journal and mumscards.



Heather Winchcomb of Gifts4Blokes - Find Christmas gifts for men the easy way - online at Gifts for Blokes. At Gifts for Blokes you'll find a range of products that are sure to suit even the most "hard-to-buy-for" man! There are many unique gifts that are ideal as birthday presents, Christmas gifts, Fathers Day gifts, corporate gifts or even bridal party gifts. So if you are looking for gifts for men, then forget the parking hassles... forget the busy shopping centres... and relax! Make yourself a cuppa... and browse the Gifts for Blokes online store. Gifts for Blokes makes shopping for mens presents easy.





Alison Gray from http://www.learn2bebuddies.com.au  – Talks about Bullying! Learn to be Buddies is a series of picture books being developed to help children aged between 3 and 8 years learn values and social skills in a fun and engaging way. Each book will come with activity plans, games, songs and listening activities. Information for parents and teachers on behaviour management and inclusive education are also availabe. Dave is Brave is the first book in the series and deals with the issue of bullying. http://www.learn2bebuddies.blogspot.com




Jodie Maher from Kids Learning is Fun! Your child’s learning is important, and as a parent/carer, you want to help provide the best for your child in education. But are you equipped to support your kids? KidsLearningisfun provides information, tips, strategies, resources, and workshops to help give you the confidence to help your children.



Ruth Amos of Amosquito Designs - "Specialist design, including custom built websites, logo design and all of your printing needs, Amosquito Designs can cater for everyone with affordable services and exceptional client care. Design, cartooning and illustration, animation and programming, we can do it all!! Free first consultation." Amosquito Designs, "Designs with more than a little BYTE"!!





Anita Moy of Forget Me Not Impressions - Forget-Me-Not Impressions are commissioned artists, taking impressions of babies, children, couples, families, pets and the more artistic (intertwined). Impressions are Professionally framed by our in house Framer and is guaranteed against faulty workmanship, mould and mildew. Our service includes us coming out to you and delivering as well (In South East Queensland) long distance packages are available for those not in our area (great for those in remote areas who just don't have access to services like this). Please contact us at sales@fmni.com.au or 0407 196 231 or (07) 5443 1352 for an appointment. As we are mobile the phones may not always be manned but please leave your name and number and we will call you back no later than the following business day.


A word from Michelle Hayward:
These are just some of the businesses that Celebrating Women recommends and trusts. Many of these businesses have been given a Business Endorsement by our businesses ‘The House of Vintner’ and ‘Celebrating Women’ because we believe in them and want to help forge their names in the marketplace! We take our Business Endorsements very seriously and feedback about the businesses we endorse is welcomed. See on site or our blog for more details.


Now launching at
The House of Vintner




~ makes a great Christmas present ~
~ or business promotion ~

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Sunset over the Hunter Valley - October 2009







I took these stunning photographs on our recent trip
to the Hunter Valley!
Taken at Windsor's Edge as the sun set on October 21st,
the sky was on alight with colour -
one of the most beautiful sunsets
I have ever seen!

These will soon be available
in postcards!

... as will these below

*(these are just a small selection of what I will have available)


































Photography by
- Michelle Hayward
The House of Vintner


Hunter Valley Heaven!


 As some of you may know, we have just returned from 3 beautiful days in the Hunter Valley this month!
Our stay was courtesy of our very gracious
and beautiful host Raylee Keleher of
(pictures of the Esate are above and below)
We were so lucky to win an online competition
held by Adrian Buckley of



Thank you to both of you
for the beautiful memories we were able to create
spending some time with my inlaws in the Valley again!
This was our 4th visit in 13 months!

Below are some shots of the Willowtree Estate,
our stay in the gorgeous Summerhouse!
What a treat!






 





Now Peter and Michelle of The House of Vintner 
are thrilled to advise

that we have been given a complimentary
night on the Tuscany Wine Estate as a thank you!
We were so surprised and excited
to receive this wonderful gift! 
Thank you!
 


Winners Deluxe Accommodation

Hunter Regional Tourism Awards



During our last visit this month
I happened to snap some beautiful shots
when we ate at The Mill Restaurant
part of the beautiful Tuscany Estate.
We have eaten at the Mill twice now
on two separate visits to The Hunter Valley
and it has fast become one of our favourites.
We highly recommend it for decadent food
and amazing service!

Below
The Mill Restaurant by day...
 and by dusk...

pictures from inside and outside of the restaurant
as well as views of the vineyard and Brokenback Range
across the road.
It is my favourite view!









Sunday, October 25, 2009

THE HOUSE OF VINTNER - Corporate Postcards, Logos,Ebook Covers & More!








Graphic Designer, Peter Hayward of The House of Vintner, has been asked to create logos, postcards, vouchers, flyers and  brochures for some wonderful businesses.  Above is a small selection of some he has created for our happy clients.

You can read the Testimonials from our clients on this blog.

Are you thinking of celebrating a very Corporate Christmas this year, or even just a funky one!?  Why not have some postcards designed that send Christmas wishes to your customers and friends! 

Christmas designs can incorporate your logo and any special words you would like to add.  Contact us for design information.