Little Castle Artisans

Little Castle Artisans Artisanal Wood & Leatherwork, Books & Greeting Cards
Local - Ethical - Sustainable
Made in Australia

meet Rattenstein. we...don't get bored. ?
13/06/2026

meet Rattenstein. we...don't get bored.

?

"I've sold Data Centers* to Brockway, Ogdenville, and North Haverbrook!"Insert your gullible/compromised Council or regi...
05/06/2026

"I've sold Data Centers* to Brockway, Ogdenville, and North Haverbrook!"

Insert your gullible/compromised Council or region here.

some of this week's treenware for . Really diggin' how the paperbark (top-left) and figured mango (top-right) turned ou...
29/05/2026

some of this week's treenware for . Really diggin' how the paperbark (top-left) and figured mango (top-right) turned out. har har. Also adding more ceramic jars w new hats, and more fly-b-gone cup lids. I need a snappier name for those methinks. But they work, which is the important part. Also they make ones mug look like a mushroom, so that is also v important.

Wallet I made for my dad, oof, 16+yrs ago? Roo leather from Packers (remember when that was whoopwhoop ?) and still use...
29/05/2026

Wallet I made for my dad, oof, 16+yrs ago? Roo leather from Packers (remember when that was whoopwhoop ?) and still used recycled zippers at that stage. Have since learned that recycling some materials risks a weakness in the new item. Like when I started off by experimenting with dry, old 80s style jackets (the kind that never, ever, ever came back in fashion, thank dog). That was a hard lesson.

Aaaaanyway, nice to come across old pieces going strong :)

Undercutting your peers?Are you trading your wares because you respect the craft, or for attention and validation? If yo...
27/05/2026

Undercutting your peers?

Are you trading your wares because you respect the craft, or for attention and validation?

If you respect the skill, best not to undercut peers and craftspeople by underselling your work. It may be a privilidged, middle-class hobby for some, but it's a working income for those without that luxury. And if you reduce its value now, it'll never be a fairly remunerated income later; not for you, nor anyone else. You're not a sweatshop, right? Why act like one?

Instead, reduce your fee by increments (say 25% or so if starting off), but don't fall for the insecurity trap of doing cheap work because you don't value yourself. It won't gain anyone's respect, it encourages a culture of opportunism (cheap@$$ clients don't pay more later), and reduces the value of the skill overall in the eyes of the world.

I can almost feel the cries of "but it's just my hobby!" By definition, a hobby doesn't earn money, no matter how low you value it. If it makes $$, it's a business; you're just sweatshopping yourself.

Worried people won't buy a $100+ craft piece? They do. Instead of selling five rough, generic pieces for $20, sell a more idiosyncratic piece for $100+. You'll feel better for it, and so will your peers. And you'll be able to afford to improve quality and self worth over time. Quality over quantity and all that. The world doesn't need more slop.

Let the rage comments begin. Contact me by dm if it's important; I try to keep my screen time to a minimum.

we are now mandarin wizards. i am not allowed to eat them all at once as ive been informed pooping pure citrus is unplea...
25/05/2026

we are now mandarin wizards. i am not allowed to eat them all at once as ive been informed pooping pure citrus is unpleasant (though maybe doesn't smell as bad?).

freshly forged leafy hairpins for tmrw, made local by urs trly from recycled aus steel offcuts, and akneeled with bees...
16/05/2026

freshly forged leafy hairpins for tmrw, made local by urs trly from recycled aus steel offcuts, and akneeled with beeswax :)

Celtic festival road trip photo dump! Glen Innes is beautiful, ditto Tenterfield and Inverell. The buildings, the people...
14/05/2026

Celtic festival road trip photo dump! Glen Innes is beautiful, ditto Tenterfield and Inverell. The buildings, the people, the buildings. We're booking more festivals that way if only to justify more working hols :) Asterix hated the outfit until the kids liked it; also it bought him access into an antique store so that was an experience. Tail wag near the carnival glass shelf is not an image one shakes off quickky.
We did a little urban archaeology, and scrounged up two haunted plates. Do ghosts like dishwashers? Scooby dooby scrub scrub. What else? Oh yeah, found Joyce's and Littleproud's lairs. Former is next to a pathology clinic. Coincidence? Dunno...
Shaun the Bold Northman and Bane of Coffee Cups came down to help in our shenanigans. Much innocent beverage was spilled, but worth it. Also the red beard didnt hurt out celtic cred none. We prob spent as much as we earned from our stall on local food, makers, restaurants and cooky little shops on our trip, because you either support vsmall biz, or lose em'. We are v good at van tetris. Claude the damned van bore it like a champ. New tyres pre-trip was wise, esp since we dodged roos, bunnies, boars, deer, and (most) of various swarms of suicidal Hitchcock birds. Twas never dull. oh boy no. Bullbar for next trip i reckon. Or possibly a tank. And a butt cushion for those rustic roads mhm.
Anyway, if Asterix sees another bagpipe he might bolt (highland instruments not ideal as neighbours for two days), but next year's festival has an irish focus, so the jokes should be thick and self deprecating. huzzah!

This week Asterix the Dog is Asterix the Gaul for the at glen innes! :> So no this wknd. Back Sunday next though.Yeah,...
28/04/2026

This week Asterix the Dog is Asterix the Gaul for the at glen innes! :> So no this wknd. Back Sunday next though.

Yeah, Asterix's...uh, not the most helpful of seamstress models, so you get a quick toon. At least until we can keep him still long enough for a good pic ;)

Bonus pics of Nick from the , amidst canine negotiations. Spoiler: He threw the "stick".

anyone in moreton bay/brissie want to adopt an adorkable god of mischief?This is Loki, a 1yr-old kelpie my friends are f...
17/04/2026

anyone in moreton bay/brissie want to adopt an adorkable god of mischief?

This is Loki, a 1yr-old kelpie my friends are fostering. He is frikkin' adorable, and needs a permanent home. He'd suit someone seeking an indoor and outdoor companion, and walking buddy. Loki just wants company, lights up around people, and is hella fun to play with (I can personally vouch this). Foster parents have taught him to sit, and wait, and he'd sponge up as much training as one can give him. He's a jumper, though young enough to have this trained out (we've done so with our own kelpie-mix rescue).

Super friendly, with a really nice temperment, and only minimal mischief. Also recently desexed, so no chance of Ragnarok pups. phew.

I think adoption papers are about $700au, and is chipped etc., pretty standard fee these days (if you can't afford it, then you'll likely struggle with vet bills, good food, etc.)

go below for more deets.
pawsbrisbane.com.au

Address

Deception Bay, QLD
4508

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