Craft Gossip

Independent craft blog since 2007

People’s Choice wine to star at the Emporium Hotel’s Cocktail Bar

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Emporium Hotel

Emporium Hotel is a chick luxury hotel in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane. It is in the same precinct where the Channel 7 reality series, Conviction Kitchen was filmed.

On Wednesday 29th June, a special one off event will take place at this hotel where its Wine Sommelier Robert Lavelle will guide guests through a blind tasting of twelve carefully selected Premium drops, resulting in a people’s choice taking pride of place on the Cocktail Bar’s wine list.

How it will work: four stations will be arranged around the grand onyx bar, each featuring a different varietal – Pinot Gris, Semillon Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon. Each guest will vote for their favourite wine from each station. The wine with the most votes will then be added onto the new Emporium Hotel Cocktail Bar menu.

Delicious tapas will keep the hunger at bay as the “honourary sommeliers” work their way through the selection.

Emporium Hotel’s Wine Tasting Event

Date: Wednesday 29th June, 2011

Time: 5.30pm – 7.30pm

Where: Emporium Hotel Cocktail Bar

Price: $45 per person – Very limited places available

Includes: Wine tasting, tapas and lucky door prize

RSVP: Lilian Hare at [email protected] or (07) 3253 6999

Have you read?

Etsy Feature – Pottery Travel Mug Template Set (3 Pieces)

There’s something so satisfying about a handmade travel mug. It’s practical, stylish, and makes your daily coffee or tea ritual feel that little bit more special. With this set of 3 pottery travel mug templates, you can create your own ceramic mugs that not only look professional but also make thoughtful, personal gifts.

What’s Included

This set comes with three different templates for slab-building your own travel mugs. Each template has slightly different proportions, giving you variety in size and style. That way you can experiment until you find the perfect fit for your hand—or make a matching set for family and friends.

Why These Templates Are Worth It

  • Reusable & Reliable: Print and trace them as many times as you want.

  • Practical Design: The angled opening and lid slot make them comfortable and functional.

  • Perfect for Beginners: Templates take the guesswork out of hand-building.

  • Gift-Worthy: A handmade travel mug is a unique, eco-friendly present that anyone would appreciate.

Inspiration for Makers

  • Try a speckled clay body with a matte glaze for a modern, minimalist vibe.

  • Add underglaze designs or decals for a personalized look.

  • Make a full set of mugs in coordinating colors—perfect for a couple or family gift.

  • Pair your finished mugs with a bag of specialty coffee or tea for a beautiful handmade gift set.

Why You’ll Love It

Handmade pottery mugs have a warmth and character that no store-bought cup can compete with. Using these templates makes the process approachable, while still leaving plenty of room for your creativity to shine. And honestly? Everyone I know could use a good travel mug—so why not make one that feels personal and one-of-a-kind?

You can grab the set here: Travel Mugs Set Templates (3 Pieces) on Etsy.

This post is part of my Etsy Feature series, where I share clay tools and templates that make creating both functional and decorative pottery easier and more fun. And if you’re looking for a project that balances everyday use with handmade charm, these travel mugs might be your next go-to.