Cash Palace Emporium in Leichhardt is closing down, and everything is 50% off the marked price. If you’re a lover of ethnic and vintage textiles, I highly recommend that you race over there as fast as you can. The small store is packed full of treasures, carefully selected by legendary owner, Elaine Townshend.
You might recall that I bought my kantha quilt coat there last year. It’s made from a vintage Indian quilt, which in turn had been handstitched from reclaimed saree fabric. It’s the ultimate in upcycling and I wore it constantly last winter…
There is a wide selection of clothing and semi-precious jewellery on offer…
One-off carpet bags, each constructed from hand quilted fabric…
I bought a vintage 1920’s formal kimono in stunning condition and turned it into a jacket and shawl…
In the back room there are fabrics, cushion covers, bedspreads, quilts, wall-hangings, shawls and more. I may have lost my head a little over these Japanese prints…
I’ve been sewing furoshiki cloths…
…and practising tying them. It’s an indulgent but joyous way to use up scrap vintage kimono silk…
I’ve had a run on juggling balls, so I’ve been sewing squillions more. I adore my friends – they’re always enthusiastic about anything I throw at them (no pun intended)…
Here’s my own personal set – fat origami cherubs made with scrap salvaged from a vintage child’s silk kimono…
. . . . .
Cash Palace will be open for another eight weeks, so if you’re in the area, do pop in and go treasure hunting. It’s a true family affair – Elaine’s son Luke and daughter Fleur are running the shop while she’s in India, and her granddaughters are often there helping out as well. Say hi for me if you pop in, I’ve been haunting the place!
Cash Palace Emporium
139 Catherine St
Leichhardt NSW
(02) 9569 5977
Fig Jam and Lime Cordial 
Oh my gosh! I want it all. What a treasure trove. Maz. <3
I’ll be popular with some of my Inner West friends who may not know! Thanks: lovely!! Hope life is treating you fairly . . .
I love your chubby cherubs. The shop looks like an Aladdin’s cave.
Just as well i cant get i would be spending so much it looks fabulous elizabeth
Wish I were closer. Nothing like Cash Palace here.
Wish I was closer. Such lovely fabrics!
The fabrics, colours… so lovely. Your creations are wonderful ♡
You are amazing – I just see tonnes of fabric I haven’t got a clue about and you make it into something useful. Juggling balls is supposed to be good for improving your reactions and brain power isn’t it?
I think the same thing about you and balls of wool! 😘 Yes, juggling is supposed to help delay dementia and all sorts of things like that.
Always such treasures to look at, thank you for sharing, Celia
So many miles away but loving every single thing. Truly treasures!.
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Ha I bet you will end up with half of that shop celia!!
let’s not make bets like that, hon.. ;-)
What a shop full of treasures and I love that they (and you) make new things from those treasures. I love your jackets.
What a fabulous shop…very jealous!
Oh Celia, what a wonderful shop… and that Kimono! Stunning! xx