Time to start sewing!

Larger than life Mumma & Baby Bushkas at Life in Style

Well – I lived to tell the tale……there’s nothing quite like selling the fruits of your labour to keep you honest – that much is for sure! Thank goodness for Mum (aren’t Mum’s the best) who was there along the way to help me through and will be my saving grace when it comes to helping me sew all the orders I have received for the Mumma & Baby Bushkas – far out is all I can say!

So – by now I’m sure you have guessed that my back to back markets and my first foray into the wholesale trade fair world was a huge success and I have navigated my way through pretty well considering the many things I was juggling all at once.

Thanks to all my lovely customers and to the new retailers who have chosen to stock my work and who are happy to wait just a little bit for me to get all the orders together…..at least everyone will have their goodies well before Christmas! CHRISTMAS! Who’s already started talking about Christmas! Oh dear!

My display at First in Style at Life in Style - Melbourne 2010

Anyway – all this talk about what I have to make before Christmas makes me think about my crazy studio – which is supposed to be all located in a quite sizeable space out the back of our house….but no….my penchant for collecting and my ridiculous accumulation of fabrics and craft materials a girl could ever hope for (I could open a shop I think) – means that my studio and its lovely contents has spilled somewhat into our house too and now our dining room plays host as a second studio.

So…all this talk of studios and materials and lack of space and overwhelming orders is actually bringing me too what I essentially am trying to tell you about……I am having a SALE! It’s that time of year and I have decided that a studio spring clean is in order! So – if you want to pick yourself up a bargain – then pop down to visit me at my annual sale on Saturday 11 September at the Maribyrnong Makers Market.

I will have a number of discontinued products, seconds and samples all at rock bottom sale prices and quite a number of bargains to be had! I look forward to seeing you there!

Nesting Baby Bushkas at Magnolia Square

Bushka hairclips, Vintage Golden Gift tags and ceramic rainbow beads

Mumma & Baby Bushkas - hanging out at Magnolia Square

Craft Hatch Market at Federation Square

To market...to market...

The chance to be creative and to work at home doing what I love is very rewarding. There are days when I wouldn’t have it any other way. There are also days when I feel like a factory piece worker – standing or sitting in the one spot for hours at a time – doing the most repetitive of activities. Yes – what I do and make – does end up being special, one off and unique….but the fact that I have to make 200 of a particular thing – which are all special, one off and unique – can be somewhat exhausting, if you know what I mean.

And why am I in a making frenzy do you ask? Well…that is because I am gearing up for a couple of weeks of back to back markets and my first ever foray into wholesale trade shows…..

I absolutely LOVE craft markets. I love having stalls at them and meeting all the lovely people who buy my work, those who stop for a chat about what I make and then tell me about what they make and the amazingly creative stallholders who I meet through running the Maribyrnong Makers Market and being a stallholder at various markets around Melbourne.

One very special market that I love – is Magnolia Square which will be the first cab off the rank for me on Thurs 5 to Sat 7 August at the Malvern Town Hall. Having been a retailer at Magnolia Square for the last 3 years and I would have to say – without a doubt that it always has the most beautifully presented stalls and products of any market I go to – an absolute must to visit! Hats off to founder Nic MacIsaac for dreaming up and running such a fabulous event.

Then on Sunday 8 August (no rest for the wicked they say….) – I have been invited by Craft Victoria to participate in their very special pop up Craft Hatch market which will be held in the Atrium at Federation Square in Melbourne. I am really looking forward to this as there are some super talented fellow stallholders I am keen to meet – in particular Handmade Romance and The Craft Revival and also to catch up with the lovely Andrea from Odds & Ends Handmade (I have one of her gorgeous knitted cactus on my kitchen window sill) and Susan from Spin Spin to name a few.

Then on Monday – I bump in for Life in Style (which runs from Tues 10 to Fri 13 August). LIS is a wholesale trade fair just for retailers – who come from all over Australia to source the best mix of beautiful designer brands sourced from a diverse range of companies featuring homewares, giftware, lifestyle and kids products. Bring it on I say!

So – wish me well…visit me if you like and if you’re wondering where I’ll be on Sat 14 August – I’ll be putting my feet up for a day, on the couch, with my very supportive husband and very patient children (well most of the time) for a good family movie and some well earned r&r. X 

Pocky

I LOVE Pocky. When I went to Japan – I was in Pocky heaven. They even have Pocky vending machines. I am always on the lookout for Almond Pocky which is my favourite and occasionally when I can find it my husband Sam gets a box of Men’s Pocky all to himself. Lucky duck.

Pocky was first sold in 1966, and consists of a biscuit stick coated with chocolate. It was named after the Japanese onomatopoetic word for the sound Pocky makes when bitten, pokkin (ポッキン). The original was followed by Almond Pocky in 1971 and Strawberry Pocky in 1977.

When I was coming home from Japan – flying out of Narita Airport - I spotted a large box of Giant Chocolate Pocky – which absolutely without a doubt – had to come home with me….even though I’d already almost got into fisty cuffs with the airline people about how much excess luggage I had and how much they were going to charge me (but that’s another story!).  And of course I still have the box – proudly on display in the kitchen - although the contents have long gone!

A related product I LOVE too is Pretz (I particularly LOVE Shrimp Pretz – but have only had this in Japan – can’t seem to find it here…..it goes very well with a nice cold Asahi – which is another fav of mine). Pretz is an unglazed version of Pocky, with flavors like tomato, pizza, and salad, as well as sweet flavors such as French toast.

If you are also a Pocky lover – you can do this silly little test which will determine what flavour Pocky you are……

What flavour Pocky are you?

http://sugardew.com/bloggalicious/quizzies/pocky/pockyquiz.htm

it appears that I am……

Pegs

Most of you may not know that I started and have a lot to do with running the Maribyrnong Makers Market. For months now I have been working on a special one-off Youth Makers Market event which will showcase the crafty talents of stallholders 25 years and under. And what an amazing array of talent we have lined up!

By default my 5 year old daughter Kitty – under my guidance of course – will be having her first foray into having a stall herself. She will be our ‘youngest’ and might I add cutest stallholder (who said I wasn’t biased!) Anyway – over the school holidays – she and I have been very busy working on the different things that she would like to sell. One of which is a super cute peg doll kit.

We had a few craft sessions together first to make the sample peg dolls shown in the photo and then from there she worked out what she wanted to put in the kit. The mini ric-rac scarf was a big hit – so there will definitely be some of that, a lovely piece of fabric from my stash for the dress and various buttons, ribbon rosettes, rainbow wool, embroidery thread, paper flowers and perhaps some angel type wings will all go into making the sweetest peg dolly kit ever.

Kitty certainly is a product of her environment and has been so productive that she will have quite a few of these charming little peg doll kits for sale – and at $4 each, I am sure they will be a big hit!

So if you are free next Saturday – make sure to bring the kids and come down to the Footscray Community Arts Centre for a bit of crafty goodness and to support all the wonderfully talented stallholders on show. It should make for a fabulous outing – I can’t wait!

2010 Scarf Festival

Well the secret is out…..last night I went to the National Wool Museum in Geelong to the launch of the 2010 Scarf Festival. Now in its 4th year this year's theme is 'transformations', which embodies the notion that all materials (plant, animal or synthetic), raw and/or existing, can be changed in form, appearance, nature or character to produce a new object - in this instance, a scarf.

I have been involved from the beginning in that each year I always make a ‘special’ scarf (or 2 or 3) that I enter just to keep my creative juices flowing – for of course when I make these special one off scarves they invariably take quite a long time to design and piece together and are not something I could viably make on a repetitive basis.

This year for the first time – I won a prize. Best 100% wool scarf. Entitled ‘Circles’ my work is inspired by the colours of the reclaimed materials found in my travels. Circles is about the journey that these materials take before they are upcycled into a new garment. Red represents my creative life; the tonal shades of red from the different jumpers used, remind me how day by day my desires to create are supported by the circle of my craft community....my circle of life.

Paper Dolls

  I have always LOVED paper dolls. When I was little I remember cutting them out and folding the tabs just right – so I could change the outfits over and they wouldn’t fall off. I was never really a doll person (that was more my sisters love – she was right into Barbie there for a while – but I really just liked the plastic wardrobe with the little drawers, a mirror and the tiny coat hangers).

I have a few paper doll books now that I have collected over the years. I have done one or two with Kitty – but most of them I feel like they are too ‘good’ to cut (isn’t that funny….) and so we just get them out every now and then and look at the pictures.

Apparently paper dolls have been around as long as there has been paper. Faces or other objects were applied to the paper and they were used during religious rituals and ceremonies in Asian cultures many centuries ago.

In Europe, particularly France, the first paper dolls were made during the mid 1700s. The paper was jointed and they were called pantins meaning dancing or jumping jack puppet. They were intended to entertain adults and spread throughout high society. They were drawn or painted like people with fashions for each doll. These were more similar to contemporary Western paper dolls.

When I was looking for various paper doll images to go with this entry I found the most fantastic website of Betsy McCall paper dolls from 1951 to 1961 all scanned from the originals and ready for you to download, cut and play. How fantastic! I got totally engrossed in looking through all the different ones – they are just so gorgeous and I really loved them all. Next time you have a spare afternoon on a wet and rainy – indoor activity kind of day – I can highly recommend a visit with Betsy McCall – she’ll keep you entertained for hours!

Outré Gallery

I worked in the city for years – Melbourne City that is, and part of my average week (the part I particularly enjoyed) was to pay a visit to various shops, cafes and galleries that I liked during my lunch break.

I am always interested in what is new, different and cutting edge. Not necessarily to buy mind you – but I always love to ‘have a look’. I think this is how the mind of artist, designer type people work….visually we take it all in and then eventually we settle on something and out comes our idea – pop! Anyway I digress……

It must be at least 10 years ago now – when on Elizabeth Street in the city – amongst a variety of pretty well non-descript shops – Outré Gallery (pronounced ‘oo-trey’) opened its doors. French for out of the ordinary and unusual – Outré Gallery was an instant success in that it bought ‘fun’ to art and specialized in showcasing contemporary international pop, lowbrow, pop surrealism, street, tiki, modern folk, retro with a twist and underground art. They dig art that crosses over with design, pop and counter culture. Gotta love that – I certainly do!

Over the years I have had a number of very special gifts given to me from Outré – my favourite is a signed and numbered limited edition framed print called Hexagram by Andrew Brandou. Our wedding gift to each other - my husband Sam and I used the image as the basis for our Winter solstice wedding – featuring elements of it on our invitations, place settings and thank you cards. Andrew Brandou says of the piece - ‘I try to use something like the hexagram pretty specifically, as not to violate anyone’s sensibilities, while at the same time tweaking it to fit the theme of the work. In the painting “hexagram” for instance, the animals carry the symbols of the tarot, march under the evergreen, and have laid the hexagram to symbolically represent themselves reclaiming their space in nature, acting as agents of change.’

Next up would have to be the King and Queen Salt and Pepper shakers given to me by Sam for Christmas. Designed and made by Gus McLaren. Gus and Betty McLaren together made a legendary body of work which represented the mid-century folk warmth of Australia in the 50s and 60s.  In the wake of Gus's passing last year, Betty continued to produce these classic pieces of Australian pottery from the original molds. Lucky me!

And last but certainly not least is the Tree Show Micro-Portfolio by Mark Ryden which is the most gorgeous set of 15 postcards of paintings from The Tree Show.


Just some of my favourite things……..keep up the good work Outré!

Op Shops

My idea of heaven is to have a WHOLE day fossicking around in lots of different op shops. I started op shopping in my early teens – it was a good way to make my pocket money go further and I quite liked wearing floral vintage dresses and had my own unique style happening (as teenagers are want to do) – so op shopping was full of wonderful opportunities to find cool stuff to wear that no one else had.

As I got older I rummaged around in op shops collecting all kinds of things to fill my house. Especially of course when I moved out of home and had my own house to decorate. I’ve always been attracted to domestic objects from between the 1930’s and the 1960’s – so those particular kind of vintage treasures over the years have caught my eye and my dollar. The ebbs and flows of my collections have covered items such as green glass, anodized aluminum, soda siphons (of which I have about 50 tucked away in boxes in the shed!), made in Japan ceramics (of which you have seen a few in the last post), jugs, teaspoons, mixing bowls, glasses, marbles, Chinese patterned ginger jars, glass jelly moulds, biscuit and chocolate tins, golden books, fisher price toys from my childhood, Enid Blyton Books (to add to the collection I have had since I was a kid) and of course the list goes on and on!

Funnily enough – when the right time finally came along for me to branch out and be in business for myself – I made sure that op shopping was something that had to be done in the name of ‘work’. And true to my ‘work’ I get to go to ‘work’ sourcing material for my creations every second day or so. If we are driving along in the car on an outing – I am constantly on the lookout for places to stop and do some work (I confess I am a workaholic) and I especially love the discovery of a new op shop I haven’t been to – oh the thrill of undiscovered gems!

The photos for this post are just a tiny few of my favourite finds from over the years – the ones that were closest on hand!

1950’s kitchenalia

I have collected things ever since I was a little girl. Some would call me a hoarder and say that my house was full of clutter although I prefer to see myself as a bower-bird and the treasures I find in my travels feather my nest, so to speak. I am not exactly sure of why I collect the things I do. My Great Grandmother Dorothy Kelly does have a small part to play - as her kitchen and her china cabinet remain forever burned in my memory. Sometimes I start a collection almost by default – like my more recent vintage apron collection which came about because of my souvenir tea towel collection…..anyway I’m not going to write much today about my 1950’s kitchenalia collection I thought instead I would show you a few photos of things from my kitchen which will give you an idea of the kinds of things that make my heart sing!

1950's domestic illustrations

I love coming across old magazines from the 1950’s and 60’s at the op shop – I always love flicking through the yellowing pages to find the illustrative gems that at the time were oh so modern and new! With headings like – Automagically - the gift every woman wants – for a new washing machine to Bottling Fruit in the Lounge? Who would have thought!

The vintage style of the illustrations and the gorgeous colours really appeal to me – I suppose the ads and magazines in general are just an extension of the things I LOVE to collect. My kitchen (whilst overflowing with collected treasures) is an ode to the time when kitchen dressers with bakelite handles were standard fare, laminex and chrome kitchen tables with two tone matching vinyl chairs, quirky ceramic cookie jars and vases in bright colours, all made in japan, tea pots and tea cups made in England and a piece or two of Diana ware – preferably jugs with white polka dots, lovely rustic kitchen scales and well – I could go on and on. One day I’ll post some photos so you can all see for yourself!

Still, I must say that even though I love to look and reminisce about a vintage life when things seemed somewhat simpler and more wholesome – I wouldn’t trade for the world all the lovely modern toys I get to play with – like my fancy pants finger operated sewing machine – my front loading washing machine (how on earth would I felt all my woollen jumpers like I do – if I didn’t have that baby), the computer which connects me and my business to the world and dare I say it – the rather large television which is fabulous for watching movies on – when I am just too tired to sew one more stitch.

I must admit though – the concept of bottling fruit in the lounge is still somewhat a-peeling. And dare I say – still quite novel. What a marvelous idea! Especially when you have no room in your kitchen……

My husband - Sam

We met when I was 15 – he was 16. Thinking back – I would say it was definitely mutual admiration at first site. Our journeys would take us down many paths – with other relationships and other life lessons to learn. We always knew each other through mutual friends and siblings – our initial friendship and fondness remained, although we weren’t the kind of friends who would catch up independently. I think this is because I pretty well always had a boyfriend!

We met up again at a birthday party when I was in my mid 20’s. We were a little shy of each other – a few years and water under the bridge had flowed and we were both older and wiser for our journeys. Before I left – Sam had the courage to ask if I was single – and as luck has it, I was! Well the rest is history now. We have been together for about 8 years and married for 5.

It’s funny when I look back over the last 20 years since we met. I think if we had got together earlier – our relationship wouldn’t have lasted the distance but because of the life experiences we lived - when the time was finally right – we were both ready. Sam is my very best friend and my darling sweetheart – loved to the moon and back.

Here’s to a long lived and much loved life together. He makes my heart sing everyday and loves me like no other. How blessed am I.

My Children - Kitty & Milo

Today is a great day. Today, I get to sing the praises of my children. I get to celebrate how much I adore them. I get to rejoice in the fact that I have been blessed with being a mother. Not once but twice. The pigeon pair.

There are moments in my life when I reminisce on what life was like pre-children. Usually it is when I am up to my eye balls in the fifty million things that I am trying to do all at once and attend to my children. Lucky for me multi-tasking is a skill that I have taken to quite well and so my dear children still get big chunks of Mummy – amongst it all.

My darling daughter Kitty – I feel so blessed that you have come to play with me in this lifetime. Your vivaciousness, zest for life and enthusiasm – brighten my day. You make me laugh with your silly songs and dances; you inspire me with your creativity and impress me with your kind and caring nature.

My gorgeous Milo – What a delight you are. Thank you for joining me on this journey. What fun we are having together. You are such a happy and loving little boy. Our family is all the more blessed since you came to play. Your lovely little kisses and cuddles make my day and I look forward to seeing you grow and develop over the years to come.

Sometime in my twenties, I came across a book written in 1923 called ‘The Prophet’ by Kahil Gibran. A series of philosophical essays written in English prose it resonated with me so deeply that elements of it have embedded themselves in my psyche. The chapter on children in particular;

Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.
You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them,
but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.
You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite, and He bends you with His might that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let your bending in the archer's hand be for gladness; For even as He loves the arrow that flies, so He loves also the bow that is stable.

Kitty and Milo you are loved. Thank you for making my heart sing.