A New One's Just Begun

The Aquarium, Next to Boat Harbour, Near Denmark WA. This is where I was December 30th while Dan dived for abalone which we ate for dinner in the traditional way that night and my way last night. My way, in ravioli with a butter and sundried tomato sauce, was way better.

So here we go again. I always find the New Year exciting, a whole year ahead full of possibilities, the end of the year looking back always seems to be littered with good intentions and semi-finished or unstarted stuff. So it is good to start again all fresh. What would I like for this year, mmmmm, the same as usual, more art, more travel, more good food.an't ask for more than that.
Hope you all have a good one too. Oh and don't make it too hard on yourselves with resolutions, after all you've got a whole year. Oh and the next one if you need it. It's all good.

Echidnas

There is a great video of Echidnas here . They are just so durned cute!!!

Well, our sojourn in Albany is done, Dan is doing his last day of work today and then a whole 2 days break before we have to drive up to Perth for Xmas. I had thought that a month into our trip home we would be all relaxed by now, but as usual if it isn't one thing it's another.

But we do get highlights, like the delicious duck egg pasta I made the other night for dinner. My favourite. I just don't make fresh pasta with chicken eggs anymore as it is just not the same.Duck egg pasta is just so bouncy. Mind you I am not sure if that is the same for all duck eggs as we have muscovies which are not technically ducks, not even remotely related.

I have started some stuff in the studio, there is a dyepot happening  (of course) and I have been working on my collection of paper mache bowls, 18 of them have had an external coating of traditional gesso, several layers in fact and now I will begin to decorate them I might even take some and add them to my market stall and if a miracle occurs they may even make it to the Etsy shop coz that surely needs an update. But I do need to get my hands on a heap more beeswax. I have some coming to the next Demark Market but that is not till January 8th which seems along time to wait.

At least I have purchased all the xmas presents I am going to and they are wrapped (in recycled paper) under our titchy xmas tree.

Hope you all have a good one and I will see you on the other side.

Home sweet home

Alright already, I know I should have posted before now. There maybe, well one or two of you eager to get all the home news. Of where I am not at the moment , but more of that later.

I have started working in my home studio.

 Planted seedlings, lettuce, cherry tomatoes, parsley, basil, broccilini, zucchini

 Got some birds to come for a holiday.

 Started nurturing the asparagus shoots ( until someone did some whipper snipping for me and well lets just say they may not survive)

 Brewed beer

 Had home made pizza

Had a chat with the neighbours, you'll have to zoom for this one.

And stopped to smell the roses.

But now we are in Albany living temporarily in the Caravan Park at Emu Point as Dan has some work in town for the next couple of weeks. I'm not complaining mind as I am within walking distance of the ocean and as soon as it stops raining I will go there. This is the reality of Summer here. A week and a half ago we had 37 degrees, celsius that is. Oh and it does make it tricky to make stuff for the market next weekend but I have brought stitching with me and pile of books. So I will be ok.

Check out this link to see how happy my #Artswap recient was with what I sent.

All Packed up

Here is my studio everything cleaned tidied and packed away. Now begins the process of fillinf it with the contents of our flat till finally we are left just with the stuff we are taking with us. And that of course takes much evaluation time. I have assembled everything that I would like to take and already had to thin as of course you just cannot take mountains of stuff on a plane. But I don't really want to buy a whole lot of stuff when I get there that I have here. But I will have to or I won't be doing any art making and well that would not be a good thing. With no TV I expect there to be a lot of making going on.
So currently on the lounge room floor is an assortment of wants which must be wrestled into essentials and packed in the suitcase and then I go stand on the scales, curse and go and try it all again.
Dan assures me I can take my blowtorch as long as it is empty, I am not so sure so as I compromise I will be packing it in his suitcase.

It's over

A big thanks to all who came and visited me at the Tasmanian Craft Fair it was lovely to meet so many enthusiastic new people and some I knew already. I would love to hear what everyone is doing with their buttons and picures of the dye kit results would be fantastic.
I would love to put up pics of the stall but every single one of them is blurry!!!!!!! Really should work on that.

Recovery is now complete as I move into the next most important task on the list. Aint that the way of it?
I cna now focus on going home for the holidays. Yes lucky me will be in the west of Australia for 3 months. This means packing up the flat and squeezing it into the studio space, I also need to sort out what to take home with me. A most important task as I have to try and figure out what I am mnost likely to wish to do while at home!!!!

 Picture from the John Davis Exhibtion

 John Davis Grafittti?

Great Long Eared Rabbit

Are we There Yet?

Soewn Earth at the Tasmanian Craft Fair

29th Oct to 1st Nov 2010

Stall 426 Venue 4 Hoecker

Located at the High School

The brochure has arrived with my name in it, so it is really official now, and I have 3 exhibitor passes so I must be going. The mountain in the loungeroom grows ever larger and I am entirely sick of buttons already. Esp as I will be working both afternoons this weekend. But there is a light at the end of the tunnel, because these little suckers have to be fired. So they have to be all ready to go by tuesday afternoon. Then they will be fired on wednesday and I will get them back all nice a nd prisitne and white on friday afternoon. So next weekend I will be working again putting them in tins and setting them on fire so I get those beautiful (hopefully) markings. Course making buttons isn't all I am doing, I am dyeing up heaps of silk and wool scarves, handstitching some wool vests, making fabulous new cards and putting together some dolly button kits. Lets hope I will have enough!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No I still haven't figured out how to put photos on again.

Soon my pretties, soon.

Because I said I would

I made it even though it is now monday morning not sunday.
I had a wonderful time in Melbourne. And I was going to put in lots of photos, well a few but have just seen that the format has been changed and I have to learn to use Picassa by the looks of it if I wish to use my own photos. So no pics today.
One of the highlights of my trip was to see the John Davis exhibition at the NGV. It was absolutely awe inspiring, the feelings of reverance when surrounded by work that was so simple yet profound reminds me yet again that I do not need to use fancy materials or compicated images to convey meaning. Standing in front of his wall of fish and then the need to look at each one individually. Well just wow really. Black and white and sticks and cloth, thats all you really need.
And then off to a workshop to make my own art. Of which I can't show a picture for the reasons stated earlier. I made a concertina book form heavy paper which I dyed by placing inside eucalyptus leaves, onion skins and oxalis flowers, I then wet it thoroughly and placed inside a plastic bag and then horror of horrors I microwaved it, more than once!!! Yes I succumed to the use of the devils machine. Time was short and I had no equipment with me and I won't do it again, unless I really really have to. But it did work very well.
While this was drying out, painted some pieces (10) on very heavt watercolour paper, these slotted into the pockets of the book. Then the whole thing was wrapped in some beautifully dyed matt silk. Not I must mention the lovely silk that I had been stitching all week as the colours were all wrong but the alternative cloth which will now need to be stitched. And then it was tied with a nice length of silk string. I wish you could see it.

Back

I am back here in Lonnie, back in the studio, made buttons yesterday and will be doing more today ( yes I will be working on show day!!!!!). Hopefully I will also get some dye pots going today as I need heaps of vests for the Craft Fair and I only have 1 left. I will get a real post with photos done on Sunday as I will be in Hobart Saturday for the Barn Market.

‘Fibre Arts @ Geelong’ 2010

‘Fibre Arts @ Geelong’ 2010


Geelong Grammar School

50 Biddlecombe Avenue

Corio, Vic. 3214

STUDENT DISPLAY AND BAZZAR: 9am – 12noon October 2nd

BAZAAR in the trader’s area. The public will be invited to see what you have for sale and to view your work that was produced during the week!

Where I will be all next week. Culminating in a fabulous bazaar with student and teachers products for sale.

In Melbourne

Just catching up, I am in Melbourne this week and then next week Geelong. Yay. So far I have op shopped, had dinner with my beautiful son and his partner who were in town for the weekend been on a picnic in Seymour, Marketed at the Abbotsford Convent and generally been having a really good time. This is of course all just a build up for the fun and exciement of the Fibre Forum in Geelong next week where I am doing a workshop with Sandy Webster. So much fun. There will also be a bazaar open to the Public, Friday evening October 1 and Saturday morning October 2 where I will have a stall with lots of lovely buttons, as will many of the tutors and students. So any one in the vicinity would be well advised to leggit down there and grab some gorgeousness.

Brave New Me?

This is full size of the picture on my header.

I didn’t necessarily mean that I would start addressing the big issues on my blog, though I might. It was more on the lines of trying to be more me, hmm now that makes no sense at all. I want my blog to be about more than just the latest bits of work I have for sale. I would like it to be a reflection of who I am and what I think about stuff. So I am not promising anything but I will try.


So with this new attitude in mind a big thank you goes out to Ivory at http://littlehouseinthesuburbs.com/

For mentioning the Specific Carbohydrate Diet in a recent post, as someone who has suffered with chronic indigestion for several years and I have known that carbs where one of my biggest triggers I am now transitioning into this way of eating. I really like that there are recipe guidelines out there. I will try and remember to let you know how I am getting on. BTW almond meal, shredded coconut and butter makes a great crumble topping.

And just so you can get to know me a little better these are the current books on the bedside table.

The Creative Habit by Twyla Tharp said best here:

Celebrate your Creative Self by Mary Todd Beam this is the second time round for me with this book.

The Greens Cookbook by Deborah Madison

The Bell at Sealey Head and The Winter Rose by Patricia McKillip, these two I plan to take to Melbourne with me as lyrical inspiration. No I think I will read them this week and rely on serendipity to provide something good to read while I am away.

Soul Stories by Gary Zukav

And I have just signed up for this here I am hoping to do more if all goes well.
More revelations as they come to hand, or as I think of them.

Late Draw

Oh no here it is Tuesday and I did promise I would do the giveaway draw yesterday. This is perhaps not a surprise to those of you who know me. I went to Hobart on Sunday to be a part of the Eastside Market and well the day was very much against us. So Monday really was a recovery and sorting day though I will have to negotiate it all back into my bag plus extras in just over a week for my big trip to Melbourne.


But what you really want to know is who gets the piece of Art!!!!

The winner is tadadadada, Penny who never wins anything.

So if you will scoot me an snail mail address I will send the art to you.

Bee Yourself

Just reading this blog Towards Sustainability and Julies post on giving up her blog, as she feels she is not speaking with her authentic voice. Something about losing followers when she talks about the big issues such as Global Warming and Peak Oil. My first reaction is who gives a flying about followers, blogs should be about what I need to get out there into the world. You know “Be the change you want to see in the world” As Ghandi said. Wow imagine that man with a blog.


But then I had to stop and think coz even though I believe that, I ain’t doing it myself. There is so much I should, would, could say on this blog but I don’t so maybe from today I will try to be more open about what I believe, think etc.

So I really hope Julie keeps on blogging and says what she feels, that way maybe I won’t feel quite so alone when I attempt to do the same.

Completely Niched and a Giveaway

Yes it is over, the big Niche Fest is done. And a wonderful Market it was.

Loads of new buttons. I sold the art quilt you can see on the left side of the picture.

Now it is all powers go till the Tasmanian Craft Fair at the end of October. Except of course for my two week trip to Melbourne coming up where I get to do a fabulous Fibre Forum in Geelong. No less than a wonderful Masterclass with Sandy Webster which I am so looking forward to. I will also be at the Makers Market at the Abbootsford Convent on September 19th and of course at the Geelong Bazaar Saturday October 2nd. But before all that happens I will take a small sidestep to the Eastside Market next sunday for all you Hobartians.

And artworks. I sold an encaustic piece as well.

And as a celabration of the 30 followers I now have I think it is time to do a Giveaway.

So this little painting will wing its way to someone who leaves a comment. I will do the draw next sunday, no I won't, it will have to be monday. Who knows a few buttons and some fabric might find there way into the package as well.

Niche

Yes I am madly getting prepared for the Niche Market tomorrow and Saturday. I will be at the Inveresk site with a whole heap of new buttons and lots of lovely naturally dyed silk. I look forward to seeing everyone there.

New Paintings extended!!

Twasnt blogger at all I had dropped off the net . So I will reprise my efforts.

So these 3 (and there is actually a large one as well that I have not yet completed) are an extension of the previous series. Now we have bones that are buried in the beneath.

New Paintings

I really wanted to show you the paintings I have been working on, so today I took some photos and yes I have deleted the really bad ones!!!!!!!!!!!

These 4 are actually well I would say collages but they are not really as they are not glued but stitched.

The next 5 are all from a series called 'Beneath'

These are all on paper and all have the same format but slightly differnt parts and finishes. All include earth pigments, milk paints and cold wax medium.

Looks like blogger doesnt like my last 3 pics so i will try to do them in the next post.

For Ellis

Well I sat down with the buttons and wrestled them into some sort of vaguely belonging together sets and am uploading them to etsy as I type this. Heres a peak at whats going on over there.

Here we go again

Once more we have made it to Saturday, where did the week go? And once more I am at the kitchen sink washing buttons. These are all nice and clean sitting on a tea towel in front of the window drying. And I must say some of them are gobsmackingly beautiful. Can't really put them on Etsy coz they aint going to fit into a set and it isnt cost effective to put them on as singles. But I thought I would show you a few anyway, a tease for some and for others a wee bit of anticipation for upcoming markets such as Niche.

Even the backs are totally gorgeous.

Isn't this one above just awesome!!!! Look at that blue.

And this is an example of the new necklaces I will be selling don't know yet whether they will end up on Etsy. You can see some of them in the pictures above. This is the one that I am cyrrently wearing. Oh and some of the Tassies are destined for necklaces as well.

Saturday

For some people saturday means a day off work but when you work for yourself it just means that today we work from home. Just as well I like what I do.

This is a shot of my lounge room floor, with the buttons assembled in types and some are being sorted into sets for uploading onto Etsy. In the foreground you can see my new Tasmanias, some are buttons or afixables and some will be made into necklaces or brooches. On the right you can see some of the hearts and rounds that have been grouped and down the front are the open shapes which I will put a large jump ring on so the can be worn. This is just the beginning of my stock building for firstly the market that is attsatched to the Regional Conference coming up next month in Launceston and some for the big Tasmanian Craft Fair at the end of October.

My partner thinks they look like armies massing for war games!!! But thats just him!!!

Dark Buttons

I have put on some dark buttons on Etsy now.

Lets see how long this little lot take to sell. I have the hearts and rounds to take pictures of but not enough light. It is the middle of winter down here and we could do with a bit of sunshine. Well I could.

New Buttons on Etsy

Well nearly. I am currently in the process of uploading more buttons to Etsy. A process which may very well go on for a few days. To begin will be some large buttons in sets of 3 at $10 a set and then some of the smalls in sets of 4 and 6 at $10 and $15 respectively. There are some new ones I have been working on so I hope everyone will love them as much as the last batch. And heres a sneak preview.

Squares

Eggs

Moons

Stars

4 medium ovals

6 medium ovals.

There are also Large Hearts and Large and medium rounds still awaiting having their picture taken.