Back on the Horse

It's been a long while between blog posts, even longer since I was posting regularly.  

The Life Instyle preparations then the actual show and then catching up on work and life afterwards I found were all consuming not to mention exhausting.  It was a great show though and I will post more on that soon.

Now, I'm back on the blogging horse, back on the market horse and back on the creative horse.  

Yesterday I had a great time at a resin workshop.  I made a couple of bangles and a couple of rings.  I can feel a new addiction coming on!  I just love the depth of colours and the smooth feeling of the resin once I've sanded it.  So lovely and cool in this weather.  The bangles I made are big and chunky though it's hard to tell in the photo below.

If you've ever wanted to have a play with resin, or like me, want to brush up on your skills, there are more workshops planned for Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.  You can get more information here.

Editing a Range - What Didn't Make the Cut, and a Few That Did

It's been super busy around these parts  with now only three and a half days until I leave for the Sydney Life Instyle show.  

Last week, I gave you a sneak peek at a few of the pieces that will be making their debut at the show.  You'll notice the plum blossom theme there.  I find it really important to have a collection that works together, not necessarily with the same motif, but something less random than pieces that are thrown together just because they are cute.

I thought today I'd show you a few of the pieces that didn't make it into the range.

I actually kind of like these waves, but they just didn't seem to go with anything else in the range.  I think though that I'll explore this design later down the track.

These were the first waves I was working on.  I wanted something simplified, but the waves turned out to thin to really let the colour of the background show through.

I want to play some more with some butterflies at a later date, but for now, these ones were just a bit too lonely.

I love chrysanthemum designs and these teapots were heavily influenced by the stunning woodblock prints by Mizu Designs.  I think though that mine (below) turned out a bit too busy and instead I've simplified and gone with the design here.

I'm pretty attached to this cloud design, but if feels rather lonely in the collection for now.  I'm sure to be revisiting this idea after Sydney.  After all the weather we've been having on the eastern coast of Australia, I think a number of cloud designs will be popping up, Red Revival's recent one is really cute.

I felt also that these top two cranes were too busy and I didn't feel comfortable with the two cutouts in the cranes wings.  I much prefer designs to be in uneven numbers.

Instead I'll be going with these simple single cranes as well as my String of Cranes three piece brooch.

 And lastly, I said that my Kokeshi Dolls now had a younger sister who was ready to come "out in society" (I've been watching rather a lot of Jane Austen while I've been working), here she is.

I must say thank you as well for the enquiries as to when the new pieces will be available for retail, they'll be in the store after the Sydney show, most likely late February or early March.

Fashion Dolls

My Kokeshi Dolls have gone all model-y this month, striking a pose for the camera.  They're in this month's (about to hit the stands) Homespun Magazine.

A few of their younger sisters, with little pigtails are about to make their debut next week at the Sydney Life Instyle show too.

I hope all this fame doesn't go to their heads.

Life

I need some pumping music to get me going on this Sunday morning.  This is a song that always does the trick.  Not only does it have a great beat, but the lyrics are really inspiring.

And this is the original in Japanese.

What helps you get pumped?

New Look Website

I'm really excited.  After a lot of hours clicking away, both on the computer and camera, the new website is up.

You can see it over here.  What do you think?

My Creative Space

The less sexy side of crafting today.  The plastic gloves, the oh-so-bright yellow and green chemical mask, the cheap disposable beer cups.  And we won't mention the fact that I always do resin pours pre-shower and hair wash...

How about you?  Do you craft?  Is your crafting sexy?

For more creative spaces, hopefully ones that are a little more glamourous, Kootoyoo is the place to go.

A Sneak Peek...

...at some test cuts that arrived yesterday... 

...at some pieces soon to come...

While I Haven't Been Blogging

While I haven't been blogging, I've been making lots of fabric pendants and brooches...

While I haven't been blogging, I've been madly preparing for the Sydney Life Instyle show that is now only a couple of weeks away...  If you're there, please come and say "hello" to me in stand number 62...

While I haven't been blogging, I've been putting together a new website that I hope to have up very soon...

While I haven't been blogging, I've been planning on what to do on the single free day I have in Sydney... I'd like to visit this shop, see this exhibition and have a cup of tea and a browse in this store...

While I haven't been blogging I've been missing blogging...

While I haven't been blogging I've been missing visiting my blogging friends... What have I missed?  What have you been doing while I haven't been blogging?

When I Grow Up

Day 69: When I grow up, originally uploaded by ILoveDoodle.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

The Before, The After and the After the After

Take an Ikea table and chair set (the only one left in stock).  

Add a primer, some "Red Gumball" and blackboard paint and this is what you get.

Add a small child and some chalk and this is what it becomes.

I love that the little one is now at that age where her toys become part of everyday.  She feeds them milk and sultanas, whether they want it or not.  She tucks her dolls into bed.  Today when we surprised her with the set, some had to sit on the chair opposite and were given a piece of chalk each so that they too could join in the fun.

The toy chest you can see in the background is the next on my list of things to do up for her.  It was the chest my siblings and I used when we were kids and still has that lovely 70s orange on the top.

Dear Mr Birthday Present Fairy

Dear Mr Birthday Present Fairy (aka The Man),

As you know, my birthday is coming up in a bit over a month.  You say you often find it hard to choose a present for me, so I thought I'd start giving you some hints.

I think this mug is super cute.  It has a tea strainer with it too, so it could fit nicely together in the cupboard and I wouldn't have to complain to you that you always put my tea strainer in places that I can't find it.  I know I already have some gorgeous mugs, but I do drink lots of tea.  And besides, those TimTam cups do need to go, rather than to always remind me that I can't eat them anymore now that I can't eat gluten.

I also think this pencil case is really sweet.  I just love how Red Riding Hood is asking the wolf, "Why is your mouse so big?"  It reminds me of my Japanese students who I miss so very much.  And I do have lots of pencils that need somewhere nice to live.

When I find some more things that I like, I'll let you know shall I?

Love Melanie

PS.  I have been trying to be a very good girl this year, so I hope that counts.

PPS.  Thank you to this lovely lady for the link to this store.

PPPS.  The photos are all borrowed from the site I found these on.

Playing with Texture

After staring at a computer screen all week, last night my fingers needed to play with something other than a keyboard or mouse.  They were craving texture.

I got out some felt, some fabric, some scissors, a needle and thread and this is what I came up with... both pieces can be worn as either a brooch or pendant.  They are quite large, statement pieces if you will...

This one I used the nuno felted beads I made a while back...

These kimono fabric with chrysanthemum pendants were created earlier this week.  I love how the 'mums seem to be sitting on top of a pond.  They remind me of this amazing lotus pond I visited in Cambodia a few years ago.  Chrysanthemums are used heavily in Japanese design too.

The only problem is, I've started seeing these flowers around the parts a bit since I bought them last year.  I'm hoping that the fact that I'm only using them as part of design with kimono fabric might set them apart... I'm not sure... what do you think?  I'd love your opinion.

Flickr Faves on a Friday

Pages of my mind.

1. Su Blackwell, 2. 19 january 2010, 3. Altered Book: Looking for Signs of a Safe Return Home, 4. Work in process., 5. "The Boy Electrician" Altered Book, 6. Down the Rabbit Hole - cover of my book, 7. Dare to Dream, 8. surprise and hope, 9. week1 papercut

My Creative Space

There are lots of "should-be-doings" going on in my creative space at the moment... I should be working on my new website.  I should be working on some new designs.  I should be preparing for a trade fair next month... 

Instead, I've been taking a break from all those "shoulds" and thinking about my dream studio space.  No, not that I'll be moving into one anytime soon, but it's certainly fun to visualise.  I picked up some paint swatches the other day and one was called "Teal Goddess".  How can I resist a colour called Teal Goddess?

And I should say that I haven't been completely ignoring all the "shoulds", here's the mock-up for one of my wall for the trade fair.

What's happening in your creative space this week?  To check out some others, Kootoyoo is the place to go.

Taste Test Tuesday

 3 Hand Painted Irish Beach Stones by irisoconnor

Oval Shaped Flower Print Orange/Yellow by dekanimal

Poppy Tree Paper Dolls by thepoppytree

Lovely Afternoon by skippydesigns

Are you taking the Etsy Taste Test this week?  

Origomu

Origami = Folding paper

Origomu = Folding plastic - "A movement that transforms the simple act of recycling plastic materials into a form of creative expression".

Origomu is an initiative by New York based designer Titania Pages.  "Every year, thousands of plastic six-pack rings threaten the lives of shore birds and marine animals harming our environment."  She asks you to "join the movement and learn how to transfer waste into beautiful artwear".

Entries into the contest are due before Jan 31st.  For more information and to see more amazing artworks, visit Origomu.

Some of the pieces in there so far are amazing. 

What do you think?  Time for a few beers as an excuse to make some jewellery?

All images from the Origomu site.

Handmade Ark Flood Appeal

It's been quite surreal in Brisbane today.  We woke to sunshine and a beautiful (but very humid) summer's day, but yet in the knowledge that we were being flooded with the worst still to come.  The rain is no longer the issue, but rather the wall of water raging down from the catchment areas that will meet with high tides.  It's so hard to imagine as the hilly suburb I live on is rather dry, but yet much of the one next to me has gone under.   

I had to go out briefly to get supplies and the usual bustling streets were like a ghost town.  Most people were either heeding the requests to stay at home if they could, or like many, were cut off.  A number of the cars that I did see where filled with peoples belongings.

In Brisbane, we've been luckier in some ways than our neighbours a few hours west, in that we've had warning of what was, and still, is coming.  People have had a little time to evacuate and some to take a few precious belongings.  The flood is predicted to peak tomorrow morning at 4am, rising another metre above what it already is.  They say the waters will stay that way for about 12 to 18 hours before they begin to recede.  Close to 20, 000 homes are expected to flood, many businesses lost too.  Many people will lose everything they haven't been able to take with them.

Out west was worse.  The water came in what they are describing as an "inland tsunami".  It rose suddenly without warning taking cars, houses, entire farms, stock and crops, and so sadly, people, with it.  I'm haunted by an image I've seen on tv of a 4wheel drive rushing down the raging water like a paper boat before being dragged under.  There are stories of some of the lives lost, that I just can't bear to share here.  They break my heart.  Some of these towns had just begun the cleanup from the flood they suffered only a couple of weeks ago.  

The waters will begin to recede in a couple of days and then the clean up can begin.  Then those who have lost everything can start to rebuild their life.  

The BrisStyle group would like to help these people by contributing to the Premier's Flood Relief Appeal, and we are hoping others can help as well.   Many members are donating items from their stores, with all the sale proceeds going directly to the fund.  

I have four pieces to donate so far; 

Kokeshi Brooch - Midnight Lace on Black

Butterfly in Blue

Bunny on a Hill

Tea Anyone Brooch - Iris with Lavendar

For more information on the Handmade Ark Appeal and for more items being donated, please visit the BrisStyle blog.

To donate directly to the appeal, please visit here.

Stay Safe and Dry

37/365 - hello sunshine!, originally uploaded by orangesparrow.

It just didn't seem right tonight to blog about things I like and things I would like when so many have lost so much over the last couple of days.

We're safe, our home is up high, but so many others are not so lucky.

So tonight, may everyone, their families and their homes stay safe and dry over the next couple of days.

*For non-local readers, our area is being hit with what may be the worst flood in over 35 years.  There is a lot of damage already, and they believe the worst is to come.  

A Poem Lovely as a Tree

Bonsai, originally uploaded by Rob Shenk.

Today's Inspiration

I think that I shall never see 

A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest 

Against the earth's sweet flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day, 

And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in Summer wear 

A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain; 

Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me, 

But only God can make a tree.

by Alfred Joyce Kilmer

Love this Dress

Vivienne by Pyxus Passion Project

If I just had the figure for it, I'm sure I could invent an event to wear it...