Showing posts with label christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label christmas. Show all posts

11.11.14

CATCH UP OF THE WEEK

we deliver.

Those of you who listened up to our extended edition of the craftiverse on Monday Morning's RRR Grapevine will have heard us touting a brand spanking list of new workshops on offer in the run up to christmas and start of next year as well as outing a few of our must haves on our christmas list. We've been asked by a flock of little birds if we could make available the links to said items and classes. So here, in no particular order, they all are!

WORKSHOPS
Choose one (or a few) of these options and learn new skills or whip up goodies for gifts. And for us nothing says 'I love you' like a weekend of concentrated crafting with like minded souls.


Ilka White is one of the most generous and knowledgeable textile artists in Australia, and she's holding a few more workshops before the end of the year, one of which we'll be attending! This weekend on November 9 at the University of the Front Room and again on November 20 she'll be presenting her one day Braided Rug workshop at The School Of Lost Arts Geelong, an amazing location in one of the cities oldest residential homesteads that has to be seen to be believed. I attended a workshop there a few months back and it was so amazing i'm dragging Ramona back there to experience it for herself! Ilka is also holding her super popular Introduction to Natural Dyeing workshop at Ceres (which i've had the previous pleasure of) on December 7. This will definitely sell out and is just brilliant so do yourself the proverbial favour and get in quick!


North City 4 are offering their 'ring in a day' workshop again on November 22. This workshop not only comes with the guarantee of a brand new piece of jewellery hand made by you but also offers a brilliant insight into the craft of gold and silversmithing in a real studio workshop environment and tutelage of the highest order. Bookings here.





Northcote Potter guest artist in residence and all round lady of awesome Sophie Moorhouse Morris is running her Small Porcelain Pieces weekend workshop at Homework Studio on the 6th and 7th of December. We've done the three week version of this one and it was brilliant. Here I am holding my big pot pre-firing, a breakfast set I made and a planter Ramona made. Serious fun, loads of learnings and highly recommended. 


Speaking of Homework the inimitable design powerhouse that is Beci Orpin will be holding a day long Make and Do book project workshop on the 13th of December. If nothing else this will be a wonderful day full of laughs, colour and making in the most fun environment possible. 


And if you're thinking of upskilling in 2015 get in now as both Slow Clay and North City 4 are both taking bookings for all classes starting in January. Check out what's on offer and book in quick or get someone to buy you a course for Christmas! check websites for details.

SANTA'S SACK
Yes this year we're making lists instead of gifts  - well ok, we'll still be whipping up baked goods in the kitchen in the last week before santa comes but no 100 decorations in 100 days like last year. Instead we've started a little list of what things we'll be buying either ourselves or our loved ones this Christmas. Because if you can't make handmade you should at least buy handmade!


1. Linen Smocks from Cottage Industry. 
When it comes to dresses we love sacks, and as it happens Pene Durston makes the best sacks in town. Soft well washed linens, yarn dyed checks, and super light denim are just some of the super limited editions of this perfect dress that comes in such a variety of covetable cloths multiple purchases are obligatory. The Harvest Smock comes in short, medium and long lengths and is THE perfect urban uniform. Its also roomy enough to hide a ham, pavlova or indeed the results of eating said seasonal without any tell tale bulges. Plus any visit to the cottage comes with a dose of Jethro the super cat. (see above)


2. Hand printed tunics by Indie Ladan of Monolog.
Every year Indie brings out pieces that are must haves in my wardrobe, but this year she's outdone herself with a new tunic that could well be the ultimate urban uniform. I've already snapped up one in white moss but the rest of the range is also a cracking collection of must have items… so much so i've already put in an order for number two.


3. Whisky ice bucket and cups by Andrei Davidoff.
For the second year running Craft will be presenting exclusive limited editions of works by some of Australia's best artists and makers in their Supermarket show, opening December 5.  This years collection includes Kate Jones, Kris Coad, Bin-Dixon Ward, Karla Way, Katherine Bowman, Pennie Jagiello and Amanda Dzedzic amongst others. Its a fantastic opportunity to pick up affordable production works by artists that often only work in an exhibition paradigm. And this year its hml favourite Andrei Davidoff athat are topping our supermarket trolley this year.



4. Jewellery by Emma Homfray.
Represented by Pieces of Eight Gallery, Emma's new collection literally stopped us in our tracks on sight. We've both been blown away with her tactile approach to surfaces decoration and bold mid century modern stylings - as a result she is currently topping our Santa list. Ramona is looking for a silver with gold plated ring, while I'll take a pair of her giant disc earrings. Hubba Hubba. Hopefully our nearest and dearest's will get the hint.

We'll be adding new things to our own hand made christmas lists, showing you loads of cracking options for DIY wording you up week by week on workshops and markets happening around town as we head into the heart of the silly season.

and finally I just want to give another plug for the most important event of the week (aside from my going away dinner at Smith and Daughters tonight)

THE WRITE STUFF 



Craft's annual professional development series "craft to consumer" focuses on candid conversation and insider insights from makers, writers, thinkers and designers in an intimate setting. This one is especially special as it stars HML's own Ramona Barry alongside artist and curator Kent Wilson of the Town Hall Gallery and media maven Jo Walker of Frankie Magazine. This session is essential for makers seeking to discover their authentic 'voice', create meaningful social media, write artist bios, statements and cv's or how to successfully get into press or exhibitions. It will be weird to be in the audience rather than beside my craft companion but now that i've finally I quit my day job at Craft I can at least safely heckle from the back row! There are only a few seats left, and I know Ramona has even got a booklet ready for attendees so get on board - read more about us here and book here.
$20 for Craft Members and $40 for non members (but seriously why would you not be a member!)

AND for those of you who missed the broadcast you can always catch it again on the RRR's hereBECK


17.12.13

OPEN STUDIOS OF THE WEEK - SOPHIE MOORHOUSE MORRIS'S BAKERHOUSE

bakers dozen
image by Brooke Holm courtesy of Design Files
Regular readers will know what suckers we are for pots and patterns and given that local ceramicist Sophie Moorhouse Morris pretty much nails this brief we've been fans for a while now. Sophie is part of a new group of makers that includes another hml fave Chela Edmunds bringing their design skills and training to clay. And we couldn't be happier to see this new crop coming up with the goods. After recently being reminded again of how much we like her work at the Design Files Open House and Slow Clay Pop Up we've rekindled quite the craft crush. 


We love Sophie's clever colour patterning and the inclusion of mixed media in her porcelain accessories, the lightness of her geometric line drawn vessels and the graphic minimalism of her pots and planters. It takes a lot of skill to show such confident restraint. On her super cool blog we've found that she's also great photographer and painter making her a certified creative triple threat for ours.


Given all this hero worship we're pretty pleased that Ms Moorhouse Morris has been filled with the christmas spirit and decided to hold a 'One Day Mini Marche`! with Jen Booth in offering up a selection of ceramic, leather and jewellery wares amongst other 'nifty treats' to lucky visitors. Check out the booty above and you'll see why we've got our hands in the air crying HUZZAH! Clearly I'm going to need a longer Christmas list. BECK

Saturday December 21
10am - 6pm
7-11, Dawson Street Brunswick.

11.12.13

RECAP OF THE WEEK - SLOW CLAY, SUPERMARKET, BIG DESIGN MARKET

CRAFT EVERYWHERE CRAFT EVERYWHERE*

Wow what a weekend! Honestly we were blown away with how spoilt we are in Melbourne when it comes to makers, locations and events. We might bitch and moan occasionally about being too busy but seriously who would have it any other way, we are so lucky to live in such a supportive and creative city. Props Melbounre! As you know we had an itinerary that included Slow Clay in collingwood, Supermarket at CV in the City, and The Big Design Market in Fitzroy - no mean feat, but we were hydrated and ready.

SLOW CLAY








The pop up at Slow Clay didn't disappoint, the shop space was filled with fantastic work by some of our favourite wheel people, we were bewitched by the garden furniture of Greg Hatton and the light pouring into the studio space made us realise that we were definitely signing up for classes next year.  Special mention as well to the upcycled chandeliers by Sally Anne Mill which totally ruled the roost and left us gobsmacked. What a beautiful space Jane has created. We will be back.

SUPERMARKET






We had shopping lists for Supermarket at Craft Victoria, serious shopping lists. And let's just say we didn't leave empty handed. Such great work, so beautifully displayed we took home ceramic works by Kirsten Perry and both frocks and jewels by Alpha 60 but will are coming back for more at the opening festivus this Saturday (the 14th) where will also be filling our faces with free drinks and fairy floss - you have been warned!

BIG DESIGN MARKET




We're calling this years Big Design Market a super sized success. As punters we were thrilled with the array of booty, the excellent food and beverage choices and the open dining and kids play areas. Product of the event has to go to Cottage Industry with her felt suburb and 'state of mind' pennants which will probably also win the award for the most commercially copied product of 2014. Just brilliant (and still available in store until christmas!) Most important however was seeing the collection of woven stars from Maryann Talia-Pau's million stars to end violence project. We seriously believe that having the results of this beautiful project at the centre of the space watching over everyone just totally changed the vibe of the event. Self conscious young hipsters (see above) and suburban mannas mingled happily without a sharp elbow in sight. Mind blowingly good. The old building never looked better, and we felt privileged to have seen them all together lighting up the room. there were so many peeps snapping pics we think Maryann might just have broken Instagram over the weekend. Top job team, bring on the next one!

Oh and in case you hadn't realised yet - only 14 days till christmas.
 *if you didnt get the title reference just sing it to the tune of AZZ EVERYWHERE, and yes I just put capital C Craft and Big Freedia in the same post. BECK

10.12.13

PROJECT OF THE WEEK - ANNUAL BAUBLE BAKE OFF

from little things


Regular HML readers will know that every year I make personalised baubles for all the kids in my life. When I started this tradition my daughter was one of three kids I did this for. Now there are 19! SO as you can imagine it has turned into quite a major project for an already busy time of year.


They nearly always incorporate things I am currently craftily interested in - in this case signwriting, hexagons and my Xmas decoration project. I also need designs that are easy to replicate so that the whole thing takes me a day rather than a month.


It is one of my favourite traditions. I really love all the kids in my life (my own most of all of course!) and it is a lovely way to celebrate them at my favourite time of year. If you'd like to see past decorations go here and head down the rabbit hole! RAMONA

Merry Christmas Hope, Thom, Maxwell, Finn, Silas, Sunday, Wolfgang, Clancy, Kye, Alani, Gene, Rueben, Nicholas, Sebastian, Georgia, Audrey, Toma, Lily and Charlie.

4.12.13

HAPPENINGS OF THE WEEK - SLOW CLAY, SUPERMARKET, BIG DESIGN MARKET,

big, bigger, biggest

This weekend promises to be a veritable banquet of craft and design. Now we've got the Melbourne Now opening sorted, super hip kitly and dagmar have had their home shopping experience and the annual big Melbourne Open House has moved to Sydney we're free to concentrate on the next round of hand made events.  Over the next few days super ceramicist collective Slow Clay open their first ever pop up shop, Craft launches its new concept shop exhibition called Supermarket (pun intended) and the biggest Craft and Design show to ever hit Melbs  THE BIG DESIGN MARKET (yes capitalisation is mandatory) takes over the exhibition buildings.  Seriously people there are NO excuses for last minute chain store purchases under the tree this year (although you will be forgiven a book voucher for that really difficult bitchy partner of the uncle you only see once a year)



Given our weaving and ceramic obsessions we'll most definitely be popping in to the Slow Clay Pop Up to add to our growing Janetta Kerr-Grant collection and I for one am really keen to see (and no doubt succumb to) the patch-worked magic of Brighid Lehmann. This is the first time the lovely Jane Sawyer and the slow clay crew have done anything like this and the work will no doubt be excellent so we cannot recommend this one highly enough. 

Slow Clay Pop-Up: 
5-8 DEC, 11am - 7pm. 
13 Keele St, Collingwood



Supermarket is a concept driven, exhibition meets retail event hybrid that will showcase very special limited edition works from a select group of Melbourne's finest including: collabed prints and jewellery by Lucy James + Anna Davern, new pieces from the Home Work label by Jess wright and Lara Davies of Harvest Textiles, brand spanking ceramic tableware and objects by Kirsten Perry, sculptural ceramics from Arts project Australia, never before seen monochromatic works by Emily Green, and very fancy and super exciting garments and accessories by fashion icons Alpha 60. 



In a revolutionary concept that confounds regular exhibition protocols works will be sold in a first come best dressed fashion and are available to take away - a unique opportunity for consumers and serious aesthetic challenge for curator Debbie Pryor and exhibition designer Andrei Davidoff. Works go on sale this Friday with a special festival opening day that promises fairy floss, free drinks, artists in the house and workshops between 1-4pm on Saturday December 14. Woo Hoo .... PAAAAARTAAAY

Supermarket
Friday Dec 5 - Tuesday Dec 24
Gallery 1, 2 and 3 at Craft Victoria
31 Flinders Lane, Melbourne


Unless you've been under the proverbial rock you would know that  the monolith that is TBDM the sophomore edition rolls into town this Friday. This year comes complete with supercool food vans, workshops by some of our favourite peeps (yes Beci and Maryann we're lookin' at you) stuff for the kids to do and a list as long as you and your best friends arm of australian and international makers all offering up their wares in one easy access location. We wont tell you everyone that's gonna be there because lets face it there are loads - check the directory here and you'll see what we mean! We will say however that some firm friends of HML (yes Miss P we are lookin at you) are having stands so clearly this is a MUST GO TO event.



Yes we have ongoing issues with it being called a Design market when most of the makers are craft practitioners (seriously people what's wrong with Craft???) but why quibble when there's so much love in the room, and the chance to meet so many awesome creatives. We will be there (literally) supporting the local hand made scene and probably spending the last of our cash on presents that the kids can give us on Christmas day (ok we've already picked stuff out!) because let's face it we deserve to get at least one present we like on the day! BECK

THE BIG DESIGN MARKET

6,7,8 December
Melbourne Exhibition Building
you know the rest... if not go here


28.11.13

OPEN STUDIO OF THE WEEK - ELM PLACE

to market to market


We could not be more excited about this particular Christmas sioree. We are huge fans (and collectors) of several of the participating makers and the pleasure of getting a large chunk of our seasonal swag at one event. We are loving how many of the smaller collectives are swinging open their doors, pop ups, markets, studio sales but all on a manageable and friendly level. See you there? RAMONA

Elm Street Studios
Rear 15A Dannaher Lane
North Melbourne
Saturday 1-5

29.10.13

PROJECT OF THE WEEK - STENCILS

taking notes


I have to admit that if the one thing that making Christmas presents has taught me over the years is that simpler is better, save the more complex handmade gifts for birthdays. A scarf instead of a jumper, a lavender bag instead of a quilt etc.


I have a great collection of stencils and a current obsession with gilding so combining the two on some plain store bought notebooks was and easy peasy 30 minute project. The gilding will tarnish over time but I think that just adds to it.  I have made notebooks from scratch in the past and absolutely love it, but when there are more than three to make I just don't have the time.


Notebooks are fantastic presents for hard to buy for friends. Everyone loves them and uses them. By personalising them you add that handmade element without too much stress. 


Stencils, stamps, stickers, a little drawing or a collage is all it takes. Be bold be brave! And start now because we only have 55 days to go. It should be a joy to make things for gifts not a stressful drudgery (says me who was quilting tea cosies on Christmas eve with a 4 week old baby on the dining table next to me a few years ago!) RAMONA

22.10.13

PROJECT CHALLENGE OF THE YEAR - 100 DECORATIONS IN 100 DAYS

making stuff


I know that the majority of people don't share my obsession with all things Christmas so hopefully you'll forgive me that it's taken me 50 days to share these pics with you on the blog. I'm making a decoration a day for 100 days to have a completely handmade tree.


I'm documenting it all over on instagram so if you like you can follow me there, if not I'll post group pics from time to time here on HML. I've promised Beck not to ramp up the Christmas stuff too much until December (when she too also gets the bug!). Making a little something every day is really fun and quite the challenge. Looking over these pictures I can see themes (beads, glitter, gilding) but not too many repeats which is nice.


I won't be attempting this every year that's for sure but what a lovely way to lead up to my beloved season. I'll be giving some away too, to friends and neighbours and I'll be happily avoiding the terror that is the Myer Christmas basement store (well not often anyway). RAMONA

PS: My instagram name is monamadeit 

1.4.13

INSPIRATION OF THE WEEK

wood is good


I've been doing a lot of research in to the work of mid 20th Century architect and textile designer Alexander Girard lately.  I saw the image of these dolls and just fell madly in love with them. A champion of folk art, a collector of nativities and early adopter of the softies craze (he commissioned artist Marilyn Neuhart to make 100 of them for the opening of his store in 1961)


I can't say my little doll family quite captures the surreal circus vibe of Girard's little group - I think I need weirder shapes for that but looking at his work I learnt so much about how unexpected composition and pattern can make even the smallest of craft projects come to life.


These guys look like they should be starring in their own little stop motion animated romantic comedy! It is a small friend's birthday in June so I have a bit of time to make a bag to go with them. RAMONA