Mainichi

Hello Again Sale

2012-01-13T14:42:00.000+11:00

Umi brooch by Mainichi reduced to a measly $14....yes that's right....$14

Dearest followers, readers, lurkers and fellow bloggers and crafters

You may (or may not) have noticed my absence from this space for quite a while. I'm just posting to let you all know that you have not been forgotten and thank you for your patience and for checking in on me now and then (well I hope you do!). There has been a whole load o' stuff happening in my life over the Christmas break and my attention has been on other more important things than cyberspace.

I'm also letting you know that I'll be checking out of my blog for a while, at least until my life has regained a sort of balance. I shall still let you all know about the news from the Mainichi front, from time to time.

Which brings me to the title of this post.... drumroll....TA DA.....It's time for a **SALE** in my Etsy shop. Why now? Well now seems as good a time as any - new year and all that.

So if you've got some generous Christmas cash gifts to spend on yourself pop on in and take a look because there is a 30% discount on everything in the shop - simply enter the coupon code "MADJANUARY" on checkout and the discount will be deducted.

And you never know I might even throw a few more sale items in the shop, at bargain basement prices.....so keep checking! And I'll keep adding as I get the opportunity.

Happy new year and I wish everyone (including me) a much brighter 2012.

Recycled Aussies

2011-11-18T16:26:00.000+11:00

Presenting a new addition to the Mainichi range, these gorgeous handmade recycled Aussie bush timber beads that I source from Western Australia have been carefully selected for their shape and strung onto a length of my handmade rope. I've got a bunch of different coloured thread from which to make this rope, so if this piece looks like something you'd like in your Christmas stocking give me a hoi!

Moving Forward

2011-11-10T21:56:00.000+11:00

Every now and then the furniture needs a change around at home, sweep away the dust from underneath, breathe some fresh air in. I have decided that Mainichi needs a little furniture re-arranging. I'm starting with the blog and it's styling, and I've just recently re-visited the "philosophy" of Mainichi.

So here's the new "bite" from my newly ordered cards, I'd love to know what you think!?

Mainichi

by Dearne Herrenberg

Everyday I aim to:

recycle and re-use

create

parent gently

tread lightly

& sometimes I even blog.

Kawa Necklaces

2011-11-04T12:51:00.000+11:00

These colourful Kawa necklaces jetted off interstate to find new homes via the lovely crew at Breathing Colours Gallery in Balmain, Sydney. If you are in the 'hood stop by and check out the latest exhibition "Two Views" by Neil & Steffie Wallace. I particularly love Neil's gorgeous painted landscapes of the Bay of Fires in Tasmania - you can see how inspiring the landscape is - who wouldn't want to paint this:

and waves breaking!

Funny, it's been just over a year since our trip to Tassie, and the boy just asked recently if we could go back and take his baby sister to see the snow! If I could I would be there in a flash......

More chair envy

2011-10-19T14:51:00.000+11:00

New chair designs by PearsonLloyd. Love their work. This is the Conic range, available in Australia through Zenith Interiors. Designed for commercial applications but I think they could look equally snazzy in a residential interior. All pics courtesy of the Zenith website.

Ladies.....

2011-09-06T16:07:00.000+10:00

Queenie in all her splendour

From the hands of two very talented women....recently exhibited at Craft Victoria. Unfortunately their open studio has now been and gone. If you missed it you can read more about their work here for Emma and here for Maryann. And Craft Vic has details of what the "Regal Savage" work was all about here.

Details of Queenie's shawl with woven ribbon being inserted

yummy materials - a feast for the eyes!

St Kilda this weekend

2011-08-23T10:23:00.000+10:00

This Saturday 27th August, St Kilda Steiner Preschool Winter Bazaar.......11am-3pm. Fun to be had....come and join in.....

Stuck

2011-07-25T09:14:00.000+10:00

Machu wall sculpture, design copyright Mainichi Design 2011

Another recently completed project....before the little Miss arrived it felt as though I was motoring through half completed jobs. Maybe something to do with the planets aligning.....or the impending due date that was looming!

This is a giant version of one of my Machu wood brooches, created from recycled bamboo skewers and chopsticks.

Mainichi Machu brooch

I've been wanting to play around with the scale of my jewellery work for quite a while. This seemed like the perfect opportunity. I'd like to hang a couple of the brooch size versions around it. And perhaps add some colour. Although I do like the "natural" look, and I'd also love to produce one in a glossy black or white....

This all taps into the idea of creating jewellery as sculpture, for decorating not just the body but also the interior space....I think there is some merit in this concept, perhaps a future project or exhibition in the making.

Koobled

2011-06-25T14:50:00.000+10:00

Mainichi has been written up over at Koobly. I'm amazed how bloggers glean information from the web and the way in which it is re-presented (ie. not entirely accurately!). And being referred to as "Herrenberg" reminds me of my third year university days - my design lecturer used to refer to me that way, I think just to try to rile me. It just made me giggle!!

All things aside, Koobly features cool, independent design sourced from across the interweb....sure is some nice company to be hangin' with over there!

One Week

2011-06-21T13:29:00.000+10:00

The reason for my absence of late - this little angel, born one week ago, at home, in water......I know it's not related to craft, jewellery or design, but she certainly is one of my proudest creations. x

Project Doll - Finito

2011-06-11T13:06:00.000+10:00

Been promising myself for weeks I would take a photo of the completed doll made for my boy and finished many weeks back. Well, finally here he is in his clothed glory. He is much loved as you will see below, and resides in the bed most of the time (what a life!). Plans are afoot for making him some pyjamas and other attire to extend his wardrobe a little.

I had such fun making this, it really was a challenge, especially for hands affected by pins and needles thanks to pregnancy.....so another is planned for the little one gestating (still) at present. If you'd like a kit to make your own formed doll, then I highly recommend those sold by the lovely Shelley at Little Sparrow.

Fashion forward....

2011-06-07T10:51:00.000+10:00

Mainichi photos keep popping up all over the web. Today you can see the lovely Esther sporting some Shinzo necklaces on the home page over at Agenda Melbourne, and read a great write up about last Friday's event with the City of Port Phillip "Future Fashion Now".

Apparently FFN was very successful with over 500 people visiting the St Kilda Town Hall to see sustainable fashion in action.

Milk Thieves - MOVED!

2011-06-07T09:56:00.000+10:00

The lovely Emma-Lee Crane of Mainichi stockist "Milk Thieves" in Wollongong (I never remember how to spell that....too many oooo's or too many lllll's) has moved shop. If you are in the vicinity call in and say hi......

Saving incentive

2011-06-05T16:34:00.000+10:00

How cool are these Addi+ion money boxes? I'm a little biased because they have been designed by one of my old Industrial Design mates from Uni, Neil Davidson. I want one of these......
Addi+ion is just one of the concept designs produced via rapid prototyping for Artisan's exhibition "Capital Growth - The Piggy Bank Project", currently showing in Fortitude Valley until 2 July. For more information visit their website.

Featured!

2011-06-03T09:34:00.000+10:00

How exciting - Mainichi is the featured artist in a new series on the Breathing Colours Gallery blog, over here, go say hi, if you please! Lovely photos to accompany the post - thanks Jess and crew!

Cardboard

2011-06-01T12:43:00.001+10:00

....boxes always come in handy around here after unpacking....although they tend to live out their welcome!

A bunch of firsts

2011-05-31T11:12:00.000+10:00

Reminiscing.....possibly because of the impending arrival of a second. Baby that is. You might like to join in!?

First graduation - senior high school (with my buddy Ky).....wearing loads of silver roses around my neckline to bump up the cleavage!!

First big party - my black and white themed 17th (Mum in the background). Knife was for cutting the cake - black and white iced, of course!

First house - before

...and after.

First brand new car of my very own. I miss you little Mini!

and First babe.....what a cherub. Looking forward to meeting number two.

Fashion Loves World Environment Day

2011-05-24T10:45:00.000+10:00

Our local council, the City of Port Phillip, is holding a special event in St Kilda to celebrate World Environment Day on 3rd June. Future Fashion Now is a celebration of all things fashion with a focus on sustainability, recycling and vintage.

Held in the main auditorium of the old St Kilda Town Hall, there will be clothing swaps, fashion parades, live music, jewellery and craft workshops, you name it....and all with a focus on being kinder to our environment (as well as fashionable!).

Mainichi was lucky enough to be invited to feature some jewellery in the fashion parade, and if you attend there is a chance you may even pick up a necklace as a door prize (amongst other equally tempting goodies).

They are also running a competition "I Made This!" via Facebook, for amateur makers and designers.

For more information visit the CoPP website and Facebook page.

Red

2011-05-20T12:13:00.000+10:00

Today, I am loving ruby red......

Mainichi Mushi rope necklace $64AU

Leather mosaic - from a brochure collected at Milan Salone de Mobile 2006

Katsura fabric by Kalla on Etsy

Mary Mee Studio pottery vase from Etsy

Butterfly Leggings by prettypennydesigns on Etsy

Red Forest photo by Raceytay on Etsy

Glass Mushroom Beads by Avedisgems on Etsy

Daylesford Delight

2011-05-17T09:09:00.002+10:00

Owners of Daylesford Store "Can't Think Straight" - Miriam & Tiana

Tempting treats at Can't Think Straight, Daylesford

Some months back my friend Fe came to visit and we spent a lovely day together at Daylesford, outside of Melbourne. Facials, coffee, scones, lunch and shopping, not necessarily in that order, were all on the cards....nice pampering to give to two preggy ladies, sans older children in tow!

While wandering the main street we came across a new store, "Can't think straight", run by the lovely Mim and her business partner Tiana, stocking work by local artists and supporting the local GLBTIQ communities. There is a fantastic array of work stocked there with a focus on recycling and upcycling. And now a selection of Mainichi recycled leather necklaces is available in store too!

If you are visiting Daylesford do pop in, and don't forget our other favourite shop, Mimosa, a few doors away on Vincent Street, which has been a long time stockist of Mainichi recycled leather brooches, and makers and stockists of the Babies Only range of organic skin care products (love the Baby bum cream and Mum's belly oil!).

While exploring Daylesford I can also recommend:

"Lark" behind the main street (gorgeous, everything in there, take your credit card)

"Cliffy's Emporium" for lunch, coffee or some indulgent deli goods

"The Mill Market" for hours of browsing of reasonably priced secondhand furniture, bric a brac and vintage clothing

"Acqua Viva" in nearby Hepburn Springs, for all kinds of pampering, especially if you prefer a small, intimate and quiet setting.

Work in progress

2011-05-12T10:32:00.000+10:00

Things have been quiet around here lately, 35 weeks pregnant and suffering from a nasty bout of flu is not something I would recommend! Still slogging away at getting jewellery made, because I know there will be period of quiet in about 5 weeks time....or a period of chaos....or both!!

These Dots necklaces are on the list to be made. This one from recycled leather, but I've also been making them from recyceld PVC off cuts. I hope the making list shall start shrinking shortly.

Cuddly

2011-05-03T13:54:00.000+10:00

Two new little creations, once again inspired by Shelley at Little Sparrow (ta for the guidance!).

One of these is to reside here for our impending arrival and the other has been posted off today to a special little girl who recently entered the world. I hope she deposits appropriate amounts of love and baby spit onto her little dolly!

Exhibition opening

2011-04-29T11:59:00.001+10:00

"Through the forest" courtesy of artist Emma Coulter

My former classmate, interior designer and visual artist, Emma Coulter, is holding an exhibition of her work entitled "Shedding Skin", opening next week on the 3rd May and running until the 14th May, at FortyFive Downstairs, 45 Flinders Lane, Melbourne. Get along!!

I am loving the colours in these new creations. I can imagine one of these paintings would be a perfect wedding present for a young couple.....like the couple getting married today (yes I know, a loose connection but what the hell!?) I was glued to the TV set as a child in 1981, no doubt I will be glued to the TV set again tonight. Love a bit of glamour on a Friday night!!

Celebrating 100

2011-04-20T17:37:00.000+10:00

Nuimasu necklace, felt and leather/vinyl $59AU

My Etsy shop recently achieved sales of 100 - I feel like that's a milestone, although it pales in comparison to some expert Etsy sellers! To celebrate, if you fancy anything in the shop, you get free shipping (refunded after checkout) when you mention my blog in the message section on checkout.

Bathroom envy

2011-04-18T15:27:00.000+10:00

L House photos via The Cool Hunter

Loving this bathroom, top left hand corner, found via The Cool Hunter, from the "L House" in Buenos Aires. Actually, I wouldn't say no to the rest of the house too, never mind the location!

Felt inspiration

2011-04-16T14:51:00.000+10:00

Can't wait to start chopping into all this beautiful hand dyed felt recently purchased from a very clever lady here in Melbourne. I think her rich colours will add such life to my necklaces. Thanks to the universe (and the boy's kinder) for allowing her to find me!
And I found this little treasure amongst my photos - my boy, much younger, amongst all my felt scraps - and no doubt in small person heaven!!

New Work! New Work!

2011-04-10T12:36:00.000+10:00

Just listed on my Etsy shop:

New Recycled leather and Japanese paper "Dots" necklace $79AU this one red, white and blue

Mushi handmade rope strand necklace $64AU this one a beautiful deep red

New French Knitted necklace with Mushi felt and leather medallions $44AU this one green and black

And listed over on my Blue Caravan shop:

New "Dots" necklaces in white/floral and khaki/floral $79AU each

Mushi handmade rope strand necklaces $64AU, in red/navy and green/purple

Of course, free shipping for anybody who mentions this blog post when purchasing! Hope you are enjoying your weekend. Today Melbourne does not know if it should rain or shine. What's new!

My Creative Space....

2011-04-07T11:45:00.000+10:00

....better late than never! Joining in over here. Taking up space on my desk these last few weeks is this charming fellow, being created for the other little, charming fellow in my life. I know he doesn't look quite right at the mo' - what with his head not being connected to his body. Oh, and he needs a bit of a haircut, and his little face finished off.

Made under the careful guidance of Shelley at Little Sparrow. I highly recommend her doll making workshops (and the tea drinking and biscuit eating too!).

Mushi Handmade Rope Necklaces

2011-04-05T11:36:00.003+10:00

Mushi Rope necklace detail

Just listed on my Blue Caravan shop (which has been sadly neglected of late, oops) are a couple of my Mushi Rope Necklaces - one in the classic Navy & Red combination and the other in yummy, rich Purple & Green pictured above, $64AU each.

I'm quite stoked with how the photo above looks, you really get to see all that luxurious handmade rope up close. Amazing how wool that was destined for the rubbish heap has been transformed (I rescued a bunch of wool thread from a skip outside a St Kilda knitting mill a few years back). Yay for recycling.

I've also listed some of my new "Dots" leather necklaces over there too. These babies will be $79AU each. If you are interested and you mention my blog on checkout, heck you might even get free postage!

Pastel Lamps, yes please

2011-03-31T12:09:00.000+11:00

Moooi Lolita Pendant Lamps, photo from Space

I am loving these new "Lolita" pendant lamps in pastel pink and grey (and of course black & white!) by Moooi. Available in Australia through Space, and designed by Nica Zupanc, who apparently "seeks out female archetypes intentionally, making frivolous and naive objects her focus". I rather like frivolous and naive when it appears in this form!

Black was back in 1988

2011-03-29T11:39:00.000+11:00

Reminiscing on account of receiving an email from my dear friend Bern and catching up on all the latest news from her. This is us young and "artistic" in 1988 at our Drama class break up party. Nice touch with my sweaty armpits from dancing like a fool - oh and the bottle of "Passion Pop" in someone's hand behind us. Classy.

I often think of Bern when I watch "Glee" and I know if it had been around in our heyday we would have LOVED every corny minute of it. Hooray for musical theatrics.

Wishes across the water

2011-03-16T21:19:00.000+11:00

Photo by Mainichi Design 2006 - Temple in Tokyo, Japan

Like many around the world, my thoughts are with all those in Japan affected by the recent devastation after the earthquakes. It is a wonderful, inspiring country full of resilient, steadfast people who I'm sure will rebuild their towns and cities with their usual pride and stoicism.

Wishes also to the Christchurch earthquake victims, our very close neighbours, who although they may be overlooked by the media at present, our thoughts are still with them. St Kilda's Espy Hotel will hold a benefit concert "Hands Across The Tasman", next Wednesday, 23rd March, to raise money for the people of Christchurch, New Zealand. Tickets available here.

New recycled leather necklaces

2011-03-11T11:42:00.000+11:00

Sometime ago a lovely friend gave me some divine Japanese paper and said "use this in your jewellery making"! Well I've been saving it and waiting for that idea to come, and finally my light bulb moment arrived.

Dots Leather & Paper necklace Copyright Mainichi 2011

I've created two new designs, one using circles and the other squares. Recycled leather samples on one side and the lovely paper on the other. Sealed so they are water resistant. What do you think?

Please note: all images and designs Copyright Mainichi 2011.

Framed

2011-03-08T12:18:00.000+11:00

Finally finished, framed and hanging on my wall. The Summersville print project - TICK.

"New old" packaging

2011-03-06T14:49:00.000+11:00

This is taking recycling to another level. I decided that my recycled leather brooches needed some backing cards, to make them a little more presentable. So for weeks I've been racking my brain wondering what to use. I thought about recycled cardboard, and then I had a light bulb moment. I have so many product postcards that I've now recycled a bunch into these "new" backing cards for my brooches! Saving $ and trees. Yay.

Magical floors

2011-03-04T09:38:00.000+11:00

All images via Bolefloor website

How about this timber floor created by Bolefloor, a Dutch company (of course, they are one of the forerunners in cool architecture!)?? The solid timber floorboards follow the natural shape of the tree they are cut from. I love that a highly technical and mechanical approach has been taken to create something that appears so natural. Magic. Via Springwise.

Sweet paper creations

2011-02-21T08:38:00.002+11:00

The lovely Michelle at Paper Tree has featured Mainichi right here on her blog. Thanks so much Michelle! Michelle also sells on Blue Caravan and makes beautiful paper products. And she is studying interior design...And she lives just down the road from my Mum and Dad's usual abode in Brisvegas......It's a small world.

Wading through....

2011-02-18T14:39:00.000+11:00

While most of the eastern coast of Australia has been wading through excessive amounts of water - and a couple of Friday's back during Melbourne's big rain storm we nearly joined them, with water lapping at our front door, yikes - I've been wading through a long list of projects that need to be finished.

Well I'm not really sure they NEED to be finished, perhaps it is more a case of I WANT them finished! Here's a little taste of what I've been doing lately:

A Christmas cross stitch, given to me as a gift for Christmas just gone. I am determined to get this finished before this year's celebrations. Planning on making it into a little decoration to hang on the tree.

Colouring-in with embroidery! On a hand screen-printed piece of linen, which I received along with the gorgeous print from Summersville, mentioned in a previous post. The paper print has been completed using my trusty collection of Derwent pencils and is now waiting for a new frame to finish it, once I can get to Ikea and purchase one.

Oh and I have been doing some work on Mainichi too.....I decided the Mushi recycled leather brooches needed backing cards, so I'm trimming down some of my (too big a stash of) printed postcards - what do you think??

Little recycled felt faces now appearing as tiny keychains.......and soon to be available in Japan via a new online retailer (how exciting!).

And hairclips.....perfect even for grown ups!

And working on some new necklace designs. First, these recycled leather dots backed with gorgeous Japanese papers. They will be stitched together garland-like to form a necklace. I made some of this style recently for Craft Queensland's Cherish Christmas special, and I would show you a photo, only Blogger has decided not to let me upload another pic in this session......

And second, three long strands of french knitted recycled wool, waiting to be combined with one of my signature felt stitched medallions to complete....I'll keep you posted on these.

And the boy has not been forgotten either, a felt sandwich via this clever lady has been cut out and is waiting for assembly (there seems to be a lot of this assembly line waiting when I take a look around my desk!).

And found hiding behind the cushions on the couch.....here is Max, created using a pattern from this lovely book at Winterwood Toys. He is going to have to be the substitute for a real dog around here, for a short time anyways.

And second last, here are the said cushions Max was hiding behind - new on my couch, and made by me, from some yummy Maharam fabrics. I'm quite proud of these, although they are already starting to show cracks. Velvet fabric is no fun at all to sew, especially when the seams start to fray. Time to borrow Mum's overlocker!

And the reason for my sudden productivity and urge to sew, oh and also for my lack of blogging (sorry!) is this little collaborative project, still brewing and ready to pop in the middle of June:

Meet Baby Herrenberg number 2. I know the 3D ultrasounds are not that nice to look at. And I've just noticed, is that a middle finger sticking up on the right hand?! Probably directed at the ultrasound technician thanks to all her digging and probing around. Right there with ya babe!
Stay tune for more news......

Project Backpack

2011-02-11T10:16:00.000+11:00

Well another brief absence....and lots has happened around here of late. Thanks for sticking around and being patient with my poor blog updating. I do apologise for my tardiness and I promise to improve....

I've been working my way through a big list of projects, one of which was the making of this "Robot" backpack for the big boy who started Kindergarten last week. Very exciting for both Mum and young (the kindergarten bit)......yay some freedom and time for making more stuff!!

The robot idea was inspired by the backpacks over at Sew Mama Sew and the request from the boy for a backpack of course was inspired by Sachin and Ruby's......

So here's to more making and creating....and perhaps some more blogging in between!

And more water....

2011-01-13T16:19:00.000+11:00

Hello all! Finally I'm back after a small hiatus. Happy new year to you all.

Today with all the wet weather in Melbourne I'm thinking of our friends and relatives in Queensland, and thanking the goddesses for saving them from the torrents of river water pouring through the South East.

It's a funny thing, having lived more than half my life in a country town in Queensland that was built around a river, the threat of flood was nothing new. The town being split in three (or more) by bridges covered in flood water was quite common, and really not that much of an inconvenience! Funny how peeps in Melbourne that I speak to cannot even fathom this concept. The media doesn't help much, I must say. Speaking of which, I'm really looking forward to some other form of Summer Television viewing.

But I do spare a thought for those who have lost alot in these floods, and what they must go through in the clean up and the aftermath. To help aid in some small way, Shop Handmade in Canberra is donating 10% of sales from selected designer's wares for the month of January. Every little bit helps.

Here's to some sunnier days for 2011 (and I hope all those nice peeps at Artisan (Craft Queensland) are safe and dry).

Dear Laurie

2010-12-28T10:34:00.000+11:00

In memory of my dear Grandfather who passed 26.12.2010. Now at peace. x

Animal Love

2010-12-21T19:56:00.008+11:00

animal barn, originally uploaded by fede shop.

Recently we had the pleasure of sharing a weekend with my friend Fi and celebrating her son's 4th birthday at an Animal Farm Barn outside of Adelaide. Here is my boy cuddling a baby chicken and sporting his new short haircut. So sweet.

A Winters Tale in Summer

2010-12-21T19:55:00.000+11:00

Some treasuries in the Etsy treasury collection just make you *sigh* with their beauty. Some people just have the knack. To celebrate the Winter-esque weather Melbourne is currently experiencing (what happened to Summer?) I'm sharing this treasury entitled "A Winter's Tale", by HouseofChintz.
Featured are:
SmallWondersArt : Crafts2Cherish : Middleburg : Mainichi
SquirrelsNest : CinnamonNSugar : PeggyWolfDesign : RaceyTay
Crosswiredesign : honeytree : LBCpaper : UsefulBooks
Janalovablehandknits : divergentlayers : DestinysCreations : AnthroPoMorphCo

100 Yen Shop

2010-12-07T09:31:00.000+11:00

Image via Japan In Melbourne

Has opened in Melbourne - did you know! Found via this article on the Japan In Melbourne website, the new Daiso shop is inside "The Hub" shopping centre in Victoria St, Abbottsford (near the Punt Road end - you can't miss it). Just in case there was a whole load of cool Japanese stuff you never knew you needed but had to buy. Everything is $2.80 (yes a little more than 100yen!) and it's cash only.

Surprise!

2010-11-25T15:01:00.000+11:00

I love a surprise in the mail...and today I received this lovely piece handmade by Tess McCabe, for her label TeaHouse Handmade. I think I'll be sporting this every day for the next week, at least!
You can purchase your own TeaHouse creation at Craft Victoria, Gallery 34 and Onabee.

Circa 1989

2010-11-23T20:46:00.000+11:00

Interior by Inarc (Sue Carr & Ken Lloyd) 1989, from "Interior Design" Issue 18

A touch of modernist Australian style I'm sharing with you here, yes indeed it is circa 1989. Dragged out of an old "Interior Design" magazine (no longer being published). This interior is by Sue Carr, I'm not sure if it's appropriate to call her a "legend" in the interior design industry here....although she has just won the Gold Medal for Interior Design at the recent IDEA Awards.

I think her work is incredibly enduring, classic, yet always contemporary. I could quite easily live in this space, what do you think?? Oh yeah, and it happens to be a converted warehouse with Loft bedrooms. Did I mention that bonus??

It's looking a lot like......

2010-11-22T16:29:00.000+11:00

Christmas! In my Etsy shop anyway.......sneak peek for you!

My creative space

2010-11-19T14:49:00.001+11:00

Joining in for this meme over at Kootooyoo, it's been a while, but I thought you might like to see what has been distracting me from jewellery making for the last two weeks. Or thereabouts!

First comes a set of Christmas Advent booties, a request from the 3year old, pattern courtesy of my Mum's December issue of Better Homes & Gardens magazine. This project began as a crafty day with Grandma, so the vision I had of making these from lots of bright, groovy fabrics that weren't too "Christmassy" went out the window! Thanks to Mum's stash there is a bit more gold and glitter in there than I would like. But the boy loves them! And he has big plans to fill each one with a chocolate. Should be bouncing off the walls by the time 25th December arrives.

I did get a Japanese fabric in there - just one! See, just there....

In the process of adding embroidered numbers (as opposed to the wooden ones called for in the pattern).

And the other project on my desk, which has actually been here for quite a while, is another quilt. This time for the Master Bedroom. It's black and white, and utilises loads of thrifted and left over fabrics from my stash, so it's been quite cheap to make so far. I'm following Oh Fransson's quilt-along for the Mod Sampler. The straight lines are driving me mad. Now I'm off to unpick and resew - again - to try to match the vertical lines of each row.....grrrr......

Oh dear, I just spied Oh Fransson!'s Tokyo Subway QuiltAlong, love it! I may contemplate making that next.....then again, perhaps I should finish this one first.....always nice to think ahead though, right!

Rediscovering

2010-11-16T15:43:00.000+11:00

Rose Holzer "C'est pour cela qu'on aime les libellules" 1988, detail, from the artist's website

Rose Holzer "Silence" 2005, detail, from artist's website

Found amongst the so called "filing" on my desk....I've just discovered an old catalogue of work from MARS Gallery for Rose Holzer's work. Stunning, textural, rich. Some of it is reminiscent of cave drawings or scratchings, ancient graffiti! Here's her website if you'd like to enjoy more of the same.

POP!

2010-11-11T10:27:00.000+11:00

Via The Cool Hunter

I love this apartment, recently spotted on The Cool Hunter. Can't get enough of that colour *blasting* out from a white backdrop.....yummy.

Craft gets local

2010-11-10T22:18:00.000+11:00

Article on Pg 30 Leader Newspaper 26/10/2010

So impressed that my local paper recently mentioned we "crafty types", and even quoted Carmel from Craft Victoria in a recent "Smart Shopper" article. Who would have known that "craft is big in Melbourne"!???
On another note, I love those handpainted brooches that Emily Green makes.

More Tassie Photos

2010-11-08T11:29:00.000+11:00

Leaving Derwent Bridge, Tasmania

Yes more holiday photos.....am I boring you yet?? Is this the longest lasting slideshow ever? At least you can turn away or visit again another day! It's hard to believe that we drove from this experience above, and less than 48 hours later we were here:

Bruny Island beach, from Truganini's steps

Still can't believe the difference in landscape, and the beautiful beaches in Tassie. Pristine sand and incredible coloured water. Reminded me of my childhood, growing up in Queensland. I must say it was a real come down when we visited Elwood beach here last week......certainly drives home the impact of population on the natural environment.

Cocco brooches by Oceanides

Onto more cheery things....finally I'm going to share with you some of my favourite shopping destinations and purchases from my trip to Tasmania.....first are these gorgeous cast copper brooches, above, which are modelled on a microscopic plankton by Jeweller and Marine Biologist (how impressive!) Dr Karin Beaumont. I was lucky enough to acquire one of these at "the market" in Hobart. But you can share the love and see, or purchase, these and her other amazing creations in Karin's Blue Caravan shop online here.

Lemon Juicers by Strahan Woodworks

Beautifully created huon pine products can be found all over in Tasmania. If you'd like to know a little more about Huon Pine go here, but what I should tell you is that these trees are now protected by a World Heritage listing due to their slow growth and the mass logging that occured after Europeans arrived in Australia. All Huon Pine is now collected by Tasmania's State Forestry or those with special permits, and only logs that have fallen are salvaged - no more trees are being cut down. At Strahan Woodworks I purchased a beautiful cheese knife with turned huon pine handle. They also make these lemon juicers, above, based on a traditional English design that dates back over one hundred years.

King William Pine tree - photo courtesy of Tasmania Special Timbers website

Adjacent to Strahan Woodworks is a timber mill where you can purchase off cuts and small pieces of Huon Pine, and see the mill working. But I think the real gem is at the other end of the building where Tasmania Special Timbers has a collection of huge slabs of pine that would make the most beautiful table tops and benches. The lovely Diane there will help you out and she was kind enough to allow me to scavenge offcuts that will be perfect for making more woodblock necklaces like this one, so keep an eye out for those!

Lastly a couple of spots worth checking out in Hobart - Store & Co. is a beautiful shop with everything covetable from homewares to candles, jewellery, books, baking supplies....you name it. And "Love and Clutter" in Murray Street, which I think is the smaller sister shop to "The Maker", which Pip talked about over here. It has the most beautiful selection of local, quality crafted works, other things you don't need but must have, all presented in a groovy, vintage chic kind of manner which would fit right in anywhere really!

So here's to a week of hopefully a few more frequent blog posts.....sorry for the absence, Mainichi has kept me very busy making of late!

A new Etsy favourite

2010-11-01T18:19:00.000+11:00

Scandi DIY Colour Poster

There are some Etsy shops in which I could browse for hours, and buy everything in there. Summersville is one of those shops. Recently I purchased one of her DIY colour posters - like the one above. It's currently a work in progress on my messy desk, and looking very bright and lovely (unlike my desk)!

Summersville Scandi Fabric in Seafoam on Oatmeal

Her fabrics are gorgeous too, printed on yummy oatmeal coloured linen......

Summersville Totem in Raspberry Red

Ripponlea Mansion

2010-10-25T22:06:00.000+11:00

Ripponlea Mansion, courtesy of National Trust Ripponlea Estate website

Have you been to Ripponlea Mansion near Elsternwick? If you are into sustainable gardens it is one awe inspiring place. It even has it's own windmill to pump water (rebuilt two years ago)! Ripponlea was designed in 1868 and originally was the home of the Sargood family - of the department store fame.

If you are looking to while away a few hours on a sunny weekend afternoon it really is worth a trip there. You can tour the gardens only or take a guided tour through the amazing interiors of the mansion.

New necklace designs

2010-10-22T17:29:00.000+11:00

Recycled felt and leather medallions with strands of handmade rope created from recycled wool thread - these Mushi rope necklaces are just some of my favourite colour combinations from a bunch I just created for the Artisan Cherish Christmas exhibition. Do you like? They will be selling for $64 each.....and take a whole lotta time to make! But worth it.

Digit Leather Necklace

2010-10-21T17:33:00.000+11:00

New in the Etsy shop - in a very fashionable "nude" coloured leather! $39US Pop over here to see more.

Making......

2010-10-20T20:16:00.000+11:00

On my kitchen bench.....

.......bread! I know! I've been inspired by that clever cookie Emma. Not anywhere near as fancy as her sourdough rye, but thanks to Stephanie Alexander's "The Cooks Companion", a couple of very tasty loaves are being devoured in our house at present. I quite impressed myself. And turns out the 3 year old is quite good at kneading bread!

Snow white

2010-10-18T20:33:00.000+11:00

I know it's taken me a time to get around to instalment two in our Tassie adventure.....just easing my way back into blog world. That and a whole load of work to make for Artisan's Christmas bonanza "Cherish", which I shall regale you with at a later date (soon, I promise!).

Our cabin accomodation in Derwent Bridge, Tasmania

Last post I mentioned our overnight stopover in Derwent Bridge, due to snowfall. Well, it fell alright. Overnight there was another 25centimetres of it added to the 10 we had on the first day! Above is a shot of our cabin (centre) with snow covered roof. Below is a shot of the road outside just after half of it was cleared by the snow plough in the morning..............

A couple of times in my life I have wished I owned a 4WD, this was one of those times.

Well on checkout lucky me drew the short straw and was behind the steering wheel (more thanks to the fact that I was the only one - out of two of us - who managed to reverse the car out of the cabin carport without getting it stuck in snow and needing two burly blokes to push it out!!). Off we set on a road half covered by snow, following two 4WD's and a crazy bloke in a small sedan.

Snow driving day two!

This was the view from the windscreen. It was a white out indeed. Driving veeerrrrryyyy slowly and cautiously with a few close calls, thanks mainly to the dimwit we were following, we finally made it the 45km to the next town of Taraleah. It took about one and three quarter hours - a trip that would normally take about one hour....And this was the vision that greeted us at Taraleah, it's a town built for the workers on the nearby Hydro Electric scheme, and the whole lot was bought by one man and restored to it's original Art Deco era beauty. The little houses are all pastel colour schemes and the neatest little cottages you have ever seen. It's like stepping into a storybook, especially when covered in loads of snow!

Houses at Taraleah, Tasmania

We continued our white adventure on and thankfully about 5minutes outside of Taraleah the snow was all but gone from the roads. Whew. Talk about white knuckled. The rest was smooth sailing. We spent a few days around the Huon valley and Hobart, and oddly enough on the beach! Where else can you go from snow to sand in a matter of hours??

I am back!

2010-10-13T12:22:00.007+11:00

You may have been wondering why it has been so quiet here of late. We've just returned from two wonderful weeks exploring Tasmania. Thankfully I had very little mobile phone reception and access to the net - what a way to escape technology! So now you are going to hear all about it - be prepared for a word and image heavy post!

Spirit of Tasmania car ferry from Station Pier, Port Melbourne

We sailed overnight aboard the car ferry, the "Spirit of Tasmania", across Bass Strait, from Melbourne to Devonport, which was quite an adventure! Upon arrival we drove from Devonport to the beautiful Cradle Mountain. Unfortunately we weren't really prepared with gear for the very changeable weather, so any chance of trekking was soon put aside.

Tasmanian Devil - Devil's at Cradle

Instead we met some Tasmanian Devils at the Conservation Park, and a very friendly little wallaby outside our hotel balcony. The 3y.o. was in heaven with all these animals around!!

great teeth - so clean!

Our little friend outside the hotel room

After a night at Cradle Mountain we lamented that we were leaving just as it was forecast to snow that afternoon.....We moved on to Strahan, a tiny village on the water, the gateway to visiting the magnificent Gordon-Franklin Rivers (a 6 hour boat cruise can take you there). We had wanted to catch the old steam train to nearby Queenstown, but it was booked out 2 weeks in advance; so we decided to drive on after collecting a big box full of Huon Pine offcuts (destined to be made into jewellery one day!).

Dad, it is getting really cold - can we get back in the car?!

It was lucky we did make the choice to move, because on the road from Queenstown - through the stunning Heritage Listed Gordon-Franklin National Park - we stopped to have fun with a little snow. We drove on to see more snow (getting very excited by now). The temperature began dropping, sleet began falling, and then snow was falling. Aside from being stunning and beautiful to look at, we were now driving on snowy, slippery roads to what was definitely going to be our next stopover. Thank goodness we drive a European car built for these type of conditions....

View through our windscreen - yes that is snow falling

We arrived at around 2pm at Derwent Bridge - basically a town with a petrol station and a pub! Found some gorgeous cabin accomodation and settled down with the heater blasting away the less than 0degree temperature. The boy couldn't help but get out amongst what was now a 10cm deep carpet of snow outside our cabin.

Thankfully we packed gumboots.

The first time I've seen snow (since I was a baby anyway!)

Snowing - again!

There is something so amazing about seeing Australian Gum Trees covered in snow....it really is a beautiful sight to behold.

Gum trees and snow outside our cabin

Next post I shall continue with our snowy adventure - hope you enjoyed the story so far!

Grand Designs Australia is coming!

2010-09-28T16:42:00.000+10:00

Architect Peter Maddison, host of Grand Designs Australia

Did you know that we now have our own version of British design show "Grand Designs"?! It's hosted by Melbourne architect Peter Maddison, and will air in October on the pay TV Lifestyle Channel. You can read an interview with Peter here. Right, time to find a friend with Foxtel.

Favourite little shop

2010-09-25T12:35:00.000+10:00

Congratulations to Bec from Little Shop of Handmade in Carnegie. She and her shop just won the title of Local Favourite for fashion and accessories - hooray! Thanks to Bec for supporting Melbourne makers and handmade. Bec is also involved in the new Mulgrave Makers market, exciting times ahead for south of the Yarra.

A single delight

2010-09-24T15:40:00.000+10:00

Stills from the film "A Single Man"

Have you seen designer Tom Ford's film "A Single Man"?? I'm a bit behind the times, but it has recently been released on DVD, which is how I managed to finally see it!!
This film is the most exquisite thing I have seen for some time. It is so perfect, in so many ways. Just look at the sets, and then there is the architecture, the costumes, the makeup (and hair) and the amazing old Mercedes that 'George' drives. We just about wet ourselves with excitement in the scene where Firth uses an appropriately aged vending machine for his morning coffee in the staff room!! Ahh what a job to be in charge of finding all that 'stuff'!!
And the soundtrack is just delicious and ethereal as well. Pop over to the official website gallery and have a listen.....and a look at more of these stills from the film. A masterpiece. Thank you Mr Ford, thank you. I have a new favourite movie in my top five.

Chair envy

2010-09-20T20:35:00.000+10:00

I adore this beautiful office chair that landed in my inbox a few weeks back, from Envoy commercial furniture. It's the Brunner "Tempus" armchair, made in Germany and designed by Martin Ballendat. Now I have some serious task chair envy. The only thing I might miss with this one is the ability to move between sewing machine and computer screen whilst on wheels. But hey, that's a sacrifice I'd be willing to make for the sake of style and beauty, and the sheer pleasure of owning one of these babies!

Genki is Back!

2010-09-19T13:01:00.000+10:00

Big shout out to an institution in Melbourne shopping over the last decade - Genki.....now it's a virtual shop, but still as cute as ever. Hi Chanie! Hi Honey! xx
I think my boy needs one of the "I Love Talking" Tees. Never stops. Talking. Or moving. Except to sleep. Ahhh I look forward to 7.30pm every night.

All images Copyright to Genki and courtesy of the Genki site

And now....circa 1981

2010-09-17T17:49:00.000+10:00

I've always loved a bit of yellow. Perhaps in 1981 I was loving it a little too much. Outfit including headband courtesy of my Mum's sewing machine (terry towelling with a yellow and fine gold stripe, with yellow ribbing). Don't you love the white (!!) thongs with yellow tights!??? Who am I kidding, this whole ensemble just reeks of style. Olivia Newton-John and "Physical" style that is.....one could argue if that could be called style at all....but when you are 10 who the hell cares anyway!?

P.S. Apologies to Belinda who is included in the photo, couldn't crop you out unfortunately! Not that you are reading this, you probably have far better and more interesting things to do.....

Circa 1960

2010-09-16T09:15:00.000+10:00

My parents are currently house-sitting and this marvellous scenic wallpaper circa 1960 "features" in their hallway. My Mum seems to think its bang on trend, and that some young groover would love to salvage it from the wall and rehang it in their own pad.....I'm not so sure.....there are some wallpaper trends that I think are best left back in 1956. But I do love that wall light, and the little stool.

Close to caffeine perfection?

2010-09-15T16:53:00.000+10:00

I've been experimenting with the coffee machine again of late, attempting to perfect the art of making a caffe latte.....

Judging by the intact coffee grindings "cakes" the pressure from the machine is good...

however all that pressure makes frothing the soy milk a tough task....

Attempt number three was passable. Note to self, next op shop visit keep an eye out for some full size latte glasses (love this vintage pair I own, but they are just a tad too short).

I was pleased to hear from my old friend Joseph that it's tough even for the expert baristas like him to froth a perfect soy caffe latte.

While I'm being a coffee nerd...did you know there is a hand built coffee machine you can buy from the US called "Slayer"!!???? There's one now residing at our favourite local coffee haunt. Methinks it is indeed a "mans" coffee machine, with a name like that and styling like this:

Photo courtesy of the Slayer blog. If you know where to look you can see the real thing at several good cafes around Melbs.

Oh, Bokashi!!

2010-09-13T14:10:00.000+10:00

No, that is not swearing in Japanese. We are now the (very pleased!) owners of a Bokashi indoor composting bucket. It lives under the sink, and it eats our leftovers. And it gives the poor worms in the worm farm a little rest.....with Winter they've been a little slower than usual and are finding it hard to keep up.

Not to mention that it will compost any coooked food!! I'm so excited by the prospect of even less in the rubbish bin at the end of the week......and even more well fed plants!!

If you want to know more about Bokashi buckets, which are perfect for composting if you live in an apartment or are space challenged outdoors (like us), then you can read more here. Ours was purchased at a big box retailer, for under 60bucks, but you can also buy them online....

Mainichi on Sale Sale Sale!!

2010-09-10T16:52:00.000+10:00

Recycled Leather and Wood Brooch now $19AU

Pop over to my Etsy store where there are a few items on sale presently....including such beauties as these.

Recycled Leather & Aussie timber bead necklace now $30AU

Mushi Recycled Leather Pendant now $30AU

Felt face hair slide now $11AU

Recycled Leather & Suede Cuff now $19AU

Inspired by Anish

2010-09-04T14:43:00.000+10:00

Anish Kapoor pictured in front of one of his works. Photo courtesy of BBC.

Photo courtesy of Wallpaper.

On Thursday night I was falling in love with sculpture again when SBS screened a documentary "The Year of Anish Kapoor". Colour, reflection, interiors, exteriors, rusting hulks, mammoth, creating, decaying, time, space, illusion, inclusive, exclusive......AMAZING. I love everything he does.

Memory 2008 Photo courtesy of C4 Gallery here.

In front of his work at the Royal Academy. Photo courtesy of The Guardian.

Tall Tree and the Eye. Photo courtesy of Superfuture.

The Hive. Photo courtesy of Daylife

Paint "train" at the Royal Academy, London. Photo from The Guardian.

My favourite piece of all is the incredibly tactile and edible looking Svayambh, above. It's name is a Sanskrit word meaning "self-generated". This piece is created from a vast block of vaseline, paint and wax that was slowly pushed through a doorway, shown here at his recent exhibition at the Royal Academy in London.

Designer Rugs asks you to vote

2010-09-01T11:05:00.000+10:00

This is one vote that will result in a single outright winner!
Designer Rugs recently ran a rug design competition called the Evolve Awards, which was open to all practicing Interior Designers. Twenty-five finalists have been selected, and you can go here and vote for your fave. Mine is this peacock tail design. But there's plenty more lovelies to choose from....such as this.....

and this.....

Mainichi ♥'s Blue Caravan

2010-08-31T16:24:00.000+10:00

I received this lovely message in my inbox last week from Kelly who bought a Digit leather necklace from my Blue Caravan shop:

Hi Dearne,

thanks so much for my divine leather necklace - it's a thing of beauty!......

Makes it all worthwhile when customers come back to you with unsolicited comments like that!

Spring is in the air

2010-08-30T16:37:00.000+10:00

Ahhh yes it is, this afternoon we soaked up some sun outdoors. Seems like it has been forever since we were out in the garden, what with colds and flus and cold Melbourne weather. With all the colour starting to appear in the garden beds I thought I would try playing around with my new iPhone "Toy Camera" app. Lots of fun, as you can see. A little bit Lomo-esque.

So pleased the cuttings I took from my Grandma's Geraniums have kicked off, now that I've relocated them out of the vegie garden bed (which now seems to be home to Daffodils!).....

These little treasures always make me smile......

What's thriving in your spring garden?? x

St Kilda Steiner Winter Bazaar

2010-08-27T15:08:00.000+10:00

I'll be here on Saturday afternoon, flogging my wares.....if you are near St Kilda do pop in and say hello and have a look at the beautiful setting in the St Kilda Steiner Preschool.....11am to 3pm

Etsy Front Page

2010-08-26T09:19:00.000+10:00

View an Etsy Front Page Treasury List - The Vault on Craft Cult
On the front page of Etsy....about midnight in Aussie time...."Muted Monday" collection by Twillypop.

Love the colour orange

2010-08-25T12:52:00.000+10:00

When I first moved to Melbourne I had a fetish for all things made from plastic in the colour orange. I have a theory that there are times in your life when you are drawn towards certain colours, for some particular reason. I have also read that orange is a healing colour....
Anyway, I digress. Over at KID Independent they have featured a range of orange, yummy things, in their Creative Cravings feature, one of which is my felt face brooch.
Items featured are:
Sweet Alpacas Print by Happy Doodle Land

Amigurumi Ranger by Studio Llama Llama
Embroidered Felt Face Pin by Mainichi
Orange Elephant by Two Little Banshees
Best Bear Plush Doll by Nonesuchgarden
Sylvia Sock Money by Planet Monkey
Balloon of Dream Print by Hsin Ping Pan
Please pop over to the KID blog for links to all these products and great shops.

New Recycled Wood Necklaces

2010-08-23T15:00:00.000+10:00

I admit it, there's been quite a bit of timber featuring in my new creations of late. I think this piece has got to be my favourite so far.

I could class this as a collaborative design really, because the timber pieces I have used to create only six of these necklaces was randomly cut at all sorts of angles by my very own Dad. I've carefully sanded them smooth, added quite a few coats of Scandinavian oil, and then some wax to finish.

The wood is suspended from a piece of handmade rope, this one (which I've been sporting for about a week now, so obviously I plan to keep it!) has a rope strand created from some red wool thread that I salvaged from a skip in St Kilda.

A couple of these are now selling over on my Blue Caravan shop for $59AU - one with coral and the other with magenta coloured rope.

Earthy and beautiful

2010-08-18T20:41:00.000+10:00

This landed in my inbox today. I had to share the image, it's gorgeous. It's for Li Edelkoort's latest Trend Union forecasting presentations entitled "Earth Matters".
Here's the link, you know, just in case you happen to be jetting off to Paris sometime around the 14th and 16th of September, and you don't have anything else to do, you might want to buy tickets.....ho hum.....

Mainichi Shop Online (Australian Dollars)

2010-08-18T10:02:00.000+10:00

Mainichi now has a new shop over at Blue Caravan and best of all you can shop there in Aussie Dollars....YAY.....We're in great company there, with fairtrade, organic, ethical and handmade products galore to choose from. Stop by and see what's on offer. It's all good.

Rainbow Indigo & Violet

2010-08-15T15:08:00.000+10:00

Violet

Indigo

Stinking Scams & Creepy Comments

2010-08-13T17:07:00.006+10:00

Radiation warning sign, originally uploaded by Ernst Moeksis.

Ok this post comes with a warning.....I'm going to have a whinge. So if you do not want to hear it then stop reading.....NOW......

Is it just me or are the "comments" posted on my blog that are not legitimate or full of links to creepy, dodgy websites getting a bit tiresome????

Thank goodness I have ticked that little box that allows me to edit the comments before they appear.

However not so lucky with my email. Yesterday I received what seemed like a reasonably legitimate request for some interior design work. I responded, requesting more information, even though I felt it was a little bit on the dodgy side. The second email I got from said "client" sent the alarm bells ring-a-ding-dinging........

So if you are in the interior design business be warned, if someone emails you about a job and they currently live "offshore".....and want to pay by credit card (hello???!!!)......be very cautious......

Postscript....Blogger must have had their ears burning (or I'm very slow) but I just checked my comments and hooray they now have a spam searcher for comments and a special folder for spam comments to be sent to....yay. Blogging much more pleasant....now.....I wonder if they can do anything about "Gary" who emailed me???

Rainbow Green

2010-08-13T16:55:00.000+10:00

Green

Oops! This was supposed to be created yesterday, if it was to be in the correct order of the rainbow. I blame it all on the fogginess of my awful, lingering flu.

Rainbow Blue

2010-08-12T17:34:00.000+10:00

Rainbow Collection

2010-08-11T11:55:00.000+10:00

RED

Here's the first three instalments in one of my (many) projects this week.

I'm creating a treasury for each colour of the rainbow, on each day of this week.

When I typed the title of this post I remembered Kermit the frog singing "Rainbow Connection"......

To see the treasury in Etsy click on the colour beneath.....Enjoy!

ORANGE

YELLOW

Catching up

2010-08-09T12:44:00.000+10:00

Today it's time to catch up on some unfinished projects that have been sitting on my desk......Shinzo felt necklaces and more Mushi leather brooches above and below.

And lastly these new pieces, inspired by a piece created for the "Tale of Wood & Fish" window exhibition earlier this year. These are plaster-cast brooches, here being sanded smooth, and destined to be painted bright colours. Hopefully that will happen this afternoon, while we are enjoying this "warm" Melbourne winter's day!

A Craft Dilemma

2010-08-04T16:41:00.001+10:00

That's me, many moons ago, with another of my former creative pursuits

Recently another designer/maker and I briefly discussed the concept of craft as a hobby versus craft as a business. And it got me thinking.

This conundrum must be as old as post-industrialisation, and especially post the mod cons of the 20th century that have made life easier, so giving us the age of leisure and time to actually pursue a hobby.

Over the years I have had many of these so-called “hobbies”. I prefer to call them creative pursuits. Whilst I was working in a corporate office environment my weeknight and weekend pursuits provided me with a much needed creative balance against the blandness of my 9 to 5 job.

When my daily work also eventually became my creative work, in my downtime I took up Taekwondo - what I consider could also be called a hobby, but some would call strictly a sport. Much like my creative urges, if I don’t get the opportunity to practice my sport/hobby I get a bit tetchy and short tempered. And that’s not just because I feel the urge to belt something (not someone) really hard. It’s more about the good vibe I get from exercising, changing my environment, putting on my uniform, tying my belt, and the satisfaction of working really hard, sweating and performing well.

In parallel to this dilemma of craft hobby versus craft business, I recall listening to a presenter at a business coaching seminar a few years back. The presenter posed the question “Who has someone available right now to answer the phone or deal with a customer (while they are attending this seminar)?” Being a sole practitioner, running my own interior design practice, I had to answer “NOT ME!” I was a little insulted by his next statement, which was something along the lines of “those who said ‘no’ don’t have a business; they are merely earning a wage…..”

This begs any number of questions, what is a hobby, what is a business, what is a sport and what is earning a wage? Are they not what YOU make of them? Anyone can tell you what they think you are doing, or not doing. But that can’t take away from the satisfaction you get from doing something you are passionate about.

So go forth and create – whatever the outcome. It’s the process that counts. And if it so happens that you make something beautiful that others enjoy AND you can sell it and make a (somewhat reasonable) living from it, then that’s great too!

Shop update!

2010-08-03T11:53:00.000+10:00

Very excited to say that I have a new online shop in Australian dollars over at Blue Caravan. Here it is:

Mainichi shop

And this morning I was surprised (and pleased) to discover that Etsy now has the ability to display in YOUR local currency as well as the standard USD......

Good news for Aussie Art

2010-08-01T14:13:00.000+10:00

Australian artists and art lovers are breathing a little easier this weekend, and looking forward to a successful Melbourne Art Fair, thanks to an announcement by the government on Friday.

Yes, did you know that those who invest in art for their own superannuation funds may have been forced to offload a whole bunch of work onto the market, or stash it away in storage, in order to comply with some crazy recommendations made back in April in the "Cooper Review" into super??

Now, while I believe in buying art for the love of it, rather than purely investment (that's a nice idea though), this could have meant a whole bunch of artwork being undersold, thanks to a flooded market; not to mention the value ripped out from under our talented Australian artists.

Thankfully, for the time being (who knows what will happen after August 21) the Aussie Art market is safe!

Source: savesuperart.org.au

Just be good.....

2010-07-30T19:55:00.000+10:00

Not sure if I like the latest incarnation of SOS's track "Just be good to me"....She may not hit the high notes like Beats International did, but boy does Lily Allen look stylin' in the typical-male-oriented-loadsa girls-video. Which I might add I could not embed in my blog.....why not??
I'm a bit biased because this version by Beats, in it's 12" vinyl format, is still in my record collection, and I could still listen to it over and over....

A Green Theme

2010-07-28T17:22:00.000+10:00

Photo of collected beach litter courtesy of Artist Fran Crowe

Yes, it seems there's a "green" theme running through everything this week....

A lovely lady called Liz contacted me through Etsy. She writes a shopping blog called Great Green Goods and she has just featured one of my recycled leather Kawa necklaces over there.

I had a look through her previous posts and they are choc full of green goodness, that's for sure. I found quite a bit of inspiration there. Liz's blog then led me to Fake Plastic Fish. With a name like that how could I not have a look!! FPF is a blog and website dedicated to one woman's attempt to reduce the amount of plastic she consumes. There's even a whole page full of suggestions on how you can do the same. So get green and go take a look.

Emma, thought you would love this spectrum - even though it's made of rubbish!

Eco Washing Up

2010-07-27T16:07:00.000+10:00

I've loved these environmentally friendly crochet dish cloths from Etsy seller Cocoa Beans for the longest time. I had big plans to teach myself to crochet over the Christmas break (yes, I know, that was over 6 months ago) and make myself some of these, using a pattern in a back issue of Mixtape magazine. Well, all I managed to do was a few stitches.....so I thought it high time I got real, ordered these babies, and stop procrastinating. Now as for doing the dishes....hmmm......

Handmade, Ethical, Freetrade.....

2010-07-26T12:28:00.000+10:00

Blue Caravan has recently launched an online marketplace where you can view products that are handmade, freetrade, ethical, organic....the list goes on. It's a bit like Etsy with an evironmental conscience.
One of my fave things from their shop is this bowl, made from recycled poster paper. The mileage travelled by this one may be a bit high, coming from Vietnam, but it sure is lovely.
Pop over there and have a look around. The lovely Edward & Lilly range is also available there.

Recycled car parts Jewellery

2010-07-20T14:30:00.001+10:00

Hi Octane Jewelry | Recycled car parts | Ghia emblem, originally uploaded by hioctanejewelry.

Ok, do you think this is taking my love of the Volkswagen too far? Found on Flickr, this is the Ghia badge from a Karmann Ghia.....love it.

Nostalgia inspired

2010-07-19T21:04:00.000+10:00

Hello, yes I'm back again. A little slow in bloggy land here.
I've just uploaded two necklaces to my Etsy shop, and I wanted to share them with you, because the materials are so rich with nostalgia for me that I've fallen in love with these two!
Did you ever use Cuisenaire rods at school to learn mathematics? I did, and I've been buying them madly for anyone's birthday ever since I found new sets for sale at Miriam Bereson's shop in Ripponlea.
I also found a bunch of gorgeous, well loved (and drawn on) rods at the op shop, sans boxes, and here's what I've created with them:

You like??

Peppermint Mag & Mainichi

2010-07-06T16:45:00.000+10:00

The lovely women at Peppermint Magazine have featured a Mainichi Kawa recycled leather necklace in a photo shoot for their latest issue (out this week). I'm off to the newsagent to get my copy now!!

Birthday Cakes V2

2010-07-05T19:55:00.000+10:00

Reprised again for this year was the Wall-E birthday cake, Version 2. Upon request from the now three year old was also an Eve cake to accompany his little yellow robot mate. I debated if I should post a photo of these, as I was not entirely happy with the outcome from the rushed icing effort. But then I decided that just tapped into my perfectionist gene (yes, in our family it is hereditary). So I thought "stuff it", I'd much rather share than give you this shiny, perfectionist version of me and my handicrafts. So here they are in all their glory. Imperfect, just like the one who created them! Anyone for cake??

Clouds

2010-06-29T16:17:00.000+10:00

Image: Clouds by Kvadrat Maharam

Dear blog,
I have been neglecting you, I'm sorry. Allow me to explain. I had some "me" time, one weekend, several weeks ago. And since, I've been starved of said time.

Others have used up my nurturing energy, have had needs that required catering to. Quite literally. Stress from a Grandfather in hospital and lots of running around have worn me out. I've been sick, again.

And so today I had to say some words that were difficult, but after doing so I felt the burden on my shoulders lighten. I can stand up straight again. The heaviness is lifting from my chest, and I can feel this cold, or flu, or whatever it damn well is, is beginning to leave my body. Hooray. I'm finding it less difficult to be the "good" Mummy, and the behaviours of an almost three year old not so hard to deal with.

Now my head feels less like this cloudy, non-committal weather that Melbourne is experiencing, perhaps I will have some space to visit with you again and tell you of my adventures.
Dx

Some recent Interior design work.....

2010-06-13T17:22:00.000+10:00

...for one of my lovely clients in the South East suburbs of Melbourne. I designed new cabinetry and selected furniture and fittings for a spare bedroom/wine cellar and the room pictured above is for three teenagers to share - a "retreat" for want of a better word!

Sofa: Jardan

Fabric: Laines and KvadratMaharam

Rug: Dinosaur Designs by Designer Rugs

Cabinet: Custom made grey, white and silver laminate finish

And the spare bedroom/cellar features a new sofa bed, armchair, built in cabinetry for storage and a huge wine cellar (behind the sofa) clad in timber to match the storage cabinet.

Sofa bed: Jardan

Fabric: KvadratMaharam

Leather: Laines/Qube

Cabinet: Custom made timber veneer
Wine Cabinet: by MacPhees, South Melbourne

Sorry about that last photo, it's a bit dark, but I can't resist showing you those beautiful original windows.

Finders Keepers Market Brisbane

2010-06-11T20:31:00.001+10:00

Celebrating this week packing up a whole bunch of stuff to send North, as Mainichi will be at the Finders Keepers market in Brisbane in two weeks time!! Big ups to Tess who will "represent" not just Mainichi but also:
Spin Spin Handmade
Metremade
Teahouse
Elizabeth Ann
If you are nearby, pop on in to The Old Museum in Brisbane on the weekend of 26th and 27th June. Look for the "North for the Winter" banner.

Reinvented Vintage

2010-06-10T16:19:00.000+10:00

Rebecca of Edward and Lilly bought a few vintage hankies from my destash shop recently, and this is the end product, what a wonderful job she has done giving this one new life.
Pop on over to her shop to see more lovely handmade, embroidered goodness or keep an eye out for her at an upcoming market in Brisvegas somewhere....