headwear

Green Sprout Hat (left, USD $35) and Bouquet Arm Warmers (right, USD $65) by Artish

I hope you have enjoyed our little "winter wear" series of posts :) Lucky last is a collection of colourful creations made by Leticia Maguire for her label, Artish. Leticia wants to make fashion personal, and both her online store and Etsy store are bursting with one-of-a-kind handmade scarves, hats, arm & leg warmers, and more... By the way, Leticia has just announced a massive sale with 50% off everything for the month of September! (So, take 50% off the prices listed on our image captions.)

Rose Cowl (left, USD $50) and Lion Tamer Scarf (right, USD $45) by Artish

I LOVE the colours Leticia weaves together, especially in the Lion Tamer Scarf pictured above. Vibrant colours can really seem to make your skin glow... I usually wear fairly dark clothes, so for me, accessories like scarves & gloves are ideal for adding just a small dose of "bright" into an outfit.

Red Basketweave Cowl & Wrist Warmers (left, USD $70) and Tightrope Scarflette (right, USD $35) by Artish

Over time, Leticia has developed an appreciation for fiber, and how it can be used in so many ways. You can clearly see this in her creations - the small details & unique combinations weave her personality into the mix. She is especially delighted when the blend of textures and colours in the end result surprise her.

"It's a real pleasure to create something, and watch it go out into the world, knowing that it will transform and evolve along with the style of the person who is wearing it."

Solo Cowl/Head Thread (left, USD $30) and Chai Tea Scarflette (right, USD $40) by Artish

I will leave you with Leticia's cute description of herself (on her Etsy profile):
"I love things that go fast, just about anything that is red, old fashioned bicycles, a cup of tea. I'm not sure that I could live without a computer and the internet, and I certainly couldn't survive without something to create something else with. I can't help tapping my toes to a catchy tune, and can't resist hot chips. I'm perpetually searching for the perfect handbag."

You can read more about Leticia's handmade knitted accessories on her web site (and online store) at www.artish.com.au or on her blog at www.artishhandmade.blogspot.com. You can also find Artish in the following retail stores:
NSW: Newcastle Regional Art Gallery (Newcastle)
VIC: in.cube8r (Fitzroy)
ONLINE: whipit australia

Pink Bobble Hat (left, USD $35, less 20% for Aust. buyers) and Grey Cable Wristwarmers (right, USD $30, less 20% for Aust. buyers) by Me and Tex

The pink bobbles around Me and Tex's winter hat (above) are the cutest! Designer Judith Macrae is a Sydney-based visual artist who loves painting & drawing, good design and is excited by the many different ways to express creativity - including knitting!

Blue Aviator Helmet (left, USD $40, less 20% for Aust. buyers) and Pink Bow Cotton Beanie (right USD $30, less 20% for Aust. buyers) by Me and Tex

Judith leant to knit as a child & remembers her first experience of creating something with her own hands. Her range of unique hand-knitted accessories reveal her love of different colours & textures - especially natural fibres like wool & mohair.

Skinny Red Stripy Scarf (left, USD $38, less 20% for Aust. buyers) and Black Glamour Headband (right, USD $18, less 20% for Aust. buyers) by Me and Tex

By carefully adding little details and playing with colour combinations, Judith weaves her personality into the Me and Tex range. Each piece is equally cute & cosy! You can find more of Judith's knits at www.meandtex.etsy.com.

Pure Wool Beanie with Detachable Flower (was USD $27, now USD $19 for a limited time) from Sheeps Clothing's Etsy store

Since I've spent the last couple of days shivering & freezing, I decided to put together a wish list of winter woolies and cosy clothing that I would like to wear right now, all at once! (As well as a bundle of knits for the whole family - like the sweetest little girl with the cream woollen beanie above.) I went 'virtual shopping' at Etsy and spied treasures from six different Australian sellers: Sheeps Clothing from Melbourne, Heidi and Seek from Melbourne, Me and Tex from Sydney, Lyptis from Melbourne, melpdesigns from Perth and Gaye Abandon from Melbourne (I love her motto, "Remember: belly warm = body warm").

Throughout the next week, I'll be posting my favourite winteries from these lovely labels, so make sure to stay tuned!

Vintage Button Scarflette in Pure Wool (left, USD $36) and Pure Wool Scarflette (right, USD $30) from Sheeps Clothing's Etsy store

Sheeps Clothing offers a gorgeous range of hand knitted accessories in colours and sizes to suit everybody. Each one is slightly different and made to order, specially for you. I really love the vintage button detail on the scarfette above left - and the design looks particularly warm too!

Every item in the Sheeps Clothing range of hats, scarves and hair accessories is lovingly created using 100% Australian pure wool. If you don't see the size or colour you are looking for, just contact them with a custom order...

Set of Two - Sweet Knitted Flower Hair Clips with Fabric Backing (left, USD $7) and Pure Hand Dyed Wool Beanie (right, USD $27) from Sheeps Clothing's Etsy store

When Stacey's boys were babies, she began searching for high quality, great looking knitwear for them, with little luck. Since she comes from a long line of knitters, she began knitting beanies and scarves herself, and experimented with different types & styles. The comments & compliments convinced Stacey to take the next step and launch her own label - and so, in 2007, Sheeps Clothing was born.

Since then the range has been expanded to include adult sizing and a beautiful new range of vintage button accessories. We're excited to hear that the label will be expanding and even exporting to the USA this year!

Pure Wool Open Knit Hat with Flower (left, adult size, was USD $29, now USD $20 for a limited time) and Pure Wool Beanie with Detachable Flower Feature (right, child/teen sizes, USD $27) from Sheeps Clothing's Etsy store

Stacey is passionate about teaching young people to knit and has a series of workshops planned for 2009 to hopefully introduce a lifelong love of the craft.

Find out more about Sheeps Clothing at:
the web site www.sheepsclothing.com.au
the blog www.sheepsclothingknits.blogspot.com
and of course, the store www.sheepsclothing.etsy.com

Sheeps Clothing is stocked in the following retail stores in Australia:
VIC: Kids in Berlin (North Melbourne), Little by Little (Black Rock & Hampton), Meet Me at Mikes (Fitzroy), My Poppet (Caulfield South), Noah's Aeroplane (South Yarra), The Owl and The Pussycat (Sandringham) and Scadoodle (Southgate & Melbourne)
SA: Bimbo (Adelaide)
WA: Red Feathers & A Hula Skirt (Melville)
ONLINE: Leeloo.

Thank you to Hope Street Markets for the parcel of flyers that arrived in my post office box the other day! Sydneysiders will be happy to know that the Summer 2008 markets are on this weekend. The stalls open and celebrations begin tonight at 6pm, and continue throughout the weekend, with live music both tonight & tomorrow night.

There are lots of fresh faces in the designer lineup - A Bitter Harvest, Oh Fiddlesticks, Sanoii + Six, Fuzz Design, Indecent Exposure, Summerblossom, Shelbyville, Tamptation, Ellenade, Linda Blair, Bronzen Temple, Nanna Dee, Scottato, Mam Mam, Imoko-Tactile Curiosities, Peppermint Jewels and Oneredline will all be offering their unique wares for sale.
Meet them:
Friday 1st Feb, 6pm - 9pm
Saturday 2nd Feb, 12pm - 9pm
Sunday 3rd Feb, 12pm - 5pm
182 Campbell Street, Surry Hills
www.hopestreetmarkets.com

Dazzling goodies by Scottato

Scotatto brings to life an array of handmade treasures, from beautiful vintage fabric heels, charming leather character purses and patterned cushions, to bold retro-inspired bags. Vintage treasures found from scouring markets and op shops inspire and feature in Scotatto’s designs which are unique, one of a kind creations, handmade with love.

Sweet necklaces by Peppermint Jewels

I love the Peppermint Jewels range... I have a pair of Peppermint Jewels earrings that I received as a Christmas gift a couple of years ago & just adore! Designer Marina Civiero creates nostalgic, quirky neckpieces, earrings and brooches for contemporary girls using strong images and colours in simple, sometimes minimalist combinations that at once showcases elegant fun.

Vintage inspired jewellery & papergoods by Shelbyville

Shelbyville offers an intriguing range of books, badges, stickers, zines and other paper-based things. With a background in graphic design, creator Michelle Vandermeer uses illustration and typography, mixing the old and the new, the digital and handcrafted. The Shelbyville philosophy is one of reappropriating old things and redesigning them into contemporary items – 1960s Scrabble tiles recycled into jewellery; handbound leather notebooks with covers made from old sofas; handmade badges + stickers + bookplates + postcards made from remixing imagery from vintage storybooks and old atlases. Shelbyville is really just a love affair with paper and old things, combined with a relentless desire to make stuff!

Hats by Ellenade

Sydney-based label Ellenade creates all wonders of hats & headwear to frame our faces & shade us from the sunlight. Each hat is uniquely made from beautiful cotton fabrics sourced from around the world. Designer Ellen Adele has recently returned from a fabric sourcing trip to Japan, so there are plenty of beautiful and unique fabrics to choose from!

After the success of their winter debut, Hope Street Markets is on again this weekend! The line up will include 15 new designers plus a heap of local musicians for Saturday's independent music evening. If you are looking for gifts, you can even have your purchases gift wrapped for free by Frankie Magazine.

Among the new additions is Sydney label iMok. Best friends Jen & Sandra began iMok by applying their amazing stencil art to t-shirts. They've transported a range of unique characters from the pages of their sketchbooks into the world of fashion. The current collection is titled "The Time Is Now" - a combination of the old & new, tried & true. Each graphic encourages you to take a closer look at the finer details that life can bring. It includes limited edition super soft top & tees for guys, gals & kids, as well as accessories such as the iMok signature button up scarf and hand drawn trucker hats and badges.

See you at Surry Hills!

Velcro Obi and Obi Sash Belt available from www.rubykimono.com

Ruby Kimono is a celebration of colour, creativity and Japanese textiles. Jennifer Latimer began the label in early 2006, both to make a large selection of Japanese 'Yukata' cotton robes readily available in Australia, and to introduce her range of custom products made by hand from recycled kimono fabrics sourced from Japan. These include a variety of accessories and sashes which are available from www.rubykimono.com. The site also features a 'design-your-own' sash which enables the customer to combine their choice of style, silks or cottons, prints and linings. Some of the gorgeous vintage kimono fabrics on offer are pictured below.

The variety of styles & fabric combinations is something else - you'll be happy knowing your creation is one-of-a-kind. Styles include the following:

• 1. The Obi Sash Belt with Velvet Ribbons. This consists of a single silk piece or multicolour pieces, from AUD $80.
• 2. The Velcro Obi. This style fastens flat at the back - choose from cotton or velvet with a single silk piece or multicolour pieces, from AUD $60.
• 3. The Padded Obi with Ribbons. This is a stripe or block colour cotton with single silk or multicolour pieces. It is tapered at the ends and tied with a ribbon at the front or back, from AUD $70.

Padded Obi wih Ribbons available from www.rubykimono.com

• 4. The 3 Way Sash. This versatile creation is designed for wearing on the head, waist or beltloops. The self-tying sashes are made using cotton or silks, AUD $35 - AUD $45.
• 5. The Scarf. An elegant piece made from block colour cottons and silks, AUD $38 each.
• 6. DESIGN-YOUR-OWN - Combine your choice of style & fabrics for something truly unique!

3 Way Sash available from www.rubykimono.com

Melbourne Made is a new indie shopping market featuring many colourful products made by Melbourne's top artists & designers. All items are Australian made and many are handmade one-off pieces. Held over three days, from Thursday May 3 - Saturday May 5, you're sure to find something special! Choose from designer clothing & knitwear, jewellery & accessories, kids wear, homewares, affordable art & more. For more info & a preview of some of the products you will find at the market, visit www.creativewomen.com.au/melbournemade/.