Through their innovative new label, Spoke + Spool, Sydney designers Alia Parker and Laura Pike have threaded together their love of both fashion & cycling. They've released a fantastic range of creative clothing for guys and girls with all garments designed & made by Laura. The label was launched at the recent "Where To From Here" exhibition at Fraser Studios (Chippendale) which celebrated bike culture in Sydney and showcased the work of a number of progressive designers, artists and makers around town.

The Spoke + Spool collection is remade from existing vintage clothes which are made from beautiful fabrics such as silk and wool. The clothing is transformed with an emphasis on functionality - achieved specifically through reflector tape, screenprinted bicycle map linings, and compasses for navigation. I really love the little bolero pictured above. When the coat tails are buttoned up, the woven reflector tape patches look like a pair of ladybird wings!

Aren't these photos beautiful? The photo shoot was at local Sydney Park (the grassy hills seemed very familiar!), and the talent behind the lens was Sudney photographer Laura Friezer. This pretty bike fashion is a far cry from lycra bodysuits!

I think this is my favourite from the range. The "onesy" has been totally transformed from the original garment, with legs that were once sleeves, and frills which used to be a belt... The diamond-shaped reflector detail makes a cute pattern which matches the stylish, airy feel of the outfit.

Spoke + Spool represents a duality of style & function for the inner city commuter propelled by pedal power. The label endeavours to be as resourceful and ecologically sound as the transport method it's made for. With designs springing from superior second hand and vintage clothing & fabrics, each garment is both unusual in style and totally unique. The vintage woolen vest pictured above is reversible, so it's ideal for both on and off the bike.

The Spoke + Spool range is stocked exclusively at The Vintage Clothing Shop, Shop 7/80 Castlereagh St, St James Arcade, Sydney. To find out more about this collection of "Freewheeling Clothes for Bikelovers", visit www.spokenspool.com. With compass vintage wristbands to guide them, these girls know where they're going!

Unbrushed Tunic Dress Short (left, USD $52) and Black Circle Dress A-Line (right, USD $62 sizes XS-XL, USD $64 plus sizes 1X, 2X & 3X) by Lyptis

A cute dress which is cosy, cosy, cosy! Quite a find... Melbourne designer Franziska Ringel named her label "Lyptis" after "euca-lyptus" because "they smell so nice and are always green". Originally from Germany, she used to do drawing, photography and worked as a sound technician at punk/hardcore concerts in Berlin. Last year, she started sewing, and loves being able to make something that she and her customers can wear and use everyday.

Winter Blossoms Top (left, USD $45) and Grey Circle Dress (right, USD $64 sizes XS-XL, USD $66 plus sizes 1X, 2X & 3X) by Lyptis

The garments pictured here are made from warm, soft fabrics such as double knits and unbrushed fleece. Many Lyptis designs are also available in plus sizes, so nobody need miss out. Franziska is happy to accept custom orders too! I think my favourite is the Grey Circle Dress. Which would you choose?

You can view many more Lyptis designs at www.lyptis.etsy.com and keep up-to-date through the Lyptis "The Rant" blog.

NEW BROOCHES: Cream Ladder, Chocolate Giraffe, Plum Elephan & Cream Flamingo Brooches from Shonah Jewellery Design (AUD $32 each)

Having just returned from Spain & Italy, I couldn't resist posting these gorgeous new designs from Shonah Jewellery Design... We saw so many hand painted patterned tiles, and mosaics featuring mythical birds & beasts. Of course, in Rome, you barely need a handbook - there is something of historical significance around almost every corner.

Spanish Tiles Pendants from Shonah Jewellery Design (AUD $49 each)

I love the gentle colours in Shonah's Spanish Tiles Pendants - particularly the pale blue & tan combination.

European Monuments Pendants from Shonah Jewellery Design (AUD $49 each)

We first featured Shonah Tomkin's jewellery pieces back in May last year. Since then, this Melbourne-based designer has been developing new collections to add to her impressive line-up. As well as pendants and earrings, Shonah now offers brooches. The animal & object shapes really stand out, as do the fabric textures - simply dyed with warm hues of chocolate, cream, red, plum & black. Isn't the step ladder cute?! (Selected styles pictured at top.)

In The Woods Pendants from Shonah Jewellery Design (AUD $49 each)

Shonah's jewellery pieces begin life in the hands of her father, who hand crafts pieces of Tasmanian oak in a quaint country town. Shonah then combines them with resin & fabric, and has them laser cut to shape. She uses a blend of her original screen-printed fabrics, patchwork and vintage fabrics, and more recently, has sourced gorgeous fabrics from local designers such as Ink and Spindle and Shannon Lamden. The pendants above and below are from two of her new collections, "In The Woods" and "Eclectic".

Eclectic Pendants from Shonah Jewellery Design (AUD $49 each)

For more info & designs, beautiful photos, or to place an order, visit www.shonah.com, or find Shonah's pendants, brooches & earrings at one of the following stockists:

VIC: Allure of Alexandra (Alexandra), Antipodes Bookshop & Gallery (Sorrento), Arbor Redux (Brunswick), Body (St Kilda East), Five Boroughs (Brunswick East), Honey (Echuca), House of Balaclava (Balaclava), i like you (Fitzroy), Just Planet (Sunbury), Love It (Melbourne City), Queen Clothing (Collingwood & Windsor), Souk Lifestyle (Northcote & Armadale), Sentient Being (Eltham), Spoilt Gift and Homewares (Melbourne), Watermark Clothing & Lifestyle (Point Lonsdale), Wild Jam (Flemington), Wilkins and Kent (Melbourne), Wolf at the Door (Daylesford), Zinc Lifestyle and Gifts (Camberwell)
NSW: Goulburn Regional Art Gallery, Honeybee (Newcastle), Morrison (Sydney), Mushu (Balmain & Surry Hills), Precious Fusion Contemporary Jewellery & Metalwork Gallery (Stanwell Park & Cronulla), Sturt Gallery (Mittagong)
Portrait Gallery Store (Parkes), The Style Emporium (Nicholls)
QLD: D’Pinga (Noosa), Lavish Essentials (Wooloongabba), Sunnibel (Currumbin), The French Door (Paddington)
WA: Eshe (Bunbury), Lotus Accessories, Method Clothing, Morrison (Fremantle & Claremont), Spoilt (Subiaco)
SA: Ikeguchi Creative Life (Adelaide), Red Poles Gallery (McLaren Vale)
TAS: Homebody (Launceston), Luxe
ONLINE: Georgie Love, Miss Koo, Moose: Art for Living

Eclectic Fabric Pendant (AUD $49 each) and Antique Keys 2 (AUD $54) from Shonah Jewellery Design

We're thrilled to tell you that the second issue of Peppermint Magazine is now available!! (Lots of pics coming soon...) On p82 is "breaking the pattern" - our indie art & design interview with Umbrella Prints. This design duo are from South Australia and they create vibrant hand screen printed patterns on organic fabrics. They've also collaborated with a number of other designers to produce jewellery, quilts & more... The full interview with designers Amy Prior & Carly Schwerdt is below - hope you enjoy it!

I 1. How did you find each other & then form the Umbrella Prints partnership?

UP We both have young daughters, drive old holdens, studied art and design, love colour and pattern - it was inevitable really! No seriously, we were both running businesses next door to each other and became great friends.

I 2. What are your favourite making processes or Umbrella Prints designs/products?

UP All Umbrella Prints designs come from first sketching and our love of art, we take from our own artwork and design from there. For example a beautiful garden scape by Amy will have a little flower hidden amongst the folliage and we will play with that. It is a process of discovery through our own art. We invest a lot of time into this design process, what we do is unusual and very deliberate, we concentrate on really exploring the potential within each design instead of churning out product.

I 3. Do you have individual specialities, or are you both involved in every step?

UP We appreciate each other's own individual style so much so that we don't need to box ourselves into roles. We are very lucky to work so well together, it sounds corny but we are like Ying and Yang.

I 4. How does your approach enable your label to be environmentally friendly?

UP At all levels of running Umbrella Prints we are always striving to find better ways of doing things, from the postconsumer waste paper we print our stationary on, to the durable 100% organic hemp/cotton base cloth we print on. Making a product that lasts is important and using every last scrap means less waste.

I 5. Tell us about your Tandem collaborations!

UP An umbrella is a symbol for bringing people together and we use the word 'Tandem' because it describes two entities propelling each other forward. So far we have collaborated with crafter Brooke of Boobook, quilter Jenny from Ciuccio, San Francisco & silversmith Ceeb Wassermann. We look forward to working with many other artists, designers and crafters.

I 6. You're both mums and Carly – you also run Nest Studio art classes for children. Do you find inspiration in the works created by such little hands?

UP Children are by far the most creative people. They are intuitive and they work free of judgment, something we can all only hope to achieve.

I 7. Where else do you both find inspiration?

UP Inspiration is everywhere.

I 8. You've had the opportunity to contribute to a number of craft books – have you had a great response?

UP The books, Meet Me at Mikes and Quilts Baby! which showcase our fabric by way of Carly's crafty sewing patterns, are available in March. They already look fantastic based on the covers alone so one can only imagine they will be a success.

I 9. Have you exhibited your work, either individually or as Umbrella Prints?

UP Yes, we have both exhibited as artists, Amy with her most recent show 'Papercuts'. Umbrella Prints has exhibited for 'Modern Australian Textiles' alongside Publisher Textiles, Nicola Cerini and many other Australian Designers.

I 10. You obviously enjoy working as partners. Is it difficult to keep the balance right or does everything just fall into place?

UP If we fight it's because 'my ego's bigger than yours!'

I 11. Do you keep in touch with fellow creative types via your blogs (Rain & Shine - http://umbrellabella.blogspot.com & Moopy & Me - http://www.neststudio.typepad.com)? What are some of your favourite blogland reads?

UP We have both met some amazing people via our blogs. We love so many but here is just a taste : Julie of Four Leaves, Amanda of SouleMama, Claire of Loobylu, Hillary of Weewonderfuls and Pip of Meet Me at Mikes. Check our blog rolls for more!

I 12. Where is Umbrella Prints next headed?

UP Umbrella Prints is very fluid and we like to let our insprirations lead, that being said the essence of Umbrella Prints is always about beautiful pattern. For now though, our next print run is well and truely underway, new colours, new pattern and we have also been creating many lovely wooden objects, such as wall brooches and mobiles.

Thank you so much Amy & Carly for this insight into your design practice! We'll be looking forward to seeing much more from Umbrella Prints!

You'll find Amy & Carly online at:
Umbrella Prints
Amy's blog Rain & Shine
Carly's blog Moopy & Me
Nest Studio - art classes for children
Umbrella Prints' Etsy shop
Umbrella Prints' Big Cartel shop
and their fabrics & products can be found at the following stockists:
SA: Ikeguchi Creative Life (Adelaide), Little Bird at Elliot (Port Elliot)
ONLINE: Mid Century Modern
INTERNATIONAL: Rose and Radish - San Francisco