indie shopping

Not long ago, I spent a long weekend in Melbourne with my mum & sister. While I didn't make it to all all the shopping strips I would have liked (as I had to be 'diplomatic'), I did get to visit many of my favourite boutiques in the city - and take some pics to share with you!

The Africa handmade deep-scoop-back one piece swimsuit (AUD $250) by We Are Handsome

Christmas Birds (AUD $14.95ea) by Paper Boat Press

Christmas is almost upon us and as people and places dress up for the occasion, we bring you a selection of handmade pretties to adorn your own living room and the gifts beginning to appear under the tree (or in our case, the resident peace lily)!

5 Pack of Small Stars (AUD $20) and Petite Round with Heart (AUD $12.95ea) - ceramic decorations by paper boat press

I'm really in love with ceramics at the moment, and these sweet pieces are handmade in Brisbane by Kylie Johnson. Her label, paper boat press, began as a boutique greeting card range featuring Kylie's one or two line poems. paper boat press has now grown to include ceramic ornaments, ceramic jewellery, original illustrations and functional ceramic vessels. Many of Kylie's designs incorporate her poetry. Her poetry collection "count me the stars" was published by Murdoch Books in 2008, and she has a second book, "a once courageous heart" due for release in March, 2010. You can see more at www.paperboatpress.com

Handmade Kid Leather Christmas Bauble Decorations (AUD $10ea) by Emerge Shoppe

Look at these leather decorations! They have been handmade by Emma Greenwood, who also exhibited her work in the "Shoe Show" at Craft Victoria last month. Each decoration measures approx. 9cm high, and will certainly catch Santa's attention. The kid leather Trees and Baubles have been top stitched and sparkled-up with Swarovski crystals, while the Owl cuties have been overlaid with additional leather pieces and given good sled-spotting night vision with big round eyelets for eyes!

Handmade Kid Leather Christmas Tree and Owl Decorations (AUD $10ea) by Emerge Shoppe

You'll find Emma's creations in her online store, Emerge Shoppe and you can also follow her blog, aprons & hammers, at www.apronsandhammers.blogspot.com. Emma also makes leather accessories which would make great gifts - especially for people who are hard to buy for... like boys! Choose from keyrings, belts, brooches, pins & cuffs...

Set of 3 Double-Sided Recycled Silkscreen Ornaments in Blue (AUD $22ea) by etsa sketch

etsa sketch divides her time between art & study, and creates really lovely drawings & prints. The printmaking process can be hazardous and unpredictable at times, and she likes to "take any mistakes, imperfections or bad decisions and repurpose them into something beautiful".

These sweet wooden discs feature small glimpses of hand-pulled silkscreen prints. They are double-sided and would make great ornaments for Christmas or any other time of year! You'll find them in etsa sketch's MadeIt store, and you can follow her blog at estasketch.blogspot.com.

Pack of 5 Flora Tags, Letterpress and Lino Cut (AUD $9.50) by RubyVictoria

This post has been a real mix-up of materials - ceramics, leather, silkscreen prints and lastly... letterpress! I love these Christmas tags by Tasmanian printmaker & artist RubyVictoria - in fact I just purchased a dozen of the Naughty/Nice Coaster Tags pictured below! 'Nice' tags will be going to grandparents; siblings will definitely receive 'Naughty' tags, (despite all the help I received at Finders Keepers)... I wonder which of our parents & friends will make the 'Nice' cut?

Pack of 5 Letterpress Christmas Gift Tags (left, AUD $7) and Pack of 6 Letterpress Coaster Tags (right, AUD $12) by RubyVictoria

You'll find lots of loveliness in RubyVictoria's MadeIt store and you can follow her blog at www.rubyvictoria.blogspot.com.

If you're looking for even more Christmas decoration inspiration, we recently featured the Polli Decoration Kit of 30 (AUD $19.95) and edward & lilly's gorgeous lavender birdies (AUD $15).

Wishing a Merry Christmas to all our indie readers!
With love from Carolyn & Martin xx

Nikki Catalano and edward & lilly, Australian indie labels participating in the Indie Avalanche of Prizes, a joint project by indie art & design and The Finders Keepers.

We all had a fantastic time this weekend at The Finders Keepers Markets! Thanks to all the indies who came to visit - it was really lovely to meet you in person. We held the prize draw for the Indie Avalanche of Prizes at about 7.30pm on Saturday night. The winning tickets were drawn by Kevin Tran, whose "Finders Keepers" artwork featured on the cover of our "25 reasons to shop indie" booket, Finders Keepers cofounder Sarah and myself. We were so excited to find that two of our winners were in the crowd for the draw!

Bonnie Poplar and Saffron Craig, Australian indie labels participating in the Indie Avalanche of Prizes, a joint project by indie art & design and The Finders Keepers.

A big congratulations to Natalie (ticket B31), Karla (ticket B54) and Kirsty (ticket D79). Both Natalie and Kirsty had come to Sydney especially for the Markets, so the trip was definitely worth it! By the way, Kirsty's dad (who was excited as both Kirsty & me), runs the Star of the Sea apartments in Terrigal. If you're looking for luxury accommodation for a special holiday, look no further!

Duckcloth and Gaye Abandon, Australian indie labels participating in the Indie Avalanche of Prizes, a joint project by indie art & design and The Finders Keepers.

Our three indie gift hampers were incredible, and I want to extend a big thank you to all the labels who contributed their designs to the Indie Avalanche of Prizes. There was a fantastic mix of different products and we've featured images from each label either in this post or the last... If you'd like to order from these designers, you can contact each label directly using the links below. (You'll also find some items in the new indie store which will launch this week - eek!!)

Lark and geritom71, Australian indie labels participating in the Indie Avalanche of Prizes, a joint project by indie art & design and The Finders Keepers.

All the lovely labels...
a skulk of foxes, benconservato, Bonnie Poplar, Chimney House Shoes, Duckcloth, edward & lilly, feedthedog, Gaye Abandon, geritom71, Iggy & Lou Lou, Lark, Little Jane St, little white dish, Made by White, Mainichi, me and amber, Nikki Catalano, Non-Fiction, Saffron Craig, Sarah Rothe, Simone Walsh, South for the Summer, Trove, Umbrella Prints.

Little Jane St and Mainichi, Australian indie labels participating in the Indie Avalanche of Prizes, a joint project by indie art & design and The Finders Keepers.

An extra special thanks to D&O Printing, Artarmon, for printing the Indie Avalanche of Prizes booklet. With D&O's support, we were able to give each entrant something special to keep long after the markets are over. Each label's name and URL are included with the images, and we do have copies left over. If you weren't able to attend the Markets and would like a copy of the booklet for yourself (and friends), email your address to Carolyn at nineteen.toes@indie.com.au and I'd be more than happy to pop some in the post!

little white dish and Trove, Australian indie labels participating in the Indie Avalanche of Prizes, a joint project by indie art & design and The Finders Keepers.

D&O Printing have provided us with excellent quality printing for many years. The business is family-owned and not surprisingly, the service is exceptional. They printed our booklets at very short notice, and worked late into the night last Thursday - delivering the booklets to me personally to make sure everything was ready in time for the Markets!

me and amber & Chimney House Shoes, Australian indie labels participating in the Indie Avalanche of Prizes, a joint project by indie art & design and The Finders Keepers.

If you purchased a ticket in the Indie Avalanche of Prizes, you probably met Kathryn of geritom71. Kathryn and my little sister Melissa were invaluable helpers on both Friday & Saturday and we had lots of fun manning the Non-Fiction / indie art & design stall...

Non-Fiction and Made by White, Australian indie labels participating in the Indie Avalanche of Prizes, a joint project by indie art & design and The Finders Keepers.

We look forward to future collaboration with Sarah & Brooke & The Finders Keepers!

Simone Walsh and Umbrella Prints, Australian indie labels participating in the Indie Avalanche of Prizes, a joint project by indie art & design and The Finders Keepers.

We are so excited to bring you this gorgeous collection of festive gift ideas for Christmas 2009! This year's Gift Guide is bursting with indie goodness - designs that we absolutely love. Every product featured here can be purchased online with ease, and there's something here for everyone...
Happy shopping this holiday season!

Thank you to all the gorgeous labels and boutiques who accepted our invitation to support the indie art & design Christmas Gift Guide 2009.

Masked Bandits by Iggy & Lou Lou (AUD $190ea)

We're excited to bring you the second instalment of our "Three of a Kind" interview series - this time with Irene Grishin-Selzer the artist & designer behind the gorgeous Iggy & Lou Lou jewellery label.

To be honest, I'm a little in awe of Irene and her Iggy & Lou Lou creations. Her style is so unique, and each time I browse through her web site (which is truly an artwork in itself), I find myself adding up what it would cost me to buy... everything! (Well, a good selection anyway!) Her latest collection, "Love Bandits" explores the concept, "Stolen time stands still, and love lasts forever...", with pieces that possess a mysterious quality whilst at the same time connecting with the viewer (or wearer) on a very personal level.

Iggy & Lou Lou was launched in 2003 and since then has released seven successful jewellery & artwork collections. Irene draws on the rich history of porcelain and each piece is lovingly hand crafted and kiln fired up to four times to attain the patina of buried treasure. Collections are rich with historical references, decorative themes and narratives, and influences - from ocean depths to forest folk, sixteenth century Memento Mori and the black and white character of Film Noir - imbue each piece with the presence of a much-loved heirloom.

'Just Like Honey' by Irene Grishin-Selzer (AUD $2600 - SOLD)

I What makes you 'three of a kind'? The motivations behind your works, your techniques & approach or the themes that run through the artworks, or a little of each?

ILL There is an element of humour, mystery and fun that runs through all of our interests, approaches and themes. I think its evident in all the different mediums we tackle.

Dinosaur with rainbow medallion by Iggy & Lou Lou (AUD $185)

I What led you down this career path?

ILL I always liked making things and selling them from when I was little. I studied up to Masters in ceramics and applied arts (with jewellery as a minor subject) I wanted to find a job that gave me a sense of creative freedom but I couldn't find anything that I liked. A business grew out the demand for the jewellery I was making and with the help of those who work with me, I'm able to devote time to making artworks as well. It doesn't really feel like a 'career' choice as it just grew out of a need to retain my creative freedom.

Horse Bandit Sculpture - Black Tear by Iggy & Lou Lou (AUD $820, jewellery and skull not included)

I What do you love most about being an artist/designer?

ILL I love being able to take ideas and feelings and make them into concrete objects... Making things by hand is really rewarding for me. Sometimes it takes longer than expected but there is a real sense of satisfaction from seeing it through from start to finish. I also enjoy the practical aspects of sending things all around the world via the website - its nice to feel a connection with people from far away places. I also love being able to travel overseas and meet and work with other artists who make beautiful things like Madeleine and Beci.

'Cant Tell The Birds From The Blossoms' by Irene Grishin-Selzer (AUD $1800)

I Does living in Melbourne influence your artwork?

ILL I'm not sure. Maybe it does unconciously... but I don't know in what particular way. I don't live in the city as I love the sea, but I always think I'd make the same kind of work whevever I lived - but who knows?

I What is the focus of your work for the Three Of A Kind exhibition?

ILL I often work in 3D but am showing some limited edition photographs and prints for the first time. I've also made some new wall sculptures which are in between 2-3D. I generally work with themes of love and mystery. I like working with dueling themes that often work out as opposites of the same coin, eg.the dualities of love/beauty vs loss. Dreams and reality often collide and an element of humour or playfulness is always there to keep things in check!

Double Bluebird Necklace by Iggy & Lou Lou (AUD $110)

I What do you love most about the work of the other two girls?

ILL I love lots of different things about both Madeleine and Beci's work. Probably mostly the playful but considered dreaminess…that gets me every time!

Thanks so much, Irene for finding time amongst the exhibition preparations to tell us about the journey and inspirations behind Iggy and Lou Lou. Wishing you all the best for the upcoming show! Do make sure to visit www.iggyandloulou.com to see many more beautiful porcelain creations from Iggy & Lou Lou's six collections.

There's not long to go until the doors at Lab X Gallery open to reveal new works by this trio of artists: Iggy & Lou Lou, Madeleine Stamer and Beci Orpin. Opening night is Friday 20th November 2009, from 6-8pm. In the meantime, you can follow the show preparations at http://threeofakind09.blogspot.com.

The exhibition continues until November 29.
Lab X
40 Pakington St, St Kilda, 3182.
ph. 03 9534 8838
Gallery hours are 8.30am to 6pm Monday to Friday.

Ceramic magnets by Little Jane St.

STARTING TODAY: The first ever Brisbane Finders Keepers markets!
Our favourite designers markets have headed North to welcome Queensland fans to indie shopping heaven. Many Queensland-based designers & makers will be exhibiting at Finders Keepers markets for the first time. They'll be alongside designers who have travelled from up from Sydney, Melbourne & elseware to showcase their products to a new crowd.

Below, we've pictured a small selection of delights you'll find this weekend at the Old Museum (next to the RNA showgrounds in Brisbane). Featured is the work of Little Jane St, Courntey Brims, Edward & Lilly and Bespoke Letterpress We'll let you discover the rest...

Sweet ceramic herb nametags by Little Jane St

Little Jane St is the stationery label of Brisbane-based designer, Alarna Zinn. She makes a great variety of greeting cards and gorgeous little accessories like the ceramic herb nametags and paper garlands pictured below. There are many more beautiful photos on her web site, www.littlejanest.com.au and blog, littlejanest.blogspot.com. Do visit! (Both her sites and her stall at Finders Keepers!)

Greeting cards by Little Jane St - displayed in a cute vintage suitcase.

Paper garland by Little Jane St - who also makes cute confetti packs from the paper cuttings!

Courntey Brims is the Brisbane-based artist responsible for the exquisitely beautiful illustration on the Brisbane Finders Keepers markets flyer (which we pictured in our post about Brisbane applications). Her work is so finely detailed - with fairytale girls and shy forest creatures drawn into intriguing tales of their own.

Greeting cards by Courtney Brims

Don't you LOVE the "Blossom" illustration below - where the little dear's antlers have sprouted blossoms (and attracted a couple of resident spiders)?! You can see more of Courtney's gorgeous drawings at www.courneybrims.com.

Greeting cards by Courtney Brims

Edward & Lilly is another Brisbane label who will be showing off super-sweet creations this weekend. Designer Rebecca Cason embroiders gorgeous little characters onto linen & Japanese fabrics. The expression on Kitty's face (below) is perfect!

Embroidered Kitty softie and sweet girl illustration by Edward & Lilly

Rebecca incorporates her embroidered designs into accessories, softies and decorations beautifully. The pile of birdie shapes below will have been filled with lavender by now so that you can decorate your Christmas trees with Christmas birdie cheer! You can read more about Edward & Lilly and see many more photos & designs at www.edwardandlilly.com, or visit the MadeIt and Etsy stores...

Embroidered brooches and lavender-filled Christmas birdies by Edward & Lilly

Bespoke Letterpress create beautiful stationery and limited edition prints using rich 100% cotton paper, deep impressions and their antique 1893 Letterpress.

The prints are illustrations by a variety of artists including Nancy Mungcal, whose "Honey In Sunshine" design is pictured directly below, and Chrissy Lau, whose "Geraldine & Walter in Love" illustration is underneath. You can find out more at www.bespokepress.com.au and the Bespoke Press blog.

The Finders Keepers opens today at Old Museum (next to the RNA showgrounds in Brisbane), cnr Bowen Bridge Road & Gregory Terrace,
Herston. Hours are as follows:
Saturday 31st October: 12pm - 9pm
Sunday 1st November: 10am - 5pm
Best wishes to all the Brisbane indies who will be attending or exhibiting at their first Queensland Finders Keepers!

The work of talented Sydney-based potters Deb Taylor and Murray Topham is currently on display, and ON SALE at UNSW! The Pottery Sale (at the Kensington Campus) began this week. It's open tomorrow 30th November, and continues next week from Tuesday 3rd to Friday 6th November 2009 (11am - 4pm).

With two locations, the Blockhouse (Level 2, G6 on the Campus Map) and the Quadrangle Colonnade (G6 on the Campus Map), you're sure to find some perfect gifts for Christmas - at surprisingly low prices. We spent ages admiring the designs & taking photographs, and there were many, many pieces priced from approximately $20 to $100. Some of the larger pieces were between $100 and $200 which is great value. I bought two sweet little cups on Monday, and I think I may return next week - though I really want that extra piece for myself!

You'll need cash for purchases, but there are a couple of ATMs just outside.

Deb Taylor is the talent behind local label Little White Dish, whose pieces took our collective breath away at the Winter Finders Keepers Markets at Carriageworks. Her pieces are imaginative, witty, petite and so beautiful. Many of the small cups & jugs are instantly recognisable by the signature dimples in the side. The dimples remind you that the fired clay was once a soft and malleable, and they echo the fluidity of the liquids they're designed to contain.

I LOVE the typewriter-style text which has been pressed into so many of her pieces, including the cute pendants above and the "Intoxicated" cup pictured at top! My favourites had been "Dark Horse" and "Black Sheep" but Deb has recently added a whole new range of words for Christmas too. We'll be returning to the studio in a few weeks time to capture Deb's work in progress - so keep an eye on our site for the upcoming Studio Visit post!

This was my first introduction to the work of Murray Topham, which we both thought was stunning. Just look at his creations above! There is a lot of careful detail in each of his pieces, but they retain a "light" feeling with the surface decoration complimenting the ceramic forms. There shapes have both geometric and organic elements, and the texture of the pieces above could be inspired by the same corals & sea creatures that seem to have influenced the structures.

Both artists contrast delicate matt outer surfaces with lustrous glazed interiors to great effect. Don't you love the gradients of blue peeking out from the white above?

Once again the shapes in the pieces pictured above are fantastic - the boats, cones and spheres...

So much time must have gone into the creation of Murray's pieces below... The pink polyp especially is incredible!

For more information about the artists, visit Deb Taylor's web site at www.littlewhitedish.com.au, or contact Murray Topham through the ARC Potters in Residence at UNSW, or of course, visit the Pottery Sale! The artists themselves look after the sales, so you'll have the chance to chat to the makers of these gorgeous ceramics.

Time Travellers - artwork from Poems for Piotr by Lang Leav

Devilishly talented Akina (Sydney-based artist Lang Leav) has just released an exquisite hand-crafted music picture book titled "Poems for Piotr". This is the fourth book in her series of sell out releases, and this time round, she has collaborated with music composer Cyrus Meurant. The book contains all new artwork by Lang Leav, and Cyrus Meurant's compositions feature the beautiful vocals of Angela Little (who was chosen by Baz Luhrmann to perform in "Australia"). Only 100 copies of Poems for Piotr are available, and you can order yours at www.akina.com.au (AUD $199.00 + P&H). You can also listen to music samples from the accompanying album.

The making of Poems for Piotr by Lang Leav

Drawn from her own experiences, Poems for Piotr reveals a stylistically written dialogue between two mismatched lovers – in a heartfelt exchange of poetry and prose. As the story unfolds, their disjointed conversation stretches further across a growing divide of time and distance.

Lang's stunning artworks, together with her innate ability to speak volumes in few words, evokes a quiet yearning throughout this bittersweet love story. Her characters inhabit a world of abject loneliness – one devoid of other humans, where only the company of strange creatures are kept. The atmospheric quality of Cyrus' music blends seamlessly into this desperately sad, yet beautiful world.

Bound by hand - Poems for Piotr by Lang Leav

The finishing on Poems for Piotr is incredible. So much love has been stitched into each and every volume!

Postcards Pack (AUD $20) and Pin-back Button Pack (AUD $25) from www.akina.com.au

Lang Leav is well known for her dark depictions of fairytale characters. You can find Little Miss Hood and her friends & foes among the postcards & buttons available at www.akina.com.au. These are the perfect price for a birthday or Christmas present - that's if you can part with them!

Little Miss Hood Camisole (AUD $78) from www.akina.com.au

You'll also find a range of gorgeous fashion pieces at www.akina.com.au. The unique styles of Akina's tops and dresses match the mood of the artworks, which have been incorporated in cute lace frames. Garments include the versatile Little Miss Hood (above, AUD $78) and Snow White (AUD $78) camisoles, stylish Liliput Tuxedo Top (second image below, AUD $129), sweet Pandora Blouse (AUD $98) and the stunning dark red Goose Girl Gown (below, AUD $198).

Goose Girl Gown (AUD $198) from www.akina.com.au

Liliput Tuxedo Top (AUD $129) from www.akina.com.au

"Akina is a villain with a button fetish. She attacks teddy bears to steal their button eyes!"

Lang Leav has created her own fairytale world for Akina - encompassing a wide range of projects and disciplines - fashion, art, poetry, books... Her work alternates between the whimsical and melancholy, expressing an underlying complexity beneath its child-like facade.

Limited edition pendants by Akina and Zoe Sernack

Lang has worked on projects both independently and through a number of collaborations with other artists. One previous joint project was AKINAxZM. Lang and Zoe Sernack brought their talents together to create miniature sterling silver works of art with movable heads, housed in limited edition handmade packaging, and worn close to the hearts of farytale villians far and wide.

Teddy Bears Picnic by Akina

The following images show two of Lang Leav's previous book projects, "The Teddy Bear's Picnic" and "The Little Mermaid". Limited editions of both titles have sold out, but it's wonderful to admire the imagery and detailing - and see the body of work from which Lang's latest book, Poems for Piotr, has emerged.

Teddy Bears Picnic by Akina

"The Teddy Bear's Picnic is a collection of stories with a sinister twist to your favourite fairytale characters. Within this world, Gretal discovers something more delicious than candy, Little Red Riding Hood undergoes a ghastly transformation and Repunzel uses her long, golden locks to commit atrocious acts. It is a world where button fetishes are contagious, childhood nursery rhymes are interwoven with macabre themes and happily ever after is anything but."

The Little Mermaid by Akina

The Little Mermaid features original artworks and stories by Lang Leav, based on the haunting fairytale by Hans Christian Anderson.

The sea will sing
in stormy swells,
a song forewarning,
of a love to end
tomorrow's dawning.

As the castle bells
begin their chime,
across the land
tolls mournful curse-

when his ring will find
another hand
that isn't hers.

EPILOGUE
The Little Mermaid

I really love the final two images - scenes from the making of The Little Mermaid.

The making of The Little Mermaid limited edition book by Akina

The End.

The interior installation above is currently on show at Planet in Surry Hills. Local favourite Publisher Textiles collaborated with ceramic artist Kris Coad, Home Beautiful Magazine and Planet to create this celebration of delicate imagery, forms & textures, which is on display throughout September.

Publisher Textiles specialises in printing bespoke, environmentally friendly textiles and wallpapers, using natural fabric fibres and recycled materials for their non-woven wallpaper base. In their Leichhardt studio, they hand-print products with unique designs & patterns using a custom water based ink that is equally durable and light-fast.

The pop up installation features Publisher Textiles' signature 'Swan Print' wallpaper and a handful of specially selected, exclusive hand-printed feather cushions from the award winning Dusk products range. (Both can be purchased from Planet throughout the month.)

I love the sense of weightlessness created by the themes of floating & flight. The leaf shadows move midair between the swans, and the leaves are so fine & translucent that they could almost be feathers themselves.

Kris Coad's bone china 'floating leaves' is so beautiful. Since each leaf is suspended at a slightly different angle, the light bounces off in different directions creating a lovely tonal range.

Kris has been a practicing ceramicist for over 20 years, currently works full time in her studio, based at the GASWORKS Arts Park in Melbourne. She describes her work as follows:
"I am interested in the spiritual and daily ritual of different cultures, the way an object, symbol, mark or shadow and its placement can trigger a transformational response. To interpret the anthropological sentiment behind beliefs, I make contemplative pieces that have a stillness and silence in an increasingly complex world."

To view the installation or purchase the homewares on display, visit Planet at 114 Commonwealth Street, Surry Hills, NSW, phone 02 9211 5959.

Showroom hours:
Monday-Friday 10.00am - 5.30pm
Saturday 10.00am - 5.00pm
Sunday 12.00pm - 4.00pm