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

Congratulations to Claire Suzy Stannard whose exhibition, 'Version 1' at Gallery Adagio (Glebe), was really impressive! Little red dots were scattered throughout, which is always great to see on an opening night, and there were quite a few pieces that I wanted to take home - such as the pink acrylic wall pieces pictured above!

The bronze pieces were smaller than I expected from the images I'd seen previously, and the scale worked really well. You can see more of Claire's work at www.clairesuzystannard.com - from here you can choose to visit her art + design site (to see more of her sculptural work) or visit Stannard Inc to see her "mens & womens urban accessories". (Check out The Bronze Age range!!)

I'm looking forward to seeing lots more of Claire's work in the future! If you attended the exhibition, we'd love to hear your comments...

Our very own dozen! Twelve felt lady badges made by Anna Laura, taking inspiration from the indie art & design colour scheme.
Each gal is now available for online purchase through the indie art & design STORE!

Earlier this year, we interviewed two lovely Melbourne-based indies: Jodie Nicholson who handmakes fabric bags for her label Meringue, and Anna Laura Blanford who is well known for her felt lady badges, screenprinted handmade bags and original artworks. Along with this double interview, we have a big surprise! We asked both Jodie and Anna Laura to each create just a dozen products especially for indie art & design, taking inspiration from our site colours. I've patiently kept this interview under wraps while we prepared for the launch of the INDIE ART & DESIGN STORE and would like to announce the online arrival of twelve little felt ladies and twelve gorgeous fabric wristlets!

The idea of the indie art & design store is to promote a handful of the labels we love by stocking strictly limited numbers of selected products to accompany feature articles & interviews. There will only be a small window of opportunity for you to snap up these exclusives - so get your mouse moving to avoid disappointment! Now that's enough stalling, here's the interview...

Blackforest Wristlet by Meringue - AUD $35 from indie art & design store.

I 1. You two have been friends for some time, often mentioning each other in your blog posts. How did you meet? Was it through your common interest in design?

M I met Anna through Etsy. I had seen her posting in the forums and through that, became a fan of her work. She left a funny comment on my blog and then I started stalking her.

AL We met via Etsy, I’m not sure on the exact details but I think it involved a common interest the products we make, design, fabric and creativity. We both had a similar sense of humor, I laughed a lot at Jodie's emails.

Fiona, Jenny & Olive giggle over Carol's 80s hairdo...
Felt Lady Badges by Anna Laura - AUD $20 each from indie art & design store

I 2. What is it like to have a close friend who shares similar aspirations? It must be great to have someone who really understands when things are tough & of course someone who appreciates how much it means when things are going well!

M I can't even measure how great it is to have a handful of friends on Etsy, who are all experiencing the same rollercoaster. It's definitely a support I don't take for granted because I think I'd be lost without it. Having Anna to brainstorm with and vent to is brilliant, she is also responsible for me pushing myself harder than I otherwise might have.

AL I think it is handy to have someone you can touch base with who knows what you do because they do it themselves. I often will email Jodie for advice on things, however it is not always about art and design, I emailed her today on overlocker advice, so she is really my counselor. But she gets paid much less.

Ittybitty Totes by Meringue

I 3. Do you bounce new ideas off each other for designs & new products? Do you provide each other with constructive criticism?

M We regulary share ideas, which some might find weird given that we both make bags. Anna has a definite 'art' leaning with everything she makes, whereas I base my designs more on function first. We come at pieces from different angles, which I think balances everything out nicely.

AL I think this is something that is really valuable, because if I only asked my partner for advice nothing would get made. He has his particular styles he likes and more often than not my stuff doesn't fit into that category. I think we also offer good feedback, I know Jodie won't sugar coat things and I respect that kind of advice.

Twelve wristlets by Meringue, each available for AUD $35 from indie art & design store!

I 4. When you share market stalls, do you think customers are enticed by the wide variety of products, colours & textures on display? In this way, do you think shared stalls are beneficial in creating extra interest & maximizing sales?

M Sharing a market stall with Anna last year was physically hard work but we had so many laughs, even when we were beyond exhausted. Our stall set up changed each week and evolved into a really appealing display that gave customers loads to look at. Spending the day with someone else meant that there was always someone else to reply on, even if it was just having someone to buy you an icy pole when the mercury soared!

AL I think our stuff has a different look, so although some of the products we make are similar (as in they hold all your stuff) it hasn't been a problem in terms of us competing with one another. We did have some people who purchased from both of us at Rose Street, so I think our items work well together. I think the major benefit from sharing a stall was having someone to sit with all day. It can get lonely on your own and having someone to laugh with was always good. I looked forward to the market because I was spending my entire week mainly with 15 year olds, so it was nice to sit and eat SuperDoopers and laugh at the world with someone who isn't trying to draw a dick on your stuff.

Gwen, Aileen, Fay & Joan discuss what they're wearing to Ladies Day the racing carnival...
Felt Lady Badges by Anna Laura - AUD $20 each from indie art & design store

I 5. Have market stalls helped find you new stockists? What sort of responses have you had when boutique buyers discover your labels – do you think your pairing influences them to place orders with both labels, or does it just depend on the individual?

M I actually thought I'd meet more stockists than we did, although I was really happy with the amount of stores I signed on with in the lead up to Christmas. Anna has provided me with plenty of leads and I'm still working my way through that list.

AL One stockist who had contacted me previously, contacted me again and saw my market photos on Flickr. She asked about Jodie's bags and so now both of our items are stocked there.

Wristlets by Meringue - AUD $35 each from indie art & design store

I 6. Do you ever combine forces & approach new boutiques together or just provide moral support for each other before/after?

M We don't really approach stores together but we do share resources and tell each other where we're at as far as short term goals go. I think both of us are now very comfortable in approaching stores, although we've both been lucky in being sought out by stores who have seen our work online or in person.

AL We did go on a drive to find possible stockists in Melbourne and we do help each other in terms of contacts and passing on details to people we know. I think within the indie community it is really important to have this kind of support, because it isn't an easy industry when you're small as you don't always have the contacts. Without it I would be way back at square one.

Purse by Anna Laura from the Bamakko Screened Exhibition (19.4.2008 - 11.5.2008)

I 7. You both use a variety of fabrics to make wristlets, bags & pouches. Do you ever go hunting together to source materials?

M We've never actually shopped for fabric together but by sheer coincidence, we do sometimes buy exactly the same fabric. However, we use it in such different ways and it's always interesting to see how Anna has applied a fabric to her bags, that I may have used for a wristlet.

AL We have not yet had a trip to Spotlight yet. I think this would be fun. There are a lot of fabric stores in the area I have just shifted to that I previously didn't have time to go to when I was working full time. I'm looking forward to having time in the day when I can go to op-shops and fabric shops and finding some really decent fabrics to work with.

Fabric wristlets by Meringue - AUD $35 each from indie art & design store.

I 8. What do you each admire most about the other?

M I love that Anna is so quietly passionate about her label. She is driven to make it a success but it's more about creating art, sharing it and making a living, not about finding fortune and fame... ...although I'm sure secretly she longs to appear on Mornings with Kerry Ann.

AL Jodie is fantastic at customer service and dealing with people and she can tell it like it is. Plus she has a good sense of humor and doesn't mind it when I say things that are probably inappropriate.

Spagetti Tote by Anna Laura

I 9. How important is the online component of your businesses? As I write this, I can see you’re both about to tip over the Etsy 150 sales mark – are any celebrations planned? How do you find sites like Etsy, MadeIt, Mintd etc? Do they provide a significant percentage of your sales, or do you see them as more as a source of supplementary income & marketing with retail boutiques the main focus?

M Online selling has been important for getting noticed by retail stores. It has been a steep learning curve that has taught me far more than I ever could have learned in any class. My online sales only account for a small percentage of sales but they have played a vital part in my business.

I am looking to set up my own website shortly, with its own shopping cart but I will definitely be keeping my other online stores and moving my main store from Etsy to Dawanda. I really like the Dawanda site and the way it operates, the attitude towards members appeals to me far more than Etsy.

AL I just calculated today what my online sales are over the last six months and it is about 25% of my income. As for the 150 sales on Etsy I had not planned anything big. Maybe I could shout Jodie a cask of Lambrusco and a ride in my car, I think she would like that.

I've just started a shop on Dawanda and I really like the look of the website and the fact that it is European based. Madeit is also a great site and growing all the time, the woman who started it, Bec is really supportive and friendly as well.

Wristlets by Meringue - AUD $35 each from indie art & design store

I 10. In addition to maintaining your online stores, you both post regularly to your weblogs, www.meringuediary.blogspot.com and www.annalauraart.blogspot.com. Your posts feature product updates, descriptions of your process and progress, and entertaining tales of skylarking & gossip as you travel through the various designers markets & events around Melbourne. Much time is obviously dedicated to keeping us all in the loop – is it a struggle to fit it all in, or is it something you just enjoy doing? Does maintaining your blog help to keep everything in perspective?

M It was with some hesitation that I started my blog last year but now I can't imagine not having it. I've been somewhat remiss in posting for the last couple of months thanks to long working hours and illness but I can't wait to start posting regularly again.
I'm always amused to see how Anna and I post about the same event. I normally come off sounding like such a whinger by comparison!

AL When I was working full time it was hard to keep it updated. I often worry its boring and dull and I tried to keep my posts nice as I also worked as a teacher. I'm no longer teaching so I am not so worried about people finding the blog so will probably make it a little more personal. I enjoy blogging because I have a history of my work and because you can get a response from other bloggers on your work. I love reading other peoples blog as well to find out what they are making and some insight into their life. I love seeing photos of the spaces they work in and where they live. I know it is a little nosey, but I'm really interested in that side of things. I also like blogs, which are not all happy la la. People make mistakes and mess and I like to hear about that side of life and see it as well.

Damask Pendant by Simone Walsh and screen printed fabric by Lara Cameron.

I 11. How do you find the indie community in Melbourne, & have you met designers in other parts of Australia either through blogs or markets etc?

M I am also good friends with Simone Walsh from Etsy. She makes the most fantastic jewellery and I've found that having both her and Anna in daily email exchanges have kept my motor running. I'd like to be more active in the Melbourne Indie community but finding the time is a battle.

AL I've meet a few people from Etsy as well as other people in the indie community. Someone who is really lovely is Lara Cameron. She makes the most amazing things and he designs are beautiful and she is so down to earth and friendly. I am sure I will be saying "I knew Lara when..." very soon and I will be rather proud of that! It is great to have a support network all over Australia, I know if I went to other Australian cities there would be people there who I could meet with and tell me the good places to visit and I like the fact that I can email people who I might not have spoken to for advice and they will always be willing to help.

Button Art by Meringue

I 12. Finally, please tell us some of the highlights of your design experiences so far & where each label is headed in 2008!

M November and December last year was a blur but it was so incredible. I was working more hours in my day job, the wholesale orders were rolling in, I was doing the markets with Anna and also filling online orders, it was crazy busy.

I've started this year slowly but I plan to leap into it shortly. I'm really excited about 2008 because I have so many plans. First will be my website launch, which has been a long time coming. I've also got two new handbag lines in the works and a top secret project involving buttons. Yes, buttons! My big goal for this year is taking my wholesale side to the next level both here and in the US.

AL I think highlights are having things featured in the press and online. Often running a small business you have to work really hard on the promotional side of it, so when people like Frankie, design blogs like Indie and Modish and The Age are willing to expose smaller brands like myself it is exciting and it pleases me they are willing to support smaller brands. When you are making things you need to hear people tell you what you are making is good, you get so lost in what you are making you often lose sight so when someone lets you know it looks good it motivates you to keep working.

My aim for 2008 is an exhibition. I've been making a lot more art and I would love to have a show. I would also like to do some more fabric design for my bags and learn new screenprinting techniques.

Original artworks by Anna Laura. On the left is an image of one of her badges with a body, and on the right, "Wild Boys", an original monoprint & drawing available from Anna Laura's Etsy store for US $35.

I Thank you both so much for providing us with an insight into the workings of your labels! With such gorgeous products, I'm sure we'll hear much more about Anna Laura & Meringue in the future... Current stockists for each label are listed below:

ANNA LAURA
VIC: Rose Street Artist Market (Fitzroy), Meet Me at Mikes (Fitzroy), Little Salon (Fitzroy, City), Kids in Berlin (North Melbourne), Brunswick Bound (Brunswick), Lumina Textiles (East Malvern), Anomaly (Belmont), Bob Boutique (Bendigo), I Dream a Highway (Northcote)
NSW: Dragstar Clothing (Newtown), Betty Mim (Newcastle)
ACT: The Hive (Braddon)
WA: Jac Boutique (Perth)
ONLINE: indie art & design store, www.annalaura.etsy.com, www.dawanda.com/shop/annalaura, www.madeit.com.au/annalaura

MERINGUE
ONLINE: indie art & design store, Meringue Shop on Etsy, www.dawanda.com/user/Meringue
Real World: Meringue is stocked at many boutiques (including on of our faves, Betty Mim in Cooks Hill, Newcastle) - please contact Jodie directly to locate your nearest Meringue stockist.

"birds are both beautiful and fascinating" by Madeleine Stamer of Little Circus Design

indie art & design first featured the work of Madeleine Stamer back in February 2007 - almost a year ago now! Since that time, Madeleine has created many gorgeous new works and has also joined The Jacky Winter Group. With the Group exhibition on in Melbourne tonight, we wanted to revisit the work of this inspiring artist & delve a little deeper into her motivations and creative process.

Madeleine's work is strikingly beautiful. Her line work is bold & fluid. The shape of her subjects has been simplified, yet within the lines, the characters are richly adorned with symbolic designs. To learn more about her unique style, we asked a few questions...

I For many of your works, you use either black & white, or a limited colour palette consisting of reds, pinks & yellows. These colours create a beautiful aesthetic... How do you choose your colours & what do they signify in the artworks?

MS Over the years, I have modified and refined the use of colour. This has been a challenge for me, as I love going berserk with it! I would use colour indiscriminately, kind of like when a child draws an outline and picks the 'right' colour to fill the space, it was always a random choice and my reasoning would be 'what ever felt right at the time' sort of mentality. Now I put more thought and effort into my colour choice, which I guess, isn't as spontaneous.

I love using a monochromatic palette and creating basic black & white images. The two techniques are quite separate. When I use colour I tend to be more unplanned and unscripted. The result is often more painterly, decorative and busy. The colour choice is often symbolic to the subject matter; the two go hand in hand. My black and white images allow me to have more control over my work. I like the primitive and simplistic nature of bold organic line. When I limit myself to a black and white palette, the process appears simple and less decorative yet it is very time consuming because I aim to be neat and thorough. I am dead keen to start a series of drawings limiting myself to blues and a yellow series too. Finding the time is the biggest challenge!

"i*heart*you" by Madeleine Stamer of Little Circus Design

I What have been your biggest influences over the years & how have you developed your unique style of painting?

MS There are so many influences which fall into many categories. Nature, natural history, mythology, graffiti, Aboriginal art, European folk art, vintage toys and the decorative arts all play a big role. I love a bit of kitsch too, I guess the most significant artistic influences for my colour and line choice would be Picasso and Chagall. Culturally I am a sucker for folk art, particularly Mexican ceramics and traditional Mexican decoration and religious iconography. The Mexican culture has an instinctive way of including vibrant colour and mixing surreal elements in everyday life, it is a sensory delight!

It's not all sweet and saccharine, my influences are wide and varied and I love badass, lowbrow art too. Artists such as Mark Ryden depict the mysterious darker side of life, his work is amazing.

Painting/drawing has always been second nature to me and has developed instinctively. I have never considered myself a particularly strong drawer, however, I love every aspect of the painting/drawing process. Compared to ceramics, you are guaranteed a relatively risk free outcome. Working with clay you are up against so many odds. A lecturer once insultingly compared my style to that of 'cake decoration' which I thought was a laugh and probably an accurate description! My background is in ceramics, so when I would design a piece I'd always draw a detailed image representing the 3D form. My ceramic pieces were at times more of a sculptural palette for my drawings, heavily decorative and patterned hence the cake decoration comment...

I draw the way I do because I'm inspired to create from the heart with a little injection of humor (as trite as it sounds) but that's how it happens for me. This attitude gets me in trouble sometimes as I wear my heart on my sleeve!

"the second month" by Madeleine Stamer of Little Circus Design

I Are the skeleton shapes within your living forms about the physicality of being alive (& how it feels to interact with nature), or the inevitability of death & how the body will continue in the cycle of the natural world..., or something else again?

MS All of the above and more! The skeleton characters are inspired by my fascination with mythology, natural history and interest in Dia de los Muertos (The Day of the Dead). The Mexican culture has an irreverent way of dealing with life, death and grieving. The attitude towards such inevitable events are dealt with in a deeply spiritual, joyful and playful manner, something Western culture should adopt more often. Calaveras (skulls) and skeletons represent passed loved ones and commemorate the souls of the dead.
I have always had an affiliation with Mexican art and craft. As a child, my Mother decorated the home with hand made Mexican ornaments which I loved. When my Father passed away, I began using skeleton imagery increasingly in my work to celebrate his posthumous journey and to represent his spiritual presence. My skeleton characters always signify someone special, be it person, bird or beast.

"29200" by Madeleine Stamer of Little Circus Design

I You obviously have an affinity with the nature - the people you depict are very much a part of it too. Is this a reflection of the way in which you view the world, or are your images more from a dream world?

MA A combination of both. I had an idealistic childhood; my parents worked hard yet prioritized family life. I am the youngest of five and I am very close to my siblings and adore my parents. We were never spoilt but we were privileged in the sense that my parents invested so much time and love with all of us. My Father instilled a love and respect for nature in me and both parents always encouraged my love of art. I have always had a vivid imagination and a yearning to daydream which is something my parents also encouraged. Such imagination and naivety led me to believe that Father Christmas, the Easter Bunny, Gnomes and other phantasmagoric creatures were real even as a (early) teenager! My images contain anecdotes from life, often spiced up with a dream snippet or two. In a perfect world I’d be surrounded by animals and family living harmoniously in a magical realm. This is easier to make happen with art.

"worth the wait" by Madeleine Stamer of Little Circus Design

I One recurrent theme in your artworks seems to be family relationships - has becoming a mother influenced your choice of subject matter or the way in which you depict relationships?

MS Becoming a mother and being married to a very supportive husband has certainly cemented and validated the use of such imagery. Being brought up Catholic I have always had a fascination with the symbolism of Madonna and child, angels and devils and a healthy balance of good versus bad. When I create a mother and child scenario, it represents various relationships such as me with my daughter, or my mother or an ode to motherhood/parenthood in general.

Many of my drawings make strong reference to an experience or contain sentimental significance. 'The Second Month' and '29200' are dedicated to my Father. He passed away on February 29 2000, a very unusual and tricky date to commemorate being a leap year. Although my art is very personal, I welcome people to interpret their own special meaning. It is not exclusively intended for my eyes only. The physical making of the work is a cathartic process which is very rewarding. I am not sentimental to the extent that I don't want to share the true meaning and symbolic gesture of the work with outsiders. So many people share similar experiences in life. My work is intended to be joyful and enjoyed by many.

"the happy warbler" by Madeleine Stamer of Little Circus Design

'The Happy Warbler' is another work that depicts fond childhood memories infused with anecdotal reference. The image is of a canary in skeleton form. We always had canaries growing up and one of my favorite movies was 'Birdy'. Such beautiful looking creatures with the song of an angel. The title is also inspired by something an old gentleman said who lives around the corner from us. He explained that the local wild rabbit that has survived on its own for several years, was left behind by a family when they sold their home. He refers to the rabbit as 'the happy wanderer'. This is a true story! It has befriended neighborhood cats and they sit side by side in alliance on the driveways (I've seen this with my own eyes!) It lives under houses and is fed by the locals who throw carrots to it. I haven't seen the rabbit for a couple of months but apparently it is doing fine…

"fierce protectors" by Madeleine Stamer of Little Circus Design

I I love the new works you've added to your web site! Is there a particular focus you're working on at the moment?

MS 'fierce protectors' and 'wake up sleepy' are the first in an ongoing series of work dedicated to my imaginative little characters affectionately called bird buddy worms. Birds are an important aspect of my work and they are a reoccurring theme, birds symbolise and represent many facets of my personal life. I have introduced the fierce looking worm buddys who guard and protect the birds against oncoming harm. Unlikely guardian angels perhaps...

In a nutshell: These chubby, slow floating and loyal creatures with sharp teeth blow vaporous bubbles in the direction of nasty beasts which threaten the idealistic existence of birds. The attackers are met with a cocktail of gaseous wafts which inflict short term paralysis. They are often caught in their own back fire thus falling prey to their assault. Fortunately the experience is short, sweet and strangely pleasant with no documented side effects if it entails a soft landing.

"wake up sleepy" by Madeleine Stamer of Little Circus Design

There is an unwritten law within the bird world that no worm shall ever be pecked, scratched or harassed and nest sharing is encouraged. Empty and used egg shells may be given as treats. Sounds strange but I enjoy working on these kooky little chums!

I How did you come to be a part of the Jacky Winter Group, and which of your works will be on show at the Group exhibition?

MS In 2007, I was privileged to become part of The Jacky Winter Group. The agency was established by Jeremy Wortsman, a truly lovely person dedicated and passionate about contemporary Australian illustration. He currently represents 24 amazing Australian artists all with unique and varied styles. I feel very humbled to graze in such pastures and pinch myself every so often to remind myself of my good fortune. I think all my planets were aligned the day I emailed Jeremy my portfolio. He had come across some of my images along the way and he was keen to meet up and view my work in the flesh. The moment I met Jeremy I sensed his genuine interest and enthusiasm. He refers to the other artists in the agency with such respect, passion and pride.

The Jacky Winter Group is named after a native Australian Robin that shares the same initials with Jeremy. This instantly hit a soft spot with me due to my fondness of all things feathered. The agency is having its launch December 20-21 at The Carlton Hotel Gallery in Melbourne. Each artist from the agency will display a small selection of work spread across nine rooms. I have 2 pieces available as 100 x 120cm limited edition photographic C type prints. One is 'Birds are both beautiful and fascinating' (pictured at top) and a new image titled '3'. It will be a grand celebration to end a momentous year.

"3" by Madeleine Stamer of Little Circus Design

I Thank you Madeleine, for this wonderful insight into your artworks & creative process! To see more of Madeleine's work, visit the Little Circus Design web site - Limited edition giclee prints and selected original paintings are also available to purchase. Best wishes to all the artists exhibiting with The Jacky Winter Group tonight :)