Betty Babushka and Chester Chipmunk Lino Badges by Betty Jo Designs (images from www.georgielove.com)
Betty Jo seems set to take over the world - now that the Melbourne-based label has been picked up by global brand Paul Smith! Her cute & quirky lino characters already populate many boutiques & gift stores all around the country. Designer Liz Jones has been making jewellery for many years, and creates the Betty Jo range using recycled vintage lino and secondhand buttons. She has always had an interest in found & recycled materials and loves to fossick through op shops.
Sascha Scotty and Bunny Lino Pendants by Betty Jo Designs (images from www.georgielove.com)
Each piece in the Betty Jo range is handmade so all the creatures have individual personalities & no two are the same. The wide-button-eyed animals are available as badges or pendants, and even the chain used for the pendants has a wonderful retro feel. For an animal-lover like me, it's a hard choice between them - especially when there are soooo many from which to choose! Perhaps, since last night I watched Best In Show again on late night Sunday television, Sascha Scotty will be my favourite today. Cute as a button - just like Winky the Norwich Terrier!
Claude Pussycat and Orlando Owl Lino Badges by Betty Jo Designs (images from www.georgielove.com)
To find out more about the techniques & tales of Betty Jo Designs, visit www.ambiguoushourse.com/another-cool-artist/ or the Betty Jo Designs blog at www.linoforest.blogspot.com.
Pip Pony and Ronaldo Rabbit Lino Badges by Betty Jo Designs (images from www.georgielove.com)
You will soon find Betty Jo Designs in Paris, New York & London, but if you're looking for something closer to home, her stable of stockists include:
VIC: Scally and Trombone (Fitzroy), Douglas and Hope (Fitzroy & Melbourne City), Queen (Fitzroy & Windsor), Pussy Cat Black (Brunswick), Monk House (Brunswick East), April May (North Fitzroy), The Cats Meow (Melbourne City), Order & Progress (Melbourne City), Craft Victoria (Melbourne City), Dot & Herby (St Kilda), Lupa (Northcote), Meet Me at Mikes (Richmond), Milly Sleeping (Carlton), Hudson (Balaclava), Kids in Berlin (North Melbourne), Moustache (Fitzroy), a-nom-a-ly (Belmont)
NSW: Collect (Surry Hills), Incu (Paddington), MCA Store (Circular Quay), Paris Texas (Surry Hills), Body (Woollahra), Mrs Peel (Leura)
ACT: The Hive (Braddon)
SA: Irving Baby (Adelaide), Best Wishes (Parkside), Clubhouse Lane Boutique (Croydon)
WA: Billy & Rose (Fremantle & Mt Lawley), Store (Claremont), Form (Perth)
QLD: Craft Qld (Fortitude Valley), Cairns Regional Gallery (Cairns), Cherry Blossom Bookstore (Paddington)
NZ: iko iko (Wellington)
ONLINE: www.georgielove.com
