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indie art & design blog

a felt rabbit

Felt Easter Bunny gift card by 0049 Design

Look at the gorgeous Easter card I received from Anika & Svenja of 0049Design! Thank you so much girls - that was such a surprise. I know I'm a little late but I couldn't resist posting my goggly-eyed felt greeting, so a belated Happy Easter to you all.

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Thursday, March 27, 2008.

back to indie

Greenstone Gallery, Emerald Beach NSW.

Did you miss me? I've sure missed indie! I was caught by a whirlwind of travel, which paused briefly for a little holiday at Emerald Beach (near Coffs Harbour), then swept me to Melbourne to show off our new Winter tees for Non-Fiction, and finally took a breather with family at Berry for Easter... It's been busy, but there were many highlights including:

  • Long walks along stunning Moonee Beach
  • Watching the grey kangaroos on the headland at the end of each day
  • A visit to Greenstone Studio & Gallery at Emerald Beach - there are only a handful of shops but they include this contemporary art gallery as well as two gorgeous restaurants!
  • A pub meal in the Dandenong Ranges with the very lovely Sally of Georgie Love - it was so exciting to meet one of my "indie friends" in real life!
  • Discovering lots of new boutiques & meeting all our new Melbourne stockists - thank you for being so friendly!
  • Easter fun & games with Fritz Herbert the completely adorable long-haired daschund...

I'm happy to be back home again & have so many wonderful products lined up to share with you all... so stay tuned!

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Thursday, March 27, 2008.

make my day

The Indie Wire - News from indie art & design

We've been tagged twice for a Make My Day award! Thank you so much to lovelies Michelle from Shelbyville & Liss from Daydream Lily. I was delighted when I discovered both of your nominations :)

The Purpose of this Award is as follows:-
'Give the award to 10 people whose blog brings you happiness and inspiration and makes you feel happy about blogland. Let them know by posting a comment on their blog so they can pass it on. Beware, you may get this award several times'.

Shelbyville blog screenshot

Michelle from Shelbyville loves making things, particularly things made from paper, Sculpey or general art materials ... books, zines, paintings, sculpture, origami, papier mache. Her blog is full of posts about her process & inspiration as well as her adventures & travels.

Daydream Lily screenshot

Daydream Lily is a blog which is close to my heart. I discovered Liss' blog not long after I started indie art & design, and we often stumble across similar designs - especially illustrations - to fall in love with. Liss is also the sister of Bec Winnel, (MyCharlieGirl) who creates beautiful & delicate sketches and portraits.

My nominations are for blogs like mine who feature the work of indie designers from our corner of the world. Of course, Daydream Lily would have been on this list, but Liss got in first! So here goes (in no particular order):

Lost At E Minor screenshot

Lost At E Minor provides us with a great selection of posts from all corners of the art world - art, photography, fashion, film, music & events. I love receiving their weekly newsletter by email...

Modamuse blog screenshot

Modamuse began as a blog to showcase original products made by independent designers from Australia & New Zealand. Nancy & Jessica Lim then opened their virtual doors to the Modamuse shop, where lots of these lovely products can now be purchased!

Follow Studio blog screenshot

Follow Studio features Jessica Doherty's inspiration & favourite things including design, objects, interiors, retail therapy and must-see places around Sydney and beyond. I love her choices - especially her eye for beautiful package design, homewares & other pretty things.

MadeIt blog screenshot

The MadeIt Blog regularly features a selection of products from designer's MadeIt stores - lots of inspiration & handmade goodness!

Design Federation screenshot

The guys at Design Federation keep us up to date with local events & exhibitions, indie fashion & design and post regular feature interviews with talented creatives from all fields.

Studio Home Creative screenshot

Studio Home Creative is the new blog on the block. Julia began her blog in January - it's really taken off in that short time & she writes with an enthusiasm which is contagious.

Well, that's six nominations... Hopefully that will give you lots more indie inspiration!

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Saturday, March 01, 2008.

random collaboration

Collaboration artwork by Nicole Tattersall and Pep, showing at the Random Collective exhibition.

The crazy characters in these artworks seem to leap from the canvas to fill the room with chatter and wild animal noises! The paintings are the result of a collaboration between artists Nicole Tattersall and Pep, and these two images will be hanging in the Random Collective exhibition which opens this Sunday (3pm - 6pm). It's on at Wonthaggi in the South Gippsland area and will feature the work of more than a dozen Australian artists plus a few from Germany & the UK... Artists include Floh, Seldom, Fray, Nicole Tattersall, Nom Kinnear-King, Leeana Edwards, Tanko, Sach, Pierre, Maxberry, Vars, Nayve, Ears, Pep, Chelsea Greaves and more.

Collaboration artwork by Nicole Tattersall and Pep, showing at the Random Collective exhibition.

On opening day (this Sunday 2nd March, 2008) Random Collective will be hosting a variety of activities to involve the whole community including a Stencil Workshop, a Stencil Opportunity and a Raffle (of artworks & other great prizes). All profits from the above will be going towards the South Gippsland Conversation Society. If you'll be in the area, make sure to get along!

Random images from the Random Collective exhibition, Wonthaggi, VIC, March 2 - 29, 2008

Random Collective: 2 - 29 March 2008,
Where: Over 2 Kate's, 50-52 McBride Avenue, Wonthaggi.
Exhibition Opening: 3pm - 6pm, Sunday 2nd March 2008.

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Tuesday, February 26, 2008.

deliciously handmade

Alex Clutch and Bronte Clutch by Kara Smith

Designer Kara Smith's collection of handbags is good enough to eat! It all started when she happened upon a piece of gorgeous fabric, begging to be made into something beautiful. As she tucked it into her trusty yet tired-looking handbag, she resolved to transform that piece of fabric into a new bag for herself... From that first bag sprang many more, and the Kara Smith label was born.

Willow Tote by Kara Smith

Kara lives in the Blue Mountains (about an hour from Sydney) where she creates a variety of handbags for all sorts of different purposes - every one perfect for the girl who wants to stand out from the crowd. She uses 100% vintage & retro fabric, chosen for head-turning appeal, and adds gorgeous detailing including pockets, vintage buttons and recycled buckles (collected with an eye for the odd, delightful and the cute). The series of photos of the blue Bronte Clutch (right, top of post) highlights the detailing which makes her bags so special.

The fabrics Kara has chosen are truly unique. I think my favourite bag is the Willow Tote pictured above. I just adore the print (nature enthusiast here), and the off-centre band with red buttons is a treat!

Odetta Clutch and other bags by Kara Smith

Kara Smith bags are all individually named and Kara has grouped the styles into Small, Medium & Large sections on her website (www.karasmith.com.au) to help you choose! The geometric Odetta Clutch (above left, sold) falls into the Small bags section, as does the Germaine Clutch with it's fabulous original 60's screenprinted fabric (below left, AUD $62.95).

Germaine Clutch and Leonora Ballerina bags by Kara Smith

The large Leonora Ballerina Tote (above right, AUD $119.95) is a beautiful creation with pale blue denim soft cotton contrasting against the careful folds of a pastel floral print. The Dottie Sue (below left, AUD $119.95) is another Ballerina style tote - but with a completely different flavour. This time spotted fabric from the 60's contrasts with red gingham used for the front pocket & detailing.

Dottie Sue Ballerina Bags and detail of Vesna Bag by Kara Smith

Kara's medium-sized bags are currently on special, reduced from AUD $89.95 to between AUD $69.95 - $79.95. This includes the very retro Vesna (above right, AUD $69.95). Featuring recycled black and white gingham lining, a large chocolate button & warm, bold colours - it will be perfect as we come into Autumn!

I must say I was really taken with the dreamy photos of Kara's bags with model Belle. Her photographer is talented UWS design/photography student Lisa Musico. I have no doubt I'll be featuring her photographs for a variety of design labels in the future! Pictured below is a screenshot of the Kara Smith home page - isn't the photo stunning?!

Kara Smith web store screenshot - delicious handmade handbags

To read more about Kara's collection, you can also visit her blog, "Fabric Fantastic", at www.fabricgal.blogspot.com. Kara's bags are stocked in boutiques around Australia, and she will have a stall at the Rose Street Artists Market (Fitzroy, Melbourne) on 22.3.2008. She also takes customs orders, so if you have something already in mind, contact her through her web site at www.karasmith.com.au.

NSW STOCKISTS: Handcut (Crows Nest), Todae Environmental (Glebe), Mrs Peel (Leura), Guanabana Designs (Cooks Hill), 76 Jam Cafe (Fairy Meadow).

VIC: Arthur's Circus (North Melbourne), I Dream A Highway (Northcote), Meet Me At Mikes (Fitzroy), Lulu (Balaclava), Fanny's Flat (Talbot).

QLD: Cherry Blossom (Paddington)

SA: Three Bears Shoes on Semaphore (Semaphore)

ONLINE: www.karasmith.madeit.com.au, www.modamuse.com, www.leeloo.com.au, www.karasmith.etsy.com, www.neco.com.au.

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Saturday, February 23, 2008.