boutique markets

just a few new matted fabric panels, ready to post up to Bris Vegas for the Portside Boutique Markets on July 12th.







these will be sold at the UDESSI stall. there's also a chocolate and coffee fair on the same day, same location. i know what i'd be doing on sunday 12th july if i lived in brisbane.

x 4

four new one off cushions made specially for gallery aloft in rozelle sydney.


the usual suspects - sheep, trees, buildings - in different configurations, different colourways, different textures.


and a lot more hand stitching than i usually do.

the first, the last, the best

ahhhhhhh.
coming back down to planet earth.
did the most amazing market event last weekend.
the old hope st markets, renamed finders keepers, found itself in a stunning new location at carriageworks in eveleigh, syd.


first time for me at this market, and my last one for the year. [i've finally and happily deleted paddington market from my saturday TO DO list - just wasn't working anymore].



if you didn't make it to this event you missed something really special. [note for diary: next one in May].
if you did you'll no doubt be feeling pretty lucky.
friday was opening night. i felt like i'd been teleported to another planet. this restored 19th century industrial building is now an arts centre and on friday night it was party time. the bar was open, the live music was brilliant and the throngs of people seemed totally oblivious to the muggy heat and a looming recession.
as one of over 80 stalls from independent Sydney artists and designers i was gobsmacked.
truly not expecting this mad, full on swirl of colour and movement and sound.
and somewhat starving because i'd stupidly, accidently put my dinner into my washing basket at home (instead of the pegs). tore the place apart looking for it. couldn't find it, left home with no food. i'll just have to get something there, i thought.
yeah, right.
not a single moment in the evening did i have to skip away from my stall. well, not till the very end.
and can i even begin to describe the torture of all the glasses of wine, beer, champagne that came and perched themselves at my stall while I chatted, did business with their owners. dying for just a sip of beer, a slug of bubbly liquid.
not sure how i made it through the evening.
adrenalin i guess.
fortunately the next day was quieter, cooler but still lots of happy shiny people and a great vibe going well into the evening again.



i had an awful lot of stock. by 4 on day 2 i was getting close to selling out and wondering how i was going to make it through the remainder 6 hours. fortunately i had backup, hand stitched fabric cards and other small things to fill the holes.




what a buzz.
just the 'bestest' market i've ever done.
thankyou to all who dropped by.
i'm going to sleep for a couple of days.

how did i get this lucky?

went to the markets on saturday, as usual.
came home to find my flat burgled. not usual.
they took my computer, camera, and cash i had in money jars for my nephews.

did i have backup for my hard drive? nope.
but you know what, they would have taken that external hard drive that i've been meaning to buy for months now, so what's the point?

i don't know how or when i'm going to get another computer, haven't even paid for the one they stole, that was bought on credit.

i probably won't be posting for a while.
but i will be back.

books

don't know about you but when i get a good book i like to READ it.
look what these artists are doing to books!

this sublime piece by english artist su blackwell:


Hawaiin artist Jacqueline Rush Lee plays with the tactile and symbolic qualities of used books:


Mike Stilkey is based in Los Angeles:


Dark Roasted Blend is a site devoted to weird and wonderful things. Have a look at the Bitter Sweet Art of Cutting Up Books for more fantastical book sculptures and installations.

fabric printing

have just seen the most awe-inspiring blog posting about lino cut printing onto fabric.
suzanne at sukurasnow is based in amsterdam.

this is her FIRST go at it!
i hang my head in shame.
i've been lino cut printing onto fabric for years.
silly little things.
never the full pattern stuff.

such beauty, such control.
and a wonderful detailed visual documentation of her process.

have a look and weep.

teacups

orright.
that was a smidge uncomfortable.
note to self - never write anything morose on your blog then leave it there, suspended in time, for a week or more.

thanks to all who sent kind words .. even long after i'd pulled myself together.
and those who told me to cheer up .. well, i guess i asked for that.

madly preparing for my usual gig at paddo market this saturday.
prediction of 31 degrees and windy.
[groan]
heat and wind .. could there be anything worse when exposing yourself to the elements?
no.
sunblock and sandbags.

there is a wonderful ceramic artist at paddo, often buy from her.
do you think i can remember her name?
will make amends on that front this saturday when i go back to her stall to buy more of her lovely new porcelain teacups.



these two i bought for a friend's birthday.
now my sister wants me to get her four.
the range of colours and intricate patterns is phenomenal.
i just love these. love the wonkiness of the forms.
and just divine to drink from.