SHOWS OF THE WEEK

we come from dust and unto dust we shall return

I have to admit I'm in hibernation mode at the moment and unlike Beck I am not faced with the challenge of heading off to work in this cold weather so I tend to stay close to home and rely on her to tell me what is going on in the world (cue Mary Tyler Moore show theme music). I do have to venture into the CBD later this week so I'm going to catch up on two exhibitions before they close on the 26th. 

Warwick Freeman's show at Gallery Funaki is an interesting one. not just for the simple somewhat stern objects he has produced but the inclusion of all the residual material from creating those objects in an installation piece. 

You know we are huge fans of Handheld Gallery and taxidermy, well it is so hot right now (ha ha)! 

Paper taxidermy is much more our style and the ladies of HML can't resist the beautiful paper hummingbirds by Sheridan Jones. The intricacies of this paperwork really needs to be seen to be believed. There is something so beguiling about craft that just takes so darn long to complete, as if the longer the maker spent with the object the more deeply imbued with character they become.

I hope you are all rugged up and toasty somewhere. Hopefully the lovely sun will stay out making the cold more bearable. I'm off to make a pot of tea and some honey on toast. Isn't it funny how bears like honey? RAMONA

WEEKEND

PURPLE DAZE

Many of us are struggling to come back to earth while suffering post purple fatigue. I know I am. Thankfully I am bolstered by the fact that I will get to see the high heeled basket-balling funkateer again on the 30th.n the meantime this weekend there is a lot on to keep me occupied - a good thing because I think my family may impose a vinyl intervention if I play any more Prince.


OLD SCHOOL

For lovers of 'vintage' there is the Melbourne Love Vintage Show on at the REB. I love vintage, however being of the generation of people who were able to wear 50's frocks when you could still pick them up  by the garbage bag full at op shops I often baulk at the price tags attached to todays offerings. In addition I have to admit that the ironic/aesthetic appeal of old clothes on old people (i.e. me) is no where near as compelling as that of the old clothes on young people. Still I reckon you can work vintage while being vintage yourself  and NOT look like a frumpy post war Gran - not that there's anything wrong with that, its a look I often shop myself. This market come trade show, despite the terminally nostago-geeky Downton Abbey styling on the website, promises to have some seriously great stock, from a selection of the top purveyors of the old school. While I am now skint from my Purple Circle ticket frenzy, our backward gazing, fashion forward intern will no doubt find plenty on which to spend her hard earned pin money.

ROCK ON

Saturday is the last hurrah for Kate Rohde's show HYBRID GEOLOGY at Pieces of Eight. It's a stunner - completely gorgeous resin hyper-colored faux crystals on mass. In short, Heaven. And while there is no price of admission, it will take a stronger person than I to leave without picking up a take away trinket or thirteen. Gob smackingly good.

BALLOONING

If you are in the vicinity of Pieces of Eight you may as well trek up hill a little and have a peek at the Made by Mosey 'Spectrum' window exhibition at Craft Victoria. As it turns out a window full of rainbow hued hand sewn balloons really can brighten up your day!

HARDY HAR HAR

Also opening tomorrow is Wallace and Gromit's World of Invention at Scienceworks. If you too have small people addicted to Timmy Time and Shaun the Sheep, then this is possibly the best place to spend a few hours over what's shaping up to be a very wet weekend. If you have other plans don't sweat it - its on until November, although something is telling me we ladies and our boys will be visiting monthly until then!
Have a good one people. BECK 

SHOW OF A LIFETIME

I was dreaming when I wrote this...

Tonight Beck gets tick something off her bucket list. Her love of the P.R.Nelson knows no bounds so in honor of her super extraordinary purple circle day I've rounded up some Etsy finds that were inspired by Prince. The baby onesie is probably the least weird.

The Purple rain necklace I actually really dig (note how I used rock and roll speak then) and think Beck might like it too. But then things turn a little pear bowl shaped...

A vinyl Purple Rain bowl? Yeah ok I guess, not really making me want to party like it's 1999.

A zippy Purple Rain tape clutch with matching coin purse? I would die for you!

This original watercolor of Prince as a Purple Leopard is my favorite, so much so I'm not going to link to it Im going to buy it instead. This one is for you beckaroo! Dance yer ass off lady! RAMONA

OPENING NIGHT

The secret life of plants

Queensland based makers Shannon Garson (ceramicist) and Rebecca Ward (jeweller) are long time collaborators. They've had numerous exhibitions together and created a diverse body of collective works, while their styles and media differ both are collectors and keen observers entranced by their habitat.  Swamp Cartography is the result of their latest collaboration through which the theme of mapping of both geographic area band collaborative artist process has emerged strongly. Opening tonight at 6pm at the Noosa Regional Gallery Swamp Cartography showcases the endangered but beautiful ecosystem often overlooked and under threat by development. Works include glass, jewellery and ceramics that are both inspired by and reflective of the huge variation and intricate details of the plants of this area revealed by their close examination.  Also on show are some stunning photography and a short film featuring the "unique, fast disappearing wallum swamps of coastal Australia."

Shannon is one of the nicest crafters we've ever had the pleasure to meet, her work is absolutely beautiful and you know how much we love a collab. We wish them both fabulous opening and that we could be there to celebrate in person! Have a great night ladies!

SWAMP CARTOGRAPHY 

Noosa Regional Gallery

until July 1.

RADIO OF THE WEEK

We will be on the radio this morning talking up

slow clay
popcraft
unexpected pleasures
Morris and Sons
and of course
Craft Victoria

We are live on 102.7 at around 10.15am with the lovely ladies of The Grapevine. Listen in people!

GIFT OF THE WEEK

bunnymania

This time last week a friend of mine had her second baby. The above bunny was made for her first three years ago. I thought it might be fun to do a line up of bunnies I've made since then. DO be kind dear HML readers, as I am not a very proficient sewer! What I lack in skill and speed I make up for in love.

I made this spotty eared fella for Beck's darling second bub who I am renaming Sunshine as that is what he is, you have never met a happier baby.

Of course Max had to have one too - pink of course, his favourite colour. I actually think this is the best one I've made.

The lovely Donna at RRR received this very chic linen one for her first bub.

And now yesterday I whipped up this spotty fella for a brand new young man. It was not my intention to always make these bunnies but they are so so easy! You can find the pattern here. I was thinking yesterday I should knit up some little vests and scarves, perhaps do some ornately embroidered ears, little leather shoes maybe? yes you can see if you look at all of them I make the same mistake with the ears every time (not folded or pinned sufficiently!). So glad babies are gentle critics. RAMONA