EXCURSION OF THE WEEK (well last month actually)

blow it



I'd almost forgotten to tell you about my trip to Canberra Glassworks! We almost didn't go because quite frankly even I can get a bit of craft/art/design fatigue. We were on our way to Silo Bakery in Kingston (a slice of Melbourne in the ACT) to get some lunch when we passed it and on a whim took a hard left to tick it off our list.



And I'm so glad we did because it was a real highlight of the trip. I've been thinking about this craft quite a bit recently. With the closure of Monash Glass dept I wondered if it was on its way out. Its incredibly labour intensive, highly skilled, dangerous difficult work.



Canberra has always had a strong glass community because of its great university course up there- but this place really seals the deal. It's amazing! House in an old power station, this state of the art facility allows visitors to watch the process from viewing decks - and we were absolutely transfixed. Sadly our budget meant we couldn't take a souvenir of the visit - and we missed out on a table at Silo too. Totally worth it. RAMONA

GIFTS OF THE WEEK

gifts and acquisitions


Thought I might share a few objects that have come into my life that I am enjoying. The above is a gorgeous cup by ceramic artist/superstar Bridget Bodenham which is way too pretty for coffee and lives on my bedside table full of blooms from Thom's garden (my two year old is a better gardener than I am).



The next is this very architectural honeycomb bangle my Canberra based designer Chris Hardy. Chris actually has a chair in my show up there and it was the perfect souvenir of my capital design experience.



The above is a good look at the back of a gorgeous brooch by jeweller Elfrun Lach. I'm a big fan of the backs of things - and this clasp is pretty spectacular. The brooch is a beautiful rich red and am amazing shape, it's more like wearing a sculpture.

The above is a pencil box I made for the Interns birthday next week. It will be full of goodies by then but I wanted to show you the papers which I love. I got my box from Bunnings for $8 (everyone will be getting one of these at Christmas I think). The paper is by an American company called Basic Grey who are just amazing. For $1 a sheet it's a pretty economical craft! The birthday girl has got her eye on those Elfrun Lach earrings. She should be so lucky... RAMONA

SHOWS OF THE WEEKEND

weekender


The Intern and I thought we'd brave the winter chill and do the rounds on Saturday. We always make Craft Victoria our first stop - it's at the start of the city so it's easy enough to clamber down the hill and see things. The much feted Bless design group have installed these strange and kind of wonderful garden boxes in collaboration with Melbourne groovers PAM (Misha Hollenbach & Shauna Toohey) Show grows until July 30.



I really loved the little work of Demelza Sherwood at Mailbox 141. Her show 'Notes to the Stallholder' was tinged with sadness and nostalgia and perfectly suited to this series of mailboxes serving as gallery space. Show runs til July 15.



The Intern was particularly impressed with the current platform show chockablock with girl street artists including the brilliant Baby Guerilla.



I think the Intern was so inspired after a trip to the Sticky zine shop that a publishing empire was born in her mind - too cool. I didn't take pics of everything we saw on Saturday (including gorgeous work at Pieces of Eight and E G Etal) but that gives you a little sampler. RAMONA

POP UP OF THE WEEK recap

pop!
I had one of those weekends where I just ran around looking at stuff getting all excited about what people are making and doing around my town. I thought it best to finish my grand tour of Melbourne on Sunday afternoon to the Beci Orpin pop up shop at Harvest Workroom mainly so I can report back to Beck!



It was so very pretty and inviting, more like a street party than anything else. I did pick up a few choice items for the Interns birthday next week (won't show them yet!)



Beci had really captured a nice studio feel while still be welcoming. I was very fond of her paper mobiles.



Of course for me the main attraction was the awesome taco truck. Nothing like shivering in the winter cold waiting for the perfect fish taco. Seriously. Best food ever.



Make sure you check out the Design Files this week for the Harvest Ladies are guest blogging -too cool yeah? RAMONA

POP UP OF THE WEEK

paper party

Just about the only downside to having Finn has been missing out on the Beci Orpin workshops at Harvest textiles. Really she's a bit of a hero of mine... totally a "what i'd like to be when i grow up" kind of craft crush i've had on her like forever. Thankfully both Beci and the lovely ladies at harvest have been blogging regularly so I haven't felt like i've totally missed out, in fact it's been really inspiring to see what's been happening... Hence my own little private paper workshop this week at home. 

So by hook or by crook i'll be making my way to the closing party of her residency this Sunday at the harvest workroom to make sure I make the most of the final hurrah of her pop up shop and snaffle some goodies before they dissappear. See you there. BECK

Closing Party 1-4pm
Sunday July 3
Harvest Workroom
512 Lygon Street, East Brunswick.