SHOW OF THE WEEK

Hangups

The ladies of HML are reunited this week after Beck's sojourn in sunny Queensland. It will be a bit of a show and tell over our first coffee and I'm hoping for some crazy shell art! I'll be giving her a slide show of my craft adventures. I spent all of Saturday going hither and yon to see shows and shops (more of that tomorrow) Love the new group show at handheld gallery. 'Suspense' is Curated by gallery director Megan herring it's a delicate show with lots of lightness (paper birds, moments paused for posterity). The show is hanging around til the 26th so catch it while you can. RAMONA

handheld gallery
In the crazy weird paramount arcade
108 Bourke Street

Pop Up of the Week

And so it begins! The slew of amazing design markets and pop up shops around town trying to lure us in with their fabulous handmade wares for Christmas. We are so on board! Especially the more curated markets - they become a heavenly dept store for the ladies of HML. First cab off the rank is an interesting one. Melbournalia will actually pop up in four different locations leading up to the big day with the first launching tomorrow. We are pretty impressed with the list of participants (including HML faves Dani M designs, The Gently Unfurling Sneak and Emily Green) and the graphics are pretty intriguing too (all letterpress goodness). First stop is Rear 126 Franklin Street - hope it's well signed! RAMONA

Find out more here

Fun time of the week

Sunday sweetness at L'uccello

What did you do this past weekend? I felt quite spoilt I have to admit. A very dear friend of mine (who knows me only too well) gave me a perfect early Christmas present: A spot in theVictorian decorations workshop at the gorgeous L'uccello. Tucked on the 2nd floor of the Nicholas building this is some kind of vintage haberdashery heaven. you must must go ASAP!

Super stylish shop lady Kim helped us create sweetie cones, cards, crepe paper fans and rosettes using real glass glitter, foiled dresdens, and Victorian era imagery. This was all helped along by pots of French early grey tea and Pretty biscuits. Absolute heaven! I'm already plotting a lovely little tree for the dining table. An almost perfect way to spend a Sunday. Rumour has it Kim will be hosting a whole series of workshops next year so make sure you pop over to the blog regularly to stay in the loop. RAMONA

SHOW OF THE WEEK

from little things big things grow

I'm very excited to be opening a fantastic new exhibition tonight at E.G Etal. Vicki Mason has created a new body of work based on four years of thorough research and development as part of her Masters degree. This highly accomplished jeweller has explored makers relationships with Australasian flora and the floral motif in their work. Her 'Botanical Fictions' incorporate the colours of the bush, the details discovered in chinoiserie chinaware and elements of her own surrounding environment on the eastern fringes of Melbourne. These beautiful, wearable pieces are tactile, elegant, playful, colourful, thoughtful, referential and generous. Opening is tonight from 6-8 and show runs until November 15. RAMONA

WINDOW OF THE WEEK

Caravan of Love

I have to admit I'm no camper. Beck tried to convince me it was a good idea once, which resulted in me abandoning my new tent in the wilderness two days before schedule - her lovely husband desperately trying to pack up my camping accoutrements before I made my mad dash back to civilization (we call in the doomed camp of 2005). If we could shrink ourselves down and travel in the style of these fabulous caravans spotted in the craft Victoria window then we may have stood a better chance! This gorgeous collaboration between artist Sue deGennaro and a group of Artplay kids have created these gorgeous collaged ply caravans that look like a dreamy music festival campground. Rumor has it they look amazing at night!

you can find out more here
And you see more of Sue's work here

RAMONA