24.11.11

Projects of the week

Christmas elf


With an optimistic commitment to have my hand made gifts finished by next weekend I am definitely in Christmas elf mode! This week I've made a flopsy bunny for my brand new baby friend nicholas, little drawers for my young friend Sunny, pencil boxes for Clancy and Toma and a very gothic wreath for my friend K who is so anti Christmas she almost cancels me out! How is everyone else going with Christmas plans? RAMONA

22.11.11

HOT TIPS OF THE WEEK

material girls

Ok you all know that Ramona's christmas gift making excell spreadsheet has been in play for a good four or five months now, but not all of us are as 'organised' when it comes to hand-made christmas gifts. So here are a couple of hot tips for those wishing to stock up on some seriously good base materials while they are on sale as well as a couple of options for 'assisted' DIY projects that can all be created and/or ordered from the comfort of your own living room, or kitchen, or laptop. Happy Shopping Peeps.


One of our favourite online fabric stores for Japanese prints, organic linen and hemp, Alexander Henry (and just about every local textile designer) is offering 15% off all orders until the end of November, this INCLUDES fabrics that are already on sale and patterns. BARGAIN!

Need we say more, swoon worthy textiles from all over the globe hand selected to empty your wallets. From unwashed Japanese denim to digitally printed German velvet its all jaw dropping goodness. Tessuti is offering FREE SHIPPING on all orders over $150, a half price sale on Vogue Patterns and a two for one deal on McCalls patterns. Be sure to also check out their collection of Japanese Sewing books and their always excellent 'remnant sale' .


Fancy yourself as a designer, why not consider creating your own fabric rather than making something up from the latest Encino or Amy Butler. With eight fabric choices on offer (including silk, linen and organic cotton) as well as an unlimited colour palette there's still time to whip up the perfect personalised gift for your crafting compadres.

The complete all rounder, Redbubble is not just an open community of artists showcasing and selling their work online, its also a great place to get your artwork turned into everything from t-shirts to framed posters. Amaze your friends and family with your artistic prowess, while starting up your own online streetwear empire - genius!
BECK

21.11.11

Soundbite of the Week

who listens to the radio?
This morning I am off to RRR to chat to the lovely Donna and Kulja on The Grapevine. I'll have to talk superfast because there is so much on (dare I say a little too much?). I'm on around 10.30 so listen in for all the craftiverse news. There are links to everything below, just press on the captions. Just compiling this blog entry has made my feet tired as I mentally walked from one end of town to the other! Stay hydrated people! RAMONA
Lucy brings the Design Files to life


Pieces of Eight new venture Edition X


Craft Victoria's highly anticipated Christmas Market

RMIT Gold and Silversmithing graduate show is always inspiring

Always crazy, in a good way. Take cash, make it easy for them.

4 weeks, different locations, great makers, innovative pop up


Monash art and design graduate show - best to go while there is still an  art and design department


17.11.11

graduates of the week

Fibre friends


It's that time of year when you'll find us dashing from one end of Melbourne to the other trying to see fleeting graduate shows. I did manage to see box hill textiles on my Saturday tour and loved the creatures by Jeanette Wilkinson. You can still see the show ( ends on Saturday) in a great big space behind Eckersleys art shop in town. You can learn more about these enterprising textile artists here at their website . RAMONA

15.11.11

PROJECTS OF THE WEEK

Take notes


How are all your Christmas projects going? I've been a very busy bee and have started production line style sessions for some of bits smaller bits and bobs. I really enjoyed making these notebooks for various chaps. I find crafting for grown up male friends and family particularly challenging but have discovered as long as I keep it a glitter free zone they are quite chuffed to have a little handmade gift just for them. That's the theory anyway! RAMONA