Happy Blue Moon

Whilst this isn’t a painting of a “real” blue moon, it is a moon and it is blue so I thought I would take this opportunity to share.
If your out and about celebrating the end of the decade tonight take care, weirdness abounds on the full moon.......

See you next year.

New hand beaten copper trinkets

I’m slowly getting back into the swing of things. I have cleared a path to the desk in my studio and I have created these little trinkets in the last couple of days.

Merry Christmas to all of the wonderful new friends I have made in bloggland and to all of my real life friends who pop by here to see what I am up to in my studio. I know I haven’t been around here much lately; I have been suffering a bit of creative burn out.

I am going to take a proper break over the silly season and I look forward to catching up with you all in the New Year. I am sure by then I will be itching to get back into the studio and will have lots of new treasures to share with you here.

Stay safe and enjoy your Christmas and New Years celebrations.

Twilight Moon Painting

As we returned from our walk this evening the moon was just a tiny sliver in the sky. No I didn’t rush to the studio to paint it, but it reminded me of this piece. I wish I had the time and energy for my art that I did back in 2002 when this was painted.

“Twilight Moon III"

oil on silver leaf, on canvas

20 x 30cm

2002

I won a giveaway!!!

My first ever in bloggland. Bec form Little Brown Dog was feeling the Christmas spirit and giving away these lovely little gift tags upcycled out of fabric sample books. I threw my hat in the ring and was lucky enough to win. They are so cute; I wonder what pressies they will find there homes on???

Home from market

Ok it hasn’t taken me this long to get home from market and to recover from the big day!! But it is the silly season and I have been caught up with Christmas preparations and family gatherings.

My second market was a lot less work than the first and I am a lot happier with how my display looked. I arrived a little earlier and set up faster and felt a lot more settled when the crowds arrived. I even had a chance to check out a few other stalls before the day began. It was a hot day, but I managed to snag a spot near a lovely breeze which made the day a lot more pleasant.

Thanks to the Handmade Expo team for all of their hard work bringing handmade goodness to the area.

The Handmade Expo, only one more sleep.....

Thanks for all of your positive comments yesterday; I think I am on my way out of this slump. Only one more sleep until The Handmade Expo and the nerves and excitement are starting to kick in.
I have a bit of work left to do and all of the packing, so today will be a long busy one (tomorrow too). I think I shall go and put on some coffee and turn on some uplifting tunes.
Back with photos and a report on my stall when I have recovered (it took me a few days last time!).

My Creative Space this week is full of doubt…..

I’m having a very badly timed creative slump. My second ever market stall is this weekend at The Handmade Expo and I am feeling blah about all of my stock.

I’m really worried that the copper jewellery that I have been obsessed with the last month or so just isn’t up to scratch.

I don’t feel like making playdough, I don’t feel like doing any of the prep work that is required.

Then I keep remembering the posts of these inspirational ladies.
Miriam from Bubba Chenille is facing her 20th market stall this year.
Cathie from m.e. has 2 markets this weekend with mountains of baking required for each one.
Little Brown Dog's Bec just conquered 3 stalls in two days with a tiny baby in tow.
Then there is the unstoppable Cam of Curly Pops fame my head just swims when I read how busy she has been lately about a million market stalls and new retail stockist popping up everywhere.

If these special ladies can do it so can I, I just need to find the positive excited place I was in two days before my last stall (without all of the nerves!) and get my wares ready to put out there and hope for the best.

I have my fingers crossed I am out of this slump quick smart. Any tips on what you do to get out of funks like this would be greatly appreciated.

Check out what all of the other creative folk are up to this week over at the fabulous Kootoyoo.

It’s too darn hot

So I thought you might enjoy a virtual dip in the magical waters of Byron Bay. Enjoy.....

 “Byron” Oil on canvas, 1999, 915 x 610mm $200

Look what the post man delivered…

A freshly designed and hand printed tea towel by the very talented Nic from Yardage Design. I was thrilled when Nic left a comment on one of my button bracelet posts saying she wanted to purchase one. But rather than just a boring old cash transaction, I schemed up a little swap. You see I had loved Nic’s screen print designs since the first time I stumbled across her blog and this seemed a perfect opportunity for me to get my hands on one.

Nic’s etsy shop opened just last week, so pop over and check out her other designs. Perhaps you could start a little Christmas shopping while you are there.

Copper Coloured Creativity…..

My Creative Space is still all about copper jewellery – does that count as focusing on something?? I have been on this little kick for about 3 weeks now!

I have been to the library, searching for knowledge and inspiration.

My new favourite, “Autumn Peas” it’s my third pea pod, we won’t dwell on the second attempt and how my overzealous hammering smashed one of the beads! I’d love to keep this one, but it will be for sale. Do you think $25 is reasonable? I am really unsure about pricing for this stuff so I would really value some honest feedback on the prices I list.

“Love, Love, Love” $15?

“Buttons”, featuring two vintage metal buttons, $15?

This little “Hanging Bouquet is just a bit of whimsy. I am not sure if it is saleable as it is rather fragile.

I’m keeping this little “Create…” pendent just for me, to wear when I am busy creating. I have made a few others, Love, Peace, Be etc. Any ideas of other inspirations you may like to wear on a pendent?

And finally the work in progress, this bracelet is from a pattern in one of the library books. I have to design a new clasp for it as the pattern is too large for me.
Thanks so much to Mummy Cuggles and Toddler Cuggles for having Little Guy over for a play date yesterday and allowing me some time to indulge in my copper craze.
Check out some other Creative Spaces over at Kootoyoo.

A very bloggy party…

Yesterday was the long awaited bloggette party hosted by the lovely Miriam and her two gorgeous girls, Liesa and Micky. After a long drive into the country it was a fun and chilled out meet up with a great group of local bloggers. There was swimming, yummy food, lots of chatting and a handmade secret Santa. I was lucky enough to score a delicious smelling candle and a new Curly Pops brooch, in red, just perfect!
It was so nice to meet local bloggers and I am really looking forward to getting around and checking out some new blogs over the next few days. Thanks so much to Miriam for opening her lovely home to us and to Liesa and Mickey for helping organize it and pull it off.
Check out a few photos of the day over at Bubba Chenille, I did take a few pics but none worth sharing! Now it’s back to the studio for me – lots more hammering to do, I am really into this jewellery making kick.

A busy night in the studio.

I couldn’t sleep last night, so I got a lot done in the studio.

I like this “Purple Peas” pendant the best; I can’t wait to go out so I can wear it! Maybe the Little Guy and I will have to go to the trash and treasure markets so it can have an outing!

More salvaged copper jewellery.

My head is swimming with possibilities; I am in love with the process of turning pieces of scrap into something special. Off to the studio to see what evolves tonight!

My Creative Space

I’ve finished the Egyptian coil bracelet in Artistic Wire from last week. What do you think?

I am most of the way through the copper version. I really like the way the copper one is looking and I can’t wait to wear it.

I have been to the scrap metal yard; I think I will become a regular there! So many possibilities, I am quite sure the guy there thinks I am a nutter.

I started making little pendants from copper last night – a new addiction begins…….

So it’s busy, busy, busy in My Creative Space this week. Check out what other creative folk are up too over at Kootoyoo.

The run down...

I am officially an experienced marketer now. It was such a big day it really exhausted me I didn’t even unpack the car until Sunday night!

I had a wonderful site in the shade with friendly neighbours and just across from the fudge lady (deadly, but oh so tasty!). I shared a space with Cuggles Creations; you can see her beautiful top quality hand made children’s wear on the front table. If you want a closer look pop over to Cuggles Creations.

So many people braved the baking heat to come out and support local crafts people and soak up the atmosphere. Thanks to Liesa, Micky and Miriam for hosting such a great market, you really should be very proud of what you have done for local handmadies and the community.

Things I learnt at my first market stall.…

• I need to allow more time to set up, I felt rushed and looking at the photos I could have improved the display (especially of the paintings) if I had more time to contemplate and fiddle

• The playdough needs to go up the front (thanks for the tip Liesa). After taking your advice it started selling.

• I must remember to take painkillers with me. My back had been playing up all week so I really shouldn’t have forgotten them. I also decided not to wear my sunnies in the morning – thinking I would look friendlier. I just gave myself a headache and probably spent the morning squinting and frowning at people in the glare!

• I have wonderful friends, thanks to all of the friendly faces who popped by and brightened my day. I really appreciate your support along with support and good wishes I received from my bloggy friends.

I have a few things to improve and restock before the next market, but next time won’t take nearly as much preparation and hopefully I won’t be as nervous.

Just a little peek at my stall…..

I hope to get time for a full run down and more piccies tomorrow. Thanks for all of the good wishes and nice comments as I prepared for this adventure.

Handmade Expo - take one

Just one more sleep – if I can get to sleep! Market day tomorrow, I’m all packed, exhausted and excited. I wonder how it will go???????

A badly timed new obsession…

With just 2 days until The Handmade Expo, My Creative Space is supposed to be all about market preparation. There has been a lot of finishing touches on stock, making signs and planning presentation. Here are the photos I planned to share.

Then yesterday I saw this and immediately I just knew I had to give an Egyptian coil bracelet a go! It’s not quite finished, but a new obsession has begun. I am dreaming of copper and proper silver versions, learning how to oxidize, hammering techniques........ Do you think I have a short attention span??

Check out some other creative treasures over at Kootoyoo.

Red Door

I’ve been a very slack blogger of late – sorry! There has just been so much to do in preparation for my first market stall at this Saturday’s Handmade Expo.


Vic from Punky & Me wanted to see a photo of my red front door as she mentioned lusting after a red door of her own in her post for My Place and Yours this week.

So here it is, this is what I come home to, it certainly cheers up a dull day. We really do live in a rainbow house! It has been such a fun house and perfect for the party days of our twenties, but I am now ready to move on and the house we plan to build next year will be a serene bush retreat.

“Andy’s Chair”

After yesterdays post featuring a dreary photo of my messy studio, I thought I should offer up something a lot more cheerful and pleasant to look at today!

“Andy’s Chair” is another of the paintings I collected last week. The colour scheme was inspired by a trip to the Andy Warhol exhibition.  I don’t remember the name of the piece now or even what it was of; I just remember thinking what a fresh colour scheme; I’ll have to try something in those colours one day. Although I created it at the Art Day Out studio it is a lot freer and less planed out than most of the stuff I created there. I really like it and it and it has found a wall in my home rather than just being stacked away in the studio.
I hope this brightens your day a little and sends you off into the weekend in a cheery mood.

Busy, crowded, chaotic…..

They are all words that come to mind when thinking of how to describe my creative space at the moment. My desk is brimming with market preparations and every where you turn there are stacked paintings. Space was already at a premium, but after collecting 20 painting this week things are really tight.

I have purchased the canvas to begin the painting I mentioned last week, but I just don’t have the space to begin. I do hope some of the paintings find new homes in the next few weeks, a few look likely to go soon and I am hoping others don’t make it home after the Handmade Expo.

If you would like to check out some beautiful, calm, organized, creative spaces they can be found over here.  I don’t know that I will ever posses one of those!

The count down begins…..

Just 10 more days until my first ever market stall. I have had a productive morning preparing bits and pieces. As I have never done this before, I just don’t know what will be popular, how much stuff I should take, what prices are fair. So many unknowns, I shall just have to use this first time as a learning experience and if no one buys any of my goodies I shall have a batch of handmade Chrissy presents ready!!

I have been having so much fun making these little wire wrapped and button embellished magnets. I had planned to sell them as sets of three, but am now leaning towards singles.

The button bracelet idea has been revisited; I learnt some new skills and am so much happier with the finish. It’s so much nicer to wear and looks really professional. I am still not sure about selling them, I think I would have to sell them for $20 and I just don’t know if any one would be prepared to pay that much. What do you think?
Any tips or advice from the seasoned market sellers out there? I am really looking forward to it, but now that I know it’s only 10 days away I am starting to get nervous!

Overflowing

I collected the last of my paintings that have been in storage at the Art Day Out studio today.

This is just some of them; I was surprised by how many were still there. So now my poor little studio is even more crowded.

Hopefully some of these paintings will soon find new homes; a few are already on hold for a client and others will be coming with me to the Handmade Expo.

If something catches your eye, leave me a comment. I have reduced the prices drastically to move them quickly; the new prices range from $80 to $350 +p&h.

 If you think someone you know would be interested, please feel free to send them over for a look.