Little Bird, Big Chip

Sit yourself down this may take awhile.....

2012-02-24T19:08:00.000-08:00

WEDDING!!

2012-02-05T00:14:00.000-08:00

WE MADE IT!!!

This is what I have been up to for the past few months, funny thing, planning a wedding takes up a bit of your time!! I can't wait to share some more shots with you (there are some corkers!) but here is a little teaser of my good lookin' bridal party!!

2011, the dark horse

2011-12-30T15:45:00.000-08:00

Well here we are.

New Years Eve and it feels like its time for that recap on the year that has been post.

It's been a rough one thats fo sure. I had such an amazing year mapped out for myself and then a tsunami came along and kicked me in the preverbal balls. It messed with everything and it took me a long and painful time to recoup from it. I wasn't in Japan at the time, I didn't feel the instant wrath of the angry wave, none of my family was affected and for this I am thankful. None the less, I did feel its affects on another level.

I think I felt lost for the most of the second part of the year. There was so much anticipation, I was totally in the moment and believing my own hype. I could do anything and I was making everything happen for myself. I felt in control of my career and its development and I felt happy. I had planned so much around the outcome of that proposed Japan trip that I could not see the path without it. Consequently I have been adrift since.

I think I might focus on what I did achieve this year.....

I ran a work shop at the Jam.

I developed a new body of work.

I held a solo exhibition for SALA.

I was apart of a group show at One Small Room

I worked on and promoted a new production line.

I worked on an amazing project with the talented Ruth Allen.

I did laugh alot with my friends

I was a featured artist on Aspects promo.

I held a regular, once a week blowing session.

I employed a regular assistant.

I developed another body of work in which I see great potential

I participated in another group show with group of talented ladies

I was asked to participate in the amazing pop up house for The Design Files

And I was featured in Inside Out Magazine

Lost a job and gained a job

Enjoyed a brief obsession with sewing

Worked on a commissioned piece

Worked on another commission for an amazing lady who gave me free reign

Got a cat face

And maybe the most exciting thing... We are planning our wedding for next year.....in January!

So yeah, I guess I did some stuff. Maybe I shouldn't be so hard on myself? I'm a good guy at stuff?

Stay tuned for things I want to do.....

Now lets all go out and get ourselves a cocktail.

Online Sale!!!

2011-12-04T14:08:00.000-08:00

HEY!!

Did you know you, for a short time you can purchase these bad boys on line?!!! Can you believe it? Me? the most untechnological person on the interwizzle, wonders never cease!

Thanks to the delightful Lucy, of The Design Files, you can pop over and purchase your very own bonsai on line . All you have to do is go here. Maybe a bonsai for your lovely nan for Christmas?.....

I would head over quick if you were thinking about it.....i hear they are being snapped up!! HOW exciting!!

Room for Growth

2011-11-07T01:52:00.000-08:00

So here are some snaps of our install for "Room for Growth". Install is always a tricky one and can be quite stressful. I think we did pretty well together. Everyone helped each other and I think as a result the show looks fantastic. The work all sits together harmoniously I think it is a beautiful show. Maybe you should check it out?

The opening was fun too, good turn out and I was quite chuffed most of my cute family was there. Sunday arvo is a great time for an opening. I forgot to take my camera to the opening....nuts.

Sneak preview...

2011-10-31T14:44:00.000-07:00

I should be getting ready for work but instead I wanted to show you these pictures!! HAhahahaha! Late!

Bowerbird

2011-10-29T21:28:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Bowerbird

Look how happy everyone is at the end of the day!!

Glass monkey what not

2011-10-24T04:25:00.000-07:00

Hey check it! Its me on the glass!!

Hey lookit its me again! And my amazing assistant Dani Rickaby. I am making a bonsai. These pics are taken by the super lovely Lucy Feagins of The Design Files. This week she is running a special on JamFactory. You should definately hop over and take a look.

Lucy rocked up for the last piece of the day and right at the crucial part; the jack heat. Usually Dani and I are all, blah, blah, blah and ha, ha, ha (and we have been told we are quite vocal in the hot shop..) but when Lucy got there I went into super glass blower concentration mode. I'm just glad we got the piece away, phew!

Oh and if you liked the last post, I can't wait to show you what I have cooking for you next.....!

Succulent Saturday.

2011-10-22T01:57:00.000-07:00

Lookit!! Look at all these beauties I got myself today!! And this is me being restrained... I went with my moomah up to the amazing Hillside Herbs in McLaren Vale today to pick out candidates for my terrariums. These are going to the group show that I am in in a couple of weeks at Prospect Gallery. The show is called "Room For Growth" and it is really a bunch of garden loving gals putting their work out for the world to see. Artists include Christine Cholewa, Michelle Kelly, Rosie Hannam and little ole me.

So, I started out like this....

Here's my hand blown and coldworked terrarium I made...

Homemade funnel, add some pebbles for drainage....

Add some dirt, then the fun stuff!

And then they look like this! I am pretty chuffed with them. I am getting some dealies made (thanks daddyo) with some nice stainless steel rope so they can hang.

It was really fun arranging them and placing (cramming) them in with some super handy little clampy tongs shellsy gave me.

Then I put them out on the lawn, gave them a spritz and voila!

Lets hope their little roots take and I can keep them alive for the show....

I also have some pretty funny mini figurines to add to them.

And this is the mess I made.

Zombies and gremlins

2011-10-14T16:18:00.000-07:00

Something strange is definitely afoot in blogger land. I am probably the biggest techno weenie there is. I just don't get it. If you had of told me the internet was really controlled by one guy in a box and was based pretty much on the matrix, i would have believed you. So seeing as i am such a computer moron, any small difficulty that i dont understand i like to scream, shout, create a general hullaballoo.

so, let me put it out there fellow bloggers; i seem to have troubles uploading photos. now it seems i have to use some picasa thing then go from there? i cant upload straight from my computer? help! can someone explain for me?

Anyway, below are some zombie pics for you to enjoy! last weekend some friends and i zombied it up and went on the zombie walk, apparently there were 8,000 people!! but these are just us....!

Ballerina zombie, muddying it up in the back yard...

Chef zombie, minor mishap in the kitchen...

CSIRo zombie....

gremlins in the matrix

2011-10-14T06:17:00.000-07:00

strange things are afoot at little bird big chip....
there appears to be some gremlins in the interwizzle...
won't let me upload any pretty pictures...

try again tomorrow?

Design Files Love

2011-10-10T15:46:00.000-07:00

Wooooooho! This one is gonna be a dooozy! This my friends is the exciting news I have been waiting to tell you. In December The Design Files will be having an open house/pop up style showcasing ALL Australian makers designers and what not.

I am delighted to tell you that I am going to be apart of this monumental event! ME! Little ole' me!! Check out the beautiful pic (curtesy of the design files) See somethin a little familiar? Thats right my Yumemiru range!! I am workin like a little demon to have a super sweet stash to ship to the Design Files. Hop on over to their site to check all the details.

This is more exciting than the time I found f furry friend at the back of the cupboard i had forgotten about.....

Hot dogs and Proteas

2011-09-25T02:42:00.000-07:00

A Simple Day

2011-09-24T01:32:00.000-07:00

Reading other peoples blogs makes me want to give a little attention to my own.

Today, so far, has been one of my favourite kind of days...

Got up kinda early, hit the markets for the weekly shop. Experienced a major 'game changer' in the way I shop. Are you ready for it, here it goes; this people will change your life, are you ready,

I. Bought. A. Market. Trolley.

Yup. Amazing! No more sore arms, no more grappling with a million heavy bags, no more having to deny myself a bag of potatoes because my shoulders can't bear it. It's amazing!! I was so happy with my $18 market trolley I can't believe it. So happy that I rewarded myself with a little sushi stop for breakfast, followed by a custard polo for the coffee at home.... Usually by this point I would have been pissed off with the crowds, my arms screaming from the pain of weighed down shopping bags and having to struggle back to the car, that there would be no time for delicious snack stops as I was way too cranky. (By the way, in case you were interested I also scored an amazing park for $1...)

So in the leisure of my own home, I made a coffee and ate my delicious custard pollo and dicked around on the internet. Next me and the B train went to peruse a few suits for him and again I was pleasantly rewarded!! We managed to find a great hire place for the boys and a particularly handsome suit for him. Man, oh man, does he look the business in that suit. It strikes me that some men are not quite bright because the way I see it, ALL men look good in the right suit. In the right suit any man can look handsome. Why is it then that not all men own suits then? Go figure.

Chuffed with our suit shopping we treated ourselves to Haighs freckles, home for a beer and cheese platter and now that brings us to the present. Just you, me and the B train chillin at home. B train on the decks with a beer, me on the couch with a pot of delicious Assam tea, all to myself (I'm on my third cup). My only regret is eating that 24th freckle...

Can't see the forrest for the trees...

2011-08-31T04:13:00.000-07:00

Just like Moloko, things to make and do...

2011-08-17T05:56:00.000-07:00

Some things I been a makin....

Red Bonsai for a commission.

Pretty displays for work.

Cute baby blanket with fish on it. My favourite fish. Japanese secret stash fabric fish. Special fabric for a special mamma and her new bub.

Form Collective

2011-08-15T00:27:00.000-07:00

Here are some snaps of the show 'Form Collective' that I apart of. One small Room is a fantastic little shop and great supporters of the local artist. They also sell furiture of the Danish variety that is to die for. I have my eye on the arm chairs they have at the moment....

burning books of fury doused in tears of despair

2011-08-11T06:20:00.000-07:00

Stupid, god damn happiness book can kiss my curvy butt goooooood byyyye! Today I felt like tearing it in half (with my bear hands, like the hulk ("hulk smash")) then throw it out the window of preferably a speeding train, hopefully doused in petrol and in a blaze of glory.

Bah. I've never been so sad this week. The week that I start reading the happiness book I start feeling incredibly sad, Co-winkdy dink? I think not! I want my money back! (Probably hard now its in a million pieces of flaming wreckage)

I don't think anyone really wants to hear what I really think about this woman at the moment. It's not very happy....

You know what made me happy today?

Here we go;

- organising a tripple rubbish collection for the shop, garbage and cardboard everywhere I look! (last week I actually hid the garbage in the cardboard so the boss lady would be none the wiser! hahahahaha! now that made me happy, how to hide your garbage from the big boss 101)

- looking at pictures of cats and dreaming of the day i get to have a furry friend of my own, british shorthair please

- playing tetris in the back room with the stock

- pretending that i didnt get lumped with a terrible haircut

and thats about it.

Slim pickings alright

Snap Happy

2011-08-07T15:44:00.000-07:00

So I told you there would be more snaps. I had so much fun installing with Mel. Maybe too much fun? I want to do it again! Bigger!

So on an unrelated topic, I have started reading this book. It's called "the Happiness Project". It's pretty much about this woman who decides she wants to be happier. She's not unhappy, she's not depressed she just realises that life passes pretty quickly and she wants to get as most out of it as possible. She does'nt want to get weighed down by the crap stuff. Sounds a little new agey doesn't it? Its not really its not. I just kind of like what she's getting at. It's kind of like we are so busy and want to cram as much in as possible but at the same time want to eliminate all the stuff that our thoughts seem to accumulate.

She writes herself these funny little commandments and is taking a year to get herself happier. I kind of like it. It is a little preachy in some bits but I like what it's about on the whole. So this morning, in my attempt at my own happiness project, I got up at 5:30am (yes the am) and went to boot camp with a friend of mine. More exercise, more energy, more happy. Thats the plan anyways. I am trying to eliminate the things I don't like, change the things I can change, don't sweat the small stuff, be nicer in general.... now I sound like a sap.

I just figure that with taking on a full time job, on top of my glass practice, there is not a lot of room to be unhappy. I don't want to be. I enjoy being busy but I also want to be better at it. In the book she also talks about doing things just for yourself. Like not always wanting someone to tell you that you are doing a good job, or trying to make others happy then demanding the praise for it. I guess this is how I kind of feel about the exhibition. It was a rainy night and not a lot of people showed. The friends that did I was super grateful. Rather than get upset about it, think about how much time and effort I put into it, support the arts and blah, blah, blah why isn't it enough just for me to be happy that I did it for me? I had an absolute ball doing the install why is that not enough?

So I'm trying to figure out what it is that makes me happy and try and make some changes to get the most out of this busy life.

Ikebana; What Lies Beneath

2011-08-05T17:57:00.000-07:00

Just a few snippets of what went on last night... massive, huge, real, real, big thanks to Mel and her lovely ladies Rachael and Narelle at Chill Flowers for giving me this fantastic opportunity to do something amazing. I had such a great time with these ladies creating a beautiful window display. Mel put on a lovely opening night and I can't thank her enough for her generosity. If you are down that way (31 North East Road, Collinswood) why don't you drop in and say hi! Let the girls work their magic and whip you up a pretty bunch for your gentleman lover?... or maybe just for you because they are AMAZING!!

More snaps to follow, as I am, uh, how do you say, a photo junkie. Oh and is anyone else up this morning watching rage? HOw good is Freddie Mercury? Man, that is one outstanding moustache. Miss you Freddie x

Chips

2011-08-04T16:35:00.000-07:00

Today is the day!! Set up day!

Today I am going to install for the Ikebana show at Chill Flowers, super excited and can't wait to see what the girls come up with in my designs. Gonna be a whole lotta snaps, I promise.

Last night had the opening of a group show that I am in at One Small Room. Apart from a rainy, dreary night there was a pretty good turn out. On the up side there was possibly the biggest bowl of chips I have ever seen in my entire life! I'm talking HUGE! Like maybe a meter in span (well maybe not a meter...but man, that was a lot of chips! Like 7 or eight packs, no wait that makes it sound small, aaagh, stop talking about the chips!!)

On the downside, there was this terrible band of teenagers playing some grunge like feedback like noise, pretty much racket. Not my perfect choice of ambience for an art gig, actually made me hightail it to the Wheaty, but hey at least I got to see that giant bowl of chips.

I really gotta get out of bed.... what with that whole install and everything....

Doubley Exhibition opening!!

2011-07-30T17:02:00.000-07:00

And if its cacti that you are craving.....

Come on down to One Small Room

Queen Street, Croydon

Where I am apart of a lovely group show that opens this Thursday

August 4th

with a street party!

There will be other art to see,

delicious bakery treats from my all time favourite bakery,

good beer to drink,

and of course glass cacti and succulents to purchase!!!

Hope to see you there.

It's going to be super fun and I would hate for you to miss it....

Exhibition opening!!

2011-07-30T16:53:00.000-07:00

Ikebana; What Lies Beneath

Grand Opening Friday 5th August

at Chill Flowers

31 North East Road

Collinswood

6 - 8pm

Adeladians! Come along! Say hi! Have a glass of champagne with me! Lets swan around and pretend to be floral tycoons if you like! If nothing else, its gonna smell real good....

Yumemiru Love

2011-07-20T04:56:00.000-07:00

Woah! Even though I am all over the shop busy, so to speak, seems like my work is getting itself out there! You remember my 'Yumemiru' range right?

Well little ole me and my Yumemiru got a heads up on The Design Files. Yup, THE DEsign files. Check it out with your peepers here.

Its been a tough week, and to return home to find emails with asking about my work made me feel super fantastic. Yumemiru is one of my all time favourite works to make. If I could, I would make them everyday, non stop. For, me they are such a beautiful form to make. Almost relaxing. I love the soft shapes, weight at the bottom, that beautiful rounded top. I love making a family of shapes to see how they sit together. I don't know what it is, but I sure am happy to know that people are interested in the work, thus getting me one step closer to making them everyday....

I'm a good guy at stuff

2011-07-05T02:28:00.000-07:00

Ahem, apologies on the last post, not very a. creative, b. inspiring or c. worth looking at!

My boy read it and says to me;

"I read your blog today, the one with the puff eye post,"

Me; "Yeah?"

Him; "Its not very good."

Point taken.

So lets try and turn this ship around, I have been doing stuff, lots of cooking, sewing, preparing for my new job. I guess I just havent gotten around to taking snaps and uploading them. Tell you what, I will take a bunch of snaps and upload them tomorrow. How does that sound? Better than a puff/pus eye no doubt. I wish i had like a spy camera in my eye a-la bionic style then I could just wink and it would take the shot. Then of course, seeing as I had gone this far, i would have hooked up my noodle to the interwizzle and would download them accordingly. Seems this process would be a lot easier if I was part cyborg.

If I did have that fancy cyborg spy camera, I would have taken loads of shots of me making the illustrious soup dumplings. Man oh man, did that one nearly break me... It was like a 2 day process, but the satisfaction of having mastered the soup dumpling and getting to reap the benefits of eating said dumplings was the sweet, sweet taste of victory. (Apparently the sweet taste of victory tastes kinda porky) It was extremely satisfying making your own dumpling dough and then being able to scoff self rightiously at those using pre prepared gow gee wrappers. (I'm also guessing this will be the first and last time i make these, so don't worry I'll be back to those gow gee wrappers before you know it) If you are interested (in mocking your friends with your culinary wizardry,) then you can have a look at the recipe I used here.

I have also been sewing like a fiend. These I can photograph for you (damn no bionic camera eye) One is a secret for a friend so I will leave that one out.... for now.

Also my big news is that this week I will begin my new job at T2. I will be the all grown up like, assistant manager! Eep! The opening date is next Wed so if you are in Adelaide I would love for you to stop in say hi, have a cuppa. The new store is on rundle st, near the Palace cinemas (next to Sugar)

uninspired puff eye

2011-06-30T16:32:00.000-07:00

Oh Wah. Have a puffy, sore eye and just not feelin' it. wah. Thats all I'm going to say about that. wah.

sorry.

Aspects Lovin

2011-06-20T22:17:00.000-07:00

How nice are these? And how nice is Aspects of King Park for using me in their latest promos? Thank you Aspects, you and me?, we're allllllllriiight.

colour crush

2011-06-19T04:11:00.000-07:00

Experimenting with colour lover is super fun.

Just been spending my Sunday hung over and trawling the interwizzle, as i like to do, and came across this sweet site. its all about colour and creating palettes. I am a real fiend for colour so this is real addictive for me. I can up load an image/photo i have taken then you can break it down into colours, even create new colours and name them for others to use and you to keep in your stash. (i made 'deep south harlot')

So this ...

Came from this!!

Super addictive, you should check it out. But maybe only if you have a few hours to spare!! You can also make patterns, see other peoples patterns and palettes, its amazing and I will have many more colour combinations to share (or bore) you with...

A Spot of gardening..

2011-06-16T16:05:00.000-07:00

So in case you were wondering, this is what a cactus looks like before I make it! Look at all those pretty colours! This is my set up for the hot box. From here they ramp up to around 500 degrees, then I can pick them up on the end of my pipe and pop a bub into them. From here I take gathers of glass to make the form bigger. The colour which comes in rods is like pure colour or concentrated colour. So a little bit can go a long way. These are the colours I used yesterday, so maybe tomorrow I will have some pics for you.

This is how I spend my time in the studio... make a cup of tea, start mixing the plaster mix, add pigment, let tea go cold, add some rocks, wait for the mix to go off (impatiently...) realise that my tea has gone cold, curse, heat tea in microwave, pot cacti and voila!!

Its fun gardening in the studio. I especially like making the succulents but as I forgot yesterday, you have to be patient!! Let the mix go off and don't rush it. I had to be downstairs to blow glass yet I was upstairs trying to grow a succulent. As a result the large guy might look a little flat, but i thought it was a good composition so i left it.

Huzzah for me.

This is where it all begins... maybe I will take some more step by step photos for you? I would like to take some in the hot shop for you then you can see the process. But maybe this is just interesting for me? Maybe I can wrangle a friend to play photographer for me?... gotta go water my plants, see ya!

lists

2011-06-15T01:00:00.000-07:00

Been awhile hasn't it? Don't get me wrong, I haven't been sleepin on the job, lollygagging or working on my groove on the couch. Today I figured out that I have been "unemployed" for nearly 2 months and I haven't been doing any of those things! I feel like I have a million things to do everyday. How is that possible? I look at my diary, and its a mess. It's like some small chicken has taken to it with a pen trying to recreate some sort of treasure map. I just don't get it. I know I have no one else to blame but myself for making these plans....

I have been in the studio quite a bit but still I feel unproductive. I started making some cacti again at that was fun. Gonna make some more tomorrow actually. Am off to melbs next week, this is what my schedule looks like...

. one more session on cacti for the One Small Room show

. one to two more sessions on the Ikebana show at Chill Flowers

. session for Colour Pots

. work on a commissioned job for some Bonsai

. Get new Pots

. Pot succulents and cacti

. work on grant proposal for group show

. submit entry for Wish List

. submit entry for SALA

. get photo for licence

. submit T2 paper work

Phew. Makes your head spin just thinking about it... here are the things I would like to be doing:

. sewing cool baby quilts

. going to the movies to see 'Snowtown'

. making soup dumplings (this is a biggie which will require 2 days...)

. eating soup dumplings

. taking photos

. keeping warm

. making $$ to pay my neverending jam bills

. drinking wine with friends

. bake a cake

. plan a wedding

I think you will agree both lists are quite long. Maybe when I get back from Melbs I will concentrate entirely on the things I want to do before I start full time work? Oh, and its also my Birthday on Saturday. I'm hoping for more photos like these to be made...

latest obsession, confessions of a sew-a-holic

2011-06-07T16:12:00.000-07:00

Meet my latest obsession...sewing baby quilts!!

I'm a fiend for it. Every spare moment, thats all I want to do at the moment. I ran into a friend of mine on the street and she is having a baby in October so I thought here is my chance. I got the fabric that day and had finished it off by lunch time the next day! (This lovely lady already has twin girls by the way...!)

I am pretty excited at how good it turned out. So good infact that I am finding it hard to hand it over...I know, I know just hand it over already, I don't even have a baby. But its so lovely! How cool is the fabric?

I liked it so much that I used the scraps to make another one for our friends who had a baby 2 days ago.

Now I am on to my third, for my bestie from high school who is having her first baby in a couple of months. This one I am breaking out my much coveted japanese fabrics I picked up in Osaka...ooooohhh! Its gonna be good, little fishies good!

Uggghhhhh.....

2011-06-02T16:26:00.001-07:00

Oh no, I seem to have hit the wall. Feel like I am in a slump, maybe it's residency come down? I'm guessing this is what happens when you run at it full pelt for so long? Anyways, I feel like .... meh.

I know, I know, the pretty pictures right? I had a blowing session yesterday and it was fun, but I just wasn't feeling it. Maybe it was because I looked at my hiring sheet and notices all the $$ I was racking up. Making new exhibition work is a sticky wicket, so to speak. You are not really guaranteed any return and it also takes a long time to nut things out. A long, expensive time. which leads me to my next point.

I have a new job! Huzzah! You are now talking to the new assistant manager for the T2 store, coming to Adelaide in July. I am very excited to have been given this opportunity. A full time gig working for a super lovely company. Now I will have money to pay for my sessions.

As I will be about to go into a full time position, I thought I could gun it in the studio and get all of my exhibition work made up front, waaaay before the deadline. Seems my head had other ideas... not feeling it, thats fo sure.

Ugh, maybe just a mini break? A weekend without glass? Can it be done? The tank is feeling dry... To try and achieve this I am headin south tonight, to moomah's! There is no glass in Mt. Compass thats for sure. Maybe we will get to go to the awesome farmers market at willunga? who knows... im secretly hoping for rain, a toasty fire and something delicious.

I think one of the problems is my studio is reflecting my head space..... A TOTAL MESS. Monday is going to be massive clean out day. I am going to be ruthless. RUTHLESS. If i made it 2 years ago, it has dust on it and i can't sell it, its gone! No prisoners, no soft spots, i am going for..

Tidy studio, tidy mind.

Now to celebrate this day of no glass I am going to make myself another coffee and eat last nights caneloni for breakfast. Mwhahahaha! Evil genius.

Eye candy

2011-05-31T01:03:00.000-07:00

Got me some pretty snaps taken today!! Had the very lovely Michael Haines take some photos for me. Poor guy, I rocked up early like the punctual super nerd I am (Adelaide DOES have a peak hour!!) barraged in with my boxes of work and a bucket of blooms all before the man had even had his morning coffee. He was fantastic and lovely to work with.

Just one big happy family.

Nice up close detail.

Super sweet clear shot. Michael really helped me out on the composition of this one. Clear is a tricky customer.

One of my favourite compositions. I love how they talk together. I rocked in there super organised, had each vase marked to a corresponding bunch of flowers. Got there, all went out the window and free styled it! As the shoot went on I had more ideas, would definately like to take some more and really work on the relationship between the vessels. I kept thinking of tiltles like "Inane chatter" or "Conversations in glass". Would be fun to do some back to back, kind of like "a minor disagreement.." They are so lively, I feel like they each have their own personality, some of them get along some of them don't.

Simple but nice, yes?

And finally got around to getting a proper product shot of my Colour Pots. Look how bright and happy they look. So then I dropped them straight off to the shop, made the lovely Sophie a particuarly sweet arrangement in one of my grey vases then got to hang out with my moomah for the rest of the arvo. Huzzah for mums! They are the best.

Residency complete!!

2011-05-29T05:00:00.000-07:00

I made it!

One sore left side, one very tired little bird, one small burn, one amazing opportunity. I think I have produced some interesting works which I see great potential for. Am getting a few flashy snaps taken this week so will give you a gander as soon as I have them.

It has been such a roller coaster of a week! In all honesty, if and when I do this again I have learnt one very important lesson; scheduling. Know it. Learn it. Live it. I don't really know what I was thinking blowing glass everyday for two weeks. Who do I think I am? Sir Puff a lot? Minimum 8 hours on the floor didn't really give me the chance to sit with the work so to speak. If given a bit of time off the floor I probably would have been in a better position, both mentally and physically, to get the most out of my sessions. But you know what, sometimes you don't have that luxury and you just make the best of what you are given!

I have really enjoyed my time with the associates too. We chatted about designs, talked about grant applications, blew some glass and had some beers together. They work so hard, they are nothing short of amazing. One of the things that made me the happiest was that they said this was the best special projects that they have had!! The best!! That makes me so happy, I feel like I have achieved my ultimate goal of having an even playing field. I was very adament that I wanted them to take as much from me as I was taking for them. As a consequence I think that is why we had such great success.

I definately feel more connected to the glass world and am looking forward to the next couple of weeks to keep the momentum going.

Thats it for now. I'm beat. But before I go, check this video out. This is glass blower Nancy Callan talking about her passion. Holy shitballs, this is one inspiring woman. Maybe she would take me on?....

week one round up

2011-05-21T01:17:00.000-07:00

I have been a busy bee! In the studio every day this week, on the glass, in the mix! What a rollercoaster let me tell you... the highs, the lows and the inbetweens! I think though that all in all, it has been a fantastic experience and I am already looking forward to next week. It is just such an amazing opportunity to be making every day and i am extremely grateful for this chance to work with the Jam again.

So let me break it down for ya... the first few sessions were ridiculously productive! I couldn't believe that by the end of session 2, it looked just like my drawing!! Amazing. But wait, don't get too excited, then I hit a wall and couldn't seem to replicate it. It made no sense, I did'nt know what i was doing wrong and it was messing with my head.

The next session I decided to throw some colour in the mix and really had the same problem. I had no choice but to push through. During prototyping my own work I was also working with the associates on their own work and working for Ruth in the evenings. To say I was tired was an understatement. Mentally and physically exhausted. Thursday night had me laughing uncontrollably, borderline hysterically because I saw a mouse 'amble' through the living room... can you detect my state of mind?

So lets face it, it was the end of the week and I really didn't hold much faith in Friday's session. But there I was. So I did what any respectable artist would do, I steeled my nerves, chugged a red bull and had a shot of cement. In other words I told myself to harden the flip up and get on with the job. You know what it worked. By the end of the session I got the illusive perfect pop.

As you can see with these vessels there is an extra mouth. To achieve this I make the shape, transfer to punty then spot heat and pop the bub with the sophie externally. The problem with this is that it is so unpredictable. Somehow I had to learn and find the common thread, find the pattern in the random so to speak. It's a fine line of understanding the material, alowing t to do what it wants to do, but having the foresight to control it. You control the glass, not the other way round.
And there it is. Glass blowing never ceases to amaze me. You can be totally prepared, mentally and physically then have the worst session of your life and wonder what the hell happened t all that intensive training you went through. Then the next instance, you can be at the end of your tether, body hurting, exhaustion setting in, resorting to energy drinks to keep your eyes open, and bam! You nail it. Amazing.

I have really enjoyed working with the associates too. Each of them is so different and is trying to attain different things. It's great. I get to talk about everything from design to manufacture, we nut things out, we help each other out.

At the moment I am very happy with where the work is heading, and feel that my skill level is getting better everyday. I go to bed thinking about what I will make the next day and keep myself awake thinking about the possibilities! Get some sleep already!!

Lookit, these two are taking to each other. The tall needs the small to survive. An impractical design or criminal genius? You be the judge.. x

Early days

2011-05-17T03:26:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my new nest!! This is my temporary new home for the next two weeks. As you can see, I have already made myself at home..

These are the colours I think I will be going for.

This was one of my first attempts to replicate my design sketches. It looks just like the picture!! Very happy with this for a first attempts. Using the hot torch to pop another hole.

These wonky lil family are the results from session one.

I really like the simplicity and lines of the arrangement in the vessel.

Clear glass is difficult to photograph, so it's a bit difficult to see whats going on here. (trust me, it's lokin goooood!) The proteas make for nice strong stems.

These are just some arrangements in old vessels.

Hey look it's Ruth! Hard at work layin mosaics of course.

Residency, week one...

2011-05-17T02:43:00.000-07:00

Today I took the Jam kids up to Mt. Lofty Botanic gardens for some inspiration. These pictures are just a snippet of what we saw. The colours are in full flight, a riot of colour if you will. I thought it might be nice to get them out of the studio and into the fresh air. It always helps me. Colour is a big part of all my inspirations. I am a fiend for it you could say. Colour has the ability to change your mood, the atmosphere, it can dictate your choices, it is everywhere. Colour should not be underestimated. Such a powerful force, sometimes can go under the radar when you are designing.

Was a beautiful crisp morning. Blue skies, dew still on the grass. A good day for taking in the sights.

In other news, I have been on the glass everyday!! In the studio and getting to blow glass everyday, it's so exciting. I am feeling inspired and I am really enjoying the freedom to prototype. Ruth is also over to make some work of her own so we are doing a couple of trades to help each other out. So far the prototype have been great and already I am getting some satisfying results. Doing some crazy stuff, poppin holes and what not! Will have some more pics to show you soon, didn't want to overload you! (I had more autumn shots, this was me being restrained..)

I think this is my shot of the day with the lovely Dani in front.

Although, this peachy number is pretty nice...

Friday afternoons are the best

2011-05-13T17:25:00.000-07:00

Lookit! A birthday present for a soon to be mama...

Some fresh blooms for inspiration. On Monday I will begin my two week residency at the Jam. Am super excited and ready to throw myself in 100%, give it all I gots and see what comes out the other side. (I am secretly hoping for something AMAZING!!) Today is my last day of work for Borders. We are closing down. It has been a real rollercoaster, full of highs and lows, tears, hilarity, rude customers beyond belief, heart warming individuals and a whole heap of amazing books. Now, finally I think I am able to take the positive from the negative.

A two week residency to kick things off, then I have decided to take the next month to concentrate solely on glass. I have 3 exhibitions coming up, orders to fill and I am going to use this precious time to, ahem, take over the world. Yeah! You herd me! Take over the mother flippin world!! Sure money may be an issue, but sometimes you just gotta jump right? Take risks, take over the world. Sounds about right.

Look at these crazy guys. Tulips wanting to escape and do their evil bidding no doubt. That's why I gots to keep them contained , who knows what they would get up to if I gave them half the chance?..

Oh! and look what I got i the mail!! This awesome handmade pendant in the mail!! I bought it from etsy from the amazing seller Cat Rabbit. This is one seriously talented lady. Check her out she makes fantastic critters.

Dodgy picture of me wearing my new necklace. I am proud as punch, no?

Listening to my faaaaavourite records, Devo, live recording and Good Morning Vietnam. Also some Stevie Wonder, Talking Book. Finally figured out how to turn on the decks. We've only lived here a year and a half, sheesh.

And at some point I inted to turn these awesome fabrics into a quilt! How good is the octopus one? Last weekend I popped into the Bower Bird market at met the lovely ladies from Ink and Spindle. They make such great textiles, I couldn't help myself. (Also bought a ...baby blanket, eep! I couldn't help myself!!)

Sweet Studio

2011-05-09T01:27:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Lobe! This is my mentor, Ruth Allen's studio. I went over at Easter to check it out and man, oh man, it is G.O.R.G.E.O.U.S. Ruth and her partner have done so much work to create this amazing workshop that it kind of blows my mind if I start thinking too hard about it all.
So, Lobe is set in deep Coburg. Actually kinda Coburg-industrial town. There is all sorts of interesting stuff going on in their street, not to mention an awesome fish monger across the street. So to combat the loud street, ruth has created a little green oasis in their front yard.

This is one of ruth's large wall installations. How nice to have a big, beautiful white wall to do test runs on.
This is the inside.

This is the beginnings of a bigger glory hole.

These are Ruth's production. She cuts up beer bottles, picks them up hot, then makes them into beer glasses. Talk about your recycling! It's also fun to get the stock up...

This is the baby gloryhole! Great for making beer glasses.

Such a beautiful and inspiring studio. I really like hanging out there and can't wait to go back.

Same same but different.

2011-05-05T03:49:00.000-07:00

So I'm thinking I would like to enter the Waterhouse prize this year. The Waterhouse is Australia's richest prize for natural history art. It's a great opportunity to get your work out there, in with a mixed bag of other artists. I heard they are kind of 'conservative' in their choices, but hey, this is the work I make! You either like it or you don't. I like it, maybe you do too? Or maybe you think it is the most hideous thing you have seen this year (I hope not).

Anyways, I was wondering which image I should submit. Close up or further away? What do you think? Can you help me out? I would love to hear your thoughts. (I am very indecisive and need all the help I can get...)

Change on the horizon

2011-05-03T02:58:00.001-07:00

Exciting times are on the way. Yes sir, I can feel it. Life has been a little rocky lately, to say the least... and lets face it, I am not out of the woods yet. Facing the cold harsh face of unemployment, which seems to funnily enough to have its head firmly attached to the neck of "pay the rent", which you will see travels on to the shoulders of "what will I eat", and only to firmly plonk itself onto the belly of "depression"....(that was a little dramatic, forgive me) anyway, where was I? Oh yes, the no job thing! My last day of work will be next Saturday. I am sad, fearful and relieved all at the same time. I actually really like my job and think that I am quite good at it. I really enjoy being able to recommend books for customers and try to find ones which suit their tastes. I got to meet some great people and I got to deal with some real jerks. I really liked all the team of staff and had some great managers to work for. I am sad to not be apart of that team anymore.

However there are small flashing beacons far off on the horizon that I can just make out. One is an intriguing interview I have tomorrow with the Central School of Art. A lovely lady asked if I had a job to go to, then proceeded to hand me her friends card (who just happens to be the managing director) and told me they were looking for like minded people. Fast forward two weeks later and I have an appointment to meet with them to discuss a position that may be coming available. I have no idea what this may be and I am very intrigued indeed..... Curioser and curioser....

Perhaps the most exciting blinky light on the horizon, is that as soon as I finish at Borders I will walk right into a two week residency at the Jam. I am very excited and grateful for this opportunity. Originally I was going to run a week long design project but due to a few changes in the program and the current associates needs, the idea of a two week residency was offered to me and I am very excited! This is exactly the opportunity I need to get me out of the post Japan slump I have been feeling. A two week period to work with the associates and prototype new designs for my own works. It's almost too good to be true!

But do you know the best thing that happened to me today? I was on my break, sipping a coffee on a bench in the mall when I met a lovely older gentleman who was vision impaired. He asked for the time and we just started chatting from there. He was telling me how he had imacular degeneration in his eyes and couldnt really see detail. He wanted to buy a watch but thought what was the point and just decided he would just ask people instead. He told me that it was better for him to get out and about rather than sit at home and feel sorry for himself. He catches the tram by himself and is very independent. He also bought a new electric shaver that he seemed quite chuffed with. He also told me to get my eyes checked as early prevention is the way to go (this condition actually runs in our family so I took it as a friendly reminder from lady universe to make that appointment). Anyways, he was just a lovely man and I kind of wish I could have chatted to him a little longer. I will look out for him next time. Sometimes a lovely stranger can just lift my day. Just last week I met a woman on the bus. I think I really like to talk to strangers and might try it more often.

Well wish me luck for tomorrow, I will be looking my best (I'm off to pluck my brows do you think they will notice?..)

Also I forgot to tell you, I went to Melbourne over Easter and got to visit my mentor Ruth Allen I will tell you all about that next time my little birds.

Autumn I heart you, please stay a little longer.

2011-04-30T05:14:00.000-07:00

Dear Autumn, I love you. I love you so much, I wish it was Autumn all year round. If I were a billionaire (or oil tycoon, its like chose your own adventure, which ever one works best for you,) I would travel the world, blowing glass and chasing Autumn. I would live in Autumn all year round. Seasonably mild. Yes sir. Best type of weather for blowing glass, sipping wine and watching the leaves turn. Also good for cooking extravaganzas in the kitchen, dressing in layers and makes pale skin look awesome. Its win, win.... for me, anyways.

I mean look at this, grey skies, golden leaves, whats not to love. Today we took a drive up to Mt. Lofty Botanic gardens. Sure, we got lost along the way, maybe we got there at 4 o'clock and the park shuts at 5, but hey, we saw some colours!

I kind of wanted to go to check it out because in a couple of weeks, I will be taking the associates for a design project. I thought it would be nice to get them out of the studio and get them thinking on a different level. For me personally, I take a lot from nature (sorry mother nature, I'm like the bandit who steals all your good ideas and passes them off as my own) and I was hoping they might find some inspiration too.

Its hard work being an associate and the time for reflection or fresh inspiration can be rare. Its real easy to get bogged down in technique and trying to perfect that elusive perfect tumbler, so to speak. It's easy to forget that glass can be beautiful and fluid, craving movement and spontaneous action. It's not all goblet making and skittles, so to speak.

I gots a lot of work to do. I gots alot of decisions to make. It's crunch time, so to speak.

Anyways, I love you Autumn. You are my favourite. Summer is for jerks in bikinis. I am a pale skinned giant who likes layers, changing leaves and Autumn months.

lightbulb....

2011-04-07T19:03:00.000-07:00

So the string garden.....

"Curioser and curioser," said Alice as she tumbled down the rabbit hole...

Seems these delightful little chaps are also known as "Kokedama" or more affectionately known as; "The poor mans Bonsai". Well, well, well, what a co-winkydink, as my sister would say. Japanese related and I didn't even know it. I feel like there is potential here for new research material!! I am a part of a group show which is entirely garden related, later this year and have been wondering which direction to take, maybe this is a good start?

So quite often these little guys are covered in moss, and moss to the Japanese is considered quite beautiful. Moss even appears in ancient poetry and even in the national anthem of Japan (so I'm told..) meaning that Kokedama can now be regarded as a part of Japan that fuses tradition and modernity.

They are the ultimate in sustainable living and for the space conscious. Low maintenance, beauty in the everyday. Sounds like my kind of thing... its nature that can be held in your palm. Ever precious, yet surprisingly sturdy and resilient. Much like Japan itself in this difficult time?

Ladies and gentleman, I think I have found my beginning.

String Gardens

2011-04-06T18:12:00.000-07:00

These by far were the most amazing thing I saw at the flower show. I had spied them before, trawling through the internet, but nothing beats seeing them in the flesh. They were just beautiful. All these hanging creations made for quite a striking installation. They are called string gardens. You can find some more here if you were interested. I can't figure out if these are grown over quite a period of time of just literally strung together. Maybe I should try and make some? How do I keep all the dirt together? (With the string you idiot) This idea will probably go in the pile with my vertical garden idea....I don't think i am much of the gardener type, shame because i really am in love with the idea of it. (Just spent the morning trawling through the Daylesford Organics blog man that is one amazing family. I think i might want to be them. This awesome rag tag bunch of super talented, both crafty and green thumb, up and moved to the country to start an organic farm 10 years ago (with an 8 month old baby) to start their new life. The mamma has her own blog Foxs Lane which is equally awesome.) I can keep succulents alive.....sometimes...does that count? I have a Brendan too, he likes gardening, does that count? Surely with these qualifications a move to the country to become organic farmers with lots of puppies is the obvious thing to do? Because lets face it, at the moment not much else is working out for me. How bad could a total upheaval be?

Im finding it hard to beep my head above water at the moment. Have suffered some setbacks and am worried I might go the way of Alice and drown in a sea of my own tears. I just thought this year was going to be amazing. In reality its turning out to be quite the opposite. How do i find the path again? What is lady universe trying to tell me?

I feel lost at sea.

Who would have thought there were florists in limbo?

2011-04-04T18:45:00.000-07:00

While we were in 'limbo' in Melbourne, we were lucky enough to be there the same time as the Melbourne International Flower Show. There were some amazing arrangements, some were clearly over the top (florists gettin a little too excited) but here are a couple of images of some impressive arrangements while I sift through the masses...

Baby Blue

2011-03-25T02:48:00.000-07:00

Pretty in Pink

2011-03-25T02:23:00.000-07:00

Saw some friends, drank some wine, strolled the streets of Northcote in the sun, saw a movie, had some larfs, startin to feel a little better....

orange you glad you came to say hi?

2011-03-25T01:53:00.000-07:00

I think this one is going to take some time to recover from.

I had such big plans for the year, for my practice, for some kick ass shows, all revolving around my trip to Japan. Now my organisation and foresight seems incredibly stupid to place so much on one thing. All I can say is that this is going to take some time to figure things out. Feeling kinda bleak and a little numb about it. Maybe its time for a bike ride to clear the fog?

Feeling a little green around the gills...

2011-03-25T00:01:00.000-07:00

Not only have our travel plans been halted by natural disaster, followed by nuclear worries...my sister got bit by a dog and I have a gross head cold. Awesome on all fronts yes? And I have been sleeping in a midgets bed ( if you didn't know already, I am a giant.) Just awesome.

Time to pull up your socks

2011-03-19T22:37:00.000-07:00

So Japan has been postponed. We made the hard decision to cancel our plans for now and it really has been a tough time getting back on top of things. Japan is going through such heartache that I really don't think it needs two more foreigners running around to add to the mix. It's been a real emotional roller coaster for me. I based my whole year on this trip and now I just got to pick up the pieces and start again....

I still have shows to make work for this year and I still very much want them to be Ikebana based. I think I will just have to work a bit harder and do more research to make this project work.
We thought we would try and lift our spirits a bit with Elizabeth giving me a crash course in floristry. We went to the Vic markets and picked ourselves up some lovely Australian natives (and some jam doughnuts, for research purposes...)

We got proteas, kangaroo paw and leucadendrons.

I think if I kind of can keep this practical based research going I might make some head way. The flowers have amazing textural qualities which I would like to translate to glass.

The proteas have an almost velvety kind of feel to them. Very tactile yet soft and delicate.

To me natives are just such a sturdy plant to work with. They have a long life span when cut and have such interesting shapes. I think there is a lot to work with here.

From a practical point of view, I quite like the simple round pot. I would like to experiment with blowing some organic shapes that might take on the textures of the plants or dirt.

Voila! The finished product. B.E.A.UTIFUL no? I just love that big open protea.

This one, also gorgeous, Elizabeth made. Clever little rabbit isn't she? I'm hoping we get to do some more lessons, it's a nice way to try and get back on track. It's a little shaky and there's been quite a few tears but I almost feel like I can see a path in the distance. Or maybe thats a twig, I don't know. Anyways, if you see me on the street just give me a hug ok? I might not ask for one, but I really need one.

Uncertain times

2011-03-13T12:00:00.000-07:00

So by now you have probably heard of Japan's natural disasters. A 9.0 earthquake was measured followed by a tsunami which took out Sendai entirely. Thousands are missing. Their nuclear reactors are having trouble with the damages they have sustained.

We are scheduled to fly out tomorrow.

I am sitting in Adelaide airport as we speak, waiting to fly out to Melbourne. It has been a real rollercoaster and my heart goes out to all the people of Japan. I don't know how I feel about starting my journey when they are a country facing disaster, a country in mourning for all their loved ones lost.

I think there is very little chance of us flying out to Tokyo. I think our best plans is to delay the trip. While Tokyo has not been immediately affected, they are suffering massive aftershocks, transport shortages (trains not running in Tokyo if you can even fathom that) along with power shortages which mean blackouts, sometimes lasting for 3 hours or more. This is a country in disarray and I do not think it is safe for us to go.

It hurts my heart. I have been wanting to go for so long, making careful plans, organising an amazing journey, now it feels petty to worry about our trip when people have lost their lives. I'm not sure what to do or how this will pan out but for the moment we will remain in Australia.

Much love to you Japan, in your time of need.

5am starts are tough

2011-03-07T21:15:00.000-08:00

The last two days I have been trying to just take it easy, hang out at home, maybe make some nice dinners? watch some crappy television? Sounds good right? Apparently my sub conscious Amanda has other plans... like hey, heres a great idea, lets wake her up every morning at 5am on the dot, lets fill her head with chatter, worries and stupid thoughts at 100miles a minute. Basically, lets....START PANICKING!! Oh and did i mention its only 1 more week to go? 7 DAYS!!

I do feel like I am almost organised, just a little further to go.

- return flight home

- travel insurance

- pack bag

- print off like a million documents

- BUY VEGIMITE

Then I am done.

Only 8 sleeps to go!!

2011-03-06T16:38:00.000-08:00

Ikebana Australiana!!

In only 8 short days, I will be in Tokyo.

Trying desperately to navigate octopus like subway lines, scoffing myself stupid with sashimi and karrage (pretty much like a japanese version of kfc but a million bazillion times better), waiting patiently for the cherry blossoms to bloom, fumbling horribly with a foreign language (giving it a lovely Aussie twang), and most importantly taking classes in the honoured tradition of Japanese floristry; Ikebana.

Its all very exciting yet terrifying at the same time. I still have a few more things to organise (my flight home...) and the planning levels are off the bloody charts, but I am nearly ready. Its been a long time coming and to think that these 'hair brain' schemes of mine are actually coming to be a reality are mind blowing to say the least. I have always had a love for Japan and obsessed with my glass blowing and wanted to somehow combine the two, and now here we are. Nothing short of amazing. I thought before I take off I would take the time off to explain the project (for you and me both!). So here we go...

My sister is a florist and I am a glassblower. I have always thought there is the perfect project out there for us to work together on. Studying Ikebana together to then translate these learnings into vessels for Australian natives is our ultimate goal. We our looking to explore the parallels between Ikebana and our own design aesthetics. For me personally, I am excited to gain insight into a whole new set of design ideals which I hope will inturn contribute and strengthen my own skills as a designer and maker.

Much like glass blowing, Ikebana uses harmony of linear construction, rythmn and colour to create arrangements. I feel there are sililarities to explore and expand on which could lead to exciting new works. I have lined up a SALA show for August this year. I am going to make Ikebana vessels and work together with an Adelaide florist, Chill Flowers to create a window installation for the Adelaide South Australian Living Artist festival. I am then hoping to tour the show to Melbourne.

So how the flip are we going to do this? We will take weekly lessons at Sogetsu school of Ikebana. So how about some images already?!! Below are a couple of Ikebana installation pieces which are blowin my mind! Not just pretty flowers in a vase right?

Crankasaurus

2011-03-02T13:44:00.000-08:00

This little one looks like how i felt yesterday...

Holy Shitballs! Check this out!!

2011-02-24T21:18:00.000-08:00

WOAH!!! CHECK ME OUT! I'M OVER AT CRAFT VICTORIA'S BLOG, CLOG!!!!

The lovely Kim, of Craft Victoria is doing a mini feature on me as I am very happy to announce that I am now a new stockist of Craft Victoria.

I am more than a little excited!! So excited in fact that I just had to tell you all about it!! Take a gander, tell me what you think. (I only realised how messy my studio looks....) (who am i kidding, is.)

Craft Vic are kindly stocking my new range; 'Colour Pots'. I wish them well on their maiden voyage!

http://craft-victoria.blogspot.com/

Little Bird BIG City!

2011-02-20T16:20:00.000-08:00

Lean in close my little birds because I have some big news for you...BIG news. John Candy (god rest his soul) big.

I am going to Japan!!

Ow yeah! Konichiwa Japanese Little birds! I am super excited to be able to announce to you that in March this year I will be traveling to Tokyo to undertake a research residency into the honoured tradition of Ikebana, Japanese floristry. My plan is to compile research for an Australian native Ikebana range. Proteas, warratahs maybe some banksias? Who knows? Its all very exciting!

I am both excited an terrified. Living in Tokyo for two whole months....gulp. I'm sure it will be fine, how hard can it be...HAVE YOU SEEN THE TOKYO SUBWAY MAP?!! ITS LIKE 20 OCTOPUS ON ACID!! But on the up side you can buy beer from a vending machine, so hey maybe if i just slug one of those before I attempt to decipher the trains everything will turn out swell.....

I am now trying to line up a sala show to display some of these new works I will create when i get home. I am thinking of more of an installation based show using the ikebana vessels, but early days yet, lets just get there right?

Now, where did I put that passport?.....

Grand opening!

2011-02-16T16:01:00.000-08:00

Come on down! Pull out that party frock from the closet, hunt down those sparkly heels, maybe pop on some lippy? dust off that dashing suit (worn last at nanna's 70th down the rsl) and get your little caboose down to Electra House! Tonight! Preview! Grand opening, come revel in 'Florence's' beauty. And why not do so whilst enjoying an icy cider/beer at the newly installed Tuxedo Cat bar? You won't be disappointed I guarantee it! Just wait till you get your bevarage served from the caravan....

The details.....

7:30pm grand opening of Florence

@ Electra House 131 King William Street

Feb 17th

Seeya there!

Meet Florence

2011-02-15T00:37:00.000-08:00

But first lets have a coffee.... ahh delicious.

Now today is the day for installation. First we hijack the board room and start sorting colours.

Next each piece has to be screwed into its length. It's a two man job, trust me..

We are the two men! Meet Jaan, twirly in guy extrodinaire.

Now meet Dani, head tape lady and all round good guy at stuff. Each piece must be carefully balanced off of each other.

Meet Jess, head packer and later scaler of great heights and attacher of cables.

As you can imagine we need fuel for such a big job. Burger time. Burgers all round. Viva la West Side!

Mmmmmmmm......

After everything is assembled we moved her to Electra House and began the install.

We don't pack light....

The cables go up and the armature can be hung.

She lives!

Each piece balances from its family. It really is quite beautiful. Florence has a quiet elegance to her and really must be seen to be believed. Why don't you come down to say cheerio and enjoy a pimms at the bar? Opening night is this Thursday from 6-8pm. Hope to see you all there.

Day 5 - Last making day

2011-02-11T00:10:00.000-08:00

Today was the last day on the job for the Jam crew. And I am pleased to say..... they nailed it! Our target was 100 and we need 80, I'm not sure of the actual count but we smashed it thats fo' sure. Now we will have the luxury of picking and chosing the best for the mobile, the crem de la creme so to speak.

Look even Maddy is happy about it.

And here is Kristel, eye on the prize.

Remember these tiles we laid out ever so patiently?

Well they kinda turn out like this when they are rolled up.

Then they get spun out into this!

Here is Mads hard at work in the cold shop.

Now the thing about mobiles is you have to have balance right? Each one has to be weighed to fit in with each other.

Now its time to think about colour families. Who hangs out with who.

They get sandblasted on the back for that nice soft look.

Now for the first test run. A careful balancing act to counteract the weight of each piece.

and heres how you transport a precarious piece!

And here she is hanging....

Beautiful no? So I think this was a great project for everyone involved. It was a big learning curve for everyone. The team had a chance to find their feet, we all learnt about colour schemes and what works with murrini, Ruth and I are learning to work together and the piece is coming to life. We had the run of the hot shop at the Jam for a week and we are very grateful for their support. So we are maybe 70% there? Now for a whole new set of challenges...stay tuned for installation, i hear there will be scafolding involved......

Day 4 - the deal breaker

2011-02-10T01:15:00.000-08:00

For me, today was a day of dualities. The morning was spent very pleasantly attending a Jumpmentoring information session. Here i met some other lovely artists and had quite an informative day. Got a great list of resources and learnt abit more about what Jump can provide for me. I feel really positive about this and look forward to the out comes. Already I would strongly advise any emerging artist under 30 to think about applying for next year. The Carclew team are super enthusiastic and a wealth of knowledge for folks like me. (They even fed me quiche for lunch! How civilised and delicious!) Tomorrow morning both Ruth and I will attend.

So what about the team you ask? A morning off? Time for a kip? Not bloody likely! Those kids were in there pumping it out as always, no rest for the wicked as they say, and by wicked i mean flipping AWESOME! I don't know the actual temperature today, up in the 30's I think, but man the Jam felt like the sun itself, and those kids were in there working hard, as always. Comrades I salute you. Your hard work is much appreciated and will not go un noticed. Sweat was pouring off them yet still they work with a smile, churning out piece after piece. Bravo my little hot shop demons, bravo.

My afternoon was frantic and stressful unfortunately... a grant dead line rapidly approaches tomorrow and lets just say this one did not run smoothly and not to my own fault i must say. But i won't bore you with the details my lovelies (i don't think i am even ready to revisit that yet!) So consequently I don't have any new pics for you, sorry! But I will tell you the team is rapidly approaching their goal of 100 pieces. Tomorrow is their last day and I am very excited to see the quality of work they are turning out. Huzzahs all round!

So instead I'm going to leave you with a snap of my new production line; "Colour Pots". Thoughts? Comments? Feed back is most welcomed here at Little Bird Big Chip....

Day 3 - Team in full flight!

2011-02-08T23:12:00.001-08:00

Day three on the project and the team really found their wings today. Everyone had a job to do and the team hit full flight. We nailed some numbers to pump out the pieces.

Heres all that cane we have been pulling awaiting the chop.

Ruth workin the pastorelli!

A little squeeze, maybe a flip of the plate, ready for Mads to roll up.

B.e.a.u.tiful!

A little pinchy here and there to seal the deal.

I would like to chat a little longer but a lady needs her rest! Was a hot and especially sweaty day for me...time to hit the tub yo.

Day 2 - Viva la cane!

2011-02-08T02:52:00.000-08:00

Another day, another cane.

Andi hard at work on the murrini chopper. Cutting the canes into little pieces.

Murini central, the kitchen.

Lookit! Looks like candies, no?

The beginnings of a tile.

Just a little more....

Maybe some of these?

Woah! All these lil' babies ready to rock.

The finished piece, or one of many... will take some action shots so you know how we get to this point. By the end of the day I am hot and forget I have a camera...

The murrini/cane makes all kinds of different and intricate patterns.

Today we just kind of tested the waters but tomorrow I am hoping we will go into full scale production and crank out some numbers. Our goal is 100 by the end of the week. God speed, lil murrini....

Day 1... the beginning...

2011-02-07T03:47:00.000-08:00

Day 1 on the team = cane.

Lots of cane.

Big cane, small cane, fat cane, skinny cane, oh my! You name it we pulled it. We actually filled the bottom of the leher, might try and get in early for a pic...it's quite a sight..

Mads hard at work.

The mega check off list of alllllllll the colours of the rainbow and then some.

The powder for makin the colour on the glass.

The pull. Long, straight, lovely.

Anyways, im a little pooped so more pics less words. maybe tomorrow will be the opposite!

Tuxedo Cat meets Ruth Allen

2011-02-04T23:04:00.000-08:00

Ah, you have all been so patient my little ones! Now I am happy to announce my big news I promised.....

Ahem,

I have been accepted into this years Jump Mentorship Program! (Cue screaming, general racket and good time cheering noises from crowd) You can check out my spiel here. My mentor is Ruth Allen. She is a Melbourne based glassy who makes large installation type pieces which focus on light and sound. She is an all round good guy at stuff.

We are very excited to be working together and the potentials are endless! To get the ball rolling I will be assisting Ruth in making some large scale work for this years Adelaide Fringe. It's going to be a big ole mobile to hang in at the grand Electra House. Tuxedo Cat are a group of hipsters bringing the good times to Adelaide. They are the King of the pop up venue, last year running a fabulous rooftop bar, and we are very excited to be in cahoots with them. It's going to be a long haul, so settle in why don't you, strap yourself in for the ride and let me elaborate a little...

So, the above pictures are perhaps the find of the century, so to speak. Once Ruth and I got in contact, she mentioned to me that she was looking at making some work for the fringe but was yet to find a suitable venue. Would I mind being the Scout, the girl on the ground? The Adelaide connection! After much sleuthing I remembered Tuxedo Cat from last year and began the conversation to hang some work in their establishment. They had found "Electra" house. A run down, heritage listed building with nothing going on but some punks and a whole lot of pidgeons. Its fantastic. Words cannot describe. Its got that whole grandeour from another era going on. It is truly beautiful in its decrepid state and the beauty of Tuxedo Cat is that they are not trying to change this vibe but to elaborate. None of your shiny, soulless revamps here. They are going for grunge! In all its preloved glory!

To make the work, Ruth is running a special projects with the trainees of JamFactory. Basically we will all work as a team to make the work then Ruth and I will work with another team to install. This is an amazing opportunity for me to weasel in on! So excited!!

So I will do my best to document the ride for you. Strap yourselves in real tight my lovelies, this one, she's gonna be big....

Full time weiner

2011-01-18T18:53:00.000-08:00

I think I have a problem.

It's big too.

This really is awful but it is the only conclusion I can come too..

I don't think I do 'holiday' mode. As in I think I'm bad at taking time off.

What the hell is wrong with me?!! I'm not really on holiday, I've been working pretty much full time at Book town since November, but the studio is in shut down mode over January. So I haven't made anything (with my bare hands!) since late December and I'm a wreck! All mopey like, can't seem to relax or enjoy moochin on the couch. Not keen. it's an illness.

I worked so hard last year and set things up so this year should be great, and I'm sure it will, but I just can't seem to enjoy the down time that i have now. Nuts right?

Yup. Nuts.

I will be 30 this year and I am only just starting to slowly learn things about myself. I have unusual work habits thats for sure. I know for certain that I become real unhappy when I am not creating. (Found that one out the hard way) And now it seems that I might only be happy when I have like a million different projects on the go, strapped for time and usually operating on mild to dare i say increasing stress levels. What the flip is up with that?

I think I have a problem.

Help?

oh, i knew it! i bloody well knew it!

2011-01-05T03:35:00.000-08:00

I knew i shouldn't have taunted the universe with my cries of nailing a quasi-new years resolution...
And here i was thinking the universe didn't read my blog....

Well turns out she does.

Don't worry?

BAM.

Have a kick to the ovaries (not literally, no babies here)

Worry about this, she says, MWHAHAHAHA! she cackles joyfully.

Universe, you are either a cruel mistress or you really enjoy a good ole larf (at watching other people sweat)

(namely me)

...I knew i shouldn't have taunted new year resolutions....

Soz universe, lets be mates ok?

I'll be good.

A nutritious breakfast can conquer all

2011-01-04T03:35:00.000-08:00

Well here we are again friends.

It's late, my lil peepers are sore, i should be in bed but yet here i am compelled to write... seems a little familiar, no?

I just wanted to say......

IN YOUR FACE NEW YEARS RESOLUTION!!!

Thats right, I cracked it and it's only 4 days in. Oh yea, I'm going places. I guess i should mention at this point my new years resolution (made in the wee hours of new years day) was to make bircher museli. Mission accomplished. In the fridge awaiting me for tomorrows breakfast. And that my friends is how you begin a successful year.

As you may have gathered i think new years resolutions are a bit of a farce. (My last years was to eat a custard apple, which i failed) I'm over the "I'll lose 10kg" or "I'll give up smoking". Don't get me wrong these are all great but somehow chuck the word 'resolution' in there and it seems destined for doomsville, failuretown, losers avenue.

So this time I'm side stepping the resolution bit (even though i totes nailed it) and now i can concentrate on the real deal. All you need is a little win (sometimes a delicious one) to kick start, so here we go... and people, people, i can not stress this enough, these are not resolutions.

- balance my work with my life better - this includes more time for family and friends, enjoying the small stuff, remembering that i like to cook, general all round having a good time. who does'nt want that? no one thats who!

- ride my bike lots.

- visit my nan and pa more often

- plan our wedding

- continue with glass world domination mwhahahaa-uh no wait... prioritise, don't over stretch, but still with the world domination MWHAHAHA!!

now here comes the main one....

this is all that really matters (well now that bircher museli is nailed)

Stop worrying so much.

Seems so simple. Seems like it is integral to everything else. I am a big worrier. Over everything and anything, but you know what? I am now deciding that I'm not going to be a worrier anymore and thats all there is to it.

How bout you?

Keys love

2010-12-29T04:11:00.000-08:00

Hello there friend! I have much to tell you but alas it's very late and i should be in bed (my little peepers are real sore and I think i ate a bug on the ride home from work..) so in the pre-lude to all my new news (new news? hahahaha) I thought it might be nice to take the time and give a quick shout out to the lovely, super talented, super foxy artist that is Ms Erin Keys..

Earlier this year The B-train and I enlisted the mad skills of Ms Keys to design and make my wedding and engagement rings. Aren't they dreamy? (photo courtesy of Keys) They are so beautiful sometimes they are so that they make my heart hurt (actually when I first got them I was driving and the diamonds reflected and i was distracted by theyre shiny sparkleness!!) They are two rings that interlock in white gold with champagne diamonds and other lil gems for effect.

I can't gush about them enough.. when shopping for rings I got very disheartened as all those mass produced princess styley rings were just not me and i was starting to think i was'nt meant to have a ring.. enter Keys. Erin is an extremely skilled jeweller/metalsmith/maker/all round good guy and she read me like a book (which i'm sure was very difficult as I am an amazing fence sitter and hard to read moron) now look at the results!

Me in a ring.

Beautiful.

Thanks Keys, I loves ya kid.

so do yourself a favour and check her out before she gets too famous and you have to book even her assistant like 7 months in advance just to make a booking to get to her. (I hear she has a fancy website on the horizon too...)

More exciting news to come....

Outside Inside, Inside Outside!

2010-12-08T00:55:00.000-08:00

Hey!

I am super excited to let you know a little magazine called " Inside Out" is running a little article on me. I am pleased as punch, a real proud pappa. Have a look see... it's a beautiful mag, maybe you'll like it too? I wish I was more techno-mo-logical and could post the article here....but i'm not so you will just have to do it the old fashioned way and go and buy the magazine!!

(i also wanted to put in a classier post than the last one....just for the mag :)

And my exhibition opens in Melbs tonight, Carbon Black in Prahan!

Hey it's you!

2010-11-12T04:03:00.000-08:00

(hotshop zombies)

Well it sure has been awhile between drinks. Sozz about that, lots going on. Lets see, I have a new job! I now work at Borders, hard copy anyone? Lisa likes to remind me that I am now Manney and have a 'duty-to-do' card but i tell ya what, after shelving for 9hrs i feel more like Bernard, then to compensate when i get home i have to drink and i turn into Fran, 'BOOZE! CAKE! TRUTH!' I do actually really like my new job and think its gonna be a winner. So pretty much all work and not much on the art side.

Lets re-cap the week in hip dot points shall we?

. What doin? - Workin.

. How gettin there? - Ridin my bicycle.

. What readin? - Well I'm glad you asked! Now I can't help myself and have 4 books on the go! shocking I know, what a book hog!

1. A good and Happy child. Amazing, kinda like The Secret History, well a little in the same vein. Kinda bookish thriller style lets say.

2. The Brain that Changes itself. Totally out of my depth here but amazing true stories. Sciency-dealy.

3. One of the True Blood books, can't remember tittle. Trashy vampire goodness for the weekend.

4. Hello Sandwich's guide to Tokyo. Research, cute research.

. Watchin? - OMG, The Dead Walkers, brand new zombie series, scarin the pants off me!

. What makin? - Ooh this is a good one, got a party to go to and the theme is 'dead icons on a cruise'. I have decided to go as Carmen Miranda, or as I now like to call her, Carmanda, get it? Do you know how hard it is to buy fake fruit in this town?

. What eatin? - I have a mild addiction to 'Sushi in the City'...

. Listenin? - ipod on shuffle, it's ready for a revamp (you and me both kid)

So doin stuff, but not really doin stuff. Just kinda afloat at the moment, conserving my energy...

Oh I do have a show to pack up and get to Melb..... yeah....totes on it, like tomorrow, i promise.

Interview @ 'Dream and Blossom"

2010-10-31T15:39:00.000-07:00

Hey check this out....

The very lovely Monica Robinson, who is the creator of "Dream and Blossom" has a little inter view on me here. She is a cute one and a total crusader for the local arts. The interview is the first in a series I think. Her enthusiasm is catching...

Gingerbread house located, on horizon...

2010-10-27T14:28:00.000-07:00

Well whatdya know? Turns out the Universe doesn't hate me! Actually is kind of rootin for me! Yay for Universe! Yay for me! I tell you what when it happens it happens real quick. In the space of an hour I went fro having the worst time ever and wandering the streets like a sad sack, to pretty much skipping and squealing with delight! In one hour!

First off, I got a new job! Yay! Its working at Borders, hard back anyone? Yay for cash! Yay for books! Yay for a 30% discount! Best part is i won't start for a couple of days so now i can really soak in that unemployment time like a proper bum (now not having to worry about how i was ever going to pay for anything again, yesterday when i was in my low, i spent my last $5 on some delicious milkshake coffee caramel drink...)

Now here comes the real exciting bit. Look. At. This....

Amazing and super exciting. Thats all I am going to say about that now......

Handsel and Gretel were on to something..

2010-10-25T04:43:00.000-07:00

I have that lost feeling again. It's tough out there in maker/artist/crafter world. I just feel that money is slipping through my fingers, i don't have a pay the rent job at the moment so thats not helping, i have some big decisions to make and i just can't seem to find my way at the moment. I should have made like Handsel and Gretel and left myself some bread crumbs to find my way back.

Little Bird Big Chip goes global!

2010-10-14T15:15:00.000-07:00

I did it! It's here!! I would like to welcome you to my very first Etsy store, here. Commence phase one; Etsy takeover...

I have listed a couple of cacti, just to test the waters and some of my Two Tone Tony carafes. I am also planning to list some simpler cacti and a couple of those distinguished gents with the moustaches.

So stop by and say hi, tell your friends, spread the word! Lemme know whats you think? I would love to hear your feed back. Christmas is coming people.....

Melbourne Lovin'

2010-10-11T15:44:00.000-07:00

(image courtesy of http://oddsandends.net.au check em out)

Hello there lovelies! How was your weekend? I only ask as........MINE WAS FLIPPIN' AWESOME!!!!!! thats all.

Even though as you know, I got the sack last week, I had planned a ladies weekend away with my favourite lady lil'lisa. we got our booties over to melbs for a threeday weekend of booze, art, deliciousness and...... shopping! (perhaps not the best when one has no fixed income but pffft.)

we flew in saturday morning and hit the ground running. we stayed at the nunnery a super sweet hostel in fitzroy, absolutely recommend it. Then we seeked out an amazing cafe off smith street, "Proud Mary". Lisa had a mind blowing sandwich of mouth watering pork belly and if i wer'nt so comatose from lack of food i probably would have ordered something other than blurting out eggs please... and the coffee? holy shit balls! they had this crazy tea distillation going on. do yourself a favour and get yo self there.

In the later part of the day we met up with friends for wine in the park which led to more wine.....and more wine..and ultimately contributing to the god awful, punch in the ovaries, hangover.. but i digress. ahem.

we saw some poor mans cirque du solei in the park (which led us to seek out a pub) but then we went to see a dirty blues band, "The Brothers Grim" inside the NGV. Amazing.

Which brings us to the cocktail section of the evening. One word. Polly. Now I would love to tell you more but.... some sort of memory blank.

So the whole reason behind this trip was to see the Tim Burton show on its last day, even in my state of extreme pain I could see the brilliance. Sketches, snippets of the movies, models it was all there. Now the next part of our journey (with much groaning and cursing/huffing and puffing) we went to find the market way out in the docklands. now this really perked up my hang over... a tin shed filled to the brim with creative geniuses!! I met the lovely girls at "Odds and Ends" Do you know what they make? lean in close now....knitted cacti!!! we are now like besties! please check them out on their etsy store here. They were super nice and gave me great advice for a first time etsy seller. I will be keeping in touch with those kids fo sure. (I am dying for a trade!) Oh and i just discovered their tre tre beautiful blog, remember to notice. makes me want to make nice stuff.

I also bought my new summer dress from made590. it is super cute and has....pockets! yessssss.

By now we had managed to perk up somewhat and started to think about a delicious dinner (i forgot to mention that shamefully we had to eat fast food for breakfast....hang head in shame)

We ate the most amazing dumplings. Amazing. They were these little parcels of loveliness that are filled with delicious stock and a little pork parcel. Super delicious, super fun to eat. I am salivating as we speak... oh and we managed to force down more wine.

A little bit more of a lazier approach to our next and final day. We strolled my old hood of northcote to visit a few fav's including I dream a highway and Manque. Kinda shopped out (you think?) and ready for home. Melbourne I heart you.

2010-10-07T00:20:00.000-07:00

Well. It's official.

I'm a bum.

I gots the sack and now I am unemployed. Sad face. Apparently the big boss says too many staff. Whatevs. My greatest regret is that I did'nt rack up more of a cheese debt. What an idiot.

I guess now I will have more time to work on my etsy store... and i guess now i can finally get around to joining the library, the house might get to look a little nicer, i could try out new recipes (perhaps only with beans as cash may be at ultimate low..) or i could just sit around the house in my underpants with the blinds drawn, eating bowls of cereal and watching oprah.... blegh!

only time will tell...

it couldnt come at a worse time, but for now i choose to look only on the bright side as this weekend my dear friend lil' lisa and i are goin to melbs! yeehaw! cocktails, shoes, the tim burton exhibition,more booze and delicious eats!! screw you place-of-prior-employment, you will not rain on my melbourney weekend!!

Oh and if you were wondering the above image is of my production line, 'the sweet dips'. avoid the rush, shop from the luxury of your living room.....christmas is coming people!! orders welcome!!! (i do have alot of time on my hands now, just sayin is all...)

Etsy Lovin'

2010-09-23T03:28:00.000-07:00

So I am busy, beavering about..... playing photo shoots in my studio, because ladies and gents I am gearing up for an etsy store! (Eeep.) I tried taking some shots in the Jam photography room (last time I got some great shots but this time I just couldn't get the settings right) so after much swearing and cussing, I went back to my studio and started messing around with some more laid back shots. What do you think? I think these are much nicer than a plain white background. Looks warmer, tells the story a little better maybe?

There is so much fine print to having an etsy store! Just tryin to do my best to be super prepared. Researching shipping, store policy, alchemy? Wah! It's harder than I thought. Don't worry I will keep at it.

So far, from my intensive researching/procrastinating, I have seen a lot of naff glass on etsy... I am going to be the gal to change that...I hope.

On the up side, so far I haven't seen anything like mine on etsty, do you think this is a good or bad thing? Maybe nobody cares for glass cacti and succulents? No! Surely that can't be so?

Definately nothing like Skiny Pete, thats fo sure.

Am a little worried about the weight. Would you pay $60 in shipping alone to be the proud pappa/mamma of a hand blown cactus? I could say the seller pays all watering costs...

Whatcha been doin' kid?

2010-09-22T05:25:00.000-07:00

So whatddya been doin' today? Well here goes...

I ate this delicious lunch.

Which I made in my kitchen.

When it's tidy it looks like this.

Then I went to check on my stocks that I grew from seed, can you believe it?

Which are planted in our veggie garden.

Then I rode my beautiful bike.

Then I met this boob for coffee.

Who made me do this.

Sometimes even a rough day can turn out ok.

Country girl does good.

2010-09-07T16:26:00.000-07:00

Say hello to my new range "Yumemiru". These lovely Bonsai forms, hand crafted and lovingly made from glass are now available through Craft Victoria and soon to be in Artisan Qld for their Cherish launch, just in time for Christmas.

I'm pretty sure I have talked about the dizzy-ing highs and spiraling lows of being an artist before, but this is going to be my little reminder that, kid, you done good so far.

Upon my aunty's request (she thinks I need an achievement wall....ah, nah I'm good) i will meet her half way and write myself a little list so that when I am having a low/lull I can come back to this post and refresh my memory. Here goes....

1. Got myself an Artstart grant from Australia Council.

2. Participated in 3 exhibitions this year.

3. One of these being my very first solo show, selling 9 pieces.

4. Photographed for SALA and featured in Adelaide Living Magazine.

5. Inside Out magazine did a photo shoot on me and will be in their Nov/Dec issue this year,

6. Submitted 3 proposals for a Japan residency next year.

7. Won the peoples choice award for the Cibo exhibitions which included cash prize and free coffee for a year. (If anyone would like to join me for a coffee date, I'm buyin....)

8. Am on my way to creating branding for myself.

9. Have secured two new stockists for my work, Craft Vic and Artisan.

10. Have a new production line in the works...

And finally,

I'm a good guy at stuff.

Not too shabby for a country gal.

Sandworms, you hate em right? Well I hate em myself!

2010-08-28T05:30:00.001-07:00

Lookit! Sure is pretty right? In my attempts for world domination through glass (one bonsai at a time) I have the talented, young chap Josh Mann of www.joshmanndesign.com designing a logo for me. Kid did good huh? I am in love with it, feels like me. See how he even gives a nod to littlebirdbigchip?

Well, today stared off quite strange, bad ju ju. Couldn't sleep last night, managed to spill a whole mug of water in pitch black at some ungodly time, all over my side dresser. At first I was filled with rage but the ever intuned b-train saves the day and it ends in hysterics. Then time to get up for my big photo shoot with Inside Out and I am rudely awoken by a puffy left eye. God damn it! What the hell is this all about? The one day I have to look nice and the universe gives me a bung eye. Thanks universe. Thanks a bunch.

But not to fear as I am a crafty minx. I flipped my fringe over to the other side, oh yea. Cunning.

(Lets just hope it doesn't make me look like bizzaro me in the photos..) You know what I learnt today? The Jam is like a black pit. We may have well as been underground, forty thousand feet down with a 20 watt globe. No wait, worse, a fluro. Poor photographer had a rough run trying to find some decent light to get a good shot. After all my pre studio buffing and tiding we didnt even shoot it!! In saying that though, she did take some great shots and I can't wait to see them in the december issue (out november if you were wondering).

I got her to take a shot I was wanting to get done for a while now, one of my tools. Glass blowing tools are quite beautiful objects in themselves. We also shot in the cold shop, some sketchy ones and some finished products with colour samples.

And now I get to finish the day (with my bung eye) by eating delicious homemade prawn pasta and watching Beetlejuice on the telly (hence the tittle of this post).

Nice.

Hot Dog!, we have a weiner!!!

2010-08-24T18:38:00.001-07:00

Ladies and Gentleman, introducing your champion......

Shhhhhhhhhhhiiiiirrrrrly!!

(insert wild cheers from rambunctious crowd)

Now we all remember Shirley, yes? And we all thought she was lovely, yes? (its her winning personality) but now we have confirmation of her loveliness!! Earlier this year I entered the Cibo seasonal exhibition, Arancino. For each of the seasons, Cibo is exhibiting Adelaidians work at all of their different Cibo locations. Images go up on line on http://www.ciboespresso.com.au/galleria/

and the public gets to vote for the work they like.

Well the votes are in kids and...

HOT DOG WE HAVE A WEINER!!

Yes it's true, Shirley won her round. A big, heart felt thank you to all my supporters, friends, family or just shirley lover, I thank you for all the support and love you always offer me in all my artistic endeavours.

So what do I win you ask? Well I'm pretty sure there is a cash prize and I'm hoping for some free coffee.. The big boss, Roberto rang me from Cibo and we are going to meet (for coffee, hahaha) and the exchange of prizes next week!! It's a little like meeting a blind date, "So I'm tall, have dark hair.." I really wanted to say I'll be the lady wearing the rose!!

This is the first round of prizes too. As there are other exhibitions, they will have winners too, then we go into an end game (I secretly hope it's like Mad Max and is held at Thunderdome, maybe in that battle cage.. two men enter, one man leave style....) then the winners artworks get displayed on Cibo's takeaway coffee cups. Huzzah!

Vote 1, Shirley for President.

oh mr hart! what a mess!

2010-08-22T16:18:00.000-07:00

My studio is a real tip. There is just stuff. Everywhere. I need a helper monkey, any takers? You need to be ruthless with me, don't give in to my bellowings of "I need that!" or "That might come in handy!" To be considered for the role of helper monkey you must have super organisation skills, be able to keep me on track, no procrastinating, make me look like a real artist seeing as...... Inside Out is coming to shoot me in my studio!! Eep!

Alright. So these are clearly the before pictures. I gots to get my booty in there and get cleanin'. (Lets hope you can notice the difference in the after shots, yes?)

The Glass Garden

2010-08-11T05:20:00.000-07:00

Here you go, for my interstate and international lovelies who couldn't make it, some pics of the glass garden.

But if you are in town, there's still time! Show runs until the 5th of September.

Was a great opening night, stacks of people. Family, friends and free booze lovers.

What's that you spy? Some little red dots? Little red dots = sales! Sweet, sweet sales! Momma needs a brand new pair of everything!

buck up tiger

2010-08-10T17:28:00.000-07:00

Its official.

I had exhibition come down.

But its ok im nearly through it now. It takes alot of energy to be an artist I think and really commit to it. Takes up a lot of head space, but mostly I feel like it's energy. You gotta be on it in so many ways and there is no one else thats gonna do it for you. You gots to hustle the work, you gots to design the work, you gots to make the work, you gots to pay the rent yo. So I guess its not a surprise that sometimes (and I think its when you stop or slow down that this happens) the dread sets in....

oh the negativity that the dred brings with it! oh, i have so much debt! oh, my body hurts! oh, i have no clams! oh, why am i doing this, why didnt i choose some officey job that pays a decent wage?

why? I'll tell ya why.

Because I freakin' L.O.V.E it.

thats why.

It's the truth. (why else would anyone work in a billion degree heat?) and sometimes the wheels fall off and sometimes you lose your way, but you know what its just like handsel and gretel. just leave yourself a little trail (i prefer to use musk sticks) and you will always find your way back. sketches, photos, friends, these all help. because even though you are the one who's gotta get it all done there is always someone there who can help, or at least make you a cup of tea. so buck up tiger, life, she aint so bad.

well thats what im tryin to tell myself anyway........

i feel a new list coming on....

ode to the business duck

2010-08-08T17:15:00.000-07:00

Konichiwa friends! meet "the business duck". Well thats what me and the b-train called him. He's the guy you see at train stations telling you how much you should pay. What are we going to do? Don't worry the business duck will tell us what to do! Public transport, by the way, is awesome in Japan. What you do is just but the cheapest ticket possible, even if you don't know where you are going, then when you get off, look for the business duck, stick your ticket is and he 'adjusts' the fare, telling you how much more you need to pay. I love him. (I don't really know what he's about but I'm sure it's something like that.)

At the moment I am battling some sort of flu. Great. But apart from that I am doing well on my quest to 'think, breathe (when possible through clogged snout) and eat japanese' in the hopes of creating a successful grant/residency application. I have dug up my Murakami books to read and am drinking tea from my favourite mug with pictures of sushi on it (does that even count or was it too lame to mention?) and I am hoping to drag my snotty self down the street to grab some miso for lunch. Miso heals all. It's true. Alright, here we go, round what feels like 86, of re-writing application. wish me luck. (i need it)

konichiwa

2010-08-07T18:52:00.000-07:00

I dream of Japan.

Three years ago me and the b-train went ditched the Winter for a balmy, sometimes humid Japanese summer.

It was amazing.

And consequently I think of Japan everyday. Especially when its cold and rainy because I just think in Japan its beautiful and warm. If I think about it real hard I can almost feel it. I even remember the smells. slightly obsessed, no? I think of riding bikes through the streets, visiting temples, eating delicious, delicious snacks, browsing through amazing fabrics catching crazy trains through the crowded underground...

So now I am trying my darndest to get back there. For someone with very little income but big dreams and different skills, applying for a Japanese residency in 2011. I would like to spend 2-3 months living, breathing, eating Japan. I want to explore the honoured tradition of Ikebana in the hopes of designing an Ikebana specific range of vessels which will then be used for Australian flora.

Sounds neat right?

Well to get me in the mood, that samurai state of mind, I figured I would start posting some of my favourite japan photos, because lets face it, they pretty much havent seen the light of day and I think they should get out there.. By now you can probably sense my procrastination a mile away.. but lets hope this helps. Writing applications for residencies and grants takes up so much of my head space. I want to be as accurate as possible, I want to give it my all, but this time i am having a really hard time starting.

Maybe it's because this time I want it so much?

So lets do it.

Lets get it on.

Japan style.

flip yea.

One more sleep

2010-07-28T23:32:00.000-07:00

Can you believe it?

Can you believe that I started this blog in what, April, talking about my exhibition, trying to nut things out, stalling and procrastinating with dot points..

(. i

. still

. dig

. dot points..)

and now here we are, on the eve of the opening night. Big sigh of relief followed by bundle of nerves residing in stomach. Will people like the work? Will I make any sales? Will I spill wine on my dress? Hard to say really isn't it?

One thing I do know is that I am actually kind of proud of the work I have produced. I thinkthe show comes together really nicely and is cohesive in it's flow. Even though the show hasn't opened yet I found myself talking about having another show for next year! Woah, woah now lets just get over this show, maybe have ourselves a breather? Don't think I'm so good at stopping, even when i am holding my eyes open with match sticks.. Gotta strike while the iron is hot and all that crap.

Speaking of crap.. had my little face in the Adelaide Magazine today. Boy do I look angry! Especially so. Why couldn't they have chosen the smiley one? I AM A SERIOUS ARTIST! BUY MY ANGRY WORK! Thats what it screams to me.. guess it's better than multiple chins showing

All publicity is good publicity, right?...

Right?

Will take some shots of the work installed and put them up for you to peek at.

Only one sleep to go.

Gulp.

its the final countdown....

2010-07-25T16:53:00.000-07:00

Ok, so not long to go now... 4 sleeps in fact. So for anyone who has been living under a rock (i look like i have been living under a rock at the moment..) my very first solo show opens THIS FRIDAY!!

July 30

JamFactory

6-8pm

Come one, come all

"The Glass Garden"

I am organised, I am calm, I am ready.

Bam.

Maybe not ready, I look like hell, but we will get there. Delivered all my work to One Small Room for the show that opens on Thursday night and am setting up for my solo tomorrow. So I guess I'll see you there?

come on down

2010-07-21T15:49:00.000-07:00

here it it is lovelies! get out your diary and mark it down. use a highlighter if you like, anything to get you there!! thursday night, at "One Small Room" in Croydon. Lookin forward to it, can't wait,..... will this week never end? (longest week ever)

Lettuce, entertain you..

2010-07-15T16:07:00.000-07:00

I. Have.......READERS!!!! (who aren't my mum. love you moomah)

Got into the studio super early to work on my attachments for the show (in 15 days, thanks for asking, but not like i am counting or anything...) and feelin a little wah, bad morning, don't ask.. so i though i would open up my little blog to find...COMMENTS!! Sweet, sweet comments. Victory is mine.

Yesssss.

So thank you, whoever you are, you totally made my day. Got a sweet little note from Lucy over at ..ahem, THE Design Files.

www.thedesignfiles.net

(if you haven't checked it out, ditch this and get over there now, well, maybe after this)

And you made me squeal out loud with delight! (don't worry it's just me in the studio today..)

so much thanks, feelin the love today thats fo' sure.

Ps. how good is this name for my lamps; "Lettuce set the mood".

Bahahahahaha!

the real macaw..

2010-07-15T02:25:00.001-07:00

check.

these.

puppies.

out.

flip yeah.

irony sux

2010-07-14T01:31:00.000-07:00

From such a great time (just reading that last post makes me want to hurl), to now one dark little black cloud. hmmpf. I GUESS NOBODY REALLY BLOGS THE BAD THINGs hahahaha! those capitals were a mistake.. wah. i just feel like wah. i really dislike my part time job, im sick of thinking about money and lack there of, and am missing some friends i guess, and the big guy, melbourne, lets not forget him, he's always in there somewhere. Maybe its the weather, maybe its the mid year funk, hard to say really. my life feels real messy.

and i have bad circulation.

But back to my 'nobody really blogs the bad things' because they don't want to seem like an asshole. But sometimes its not being an asshole, more like a down and out jerk? but i guess nobody wants to hear about why you hate your job or people who are giving you a hard time. its boring.

This on the other hand is not boring. I think its kinda cool. My exhibition is in a coupla weeks and things are taking shape. Now its just all those stressful niggly things like, price lists, compositions and final pottings. Took a few snaps and was pleasantly surprised at the quality. Am getting the real deal tomorrow, forkin out the big bucks. Goodbye hard earned dollars, hello to the moths which will now inhabit my wallet. Lets hope its worth it, fingers crossed.

Well, im going to lie on the couch maybe eat some soup and watch up and listen to the rain. I guess it could be worse...

Great Scott!

2010-06-30T19:51:00.000-07:00

Let me firstly say that I am having a GREAT time. Just in general, you know? I don't want to come off all hippy like saying, I love life and what not, but I am just having a great time at the moment. I am super busy and sometimes I don't like scrubbing floors at my paytherentjob, but all in all I am happy as a little bird with a big chip at the mo. Here's why (you know how i like dot points...)

. have awesome, super cute, loving partner, cooks dinner when i am cranky..

. got not one but 2 shows coming up

. (one of those a solo!!!)

. making some great progress with my work and its development, evertime i think i am finished, it just goes really well, i learn something new and i want to make more, more, more!

. had my pretty picture taken with my bonsai's for an adelaide living magazine for sala week

. entered a coupla comps to win some cold, hard cash (for art purposes naturally)

. got 4 days straight coming up in the hot shop

. today i get to catch up and eat delicious pierogi's with my friend dark cloud blue sky, who i haven't seen in a long time. mmmmm.....

. booked flights and accommodation to go see my old school bestie get married in September

. get to hang out with my weiner sister and watch a trashy movie..you know the one, something about surly vampires...

whats not to love?

hope you are havin a great time too.

blog envy

2010-06-13T03:00:00.000-07:00

I am so in awe of other blogs, I feel like the dud. I am mildly addicted to reading Pip at "Meet Me at Mikes" and from her lovely read she has links to like a bazillion more. All of them much more fancier than mine. Thats ok, maybe I'm not a blogger, maybe I'm a reader. Which makes me ask; is anyone out there reading this?.. Maybe you have to approach it like some Jedi mind trick, you have readers if you believe you have readers. Or maybe you have readers when you don't think about readers? Pffft. whatever.

Lets see, what else am I mildly addicted/obsessed with and to?

- masterchef, i just can't help myself

- macaroons, those beautiful bright ones. im going to make design some fancy glass platters to serve them...mmmmm

- talking about buying myself new work clothes (but never doing it)

- melbourne, melbourne, melbourne....sigh.

- thinking about my exhibition...

- trying to be all cool and nonchalant about my birthday being next friday

Oh, and by the way I ate dinner at 5:30 like a senior citizen, whats with that?