that ol' man, Romance

i've been enjoying myself of late, having recently concluded 2 weeks of holidays, i feel like i've been rested and had time to reflect on beautiful things (instead of programs, reports and professional development).

things like romance - in the true 19th century literary sense of the notion; the enlightened vision to the truth of beauty and essence of human emotion. i must interject and tell y'all where this strange romantic impulse and conviction came from - one quiet afternoon in my holidays i visited a friend, and we sat in her living room as the day's light fell and watched Jane Eyre (the newest, most beautiful version of this painfully beautiful story, with Mia Wasikowska and Michael Fassbender). i was earnestly transfixed, quite. and it wasn't just Fassbender i was transfixed by...maybe not, anyway.

its not the first time i've been consumed and entranced by the beauty of the 'old romantics'. remember my thing for John Keats and Bright Star? something captures me in this writing. i had a serious long think about it over the holidays, and enjoyed myself in the process.



so, i beseech you, enjoy this marvelous moment in film.

a.

. : new : .

like i said i would do, i have adapted my mantle display with the coming of new art acquisitions and differing floral offerings.

its one of the things i love about this new place, and hopefully something that i won't tire of or cease to enjoy, as the time slips on through this year. over the weekend we were able to pick up an amazing photographic work by this guy. we had bought the piece in an exhibition a month ago...and were patiently waiting for it over the extent of the exhibition showing. (delayed gratification often proves to be the most fulfilling kind, as much as we fight against that crazy 'antiquated' notion.)

first place i thought to put it, was on the mantle - and thats exactly where it is. with some beautiful burnished orange fleurs.

along with said photograph, titled Drawing a Line, shine two tall table candles in crazy metal holders i found at an op shop for a really great price. some of the 'regulars' reappear (antique calibers, rulers and gold N) to carry some continuity.

a.

p.s. i told you i would enjoy this mantlepiece, and maybe over do it. meh

a gift that teaches.

for my birthday, i was given a cross stitching starter kit, by my lovely brother and sister. it was a surprise gift, and very thoughtful, because i love it. i love that i can now learn and practice a new craft.

i remember when i was young, my mum used to cross stitch - i even have faint memories of me as a young lass having a go myself. thinking it was quite simple in theory, but really a little too time consuming for an itchy foot people person, who's frequent utterings included 'I'm bored' and 'wanna play a game with me'. i was surely such an unbearable kid. (i think my brothers felt this more than anyone, still.)

so, off i go on a new cross stitch journey. but this time its 'cool'. my sister who gave the gift (i know it wasn't really your idea Dave, sorry), has a good eye for design, fashion, art and creativity. and she has demonstrated this many a time, when she has mastered and used an old time craft for brilliant home beautifying. see...

along with the supplies i was given i raided my mother in laws sewing room, which opened up a whole new realm of possibilities. she has, like, hundreds of cross stitch, patchwork and sewing magazines. i swiftly scoured the stash for different cross stitch texts - that will be my first task. learning to 'type'.

a.

Of late.

things i've been up to:

watching these cute little piglets grow into bigger little piglets. aren't their hairy rumps so cute?! i've been in an ag teaching role for the last couple of weeks. its interesting; learning what bees do when building a hive, how to show cattle and how the dairy industry works.

reading my new favourite modern poet; Wendell Berry. if you love life, beauty, the land, the Lord, family etc...you'll love Wendell Berry. this page is from Sonata at Payne Hollow, which flabbergasted me with its simple beauty and raw love.

taking photographs of majestic old beasts of cars. and roaring up bushy escarpments in said beasts (with a big grin).

and of course, waiting patiently and excitedly for the season of christmas. (a vignette of my folks fireplace and mantle.)

until we do this again,

a.

picture books

while in the library at school, supervising (babysitting) students, i had the pleasure of encountering some of my favourite stories from when i was young - but probably too old to be reading picture books. the colourful, contemplative and deceptively 3 dimensional like picture books of Jeannie Baker.

i saw the book Window lying on a desk and immediately had memories of pouring over each page, finding new things in every image - little creatures, things in trees, old coke cans in the grass. strong memories of the books theme came flooding back; the way we drastically change our environment, the way we don't notice over time. but i always liked the way the book watched this little red-headed boy grow, from his first trip home with mum to the day he started his own family. i followed this family, and i knew them. Baker builds such a joyous and real family story, and opens our minds to the way we affect our environment.

"...by opening a window in our minds, by understanding how change takes place and by changing the way we personally affect the environment, we can make a difference." Jeannie Baker

she was onto something back then.

a.

the ants are out...

wouldn't you be bummed...

the ants aren't that bad at my house, but they are pretty pesky. out come the pet-safe ant baits. they shall sit on every windowsill and near every door for the next 4 months at least.

a.

p.s. an amazing sculpture featured in a sculpture park just outside Wollombi.

industry

ive been making a few little things lately. some for specific reasons and some for no reason at all, but to make. i'm enjoying it; making time when i come home from work to be industrious instead of idle, meaningful instead of meaningless and thoughtful instead of thoughtless. in place of watching 'the tube' (a romantic old name for such a time-sucking beast), i'll read from a book or listen to a record - really listen; play it and it only, sit and dance around the loungeroom floating on the melodies or try to grasp the quick and crazed rhythms.

also, i've been making. for some reason (i know exactly what reason...i'll tell you in a bit), i've been recently fascinated by the 'terrarium' and eager to attempt my own. so, i did. i went on a crazed search post school-bell and bought my supplies, and on my return home got straight to work. here are mine...don't worry - i am quite aware of thier short comings (like the disproportionate amount of stones and dirt and too-large plants), but am pleased with them nonetheless.

and here ladies and gentlemen, was my inspiration. a florist shop that we visited on Brunswick St in Melbourne blew my mind, with amazing displays of colour, scale and scents-so-sweet they lingered in my nostrils far down the road. these were clever little creations, displaying true terrarium mastery (if the price-tag was any indication) - with succulents growing from mere shells, and perfectly proportioned plants to glass containers.

i also recently tried my hand at my very first string of bunting, for my little niece who i like to call 'Schnophy', who turned two over the weekend. i was quite happy with the result - and hopeful that it will hang in her room until she is old enough to remember that i made it for her. x

what have you been making of late?

a.

an early morning it was...

we left home for our journey south to melbourne town around 4 am...eek - it was quite horrible. but it did give us a whole day to walk and explore the National Gallery of Victoria, the Australian Centre for the Moving Image, Federation Square, Swanston Street and Collins St. it was a huge day, which saw me needing a little afternoon respite in our apartment room (which was a beautifully stripped back and renovated place with exposed brickwork and concrete ceilings).

the width of my grin on friday afternoon, while exploring the mastery of australian and international artists, was incredible. i felt so elated strolling the gallery, soaking in all the colour, scale and shape that i was surrounded by. i was a little naughty and snapped some sneaky shots...

that evening, after my aforementioned rest, we did some shopping - i bought some silk, ceramics and confectionary - then we journeyed to the famous Martini Bar and enjoyed the finest martinis. it was such a beautiful atmosphere as we sat by the large glass window, near the fire, and watched the people bustle around below us on Swantston street.

that was our first day. fun.

a.

p.s. you know how i said we were having those family photos, well - we had them. have a peek. i'll leave you to it

some new production

here are some of my earrings that i've made of late for wood|GLASS...planning on making a heap more for an upcoming event. you want some too?

i love the dichroic, it is like a vision of something under the sea or something else beautiful of the like. the colours playing under that clear glass encasing is incredible.

i wear a white pair as my everyday staple earring. so easy|so pretty. i hope you like them...and if you do, then maybe you would want to buy some? contact me if this might be the case...

a.

. :glass: .

my good friend, one who has known me since my birth, and seen a lot of my junior years is a beautifully loving and creative woman, who i admire. on my recent trip West i visited her and saw her latest work (she is a glass artist who has worked with the magical material for over 25 years), and commissioned her with a piece for myself. i was so elated when it arrived in the post - and i haven't taken it off since. it hugs my wrist with a an appreciated weight, reflecting light and colour so vividly.

before i went on holidays, i had some time in the studio making some earrings and pendants for impending sales (i hope). here are some images...

with a necessary glass of wine...to get the creativity flowing.

a.

de nouveaux aliments

things i've been sampling...

Fat Yak beer; not bad, not bad at all. rich. well - richer than the corona i had drunk shortly before it...

Hot winter cider - from Sweden, none less! I stumbled upon this beauty on a cold evening browsing the bott'lo shelves. It was a no-brainer...alcohol served hot, on a cold night. mmm

radishes in my salad. a crunchy peppery pop.

curried/deviled eggs. quite delicious actually, and fun to make. hard boil yo goggies, then mix the hard yokes with mayo, curry powder, chive and parsley. replace into their perfectly now-void holes and garnish. beauty!

p.s. i don't speak french. i cheat and google how to spell things in french. sorry Carney.

a.

this evening came close...

...to finishing my lamp project. a little painstakingly close - i had to leave it, wash my hand and say, "i'll see you again, soon my friend." to be finished another day...

it came from this:

all cut, ground and foiled, ready to be put together as 'biscuits'.like this one above. pretty nice huh. then all them there biscuits are ready to go together as a lamp!

What! i put it together upside down?!!? oh no. haha (lame - i must be tired). all i have to do is bead all the outside joins with solder then put the lamp stand and cover together. woohoo. until then, this beautiful specimen will sit tucked away in the studio, all wrapped in soft cloths and padding - goodness forbid something terrible happen - and wait, wait for my enthusiastic return. keep crafting/making/loving/reading, my friends.

a.

an ode

'Ode To A Howling Night'

what howling winds!

what churning seas,

that stirs the sky this night.

the moon but glows!

behind the clouds,

its frozen in its flight.

what ticking clock!

as time does pass,

i watch the night roll by.

what joyous roof!

over my head,

i lie but warm and dry.

14.6.2011

keep watch later this evening for my latest installment of my copperfoiled lamp progress. it is looking just delightful, all blue and sparkly goodness.

a.

my cave

last night, i was once again able to escape to the cave that is my wednesday night glass workshop. it is such a peaceful and secluded locale, that no matter how far my poor eyelids were drooping when i arrive, i leave that place refreshed and inspired.

with my head down in determination, and body warmed by my tea - i worked and worked until i had sucked every last penny from my 3 hour class. the image above is my current project. my first attempt at a copperfoil lamp for the house. i am looking forward to its completion...next week - i start to solder.

i hope ya'll finding some respite from the busy work schedules and crazy full days and weekends. enjoy

a.

. - i'm on holidays - .

busselton beach

...yes i am. and loving every minute. i've been tripping around perth, fremantle, busselton and other amazing south west locales enjoying everything good that has been carfted; art, beverages, food, pottery - but no wine yet (something still to do).

yesterday i ate venison cappaccio, with pickled beets, capers & truffle oil at The Studio Gallery in Yallingup. oh my oh my, i'm on holidays in my homeland!

i wish you all a trip to the south west of this great land, soon - very soon.

a.

.a weary wednesday eve.

Three serene hours, given wholely to creative pursuit, chatter and tea - what a wonderful way to spend a weary, wet Wednesday eve.

In the flickering fluorescent light we all tinkered and cut, soldered and puttied with our heads down like working mice. (do mice work? i don't know...)

Anyhow, the colours and hues and sparkles of a studio full of glass really is a beautiful place to while away some hours.

workshop 1 complete.

a.

so the story goes...

and here are some images of the aforementioned pieces i've been making. fused glass pendants with silver coated findings. each hand cut and designed by yours truly. enjoy having a peek.

the pendants range from about 15x20 cm to 20x30 cm. contact me for price enquiries.

a.

Post Pause...

Well its been a while since i posted...months actually. Here is a little bit of what i've been up to.

Arts

I've been studying a a little bit of glass work, something i have always loved and been mesmerized by. It has been a pleasure to learn from a beautiful local lady, who also appreciates the gift of creativity. I'm learning to slump and fuse glass.

I have been making plates, wall hangings and jewellry and loving theexpectation while i wait for a firing. Glass becomes a new creature after its fired, it becomes even more beautiful.

Here is a piece...unfired.

Holidays

We once again were privileged enough to head north to crescent head for a week during the festive season...it was as beautiful as ever. We surfed, rode, ran, walked, skurfed and swam. Then we ate, drank, ate and drank some more. The pinnacle was a Mexican Fiesta for New Years Eve celebrations. Enjoy some photographs.

a.