As the Jasmine Blooms Spring is Not Far Away

It was so lovely to step out my front door today and smell the Jasmine for the first time this season. The sweet little white flowers have began to bloom releasing their delicious perfume. Just divine.

Craft & Quilt Fair

If you haven't been to the Craft & Quilt Fair at least once before, then you're not really a crafty person. Held this past weekend at the Melbourne Exhibition Center in Southbank this years fair was fantastic. I think out of all the trade fairs i attend this one would be my favorite. The Craft & Quilt fair brings together not just quilting and craft vendors but also beading, jewellery and scrapbooking, there are plenty of brand new gizmos and machines on display for you to try out and just as many over eager sales reps happy to take your money for them too. It's basically like going to a big crafty shopping center, and they don't just sell "granny style" products either, there's plenty on offer for all ages and personal tastes. Kelani Fabric Obsession are one of my favorites, though a little pricey i find there boutique designer fabrics very inspiring.


But the Craft & Quilt fair in not just about the shopping. Whilst at the show you can participate in more then 65 workshops from free seminar-style classes featuring plastic garden chains and poorly rigged up mics which either give constant feedback or are set to quite. Here you can listen to experts talk about new product and how to use them. The fair also features something called "The Craft Circle" these are small school group-like hands on tutorials set up at the back of the fair, where participants buy a "kit" from a vendor and are shown how to create the kit. This year i signed up for something called "Air Dry Enameling". I have always wanted to learn enameling but the cost had prevented me in the past, so when i read about this new way of applying enamel i had to sign up. The "kit" basically contained a large alloy silver pendant and shared use of the enameling products. I choose this super cute daisy, the petals provided a great surface to work on and practice my new skill.


So happy was i with the finished product, i spent a small fortune on new enameling products and because i participated in the class, i was given some for free. As soon as i got home i began colouring my own settings, pendants and charms. Expect to see some very colourful creations coming up soon.

Run Wild Horses at the 2010 Derinya Art Exhibition

This coming weekend the Derinya Art Exhibition will open at the Derinya Primary School in Franskton. Now in it's 35th year, the exhibition showcases the work of established and emerging artisans from across Australia. On display will be approximately 450 pieces of art and over 1000 pieces of jewellery and craft.

The exhibition open the Friday the 23rd with a wonderful gala at 7.30pm featuring entertainment and local wines. The show runs from 10am-5pm Saturday and 10am-4pm Sunday. For more details please visit the DACE at http://www.derinyaartexhibition.com/

This year we have the wonderful honor of being asked to be one of 30 jewellery designers to exhibit. All pieces in the exhibition are for sale over the weekend. I can't wait for the show. This will be the very first time my work will be included in a public exhibition.

Look Book Feature

My Anatomical Heart Necklace seen here featured in this model set on Look Book.

Fantastic Fox in This Months Peppermint Mag

Yippy!! The brand new issue of Peppermint Magazine is out in stores now and features my Verdigris Fantastic Fox Necklace, this is the second time (that we know of) that one of my designs have appeared in this lovely mag - big thanks Peppermint peeps.
I'm very happy to have found this copy, i usually can't buy the mag in my area but on one of my random weekend drives is found in a small newsagent i happened to wondering into unplanned.. so very happy all round.

More New Steampunk Just Listed

1. Steampunk Cuff Bangle $45

2. Grungy Winged Key Steampunk Necklace $32
3. Neo-Victorian Steampunk Velvet Choker Necklace $18
4. Steampunk Turquoise & Lava Bead Earrings $20
5. Time Thief Steampunk Necklace $36

Snow Days

When i was growing up i never learnt how to ski but not for lack of wanting, my family were never into the sport. The only opportunity i had was during a year 10 Outdoor Ed. class but because of a recent knee operation my participation was limited. Yet i still love the ski fields.
A couple of hours drive from my home town is Mt Baw Baw. Most winters since i moved to South Gippsland i try to go for at least one day during the snow season. I love the drive up there, sitting in the car waiting to catch the first glimpses of fresh snow. (for the most part the first snow you see on the roads has fallen from other cars roofs as they made there way down from the mountain that morning). When you arrive you try to brace yourself for the sudden bitter cold and immediately begin to regret the decision not to bring an extra pair of socks to wear.

I love the look of the mountain of a frosty foggy day, the stillness in the air just before a snow flurry begins to fall around you. I love seeing the white blanket covering the ground, roads and trees, and delicate crystal icicles hanging from the buildings.
What i really love the most about the snow fields - tobogganing. For this trip i went with my parents and 2 younger sisters. We hired out a couple of tobogganing and off we went. However i didn't really do too much tobogganing, i seemed to have spent most of my time running into, over or on top of small children. Parents please yelling "watch out, move" only seems to make your children stand dead still in the way, in the middle of the run.
My mum, not big on adventure watched us as we crashed into each other or attempted the jumps which mostly resulted on us landing on our faces, but my dad did actually ride - really he did, i have proof.Lunch, snow man making, more tobogganing, followed by hot chocolate and cake and the day was done. What fun!!And no trip to the snow is complete without a random snow ball fight on the way back to the car.

Home is Where The Heart Is

Home is where the heart is they say, but do you currently find yourself miles away from home, traveling, studying, working, then this piece is perfect for you.

HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS Vintage Map Locket Necklace made with vintage heart shaped lockets and clippings from vintage maps. The lockets are made from brass, they each have a fully working hing and open out with two sections for photos and keeps sakes. The locket measures 26x22mm when closed.

Embedded within the recess of this locket is a section from a map dating from the 40's to the 60's. I do love to take custom orders and can basically make a locket for most decent sized cities or towns. The locket comes presented on a 46cm gold tone chain with designer tag on the clasp, free gift bag and caring instruction card and sell for $20 each.

Mid Winter Sunset

I snapped this beautiful sunset today. Mid-winter here is usually rainy, grey, cloudy and sad. However despite the cold today was just lovely. The sun shone all day and when it did set it created this beautiful display. The shot was taken from from my back porch, when the sun sets in this manner it fills my kitchen with the most intense reds, pinks and orange hues, lovely to watch while having my afternoon coffee.
Hmm a red sky at night leads to a promise of another sunny day tomorrow.