Montage 2 is on it's way

It's been such a busy time round here that I'd forgotten I hadn't mentioned that Montage is about to open again in it's second incarnation. Same concept, most of the same people plus some news designers and a new venue!
The day after Perth Upmarket, we start setting up and will open on Friday 1st until 31st July at 224 William St, Northbridge - a few doors up from New Edition Bookshop & over the road from the Brass Monkey Pub.
We're really excited about this new venue. It's in a great position and is situated in a cute, if slightly run down old shop with wooden floorboards and pressed tin ceiling. We'll be transforming it into an Aladin's cave of hand made local goodness and it's gonna be just great!

I'll be reporting on it here on the blog and will introduce you to the rest of the designers too.
click on the image to read the info

Beau Est Mien!

I'm going to bring you occasional posts about some of my creative friends & introduce you to some of the amazing skills they have.
I'll start today with Magali Dincher, who you've heard me talk about before as we had a joint exhibition last month.

Magali is a printmaker & by that, I don't mean she uses her inkjet printer! She works in a variety of traditional printmaking techniques using a true printing press. These include collagraph, etching, linocut etc , and each brings a different quality to her unique and delightful visual style.

We became close friends when she also had a studio space where I work in Fremantle and we just clicked. We share similar tastes in design as well as enjoying a frequent chat and long macchiato!

She is from N.E. France and somehow this shows in her work, even that based on local WA themes - they have an air of light-heartedness and joie de vivre that can't fail to put a smile on your face. Her business name Beau est Mien says it all!

You will find Magali on the stall next to mine at the next Perth Upmarket, this Sunday 26th June at UWA.
More info at www.beauestmien.com.au
above image is a collagraph called Paris II

Papercuts at Upmarket

The next outing for my papercuts will be at the next Perth Upmarket on Sunday 26th June.
Each design is framed in such as way to make the papercut float above the backing, creating beautiful shadowplay. They are being limited to an edition of 15 so new designs can be added as one sells out. Some will be ready for taking on the day and after, that I'll take orders to be picked up when framed and ready.
I'm currently busy creating some other paper cut items, but you'll just have to come and visit my stall to see what they are. Mean, ain't I!!!

Of course, the usual range of laser cut & etched jewellery will also be available

See you there!

A Perennial Favourite Blog

One, of many lifelong fascinations for me has been patterns. This image is of one of my 1st attempts at making a repeat pattern on the computer and it has been used as a basis for a couple of my jewellery pieces.

I have early memories of drawing 'walking the dog' type patterns and colouring each bit in a carefully chosen colour. I'd also spend ages looking at the patterns on wallpaper, carpet, lino & curtains - tracing the elements with my eyes and working out where the repeats began & ended. It turned into a sort of meditation. You can take yourself away to another place by simply entering the pattern and letting it lead you to another place.
Is it any wonder then, that one of the 1st blogs I ever read on a regular basis was the fabulous Print & Pattern, by Bowie Style. As it says on the profile it "... is a website that celebrates the world of surface pattern design" She posts nearly every day about current design trends & reporting what is in the shops now. Based in the UK, it is a great way to keep abreast of what is happening over there in my old home country! What's more, she also does research trips around the world (currently Italy) and posts about many international designers. She has even posted about Perth's very own Little Design Horse (now known as Future Shelter)
If, like me, you love being mesmerise by patterns, go check it out & I challenge you not to spend waaaaay too long looking at the variety & following all her links. If I were you, I'd put a couple of hours aside!

Time to Up my Blog posts...

OK folks, up til now, all my blog posts have been mostly details of markets etc. Details of all that is already sent to my email list and posted on my facebook page, so I've decided to use my blog a bit more imaginatively.

From now on, I'm aiming to post at least once a week on a subject related to, but not specifically about, my own work.
As you can see below, I've also worked out how to email posts from my phone, so stand by for a bit more insight into my work, inspiration and the things that get my blood pumping....

Mobile trial

I'm just attempting to post a blog entry from my mobile phone. Hope it works!!!