Wooden Sculpture

Even more inspiring then then Philip Treacy's millenary is his archive of hat blocks. I think they are truly beautiful and would have loved to be a fly on the wall when they were carved. 

" The hats usually start off as drawings. Then I make a mock-up in very light flexible material called a sparterie and this goes to the block-maker. He then uses the model as a map, or perhaps a key, to carve the actual shape in wood, using some measurements, but mostly his eye.  I depend on his desire to make his block look exactly like the form I gave him and his wish to capture every single nuance of the original shape, because in hat making let me tell you, even a fraction of an inch is crucial. It is all very precise". Philip Treacy 

Images and quote taken from book: Philip Treacy by Fondazione Nicola Trussardi. Charta

Pretty Song

There has been a Kookaburra sitting on the tree outside my office window singing to me all morning, I just had to take some time out to do a quick water colour painting.  

What a pretty song to work to! 

What more can I say......

What more can I say......

From book: The Art of Looking Sideways - Alan Fletcher

Drawing. Andrea age 6. Nanette Newman. Lots of Love. Collins (London 1976)

My work space

I think that it is really important to create a great work space.  Recently we moved and my new work space is about a third of the size of my old one.  It is a real challenge to work out how I can make it work for me.  I spent some time today rearranging and putting together a bit of a inspiration - work in progress wall.

Pattern abound

I dropped by at Patchwork on Central Park this morning, they have such great printed cottons for patchwork or any other crafty project you can think of.  They stock a fantastic range of Liberty prints as well as lovely Japanese printed cottons.  I love the quirky merchandising of this store, it makes me feel like getting out my old crank Singer sewing machines to work on.  

There are great retro print patterns and colours at the moment.  I had to stop myself from buying more fabric; I already have so much that I don't have time to sew up......  

Beautiful Illustrations

Tonight's bed time book for my little ones, Oliver and Jasmine was Hunwick's Egg by Mem Fox and I have to say that the illustrations by Pamela Lofts are just beautiful.  I have been wanting to design more embroideries based on Australian flora and fauna and I found these drawings to be very inspiring.  

Here's to unfinished projects

I found this brown wool pea coat when I was rummaging through the cupboards at mums place the other day.  I made this about ten years ago but never finished it.  

One of those sewing projects I never finished; anyway it was a nice surprise and it's perfect for this seasons 60's look!  

All that need doing are the sleeves and the hem.  I think I might even have some vintage buttons that might work; if I can find them.  

 I thought that maybe if I keep the images small you might not notice that I didn't bother to iron the jacket before I photographed it; how slack am I?

Craft of India

I wanted to share with you this wonderful book celebrating textile and jewellery crafts of India. (Costume, Textiles and Jewellery of Idia Traditions in Rajasthan - By Vandana Bhandari) 

 I partially love these images of Tinsel Printing using a brass block with perforated design and beautiful wooden carved blocks

 Fabric detail

 Traditional costumes (c.1735-57)

Bespoke

In the process of designing collections, I have swatches made up of my embroidery designs and laser cut treatments, to make sure I am happy the the quality. 

 I have been thinking of ways to use these beautiful swatches to produce some homewares, bags and jewellery. 

Here are some of the swatches I have to work with.  I have limited stock so what ever I make will have to be bespoke,limited edition.

 deco curves in smokey lilac

 Waratah flower in vibrant pinks

my daughter Jasmine had different ideas for the swatches

Jewellery Love

Lately I have been designing a lot of jewellery,combining leather and silver.  So the other night when my mother in-law suggested I do a craft course for fun, I thought that I have always wanted to learn jewllery making.   It looks like there are a few night course I could get to.   

Anyone who nows me knows that I have a love for beautiful jewellery.  I have been collecting pieces for about 15 years now and my husband knows that a gorgeous piece of molded silver will always be appreciated.  Here are some pictures of some of my favorite jewellery pieces in my collection.

Silver drop earrings by Dan Cox

 Ceramic bracelet by Danish label Scherning

 unknown, a gift from my husband Benjamin. If anyone recognizes this and knows who the jeweler is, please let me know

 Silver drop earrings by Gianni Frisone

 unknown, thank you my Benjamin. If anyone recognizes these and knows who the jeweler is, please let me know

Paper and silver earrings by Zoë Jay Veness

 Antique Pewter Jorgen Jensen handmade in Denmark

 Etched sterling silver earrings by Rik Juod and Marcelo Zavala-Baeza at  Smug Designs 

 Etched and oxidized Silver earrings by Claire Taylor at Atelier

Etched and enamel Silver earrings by Claire Taylor at Atelier

 Mammoth tusk ivory and gold hoop earrings by Gianni Frisone

Drop earrings by Gianni Frisone

 Silver necklace by Sheila Hartley, Benjamin's grandmother 

 Paper neckpiece by French designer bought from so french so chic

Original baker-light jewellery from the 1920's

An inspiration

I first discovered the fantastic textile designs of Sonia Delaunay when I was at university; back in the day. She was a wonderful textile designer that set the way for textile designers today.  She did abstract art as early as 1912 and her fabrics were hugely successful from the 1925 onwards.  Its all about geometric shape and colour. Below are just a few examples of her work

 I love the colour combinations here, it may not seem that extraordinary now, but in its time it was a real brake through

 I love this picture of her sitting with all her paintings

If you want to see more I recommend you read Jacques Damase book Fashion and Fabrics, Sonia Delaunay which is were all pictures are taken from.