Robo finito

Finished these last night, sanding the soles whilst very hot and sweaty.

On second thoughts I would make them again, they are really cute and I can't help but smile when I look at them! Leo likes them but didn't wear them today, he said they are too good to wear to kinder and that he'll wear them tomorrow. It'll probably be raining and time for serious boots. Alas, the whims of a child.

This weather is my least favourite to make shoes in, too many little bits of leather dust settling in my elbow creases, the sanding machine throws out a bit of detritus too, so after finishing these I looked a bit like a miner with black sooty dust on my face.

All in a day's work. What shits you about your job in this weather?

Vapours

Spraycan Keyrings, on their way to Cold Krush Gallery in Adelaide, for my talented aerosol pals.

Get in while you can

Indeed, the splendour of Shoe Show Must end on the 28th November, next Saturday to be precise.

There's another event next Thursday, where Shoe Show exhibitor April Phillips will examine contemporary and traditional footwear with particular reference to the unusual, extreme, and avant-garde. By looking closely at forms, symbolism and functionality, the stories behind these unique shoes unfold.
Date: Thursday 26 November, 6-7pm
Bookings: 03 9650 7775
Cost: $10 / $5 Craft Victoria Members


I am so looking forward to wearing these Par Avion sandals, I also have a platform version in the making, and some new colourways/stamp combinations aswell, so contact me for your very own customised pair!

Listening to: Flight of the Conchords - Cheer up Murray

Robot Sandals

Remember last year I bit off more than I could chew with these oh-so-complicated sandals for Leo? I even put them away for this summer, procrastinating and hoping that he wouldn't notice.

So with this recent heat, and Leo's reluctance to shed his socks and sneakers, I delved back into Robot Sandals land, which was a hell hole of tricky, fiddly, tiny upper pieces. I had no idea how they were going to fit together until I started, it has been a time of sewing something, realising that it was wrong, spending more time unpicking the mistake than it took to sew in the first place - oh problem solving how I hate you on 36 degree days.

Anyway on Sunday it was cooler and I was determined to finish these damn things. The boy watched Charlie and Lola and I powered through to finally come up with these in all their glory. I must admit that they are pretty cute, but you could not pay me enough money to make them again!

Yesterday morning I lasted them, and today I can get started on soling them. I know that he's going to trash them in no time, the green leather is not the most robust stuff but he really insisted on green. What can I say - he's a pedant like his Mum.

Listening to: constant radio updates on the now 24 hour surgery to separate conjoined twins being painstakingly performed in this fine city of ours.

Deck the halls.....or at least make a plan to

Beloved folks, if you haven't already noticed, it's that time of year again. At our house we have not yet applied festive bits to the front door etc, but we did get all the decorations out to see what makes the grade this year.

We have plans to make a tree from some huge cardboard boxes, a slot together arrangement methinks. Although I love the smell of a fresh tree, I can't bear the waste of watering it, sweeping up all the needles, and then throwing it out.


So I have done another run of these cheery ornaments, both etsy and the shoppe have them in stock, and they will be winging their way to Craft Vic and maybe some other places in the coming weeks.

In contrast to last year, they have been blinged up with Swarovski crystals, and I am rather fond of them!

Listening to: Funkadelic - Icka Prick

In the garden

Forget-me-nots, an amazing shade of blue. These will self-seed for years to come.

Homegrown garlic! The round ones are giant garlic, I'm assuming that they are just one huge clove, look out vampires! There's nothing better than extremely fresh garlic, transparent and sticky when sliced. I'll keep a few of these and replant them next time.

Blueberries, so damn tasty, I need a hedge of them so that I need never buy the tasteless ones again.

Towering hollyhock, it was a remnant of last years' shorter stem, just shot up on its own, no water from me, and now it's way over my head and very cheerful.


Bromeliad flower. These plants are so intriguing, they don't need much to survive and the flower spikes last for ages. Just remember to water the vase of the plant, not the soil/growing media.

It's not all success though, there are also a lot of weeds going to seed and getting stuck in our socks, no doubt the cause of our collective hayfever, poor Leo is really suffering. Also suffering are the bean seedlings who, funnily enough, really don't like 35 degree heat. This early hot spell is TOO SOON thanks very much, the strawberries are sun-dried on the plant and there are a lot of burnt leaves about.

I'm realising that I will have to concentrate any water I have on only a few plants, maybe tomatoes and herbs. I'm hoping to squeeze in some cucumbers, as they cover so much ground but only have one watering point, I like the short lebanese cucumbers.

Other plants will just have to fend for themselves, which is pretty sad, but my yard is too big to keep lush during a Melbourne summer. I am planning on getting some chooks, although not in this heat, as they initially have to be cooped up for a week or so, but I really need their help in the yard, cleaning up, preparing soil, fertilising and keeping the bugs under control. Earwig infestation anyone?

Off to make some more Postage Belts for Craft Victoria now, while the studio is still cool. It faces west, and has been unbearable after about 2pm, so my mornings are full of action out there.

Listening to: Triosk - The Head Light Serenades

Daisy Chain

I have been a demographers' puzzle lately, sitting on the couch crocheting rather pretty things whilst watching The Wire. Well I'm breaking up the intense viewing with a bit of 30 Rock Season Three, which is so damn funny, but anyway, my inner girliness is embodied in these new necklaces.

They are currently residing at etsy HQ and Craft Victoria, among many other fine items of handmade splendour. Seriously folks, if you're in Melbourne, a visit to 31 Flinders Lane is a must.

Listening to: Tito Puente on Sesame Street He got Oscar out of his trash can and dancing!

The rest of the gang

For all my interstate and overseas compadres, here's the rest of my footwear posse currently on display at 'Shoe Show'.


'Chinoiserie' - Japanese brocade fabric and leather, machine knitted socks, customised chinese pendants.


'Tron' - My retro homage to the 1982 movie 'Tron'. Kid leather illustrated by my good buddy Sync, stitched onto blue patent, finished off with a classic wedge sole.

The thing that freaked me out so much about these is that the top-stitched pieces are not symmetrical. It was quite liberating to jigsaw the bits all into place, in a random but organised way.

The original 'Fiesta'. Lavish gold leather with crocheted cotton flowers, Swarovski crystals, and scalloped pink sole.

This version has an internal platform, which I left out of my silver ones, but I wish I had swapped them over as mine are too high for me!

'Shoe Show' is on until the 28th of November at Craft Victoria.

Listening to: Commodores - Brick House
1977, check out Mr Richie on saxophone!

Serious Sculpture

My handsome Sam has been profiled over at Australian Edge.
He's a clever chap, a modest chap, and he plays a mean guitar.
The above photo is one of my favourites of his - 'Tattooed Woman'.

Yes please

Colour clock, found on Colourlovers this morning.

Pettipants!

I ordered these three beauties from Cheapfrillz in Arizona today. Dontcha love etsy?
Can't wait to wear them around the house on hot days, and thanks to the elastic I know that they will accommodate my growing tum.

Might have to get me a red pair as well.......and start referring to Sam as Rhett.

Listening to : Sylphlike - Solaa

It's been busy!

Holy shizzle I am just getting over the opening weekend! Thursday night was a hugely packed affair, I was worried that some of the works were millimeters away from being knocked by bags and elbows, but all emerged unscathed.

I was exhausted from all the talking, 8cm heel-wearing, checking on children, shepherding bags away from the works, and half-finished conversations that go along with openings, but it was great to see so many awesome folk appreciating these three shows. I especially loved catching up with Simon O'Mallon, my teacher from TAFE in Adelaide all those years ago, who opened 'Shoe Show' with a fine, albeit nutty, speech.

I have heard Simons' stories many times, but it was good to get a refresher; how the Cordwainer's Guild is one of the oldest in London, and that he feels centuries of shoemakers hover at your elbow when you make shoes by hand. The best thing he said was that 'handmade footwear is the quantum physics of craft', I might get a t-shirt made with that emblazoned across the front.

On Saturday I gave a shoemaking demonstration at Craft Vic, to a bunch of enthusiasts and curious folk. I took a lot of hand tools, patterns, leather samples, and components used in the making of the Printemps shoe/spat. For myself, I stitched a pair of navy kid uppers with white top stitch, and partially constructed them so that I could show the different stages involved. I passed a lot of bits and pieces around for people to examine and hold, this craft of mine is very tactile, and I wanted to convey these properties during my presentation.

It seemed to go down well, most people have no ides how a shoe is made, from a drawing to completion, so I hope that a few light bulbs went off in illumination. Afterwards I hung around answering questions and chatting for a while, then I was all talked out and went home via Brunetti's to stock up on well-earned cakes!

There are more pics on the Craft Vic blog.

Monster Zoo

My Leo loves a good object, especially if it's a robot, a spaceman, a creature, or especially in this case, a posse of mischievous monsters. Yesterday we went off to Pieces of Eight, Leo was a bit hot and grumpy in the car, but as soon as we peeked into the front window, he shrieked, 'I love it I love it!'

I wished he was taller, so that I didn't have to lug him around on my hip to see all the work, but by golly, my 5 year old was smitten with these curiosities.

Each of them has a distinct personality, as the catalogue details, (some of them are responsible for nibbling holes in condoms!), and I particularly love the use of stones etc, which gives each of these critters such unique characteristics. The materials are precious, but the work is rendered in such an un-fussy way, beautifully made, and so humorous.

After we left Leo declared that we should go there every day to visit them, and we should tell all our friends, which is why I'm passing this crucial information onto you! We took a catalogue home, which has already been to kinder today for show & tell. (Leo is getting a reputation for being the kinder cultural attaché!)

On my bedside table

Long overdue this one.
As you are no doubt well aware I am a Star Wars nutter, and while visiting the current exhibition at Scienceworks I just had to get this fine book: 'Dressing a Galaxy - The costumes of Star Wars'.

Trisha Biggar is the inspirational woman responsible for the costumes of Episodes I, II AND III, this huge book shows the range of research, characters, fabrics and materials she has given life to. Categories include Military Wear, Padme's journey, Jedi vs Sith, The Galactic Senate, and Slaves, Rogues and Bounty Hunters. Many costumes from the original films are documented as well.

There is a lot of technique on display; hand beading, smocking, customising of fabrics, mold making, casting, hand tooling, dyeing, metal work - my thoughts go to the vast numbers of craftspeople having loads of late nights! Many of these crafty folk are Australian, as our labour was so well priced to make these movies here!

Excuse the cropping on these images, the book really is so big that my scanner falls short.


Zam Wessel - Bounty Hunter.
J'adore this one, a real action girl outfit, I would have loved a blue version back when I was a dreadlocked bike messenger. OK I would still like a blue version. In this image I spy a neoprene bodysuit, leather vest, gauntlets, shin guards, gloves, half skirt and chest plate. If William Gibson wants me for a movie, I'll have an outfit like this please.


Padme's Action Outfit.
There are moulded leather accessories hidden under the cape here, a holster and pouch, the colours are gorgeous and the scarf/cape has a big texture.


Baron Papanoida.
Leather trim aplenty here, but my heart swoons at the silver aiguillette, I have a new shoe design based on this feature alone. Who can guess who this actor is.......well it's none other than George Lucas.


Tion Medon.
I'm pretty sure this is velvet, the vest section is divine, again order me one in blue. This gent is played by the super-tall Bruce Spence.

Jango Fett detail.
This is a really technical costume, involving a lot of casting and metal work. There's a lot more metal than on Boba Fett's final costume, he had to make do with some trumped up cargo pants, but as we all know, he did a mighty fine job!
I'm wondering how those leather pouches stay closed, some form of magnetic closure perhaps?


To offer one wee criticism, from a footwear-focussed gal, there is not much in the way of the description of footwear. I have been wondering which pairs were bought commercially and customised, which ones were custom made etc. I am none the wiser, but I won't let it dent my enthusiasm for this great reference book!

Shoe Show

Finally!

After months of making, the 'Shoe Show' opens this Thursday. There are six shoemakers in total, and seeing as I have been cloistered away with my own pieces for months, it will be refreshing to look upon new work.




I'll be the one wearing these, the most girly shoes I have ever made for myself! I do love the opportunity to dress up, and I won't be able to wear heels for much longer, with all the bulging I'll be doing.



Listening to: Madlib - Slim's Return