On my bedside table - Accessori

This 300-page hefty, glossy mag has been on my bedside table for a month or so now. It's Collezioni Accessori, direct from Italy, and is a real treat reference-wise. I'm not a slave to high fashion, but I do like to see what accessories are coming out of these design houses, often they (and the accessory designers) are the unsung heroes of a 'look'.

My favourite pages have been well marked and here are a few to share.


Jasper Conran - you can't always have function preceding form, these are so beautiful!

The Notorious Alexander McQueen - a lot has been said about his new 'lobster' shoes. I'm not sure exactly what I think, they sure are innovative and the variety of surface decoration is interesting, but ultimately I feel that they are not so flattering. I'm wondering if the wearer's foot is positioned like a ballerina on pointe, with a platform and heel? If that's the case then ouch.

Love the neckpiece in the top row, and the alligator armour corset thingy in the middle row on the right.


Wunderkind - love the use of Toile de Jouy prints, my fave three colours, red, white and blue, and the ruffle neckpiece bottom left. There's a lot of hard vs soft here, which seems to work.


Unique - the colours are not so great but the lattice work is mighty fine. Interesting to note that the rest of this look was a sportswear theme.


Mr Galliano - I do love sandals with socks, and this pearl-stacked heel is simple but effective. Love the ankle strap detail too.

I think that I am distilling my ethos somewhat when it comes to what I enjoy and want to produce, and I can sum it up by saying 'accessories as sculpture' is where I'm headed. I have so many strange sketches and ideas that seem so far removed from the commercial world, but I really feel drawn to exploring that area.

Looks like I'll have to get that day job after all - anyone need a proofreader?

Listening to: The Meters - Pungee from 1969

Ensemble

Here's a lovely lass in the window of Cottage Industry, modelling an astoundingly beautiful ensemble, including a belt of mine featuring 1960's Queen Liz stamps. I wish it was a maternity outfit, but alas, I'll have to dream for now.....

What I really wanted to say was 'yeehar' for retailers who merchandise things well. I have been vexed by this issue over the years, as some of my stock is in stores on consignment. It has been frustrating to see my wares gather dust on the same old shelf, forgotten about, expected to sell themselves from such a disadvantaged position.

Even on consignment, stock should be displayed to both its best advantage, and the store's; after all if it sells, both parties make money, right? I understand that consignment often has advantages, and that not all retailers are in the position to buy stock outright.

Some retailers run purely on consignment, such as Craft Vic, and I am proud to stock with them as I know that the displays are changed weekly, in fact over Xmas I know that Craft Vic were changing displays daily. It all helps, aren't we meant to have short attention spans? Oh look, the shop has been rearranged, hey I never noticed that doodad last time I was here!

Good merchandising is a must for any store, and when I see it done well, particularly using my wares, I am whooping it up in the street! Gold star to you Pene, you made my week!

Listening to: Nat King Cole - Quizás Quizás Quizás (Perhaps Perhaps Perhaps)

Showing off

'Once upon a time, there was a Princess who set out for a walk in early spring. She wore her handmade Printemps shoes, which came with beautifully embroidered spats to keep her shins warm. How pretty she looked as she made her way down through meadows still covered with snow, to the glade where the first spring flowers had made their appearance. As the day warmed she took off her spats and walked in her shoes, thinking about how lucky she was to have such options.'

Sharing the love.

It's the little things that count

I love socks.
I have far too many pairs, maybe 60+ - is that a lot?
I think I go a bit overboard on the colour co-ordination, therefore all the socks have to match aswell.

Argyles are up there on my list of faves, knee highs too, I also love ankle socks with frills, and yes please to tabi socks, especially now that I am wearing my Birki thongs so much this summer.

These were spotted in Little Collins St last week, I may be visiting there soon, armed with ample funds.

That's what I'm talking 'bout

Stamps from Japan, via Oregon, via Etsy.
Loads of them.
Whole pages!

Listening to: Missy Elliott - Wake Up feat. Jay Z

Making stuff

Yet to be announced subjects of said blurry photo are super colourful and exciting.
Sounds like something translated from Japanese.
Japanese, mmmmm I would like to sample some gyoza, yes please.

Listening to: MIA - Paper Planes

Ouch!

I'm hoping my babe won't be so big.....

Ron Mueck at the NGV until 18th April.

Things you should not do in conjuction with embroidery

In my research so far, these pursuits do not enhance your embroidery.

Chopping salami or garlic,
Eating chocolate,
Patting an affectionate rottweiler,
Gardening sans gloves.


Maybe I just need to remember to WASH MY HANDS prior to picking up the needle and thread?

Listening to: Mos Def - Ms Fat Booty
If this fine man needs any company, I'm free!

If anyone needs me.....

....I'll be in a chair stitching four of these panels. It's a bit of an addictive project, and I need to get it done ASAP, so here comes some extended DVD viewing.


We've also been doing a spot of watercolour painting, such a great way to spend some time. I wonder if professional painters feel that way, or is it a novelty thing for me? Using these Pelikan paints which were given to me by a friend from art school, a few of the colours are sadly depleted, but we still love them.

Listening to: Dizzee Rascal - Fix Up Look Sharp

Le Weekend

Phew, I'm remembering to pace myself, which at the moment means a rather slow time. Lots of water, oh and we got a soda stream for instant soda water and no plastic bottles in the recycle bin (thanks Paula for being the trailblazer) - everyone should avail themselves of this fine invention.

Here's the weekend in a few pics, some of them thieved via Pip and Kate.

Leo and I at the Fitzroy Gdns free Pablo Discobar gig. It was ace, so good to get out of the house and into a lovely cool park of a Saturday evening. The lad did want to spend most of his time at the playground, not dancing with Cam and Ari, but he warmed up by the end and had stopped calling it a 'racket'. Bless.

Discussing garlic with Brendan at Daylesford Organics' Farm Gate sale yesterday. Again, great to get out of the house, go on an adventure with the boys, and have an argument with the GPS lady. I'm into ACTUAL maps and I have a great internal compass, even though I'd never been there before, I could feel it in my waters that she was wrong. So there.

We had a lovely brief hello with the D. Organics crew, picked up some pullet eggs, freshly cut rocket, (seriously - I watched Kate snip it with her scissors right there), some rhubarb and loads of garlic. Another thing to avail yourselves of - homegrown garlic.

And yes, I do like to wear a fedora, I have three and they remind me of my Grandpa George, although the colours he wore were much more subdued than mine. He always wore a waistcoat too, except on a crankingly hot day, where you could sometimes glimpse him in a short sleeved shirt and no tie. Dapper gent he was.

I have also been mastering the art of the French Braid, in an attempt to keep my bouffant hair under control. I can't say that it's neat in a Sweet Valley High kind of way, but hey I've got curls, when is it ever neat?

Have been meaning to plant these snapdragons, along with loads of other stuff, but they would just get frazzled, so they're sheltering in my kitchen windowsill for now. Mighty cheerful too.

Last but not least, dyeing aida cloth navy for my delicious new Printemps spats. I used two packs, and stirred away for half an hour over a hot pan. Where have the little circular Dylon dyes gone? Couldn't find them at Spotlight, only a tres expensive packet version, so I went low-budget with the Rit. And who the heck dyes things in their washing machine? Navy? Really?

There you have it folks. We're off to the museum now to stay cool.

Listening to: RRR - they really are floating my boat this morn.

ON SALE!

Yes indeed lovelies, all my keyrings are on sale in the etsy shop. I've decided to stop making them, and so I'm hoping that they all find good homes. If you've had your eye on any, please snap them up before it's too late!

Signore's supplies

During the week I received an intriguing email from Carmel who, together with her husband, has the enormous task of cleaning out her late parents' home. It just so happens that her father was a shoemaker, would I be interested in any of his old things, before they go into landfill via a skip?

Wow - these instances are what a young shoemaker dreams of, it's always so interesting to see another person's equipment and supplies, let alone get to take them home. Carmel showed me all the various stash spots her father had; the timber lasts had been under the house, the rolls of leather and thonging were in huge trunks in the garage (which had been used to ship his belongings to Australia when he emigrated as a young man), and the hand tools were in another separate shed out the back.

I managed to find some amazing items to bring home, I've just sorted through them and am airing the studio, as they have a particularly strong ancient leathery-dusty smell that is not quite but almost overpowering.


Rolls and rolls of leather thonging, some folded, some wide.


Some impressive hides; huge full grain brown ones, waxy pistachio, rich glossy burgundy, divine black kid. Some of them are quite large, and at current prices would be way out of my range, but will be perfect for belts.


The smallest last I have ever seen, and it's obviously been used for a wee person's christening shoe or something for a big occasion. Unfortunately we couldn't find its partner, but I did get a full range of well-used timber childrens' lasts.

A box of toe stiffeners, and numerous pairs of leatherboard heel stiffeners.

Amazing old awls and a hammer used for nailing heels on. I'm totally in love with the awls, you already know that I have a real fondness for old tools, and these are aged in such a special way.

I put my apron on, as I'm wearing head to toe white today, looked a bit like Friar Tuck as I attempted to tie the strap around my ever-increasing girth, and as I type I can still smell that old leathery smell (from the supplies, not me smelling like Friar Tuck!).

Thanks so much Carmel, it's incredibly thoughtful and generous of you to pass these items on. Mille Grazie!

Perving

Well perving in a good way, not lecherous at all.

I ventured over to The Selby today and fell in love with Martin Greenfield's tailoring workshop in Brooklyn. Look at those old sewing machines, the ginormous scissors, the hand-finishing. My kind of place. I would be happy just tinkering there at an old work bench, soaking it all in.

More please!

Listening to: Gil Scott Heron - I Think I'll Call It Morning

Oh yes please!

• Soaking and sorting over 1000 Queenies picked up at Camberwell Market last Sunday.

• Drinking tea from thrifted cup and saucer sets.

• Listening to the cricket; what a strange Sydney test this one is.

• Loads of laundry.

• Assisting Leo as he requires a specific Lego piece to make a battleship airplane.

• Cleaning the fish tank - one of my goldfish has gone silver, apparently it happens.

• Planting more salad leafy things in the garden.

• Sorting things to go to the op-shop.

• Packing away the Xmas decorations.

• Ordering a shirred summer dress on etsy.

• Sorting through a whole pile of ancient shoemaking stuff, generously given to me by a random stranger - more on this later.

• Eating pistachio vanilla nougat.
  

• Watching the Argentina/Chile Dakar Rally.

• Loving life, serenity now!

Make and Meaning

Today I'm over at Make and Meaning, guest blogging about my process. I was rather honoured to be asked by Monsieur Dudecraft, and am keeping such fine company over there too. Have a looksee, I love the comments section at M&M, it's rather informative and conversation-like. Let me know what you think, what's your approach?

Idle hands

Since my pre-market frenzy late last year, I have hardly been into the studio at all. I was talking about this with Sam, who has a studio near our home, that when you aren't going to your creative space it feels a bit like you're only half present, or that you're only a portion of your entire person. Something like that.

So while Granny has been visiting, and cabin fever has been ensuing, I pinched a bit of studio time the other day, to finish lasting these navy Printemps shoes, which I had made in stages for a demo at Craft Vic.

It did feel a bit weird 'working' while so many folk are holidaying, it was a bit hard to muster a gung-ho attitude, I was vagueing out a bit and singing along to Curtis Mayfield, but the work got done. I think that I am preferring 'softer' crafts during this period; crochet, stamp soaking, you know the genteel sitting down DVD kind of crafts.

So to explain this image briefly, what I am doing here is talcing the last. Simply rubbing talc onto the toe and heel area, this is so that the shoe slides off easily. I've built up the toe and heel with leather, which absorbs water, and the heel stiffener is wet leather with paste on either side, so there is always the possibility that the moisture will seep through and slightly stick to the last. I have seen a last that would not come out and had to be destroyed in order to get at the shoe - 'twas not pleasant.



Finished, shiny navy leather, destined for my feet, but there is a lot of work to go, especially dyeing the embroidery cloth navy and stitching the spat detail in white thread - joy!


My boy has received some amazing crafty presents, and is cutting and pasting up a storm. You can check out his exploits over at his blog, or website as he calls it.

Off to make some green salsa, that stuff is the elixir of life - YUM!

New Year

Like many of you out there I had my mind blown recently by Avatar. I was so smitten with the lush jungle, strange plants and creatures, and I vowed to do more in my garden in 2010.
Obviously we haven't got the tropical climate of Avatar down here in Melbourne, nor do I have bio-luminescence, but my resolution for this year is to live more sustainably, grow more food, generate less waste and make the things that I have last a really long time.

The excesses of Xmas are starting to get to me more and more, the overflowing recycle bin, the endless plates of food, the consumer push right up to Xmas Eve. I can't do leftovers while I'm pregnant, so imagine my horror when Mum drove over from Adelaide with the contents of her fridge. EEEWWWW! I had avoided a jam-packed fridge by not hosting festivities for this year, but still I found myself throwing food away thanks to Mum's haul.

I do have a compost bin which is benefiting from this period, and I have been lucky enough to spread some around the garden in the last few days. All that New Years' rain and steamy weather has been great for new seedlings and cropping plants, here's a view of my Roma tomatoes, going gangbusters, although a few got burnt in the crazy heat.


My recalcitrant and much maligned kangaroo paw has surprised me by flowering. I love the velvety texture and the bright green inside once they open up. Keep on keeping on Mr Roo Paw!


I used to think that potted annuals were a waste of money; you buy them for a few bucks, throw away the pot, and they only last for a season. But beauty is in the eye of the beholder, they are so darn cheerful, and there is a great seasonal variety. Plus I can recycle the pots at hard rubbish time, or take them to Ilma Lever garden down the road from me.


I always let some of my carrots go to seed, I love the umbels of tiny flowers. I've also been told that this shape of flower attracts beneficial insects to your garden.

This week also saw my first lawnmower purchase, an electric one thanks very much. I have been using a borrowed push-mower, which is rather arduous and impractical when you mow as infrequently as I do. My belly is getting in the way and it's just too hard, hence the electric. So now I am looking like a model homeowner, with lawn and vegie garden, this week I also planted beans, cucumbers (hope it's not too late), chamomile, a bay tree, lettuce, oregano, dietes and potted a few things on.

I'm giving up on strawbs and am hoping to get a few more blueberries in, we have had the tastiest crop this Xmas, my blueberry bush even has a resident praying mantis. Have spied some magnificent wolf spiders, slugs that are a bit too large, and a gorgeous gecko in my compost bin.

I do let my garden go a bit feral, and then it all seems a bit hard, but this year I hope to stay with it. We'll see what time I can muster once the Little Miss is here, hopefully she'll be a nature boy like her big brother. He has a new worm farm, more on his antics tomorrow.

Listening to: Curtis Mayfield - So in Love

PS: I have really missed you bloggers over this period, I'm still checking on you in my Google reader, but something felt absent, then I realised that it was me who was quiet!