Sunday, 17 June 2012

Splurge...

Can't believe a week has flown by since our visit to Melbourne.  It's been so cold and dreary here that, even though the weather wasn't much better there, we felt we needed to get away.  There are many advantages to living in the country, but there's something wonderful about cities at night, the way they light up.   In addition to the requisite shopping we also took in some culture including a wonderful exhibition of the work of Australian landscape painter Fred Williams.  




It's a marvelous collection with most of his best known works but also some pieces I hadn't seen before including his portraits.  They way he captured the Australian landscape, his use of colour and perspective is breathtaking.


I was also hoping to see 'Unexpected Pleasures - the art and design of contemporary jewellry' at the National Gallery but, unfortunately, it was closed on the day we were there.  I did have a quick look at the catalogue and I think it will be really interesting, hopefully I'll get back down to Melbourne before it closes.


Having sold a few pieces I also splurged on some supplies this month including a set of bone beads from etsyan TheRavenAndPearl which were even more wonderful in person than in the photos.  They were also beautifully wrapped.  I firmly believe that wrapping is a hugely important part of of a the buying experience. As the prologue, it sets the scene and can influence how someone responds to an item - positively or negatively.  Receiving a beautifully wrapped item can make up up for some of the disadvantages we face as online sellers including the delayed gratification between purchasing and receiving.  Most of the things I buy from etsy are beautifully wrapped.


I, like lots of sellers, do try and use as much recycled packaging as possible when I ship. 








The map envelope is made from pages from an old Atlas (my daughter's idea). I use incomplete sewing patterns for wrapping and strips cut from old headscarves as ribbons.  I'm also always on the lookout for boxes or little baskets in charity/thrift stores.  I confess I do use bubblewrap (but I do try and reuse the stuff that other people have sent me).


I also splashed out on a journal.  Whilst I've got a little leather bound one that I keep in my bag, I wanted something a bit more substantial.  


This came from etsyan AriomDesigns, it's almost 12 inches tall so a bit too big to carry around with me but perfect for home.


I have to say though that my finished pieces almost never turn out like the sketch!

On the making side, I'm still very much in tribal mode although this week I am going to set myself the task of making some pieces with a more bohemian/gyspy feel.



With this  stack I wanted to create an authentic colour scheme.  I find it so hard to photograph bangles.  They always seem to collapse in a heap as the shutter clicks.  They are heaps of fun to make though.  

'Til next time.

6 comments:

  1. Just wanted to tell you how much I adore your design and aesthetic sensibilities. Inspiring, to say the least. One day I will own one of your pieces.

    Your friend,
    Juliette

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    1. Oh Juliette, that's really lovely of you to say so. If ever you want to a trade one of your creations which I am a great admirer of just say the word.

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  2. Love the journal and it doesn't hurt to treat yourself and it's a legitimate business expense. The bangles rock, loving the dark palette

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    1. Definitely putting the journal against tax - I'd love to try binding for myself. I've got a book on it somewhere. As well as leather I'm a big fan of some of the textile journals and altered art books.

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  3. I love your jewelry, awesome eye candy. So inspiring, I visit every day, sometimes several times a day!! :)

    ...Jackie xo

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    1. Jackie - I just found your blog which is really lovely as is your work - thank you for sharing both. Thank you so much for you lovely comment.

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