Working Through The Pile of Unfinished Projects - 5

Following on from my last post, I've continued to work on part 2 of my "Spirit Beings" paintings and finished this one yesterday.  Wahoo!!!  As mentioned before, it's taken me 16 years to finish these and all I need to do now is work out how to hang them.  I'm thinking of using some handmade hooks where the paintings will sit in the hooks.

And here are the two of them together:

Enjoy the rest of your weekend :)

Working Through The Pile of Unfinished Projects - 4

So am back to finishing up half-done pieces after recently completing my new wall hanging.  I can't believe I have finished 12 pieces since July!  It's so satisfying as I really enjoy finishing things (despite how long it takes), but more importantly, I've been having so much fun!

I don't think I should include the below piece in the count.  Why?  Well I have a confession.....  this piece has been a long time in the making <eek>.  Sixteen years to be exact! 

So in 2000, when I worked in chambers, both of my bosses were taking a long lunch break and I didn't have much to do.  I'd been doing some personal research on alternative therapies and the night before, I had envisaged what I call my "spirit beings".  So I sketched out two designs for some soon to be drawings.

Two years later, I completed those drawings in my black and white bubble style with the hope of transferring them into a painting.

Thirteen years later, in August 2015, I was working through my pile of unfinished projects (as I seem to do haha) and decided to continue on this project and off I went.  The background of the canvas board came up beautifully and the depiction of the spirit beings was exactly was I was hoping.  And then I became stumped.  I didn't know how to finish it.  So I commenced the second in the series (still yet to be completed) whilst I contemplated how to finish them.  Then at the same point as the first, I hit the brick wall.  And so they sat. Until now.

This painting comes up rather ordinary and muted in its vibrancy in the pic as the many dots seem to distort the lens.  However, these paintings are the most meaningful to me out of all of my work I've completed since that day in chambers. And there is quite a collection hahaha!!!  Their meaning is deeply personal and to see the first one finally completed brings me heart-warming joy. I'm hoping to work on the second soon so will post a pic once it's done.

Enjoy your weekend!

For My Studio

For quite some time I've wanted to make a wall hanging for my studio.  We've lived in rental properties for quite awhile, and as you're only allowed to use already existing picture hooks, I've held off making something for me as writing letters to real estate agents for permission to knock a hole in a wall is a bit of a headache.  So in the process of brightening my studio, and now being able to do whatever we like, I thought why not!

Earlier this week, I shared on Instagram the main components for the wall hanging using acrylic on wood:

By midnight last night/this morning, it was done and I couldn't be happier!!  I'm unsure if it requires a fifth strand - what do you think?

Using a selection of wood, Irish waxed linen, gemstones, recycled glass, bone and natural seed pods, it's exactly what I had envisaged.  

Hope you have a marvellous weekend!

New Singular OOAK Piece

Wow, what a wonderfully productive weekend!  I love the weekends where stuff gets done, with time to play and socialise, and great quality sleep thrown into the mix.  It gives me that energised jumpstart to the new week ahead.

On Saturday, after getting all the household and business to-dos out of the way, I spent the afternoon cleaning the studio whilst figuring out what to work on next.  I was feeling spritely so I put on the Bob Marley "One Love" tour and an hour and a half later, this is what happened:

New swing tags for pieces I've recently completed using my handcarved stamps ...

... unpacked and hung all my pieces ....

... and finished this new lovely - yet to be named:

This piece features my handpainted polymer clay stick and wire pendant, my cocoon connector using a gorgeous Vintage Rose coloured lace, Czech Glass, Mykonos ceramics, silk ribbon, The Spacer Queen lampwork and a beautifully flashy labradorite.  

Am not sure what I'm going to work on next.  I'm itching to get my paints out and also finish off a piece of wall art I've been working on so I may have something different to share in my next post.  I hope you're enjoying seeing what I'm working on, as much as I am creating them.

Have a wonderful week!

My Life-Long Dream

Ever since I can remember, I've always wanted to live on a farm, growing my own food, making my own remedies from plants I've grown, tending to animals and be connected to the earth.  My craft would be used for usefulness and my heart would be full.  This dream of mine was further cemented by one of the most vivid sleep dreams I've ever experienced, one so lifelike I still recall (after 20 plus years) every detail, smell and texture and just knowing deep within the fibres of my being that one day it would be.  As time moves on, and life takes you on a different path for awhile, that knowing becomes smothered in young adulthood growth where living for the moment and being reckless is priority.  Then life takes a dramatic turn where meeting that special someone knocks you off your feet and you head down a path of gloriousness, sunshine and wonder.  You wed and grow into your adult skin and after what feels like an infinite number of mountains to climb that life unexpectedly throws on your path, forever feeling the place where you are is not where you should be, you come full circle.   That knowing feeling of being right where you're meant to be is at the fore once again and you're taking steps - albeit small - towards achieving what your heart desires.  I can happily say that's where I am right now.

Since being here, I've split my limited free time amongst getting the property into working order (as the previous owners weren't "gardeners") reviving the trees already here and preparing the ground for our harsh summers.  As the wildlife here is so great, we've planted more Australian natives to feed the nectar-eating birds and bee-attracting plants for both Australian native and European bees.  We planted out a small collection of bare-rooted fruit trees in Winter, which are growing beautifully so next year we hope to have our first harvest of Nashi, apricots, plumcots, lemons, limes and blood oranges.  This year, we'll have a small harvest of blueberries and strawberries as the plants are still quite juvenile.  It's going to take me a while to get the full orchard up and running as one of our paddocks requires a lot of work and money.   We've also started our veggies and herbs on a small scale so hopefully we'll have pumpkins, zucchinis, cucumbers, carrots, potatoes, chard, spinach, tomatoes, capsicums, broad beans, mint and basil in the coming months.  But one of the most rewarding steps we've taken is getting our first flock of chickens - 6x beautifully coloured and well-natured double laced Barnevelders.  They are such a delight and could keep us entertained for hours, free-ranging in a dog run we've converted into a massive coop.

In about five to six weeks time, they will start to lay so we will have our own eggs as well.  

Now we have the chickens, my next step is to perhaps start on my herbal medicine garden and build another coop for future quail with secondhand materials gifted to me by my sister.  But one thing for sure, for my birthday next month, Heath and I will be building some beehives <grin>!

Some have said to me "what's the point of all this effort when fresh fruit and vegetables are affordable from the store?".  Well for some people it's not.  For instance (there have been many), I've overheard a mother in a supermarket grappling with the decision between a pack of 24 frozen meat pies for $6 versus a head of cauliflower (out of season) for the same price.  Now common sense tells us cauliflower is better for us but when you're on a very tight budget, spending $6 for a possible 24x individual meals is better value for money.  And this makes me very sad.  I'm sad that people are faced with this decision; I'm even sadder knowing some people can't eat at all.  I'm sad that there is a whole world of people simply struggling day to day to make ends meet, not knowing if they'll be able to afford to eat, irrespective if the food is healthy or not (not forgetting all of life's stressors thrown into the mix).  I know this firsthand which is why I decided a few years back to start growing our own.  

So the plan moving forward is to expand on a much larger scale as I now have the space to do so.  I hope to be able to produce enough fruit, vegetables, herbs and eggs to be able to feed us and our family as well as help people in need.  I'm realistic enough to know that this will take me a long time, and I also know I won't be able to help everyone, but knowing it'll happen at the grassroots level brings me so much joy and gives me so much to look forward to.  So stay tuned ....

For now, here's some cuteness.  Meet the 'girls':

And a close up:

Have a great rest of your week!

New Piece from the "Elements: Fire" Series - Rebirth

These last three weeks have been tough. Energy draining physical labour and my body hurts.  It's this time of year when everything awakens from its deep slumber, where the sun shines when it's not raining and regrowth just leaps with vigour from the earth. And it's hard to keep up and not suffer physically from it.  As well with the change in the direction of the sun and losing an hour, I've not settled well into the coming of the new season.  So these last three weeks have been mechanical, groundhog-ish days where rest has been limited and bone-weariness has set in, and we're only halfway through the season <gulp!!>

During the snippets of spare time over these past three weeks, I've been very slowly working on a new piece from a design of last year.  During my normal creative process, what came to me was a description highlighting 'rebirth' and an image of a Phoenix arising from the ashes.  I knew which direction I wanted to head in and decided to redesign my original idea.  When I make a piece, everything is considered.  All items have been made or selected as if they're invisible jigsaw pieces connected in perfect harmony.  And this is why my pieces take weeks to complete <grin> and thankfully my prices don't reflect my labour hahahah.  Sometimes an item used has a specific meaning and other times, it's the overall vibe.  For this particular piece, its meaning was what was important and the description I received during my creative process was incredibly meaningful for me, "From the flame, rebirth occurs as the cycle of nature continues unemotionally".

So here is the new piece I'll be adding to my "Elements: Fire" series I've nicknamed "Rebirth":

Top to bottom:  A handmade pendant using my favourite combination of Starry Road and Scorched Earth ceramics, Havana Beads lampwork and my own polymer clay bead cap complimented with a selection of seed beads, a Rock Hound dangle and beaded leaves. The warm hues in the neckpiece completes this piece using Mykonos ceramics, Czech glass and seed beads paired in meaningful numbers for strength, protection and health finished with macrame and a handmade adjustable clasp. 

Enjoy the rest of your week!

New Piece from the "Elements: Earth" Series - Come Walk With Me

I used to dream vividly all the time - the types of dreams where your brain would sort through that day's events discarding the chaos and keeping the good stuff, but made no sense; or the ones which held hidden meaning with the answers revealed in waking life.  Then all my rememberance of dreams stopped.  Zilch.  Nudda.  I don't know why but for the last six years, I wake every morning with no recall save for a residual feeling or an extremely fuzzy, vague snippet.  For me, dreaming holds meaning and a level of importance.  Whether that's weird or not, it's bothered me for sometime that it vanished.

Since moving here, and feeling the most relaxed in my soul and mind for quite sometime, my sleep has improved ten-fold and in turn, I've had a few "figuring out" dreams mainly about my art.  I've been head down in a few projects of late and have been stealing every spare second to create.  After a monster six days at work last week, I spent a great deal of time in the studio on Sunday binge watching podcasts and working on another piece I designed last year.  And that Sunday night I dreamt.

I dreamt of rows of fruit trees, littered in blossoms, their perfume heavy in the air.  The breeze was cool and gentle, and the sun sat in the sky high enough to make everything twinkle.  I walked through these rows, with my face tilted towards the Aegean coloured sky, eyes closed, arms outstretched as my fingertips brushed the leaves as I strolled.  My heart was full.  I was at peace breathing in the life that is nature.  I whispered, "Come walk with me through the trees" and I outstretched my hand.  Then my alarm went off.

And so this was the piece I worked on before going to bed.  It now belongs in my "Elements: Earth" series with which I fondly call "Come Walk With Me".

Top to bottom:  Handmade flower connector using Czech glass, Trinity brass flower and my enamelled head pin; followed by my textured polymer clay donut backed with faux leather connector affixed with the smallest macrame I've ever done (3mm!); dressed with a mix of beaded dangles including a divine Starry Road spiral bead from Karen's Tulip set and Scorched Earth"s "Rock Garden" porcelain bronzy droplet (the glazes and craftmanship of these art beads are beyond amazing!!!)

This piece is finished with a 'Dupioni silk wrapped in wire' neckpiece and a handmade clasp.  This measures 48cms around the neck with the pendant measuring 16cms.  This is another piece that thrills me to pieces!  

Enjoy your week ahead!

New Singular OOAK Piece

You know Murphy's Law when you don't have time to create but the muse decides to go bananas and throw a bunch of ideas at you?  Well such is the case with this new piece.  Last year, during our busiest time for work, my muse decided that enough was enough and send me into a tail spin.  I sketched furiously out my designs and set it aside. Then I pulled out beads I wished to use, made notes and bagged it all up for a "free" day.  

Um ... so 11 months later, whilst in the process of forcing myself to work through my piles of unfinished projects, I set about working on this new piece.  Let me tell you ... I have ummed and ahhed my way through the whole 9 days it took me to complete it.  It certainly didn't come together as easily as my last two :(

Here's a snapshot of the pendant:

Top to bottom - altered brass bullet casing, my own enamelled round, my handmade faux wooden polymer clay connector and a delicious array of dangles including Scorched Earth's intoxicating "Galaxy" porcelain drop, fibre, brass, stone, bone, wood, and kyanite. 

I was loving the vibe and I knew what it meant for me, but I was stumped as to what to call it.  It didn't fit within my other series and I knew it was to be a stand alone piece.  So I put out a post on my Instagram and Facebook pages asking for some help.  I had a few wonderful responses that sounded like they would suit, but still didn't fit with my initial "vibe" of the piece.  I'm so grateful for those comments as they steered me in the right direction.

After chatting with a friend about my stumpedness, and putting the suggested names passed him, he asked me what the piece meant for me, specifically the bullet casing as I've never used this type of material before.  I couldn't answer him directly as I was unsure why I was drawn to it as guns and bullets make me terribly uncomfortable.  Through our conversation, I discussed with him my longing for how it used to be.  Meaning the importance of handmade and how we, as a society, these days, have a "right now" mindset.  Let me explain ...

Whatever we want is at our fingertips.  For example, you've plans on a Saturday night and, as life is so busy, you only decide Friday night what to wear.  You don't have that piece of jewellery that's just right so you go down to the likes of Diva and pick yourself up a cheap, mass produced piece that suits ... for right now. Our need is satisfied instantly.  Now there's absolutely nothing wrong with that.  It's convenient.  And often gets you out of a spot.  But ... for me ... I find this sad.  My old soul yearns for times where the jeweller would spend many months making a piece using his/her own hands and simple tools and that piece would be handed down through generations and still hold meaning. And still be important.  Not just junk.

So ... we arrived at "The Death of Handmade".  It sounds depressing but the intention isn't so but to just raise the awareness of how important it is to support handmade.  It's more than just the tangible item you're buying.  You're also getting the love the artist has for what they do; their energy and something of meaning which, in my opinion, is priceless.

Here she is hanging:

... and a completed view:

Enjoy your week :)

Working Through The Pile of Unfinished Projects - 3

Earlier this year, I completed a black and white drawing of my Nature Beings with plans to enlarge it on canvas for our home.

I always find after finishing a project, I am inspired to create another, however, not right away.  Some of my black and white designs have taken more than 10 hours to complete so not only does my mind need a rest, but so does my hand and neck hahaha.  So instead of losing the idea, I made a rough sketch so when I was ready to do another, I knew what I wanted to do.

Incorporating the fluid shape found in my Nature and Spirit Being drawings, and also inspired by my love of the Mother Goddess, her form began to take shape and I was excited.  For me, the Mother in my drawing represents peace, openess and enlightenment.  I had finished her form and wasn't sure if she'd remain in black and white form, or if I should incorporate a splash of colour.  After consulting Heath (he is the most awesome soundboard and is so great with colour combos), he really wanted me to leave it black and white and to fill the white space with my "eyes", a common theme found in all my drawings.  

So off I went.  Now this is a slow going process.  The "eyes" are major hand cramp territory and so I can only do short bursts of an evening.  After about 4 collective hours of work, I realised the background sucked ... ughhh ... big time.  I wasn't happy with how it looked despite Heath insisting it was awesome.  So here is my predicament - I've already spent 6+ hours already so do I give up now or see it through (even with gritted teeth) to the end.  My <erm> lovely husband insisted he loved it so that it was going up in our bedroom.  <Face plant>.  Please ... no!  

Now I don't know about you but when your other half genuinely loves what you create, despite you hating it, this ... is ... big.  I mean mine listens to me babble all the time about this or that and constantly has WIPs thrust under his nose for inspection/comment/praise teehee.  So continue I must for he wishes it so ;)

So after a "far out" long time, hand cramps and ink, she is done.  I love her despite my perceived flaw of the piece.  It's ironic when you think about it.  Perhaps it was meant to be in the end ...

Have a fabulous weekend!  

The Birth of a New Necklace Series - Update

So admittedly, I "ummed" and "ahhed" over how to connect these components together for a little longer than normal.  We've encountered rained out days so far this week meaning more days at home (last week, our work vehicle was in for repairs for almost a week!), but the upside to that was time to work in the garden, rest and ponder on these components some more.

I was nervous as I didn't want to marr the driftwood by wirework mistakes (as more often than not, the wire has a mind of its own - ha!).  I wanted to create a pendant that was structurally sound, asthetically pleasing and retained the vibe I was hoping for.  This is what I came up with (it only needed a redo once - yayyyy!).

The next step was to go through copious amounts of beads to find the perfect ones - the ones that spoke to me.  Ever since I was young, whenever I created, when I found the perfect "thing" to use, it would almost feel as though it was thrumming.  To this day, I still choose my materials this way and such is the case with each and every bead, paint or fibre used in my work.  What'cha think?  I'm excited!

Next was to make the necklace portion incorporating the clasp -

- and tahdah, after connecting it altogether .... introducing the first piece from my "Findings of Nature" series ...

This piece consists of a found piece of driftwood, a tree limb disc, a handmade polymer clay nature-inspired seed stick and a found stone handpainted by me and brought together by an eclectic mix of stone, seed, wood, glass, bone and Irish waxed linen in a macrame style.  All wood, stone and polymer clay has been baked, sanded and sealed for wear and tear.  All natural beads have been ethically sourced.

My heart is full!  I am completely stoked with the outcome, so much so I think I skipped in to show Heath hahaha. I'm so looking forward to start the process over for number two but more percolating is to be had. Am thinking a different colourway ... Stay tuned!

The Birth of a New Necklace Series

When out in nature - whether it be in my day job, working in the garden or venturing out with Heath - there is always something that makes me catch my breath, and stop to take a closer look.  From time to time, a small trinket from nature comes home with me to be added to my collection as a source of inspiration.  It might be a leaf where the texture or shape or colour catches my eye or a perfectly smooth rock that almost vibrates with energy when held in the hand.  My most favourite pieces are displayed in the corner of my workspace as being surrounded by meaningful and/or inspirational bits'n'bobs imbues for me the most perfect ambience to create.  

Here is one of my offering bowls - a leaf that fell at my feet when we first moved here which has the most glorious colourings; a stone so smooth and energy-filled; a cap from a gumnut I found in our garden which sat in a circle of dirt with nothing surrounding it; a succulent flower from my "Lavender Scallops" which blows my mind how perfect the colour and structure is; and finally, a gift of labradorite and crystal from one of the most soulful and kindred spirits I've met online - Julie of Uglibeads - all nestled in a handmade ceramic dish from Thailand which I bought on our honeymoon. 

Recently, whilst arranging a collection of items, my muse screamed at me "yessssss" and after a lot of percolating, my "Findings of Nature" series was born.  I've three one of a kind pieces planned thus far, the first of which will contain a found piece of driftwood, a tree limb disc from another project I'm working on, one of my polymer clay nature-inspired sticks and an interestingly shaped stone which I've handpainted.  Here is a sneaky peek:

I'm currently trying to nut out the best way to connect it altogether so it's structurally sound and aesthetically pleasing so am letting that stew for a bit longer as sometimes the drawing doesn't always work out hahaha.  But can't wait to share the finished result :)

Enjoy your week ahead!

Working Through The Pile of Unfinished Projects - 2

Last year, I finished this piece of art but was never quite happy with how it was "framed".  

After taking this pic, I decided to weave a band with beads interlaced for that point of difference.  In the gluing process, I'd slipped and made a mess on one of the corners.  And me being me, I couldn't leave it that way.

So after much pondering, and whilst cutting up our kindling recently, I thought about incorporating naturally fallen branches to show the beauty within.  I cut up a tonne of tree limb discs and laid out a design.  Initially, it was going to be a simple square frame but whilst Heath played about, he added an abstract twist and I loved it!

Each disc has been baked to sanitise the wood and are now to be individually sanded to smooth out the rough spots.  I'm more a rustic kinda gal so am not planning to go so far as to remove the wood's character through the sanding process.  Each disc will then be varnished and am currently running a test on whether to use varnish or wax.  Cannot wait to pick up some lighter-weighted MDF and more sandpaper so I can play some more!  

Will share a pic once it's hanging on our wall so stay tuned :)

New Piece from the "Elements: Water" Series - Sea and Sand Treasures

I am part of a wonderful Facebook group run by this amazing lady who makes the most awesome lampwork beads, art and metalwork.  Late last year, she launched an "Uglipeep Snowball" gift swap which didn't have a deadline and was all about sharing the love for no reason amongst her wonderful Uglipeep community.  I was so lucky to receive some amazing gifts, one of which by the lovely Karin.

On the left is the gift bag made from a wonderful batik-styled fabric; in the middle are Karin's hand stitched beaded barrels and on the right is a ceramic pendant from Jubilee.

My instant reaction when I held the ceramic pendant was it took me to a sea cave where stories had been ground into the walls as reminders that many walked the Earth before us.  The texture of the pendant and its crumbled edge reminded me so much of compressed wet sand with its visible speckles of nature.  I knew this piece would fall within the Water element and I couldn't wait to get started.

In July, I drew out my concept drawing including the meaning for each part and set it aside.  Sometimes, I pull the beads and create immediately; others, it takes awhile.  And now, as of today, the piece I've nicknamed Sea and Sand Treasures is complete:

I used the Jubilee pendant and Karin's beaded barrels as part of the pendant, only adding Green Aventurine (to represent embracing the change of evolution - from cave dwellers to where we are today) and Indopacific glass.  My handmade wire sea pods represent the seaweed pods you find washed ashore, their kelp cages protecting the seeds of life within.  The Picture Jasper nugget and Fossilised Coral Agate for the imprints of life found embedded in rock walls that for many moons have been bashed by the sea, yet remain intact.  The Rock Hound pebble connectors for the preciously smooth gifts you find when beach combing.  I used the gorgeous batik-styled fabric when making my handmade fabric rounds as the print reminded me so much of water and sunshine.  Sprinkled with bone and brass spacers, ceramic, Czech glass and wire, I am overjoyed with how this piece turned out!  

Enjoy your week!

Making a Connection

I'm not sure why, or if others experience this, but whenever I move houses, it takes an awfully long time for me to connect with my new art space.  It's especially frustrating and quite laughable as I skirt around the perimeters of the room but avoid going in as if I'm about to go on a first date.  I'm so nervous, I hate it.  I can't help it. And I laugh at myself for doing it.  I don't know why it happens but when the time is right, we connect and it's wonderful!  

So after two months since I've set up my space, I took a deep breath and finally took the plunge.  I pumped the music, danced about for a bit, removed the curtain to let more light in as crappy weather continues then sat down at my table to stare out the window for about 20 minutes hahaha. And this is my view ...

Keeping in mind my recently finished concept piece I loved doing, I thought I'd start working on the planned A3 size.    And after a few nights, I completed it.  I have grave difficulty naming any of my pieces so I've arrived at the aptly named "Eucalyptus - Leaves and Gumnuts" as being my source of inspiration.  And also why I can now I feel connected and can comfortably work in my space :)

Here it is:

Enjoy the rest of your week!

Inspiration: The Eucalyptus

Australian Eucalyptus are such beautiful trees.  I've been lucky to have grown up in leafy suburbs where large trees surrounded our family home, parks and schools so my love of large trees and collecting fallen pods and seeds started from a young age.  I've never truly appreciated them for what they are until recently as they tolerated being bent and viciously blown about in the recent winds.  They are so strong and mighty, yet forgiving (for our landscape is known to be quite harsh in the Summer), delicate and graceful.  

The knowledge I've gained since working in nature has been monumental as I've needed to understand what a plant needs to survive and thrive, which in turn has naturally forced me to look deeper making my connection with the earth so much stronger.   The cycle of life in nature is truly fascinating.  One incredible bit of knowledge I've recently learned was that some of our gums require bushfire to spark life into fallen nuts to rejuvenate.  Some natives require just smoke and others fire as well.

Feeling inspired, I wanted to draw - it's been such a while!  I've been asked many times what I would call my style.  To be honest, I don't know.  It's something I've always done.  I've never been able to integrate colour - it's always been just black and white - and I always start with a pen.  I've never been able to label my style as it's never pre-planned or sketched out.  Sometimes I'll catch a glimpse at how the light brings to life a particular spot or the texture of a leaf and my muse awakens.  In this case, I wanted to embody the leaves and gum nuts swaying in the wind. 

So after an incredibly productive weekend of collecting wood, harvesting the rest of my shiitakes, making shiitake salt with the left over mushrooms, household and business chores and a little socialising, I finished my concept drawing which I plan to turn into an A3 sized drawing:

Enjoy your week :)

First Harvest

The weather these past couple of weeks has been so miserable making it near impossible to service our clients.  However, despite being hugely frustrating, we're receiving a wonderful amount of rain which will lead us into a fabulous Spring.  We've been making the most of our time off by more unpacking and getting things set up.  I've been sorting out my succulent collection, taking cuttings for large scale propagation to plant out one of the front garden beds whilst Heath's been setting up the workshop.  We've also nutted out where the greenhouses, veggie patches and chickens will go as well as a new water tank in the future and potting station.  Being able to finally build on our permaculture-style life is sooooo exciting as we've never had enough space before.  We've tried our best on a small scale and the change has been so rewarding body, mind and spirit-wise.

Being Winter, and our main source of heating being wood-fire, foraging for wood and kindling has become a regular task.  Thankfully we have a large area down the back which is native bush so we've been collecting branches that have come down in the recent heavy winds.  Seeing 20 metre gumtrees swaying almost horizontally is unnerving.  Thankfully no damage save for old limbs gifted for firewood.

Whilst we were down there, we noticed the ground erupting with wild mushrooms.  The way the earth breaks open and up comes beautiful fungus is incredibly fascinating and something I've found so wonderful to observe. I've always wanted to grow my own mushrooms and from what we've seen, the environment seems perfect here.  After noticing one of my favourites was being imported, no time could be better than to start now.   Knowing how our food is grown is important to us. We were able to purchase a tester with plentiful mycelium riddling the block.

The pins have been bursting through the sides over the past few weeks and over the past few days, each day they've been doubling in size.  When I came home from work tonight, one beautiful massive mushroom was perched on top of the block and just in time for dinner.  I'm soooo happy - here's the first mushroom ready for harvest ....

The deep earthy flavour was mouth-watering and gave the dish such a truffle type flavour - Yummo!

Well it's time for bed and the magpies are still chortling.  Gosh I love this place ..... 

Enjoy your week!

 

Shifting Focus

There is something seriously special about this place.  The wide expanse of the skyline with nothing but giant gums swaying delicately in the breeze envelopes you and subconsciously thrums at you to relax.  And when night comes, just a sea of blackness highlighted by wisps of wood smoke, the twinkling of stars and the magic nature of galaxies.  The last time I recall seeing a galaxy was when I was a child.  Now as an adult, my eyes still widen with the same wonder and amazement as they did back then.

We've spotted at least 14 different species of bird so far and hearing them welcome the day and bid us goodnight is an element that I find so special.  I've found myself smiling at the sky as I watch them play, clapping their wings and darting through and around the garden.  Or when they land in the garden foraging at what food nature provides with a few treats from me added into the mix. Today, there was a loud "meowing" coming from what sounded near the front door.  Thinking our cat had somehow escaped outside, I rushed to let him back in.  But low and behold, there were six wild ducks "chatting" with each other as they delved into the lush green in search of food.  I've only ever seen two on the property down the back of the right-hand side paddock so today was extra special to see them so close.  In time, these quiet observations may become that of the norm but for now, I'm savouring these special sensory memories and holding onto them tight.  

 

I've been doing a great deal of soul searching since I've been here as to what direction I should take when it comes to my art.  Online selling isn't working for me, no matter what platform I try.  So after a tonne of deliberation and plenty of chats with Heath (poor thing!  I'm blessed he's so patient), I've decided to step away from online selling or advertising.  Just focusing on the reason why I create to begin with - the love of it.  I've somehow lost a bit of focus along the way, and being here, amongst the simple things that Mother Nature has to offer, has made me realise I need to start at the grassroots level again. No audience, no timeframes, no chunks of time spent on "paperwork".

So starting small, I've started to work on finishing items in my box of WIPs.  Last evening, I finished this adorable gum nut pot with leaf motifs.  It's quite aptly named as it reminds me so much of the bulbous seeds that scatter our gardens.  It's not the best photo as had to take inside as it's been raining non-stop here but it has two different shades of purple for the trim and main bulb of the pot.

Tonight, I plan to continue weaving straps for a new woven fabric which will in turn become  a boho bag.  I had so much fun making the last one that I can't wait to make another.  

Have a great week!

A Sale in the Wind

Yayyyyyy, we can finally celebrate!!! Everything has been finalised with our last place and we can finally move forward with the new.  Today, the weather is too wet and bitterly cold to work (as my full time job is outdoors) so instead, I get to enjoy the comfort of a log fire and bountiful cups of tea whilst I start to work through my <ahem> many art room boxes.  Heath (my husband) found it quite humorous to exclaim loudly "art room" every time he had to move one of my boxes.  I am (apparently) now on a forced craft supplies diet after unloading a third of a 3-tonne truck of my theengs.  In my defence, I have very large studio furniture <wink>.

Keeping on with our "new beginnings" and stemming from my last blog post (see below), I've a few pieces that haven't found new homes as yet.  So in the spirit of me settling into my new home, how about a little sale?  I'll have a range of items available - jewellery, polymer clay pendants and dangles, handmade components, jewellery making and craft supplies and handpainted bookmarks.  My hand woven pots, bags and drawings won't be available at this time.  

So I'm thinking about setting up a Facebook/Instagram event so stay tuned for more details .....

New Beginnings

It's been some time since I last came up for air and all for good reason.  For what feels like an eternity, we've been "heads down, bums up" working towards our dream - moving from the city to the country.  And it's finally here!!! As of today - after a very tough slog, including a two-week delay, then five solid moving days, 1,500 kilometres and a body full of bruises - we're in.  Despite the laborious and stressful nature of moving, unpacking is my favourite part - having the opportunity to put life back in its place does wonders for my slightly obsessive organisational mind.  And my, do I have a lot of unpacking to do hahaha

We've only been here a week but already, my mind and soul feels more free.  Simple things like being woken by the chortle of magpies; viewing an alpaca grazing from my kitchen window or like tonight, the neighbours having a roaring bonfire in their back paddock sings true to my soul.  I certainly don't miss the blaring sirens dozens of times a day or the hustle and bustle.  We will, however, be continuing to run our business in the area we've moved from, but being able to "escape" at the end of the day is so liberating.

We have so many plans to get underway once we're all settled in that I feel like a child on Christmas morning.  I'm super excited to set up my studio and finish a few of my WIPs (which is actually a large box full <eek>), so stay tuned.  But for now, I can stop ... and ... just breathe.  And honestly, it's bloody fantastic!

Enjoy your week :)

Coming Up For Air

Woooh, life is still hectic ... nothing much has changed since my last post.  I am, however, feeling very blessed to be as busy as we've been since Christmas.  We started 2016 with a bang and we haven't stopped since 😊.  The downside is my lack of spare time continues.  And I'm finally cool with that.  

I finally finished my colour vase ....

... and immediately started another. So it took a month to complete but I was so pleased when I finished my second pot.  I get this wave of excitement when I find a craft that just "fits"... it just feels right.  One aspect I love so much about being creative is the freestyling stage, as I call it.  The opportunity to just create with no pre-planning, I find, is creatively freeing.  All I knew is I wanted to use paper raffia and inlay an embroidered design on the front.  The design is supposed to be an abstract flower of sorts as the top of the pot looks like it has petals.  It's wonky and not quite right (pre-planning certainly has its upsides) but it's quirky and gives me a visual lesson to improve on for next time. 

So here she is  ....

Have a great rest of your weekend!

Nothing Much To Share

(Flickr: Martin Turner)

My mind is full, bursting at the seams with creative flow which has been subconsciously blockaded, bubbling away waiting for some commitments to clear. It disappeared for what felt like an eternity and now it's back with fury.  And now, I don't know where to begin. I haven't had time to touch my vase this past week as I've been too physically fatigued from the day job that most nights, I've ended up falling asleep in the chair....yep, feeling old!  And the bowls of beads, weaving and drawings are cascading in piles in my art room where the door continues to remain closed.

There's so much going on in my day to day life at the moment and for the next couple of months, I think I'll just have to scribble furiously down my plans until such time I have to create openly with a free mind.  Today, I continued working on my vase which has grown to become a form of meditation for me, winding round and round.  I'm sure there's a much quicker way of getting the same result, however, the slow, pensive movements all carried out by hand is what sings to my spirit and that is when I feel "it".  I just can't wait until the weather starts to cool and my work days get shorter allowing me a snippet of time to be creatively free. And my, do I have some amazingly awesome ideas using many different types of medium that I can't wait to get out of my head!

So for the next couple of months I may be quiet on the creative front but I am continuing to share pics on Instagram and Facebook of pieces that I have available for purchase. I'm not sure if many stop by my social pages but I'm currently trialling Indiemade as an online store.  If you have any questions, drop me a line as I'd be more than happy to assist.

Have a great week ahead!

New To Basket Weaving

Instagram is a wonderful medium for inspiration.  Recently, I came across a wonderful Australian lass known as @string_harvest who sells some glorious fibres.  I then came to learn she had posted a tutorial about beginners' basket weaving on YouTube.  I had some naturalish looking raffia rope from my packaging materials and a swathe of embroidery cotton and off I went.

After playing around with the raffia,  I wanted to upgrade to some rope which I had bought initially for making mixed media portions for my necklace designs.  Pulling out an array of colours of embroidery cottons, I entered the mesmerising world of basket weaving. Using just rope, embroidery cotton, a needle and my hands to create a vessel of sorts is so deep-in-your-belly-type-artistic-satisfaction, a feeling which only comes to me from time to time.  Around and around in a spiral like motion whilst slowly building a tangible object has whet my appetite to try many different designs and techniques.

Here is the start of the base.  I need to cover up the white centre once done.  The outside colour has shown up in the pic quite salmon-like whereas it's more of a cherry red in real life.

And here it is slowly building showing the inside:

And outside:

I'm finding this much slower to achieve an end result than some of my other crafts, however, I'm thoroughly enjoying the meditative nature of this one.  I'm so excited to see how it turns out!!!  I'm still unsure whether it'll be a large bowl or a vase, but have plans to make a small collection of plates to add with it for our place.  Will post pics up once it's done :)

Enjoy the rest of your week!