Events: Brisbane ABCD Meetup Winter 09 Photos

I keep getting these delightful wafts of lavender from the lovely keepsake that Thea Samios popped into the Brisbane ABCD Meetup goodie bags last night - and what a night it was. 33 talented creative Brisbanites met up at Lock 'n' Load for a night of mingling. Here are some photos:

Eleni, Jennine, Kate and Ashley

Liz, Thea and Jade

Lock 'n' Load, West End

Ellen and Jessica

Rebecca, Kim, Jade and Helen

Kelley, Ellie, Benitta, Jules, and Michelle

Edwina, Kate

Renee and Kerry

Jules and Michelle

Winter Brisbane ABCD Meetup at Lock 'n' Load

It was really exciting to have our first interstate ABCD guest - Kate from Katiecrackernuts! I didn't get a chance to have a proper chat to everyone, but I did find out some very exciting news. Pedrosprout's Michelle is opening a store in West End called Nook full of fabulous indie handmade, vintage and eco-goods. I can't even wait! Michelle is such a lovely person and talented designer herself, and it's wonderful to welcome a new home for local design.

Thanks to everyone who contributed to the goodie bag which included gift cards from Alarna and some goodies from Tiel, Jane, Kylie, Alischa, Erin and Sarah from the last meet-up who weren't able to make it this time (but were there in spirit). Here's a pic of the delightful origami birds from Nook and Akiko in the goodie bag, and aforementioned lavender pillow from Thea.

Thank you so much to everyone who made it along to the Winter Brisbane ABCD Meetup - it wouldn't have been the same without:

Kim (Udessi)
Rebecca (Edward & Lily)
Kerry (Boutique Markets)
Rachael (Boutique Markets)
Edwina (HouseAHolic)
Kate (Katiecrackernuts)
Ellie (Red Seed Studio)
Kelley (Peppermint Magazine)
Michelle (Pedrosprout and Nook)
Helen (Ruby 2 Go Go)
Thea (Thea & Sami)
Anna (Toxteth)
Sam (Jetta's Nest)
Alarna (Little Jane St)
Ashley (One Blue Wren)
Georgi (Georgi No E Please)
Natasha (Original Foe)
Karen (Dragonfly Interiors)
Renee (Renee Treml)
Jade (Beckybean)
Sophie (Sophie Munns)
Eleni (Curlyhead)
Emily (Urbanique Creative)
Jenna
Liz (Neon Elastic)
Benitta (Benitta)
Michelle
Jules
Georgina
Akiko (Nook)
Jennine (Ladybug Markets)
Emma (The 365 Photography Project)

Kim did a sensational job securing the venue and designing the goodie bags and badges (thank you Kim!). We're looking forward to seeing you all again in Spring - around 3 months' time (late Oct/early Nov 09). For more about Brisbane ABCD, check out these previous posts.

Images: Steph Bond

Hip Products: Gitte wearable art

If you've ever tried to crochet, you will know that it is no mean feat. So I was blown away to find the incredibly intricate micro-crocheted, knitted and felted fashion accessories of Gitte. Melbourne-based sisters Brigitte and Janine hand-craft these gorgeous pieces of wearable art with a folksy feel.

In the Gitte store you'll find a range of necklaces, scarves, chokers, rings, brooches, cuffs, bracelets and hair slides. The crochet work is astonishing. Brown Owls - the gauntlet has been thrown down!

You can find Gitte wearable art in the Gitte Etsy store online.

Images: Gitte

Stylish Kids: Pram Rock tshirts

If your little ones are more Skate Brat than crochet and lace, Lennox Head label Pram Rock may be just what you are looking for. Pram Rock is dedicated to providing babies and toddlers with street style with their range of tshirts that are very rock, funk, and break in sizes 00 to 2.

I'm quite partial to the Happy Staffy design (of the course the pet of all rock kids), and the God Saved the Gene tee is just too funny.

Danielle Parmenter and her husband started the business using their combined graphic design and web design skills along with experience in the surf industry. All t-shirts are screen-printed by hand on the Far North Coast of NSW (just near Byron Bay).

You can find Pram Rock t-shirts in the online store. Check out upcoming designs and news on the Pram Rock blog.

For more great kids clothes, check out Bondville Kids: Australian Designer Baby Clothes.

Images: Pram Rock

Hip Products: Kuber recycled tin decorations

Here's something a little different for the home. Graphic Designer Em from Brisbane uses old metals and plaster to create cool mobiles and decorations for interiors. Her Etsy store Kuber stocks tin "beastie" animals and letters cut from plaster (as well as wire and paper baskets from time to time).

I love the natural corrosion of the tin, making each piece unique. And those beasties are full of character. It's also great to see another local artist using material that is no longer useful for its original purpose - the ultimate in recycling. In fact, most materials used in Em's products have had a previous life. The beasties are made from old flattened corrugated iron, which used to be on top of her chicken coop.

You can find Kuber beasties, letters and baskets in the Kuber Etsy Store. Check out the Kuber blog for behind-the-scenes details and new designs.

Images: Kuber

Drool-worthy Design: Printspace art and stationery

Artists and graphic designers Mara and Nicholas Girling love mid-century design. And I do too - so I was really drawn to their wonderful prints and and stationery under the Printspace label. You'll find quirky, whimsical birds and characters combining hand drawn elements, digital art and collage.

The couple are inspired by their sons, textiles and of course the modernist era. I really can't pick a favourite from their collection - I would fill my walls if I could! Artwork is available as prints produced on archival art paper and one of the coolest new trends (in my opinion), printable stationery PDF's.

You can find all Printspace artwork online at the Printspace online store, on Etsy (downloadable PDF stationery here, Mara's prints here and Nicholas' prints here) and at stockists in Melbourne, Sydney and the United Kingdom (Perth and Adelaide coming soon). For lots of inspiring art and design, check out Mara's thoughts on the Printspace blog and Nicholas' thoughts on the Otispepper blog.

Images: Printspace

Renee Treml Australiana Artwork

US-born Renée Seaman Treml is obsessed with wildlife. When she and her husband moved to Brisbane in 2007, Renée's love for her local environment meant exploring the world of Australian birds and animals. Lucky for us!

Renée creates the most delightful, detailed portraits of native Aussie wildlife, with a touch of humour thrown in. Pieces are created primarily with scratchboard, acrylic and mixed media, and watercolour. These would be a great gift for an expat abroad, overseas visitors, or just to bring a little of our beautiful environment into your home.

Renée's original artwork, prints and cards are available at Udessi online (Australia) as well as gallery stores in Australia and the US. Check out Renee's website for US and Australian exhibition details. And if you'd like to know more, check out a great interview with Renée on the Udessi blog.

Images: Tea Cozy: Frogmouth, Aussie Birds notecards and A Very Tired Wombat and Two Galahs, by Renée Treml via Udessi

Drool-worthy Design: KatyJane Design stationery

Thank you Jane for letting me know about your fabulous new stationery line! Jane and Katy, two friends who met in Perth with complimentary skills and a shared vision, have collaborated on personalised children's invitations and stationery under the label KatyJane Designs.

Featuring a very now mix of modern and vintage styles, the stationery range includes party invitations, gift and thank you tags, ribbons, party bags, and seasonal cards (with off-the-shelf invitation packs, baby announcements and designs for grown-ups coming soon).

And with baby names like Rose, Grace, Isabella, Oliver, Ruby, Ava, Benjamin and Thomas currently topping the charts, these designs that hark back to another era seem particularly appropriate. You can even choose a range of products in a coordinating design for a seamless look.

You can find KatyJane Designs in the online store as well as at stockists (coming soon).

Images: KatyJane Designs.

Hip Products: Spin Spin Handmade fabric goods

Our Aussies are so talented, especially at screenprinting and textile design. Have you seen Spin Spin Handmade yet? You'll find a range of tea towels, pillow/cushion covers, buttons, and softies, hand-crafted from original screen-printed fabric, designed, printed and made in Melbourne.

I dig the interior-friendly colours and use of typography which will have a timeless look long after deer heads and birds (love them as I do) have lost their lustre. Susan from Spin Spin Handmade also works with natural products as much as possible and all fabric inks are water-based and eco-friendly.

You can find Spin Spin Handmade on Etsy and Madeit (Australia), and stockists in Australia which can be found on the Spin Spin Handmade blog.

Check out more Australian textile designers profiled on Bondville here.

Images: Spin Spin Handmade

Cool Websites: BloesemKids

Wow. I'm really honoured to be featured on Irene Hoof's wonderful website BloesemKids. Bloesem and BloesemKids are two of my favourite design-oriented sites - full of exciting new finds and beautifully curated by Irene.

Irene is based in the Malaysia, although originally from the Netherlands, and has started a new column on BloesemKids called Mom Story. She is profiling Moms around the world and what their daily life is like. So interesting! Please take the time to stop by and let Irene know what a great job she is doing.

And thank you so much Irene for your interest in Bondville and living in Australia. And also a huge welcome to everyone visiting from BloesemKids - you are welcome back anytime.

Image: BloesemKids

Stylish Kids: Little Lamb children's jewellery

If you love the delicate touch and contemporary feel of Melbourne jeweller Caitlin Boyce's pieces (see post about Caitlin here), then you'll adore her brand new jewellery label for children - Little Lamb.

Based around five baby animal silhouettes, the Little Lamb range includes bangles, bracelets and neckpieces. The jewellery is designed for little girls, age newborn to seven years old. They would make darling christening or naming ceremony gifts.

Caitlin has also developed the Little Lamb "Little Blossom" range for slightly older girls featuring semi-precious stones and whimsical elements to ignite their imagination. All Little Lamb pieces are packaged with a cute crocheted lamb, a vintage-style card and information about Little Lamb's support of orphaned children in rural Bangladesh.

Wholesale and retail enquiries can be made with Caitlin directly.

Images: Caitlin Boyce

Welcome New Sponsor Fiona Kate storage

We've had some great new advertisers at Bondville recently, and the latest to join the fold is storage expert Fiona Kate. Have you seen the perfectly proportioned boxes for keeping kids tidy? Fiona is up there with Kikki K. in the quest to help us achieve more order in our lives, and still remain chic.

Fiona Kate is most famous for the versatile Box Seat (a table, a seat and storage all in one) in watermelon pink, classic white sky blue and a variety of sizes and shapes. All storage components are sturdy and have a classic look to stay with your child from baby through to teenage years. Fiona Kate storage looks super cool and is constructed to work hard for you - perfect for stacking, carrying, sitting on, climbing on, wiping down, and holding treasured goods.

Fiona Kate also has a fantastic range of vinyl lettering, removable chalk dots and chalk art panels for labeling those boxes, and for hip wall decoration (for adults and kids!).

You can find Fiona Kate at the online store as well as at stockists around Australia and Hong Kong.

Images: Fiona Kate

Events: Mathilda's Market Brisbane

Reminder - don't forget to make your way to Brisbane City Hall this Sunday 19th July, 2009 for the Mathilda's Market to check out local entrepreneurs creating beautiful products for kids and babies.

Date: Sunday, 19th July 2009
Address: King George Square, Brisbane City.
Time:From 9am to 1pm
Parking: available under the City hall (fees apply).

All the details here in this post about the markets, or on the Mathilda's Market website.

Image: Mathilda's Market

Events: Brisbane Artists + Bloggers + Crafters + Designers Meet-up July 2009

Image: Kim Wallace

After a very successful first Brisbane Artists + Bloggers + Crafters + Designers meet up, Kim from Udessi and I would like to announce the date for the second ABCD get-together! New venue to change things up a little, but keeping the Thursday night timeslot so we don't interfere with family time on the weekend.

Details:
July 2009 Brisbane ABCD Meet-up
7pm - 9pm, Thursday 30th July 2009
Lock n Load (function room upstairs)
142 Boundary St, West End, Brisbane

For those that have not been before, Brisbane ABCD is a very informal get-together for creative folks in Brisbane to have a beverage and chat. It was great to meet a few local retailers and media last time too. Here are some photos from the last event to whet your appetite.


After huge demand, we're also reviving the goodie bag concept from our first meet-up. It's optional, but if you like, bring along something to remember you by to pop in to approx. 30-40 bags which we will distribute at the event.

Due to the great response we’ve had since the last meeting and limited venue capacity, please ensure to RSVP by either commenting on this post or contacting either Kim or myself directly.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Cool Websites: Swish and Swanky

In celebration of the talented group of bloggers we have in Australia, I've been profiling some of the bloggers you need to know. With such a growth in new bloggers and writers out there, I think it's important that we support and enjoy our homegrown talent. Today I'd like to introduce you to Amanda Lonsdale from Swish and Swanky.

Based in Queensland, Amanda has rocked the international design world with her swish and swanky fabulous finds for the home. She has a fabulous eye and her blog will keep you right up to date with the interior design world. I also love to peak into Amanda's world a little, with glimpses of her daughter's bedroom, gifts she has bought for friends, and other little life inspirations that are important to her.

Pop along and say hi to Amanda at Swish and Swanky.

Check out this link for more great Aussie bloggers you need to know about.

Images: Swish and Swanky

Hip Products: Kenji Uranishi ceramics

I've really enjoyed looking through the dreamy collection of Japanese ceramics artist Kenji Uranishi who has been based in Brisbane since 2004. Kenji has such a delicate touch - the use of super-soft colour, sweet images and lines drawn so lightly on his pieces, and the intricate detail in his honeycomb-like work.

Kenji also collaborates with Mel Robson (see profile here) on Sandwich Mountain and the adventures of the Little People - a fantastic collection of miniature figurines that are photographed as they adventure across the Australian countryside (and the world!).


Lucky you if you are in Sydney in the next month - Kenji will have a solo exhibition at the Helen Stephens Gallery from 15th July until 12th August, 2009. You can also view Kenji's work (along with other talented ceramicists) as part of the Australian Ceramics Trienniale 2009 at Object gallery in Sydney from 11th to 28th July, 2009 (where you will also find a collection of Kenji and Mel's Little People).

You can find Kenji Uranishi ceramics at the Queensland Art Gallery store (Brisbane), Artisan (Brisbane), Object (Sydney), Helen Stephens Gallery and All Hand Made (Sydney), Craft Victoria (Melbourne), Five Boroughs (Melbourne), Pomme (Mornington Peninsula VIC) and Antipodes Gallery (Sorrento Vic).

Keep an eye out on Kenji's blog Kamenendo for new designs and exhibition details.

Images: Kenji Uranishi

Hip Products: Liana Kabel jewellery

Behold innovative, recycled pieces-to-turn-heads from contemporary jewellery Queen Liana Kabel.

No household product is left unexplored as Brisbane-based Liana creates a large range of jewellery (including necklaces, bracelets, pins, rings, and earrings) using old knitting needles, Tupperware containers, and all manner of unwanted plastic.

Liana's pieces are truly unique and so hipster-pop culture. Pieces are created with a true artist's hand with great attention to detail. It's so great to see such strong, exciting pieces in the upcycling movement that pushes us further to consider how we are affecting our environment when we purchase. Jewellery made from recycled plastic gets a big tick from me.

Liana Kabel jewellery is available from Liana's Etsy store and stockists across Australia, NZ, the UK and USA as well as online (check the website for details). You can also find out more about new designs from Liana's blog Plastic Girl. You can join Liana's Facebook Fan Page here.

Images: Liana Kabel

Welcome New Sponsor Babyjo Bamboo Wear

I'd like to extend a warm welcome to new Bondville advertiser Babyjo Bamboo Wear - a fabulous line of environmentally sustainable baby clothes, blankets and gifts. Jo launched Babyjo Bamboo Wear after discovering her 5 month old daughter suffered from mild eczema and wanted to find clothing that would be soothing, rather than irritating for Mia's sensitive skin.

And for the rest of us, bamboo fibre is an amazing product to consider for our little ones. Jo has a great list of Bamboo Facts on the Babyjo website, explaining the virtues of this alternative fibre, including environmental sustainability, fabric breathability, antibacterial and antifungal properties and the soft, luxuriant feel.

Stop by the Babyjo website for a great range of Bamboo clothing, blankets, gifts. Babyjo also has a strong Green Practices ethic, to ensure that products minimise their impact on the environment. Yet another reason to go Bamboo.

P.S.: Stop by the Mathilda's Market in Melbourne on June 21st to check out Babyjo Bamboo Wear first hand.

Images: Babyjo Bamboo Wear

Australian Artist Spotlight: Fiona Kennedy Altoft

Earlier this year I was excited to discover artist Fiona Kennedy Altoft on my daily drive through Paddington to the grocery store. I couldn't stop looking at the dog on a scooter peering out from the Robyn Bauer Gallery window, begging me to come and visit. And so I fell in love with Fiona's work (and her hilarious dogs).

Fiona is a Gold Coast artist and art educator. You'll find a mix of subjects in Fiona's archives that I think many of us can really relate to in modern Australia - football, dogs, families and friendships. I love the carefree feelings that her images provoke, celebrating happy times, as a child, on the sporting field, and amongst family.

Fiona also makes ceramic jewellery and you can find details of the jewellery, artwork, upcoming exhibitions and Fiona's gallery representation on the website.

If you are interested in more about Fiona, there is a great interview by Natalie on Daily Imprint and a fun article in The Courier-Mail that I'm sure you'll enjoy.

Images: 'I go faster in my new volleys' and 'Show us ya muscles' by Fiona Kennedy Altoft

Event: Melbourne Open House

This is a doozy. If you happen to be in Melbourne on Sunday 19th July 2009, you can't miss the amazing Melbourne Open House program. For this day only, the general public will have access to explore 32 of some of Melbourne's most significant buildings for FREE.

This is the second year of the program (held as part of the State of Design Festival), and hidden gems will be available to explore such as Melbourne’s oldest substation, Storey Hall, Melbourne Town Hall and Council House 2 (CH2). The area will encompass precincts off a central axis along Collins and Swanston Streets. A large number of the buildings are conducting tours including the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Federation Square. There is also a great photography competition to enter on the day so please bring your camera.

Melbourne Open House is on Sunday 19 July, 2009 from 10am to 5pm. Here is the 2009 program to help you plan your day. Trams connect most of the buildings, making it a great (and green) way to get around.

Images: Fifteen Restaurant, Manchester Unity Building, Russell Place Substation and Council House 2 - Lachlan Doig via Melbourne Open House