Wednesday, December 26

clearing out for a fresh beginning

I am super excited to have some time in January to be able to devote to luciandjoe bookbinding.
What that means is that I have a chance to go through all the ideas that I've stored away, mostly on pinterest, and make some prototypes and see what I will put into the shop and market stand during 2013.

I've got a few things in mind and am very keen to explore a few new designs and products themselves. I like to trial a few ways of making things, which inevitably means a trail of half-finished or abandoned ideas as I go.  If something is too tricky or too time consuming it doesn't auotmatically mean it's discarded.  I'm all about the final product - if it looks as best as it can be, then the tricky factor or time allowed isn't really a consideration.  Which is probably why I will never be a big corporate business mogel!!

Some sneaky hints at things to come include some glorious thick felt, more sewing lines and fixtures, as well some pretty cool new ways of highlighting the gorgeous vintage book pages which are a prominent feature in what we do.  Keep an eye out for some sneaky peeks and requests for feedback!

Until then, I'd like to clear out some shop stock and make room for some new products.
Head on over to our etsy shop to pick up a bargain - some of the books are HALF PRICE...


Friday, December 21

Merry Season to you all

Thank you to everyone for your support throughout the year - what a great year 2012 has been for luciandjoe.

I hope that you have a safe and relaxing merry season and I look forward to seeing what 2013 will bring us all.


Tuesday, December 11

and the winners are...

After my little telco-crash-induced extension (thanks for everyone's understanding with that), the giveaway closed last night and I'm very excited to announce the winners of the prize packs.

The first one was for comments left on the blog in that competition time, and I'm looking forward to passing this prize pack onto Bron for her comment about cards at Christmas time.

Secondly, another pack was for anyone who 'liked' luciandjoe on Facebook, and that was a little more time-consuming in that I had to write down everyone's name, assign them a number and hit the generator's button...  of all of the people in that draw, I'm pleased to now get in touch with Lauren so that I can arrange to get her pack to her.

Thanks to everyone for their support.
In the days since my final market for the year, I've been plotting and planning and scheming my 2013 plans.  I am going to use the period between Christmas and Australia Day to get stuck into some new ideas that I've been tossing around in my mind for a while now.  My market schedule is still up in the air at the moment as I wait for some dates to be announced, so it's a good time to look at online strategies and more opportunities in general.  One of my first points of call will be to go back to Pinterest and go through the hundreds of inspiring ideas that I've saved for later.  It's a great way of refreshing your thinking and of course, of feeling creative and productive without leaving your laptop ;)
Lots of exciting opportunities ahead.

Monday, December 10

Xmas Bunting clearout

'Merry Xmas' Bunting clearout - now all $20.
I have a dozen ten bunting packs left from this year's markets and am keen to see them hanging in homes this season.
Each one was originally priced at $30, but are now down to $20.

Please contact via email or leave a comment if you'd like to purchase one - I can list it on etsy, d
eliver in person if you're local (local as in Portland, Victoria, Australia!), or see what's easiest for you.


If you'd like to see a photo of the specific bunting that's listed, please just ask.



The options left are:
‘Merry Xmas’ Bunting – now $20
Vintage Book Pages

1. Black satin ribbon
2. Black grosgrain ribbon
3. Red satin ribbon
4. Black grosgrain ribbon
5. Black grosgrain ribbon
6. Black grosgrain ribbon
Parchment Paper with embellishment
7. White paper with red twill ribbon
8. Light taupe paper with black grosgrain ribbon
9. White paper with red ribbon with white stitching detail
10. White paper with red twill ribbon
11. Light taupe paper with black grosgrain ribbon
12. Light taupe paper with black grosgrain ribbon






Friday, December 7

market specials, specials, specials

It's the Christmas MADE Artist's market in Port Fairy tomorrow and I'm excited  :)

And guess what - you might be too!  luciandjoe are having a sale, sale, sale.  They're the words that everyone likes to hear at this time of the year.
I've decided to put all items on SALE for tomorrow's market.
Why you ask?  Who needs a reason for a reduction in prices?  Well, no one does but I do have a good one - Christmas cheer, good will and joy.  And a desperate need to make more room for new stock, new ideas and new, new, new.

So the breakdown goes like this:
all garlands $5 (were $10)
all bunting $25 (were $30)
- including 'Merry Xmas' bunting
all books have $5 off
and cards are $5 each, or 4 for $15

Head on over to beautiful Port Fairy on Saturday 8th December to check out these bargains, and the 
gorgeous items that my fellow stallholders will have.  It's a market worthy of the trip.


* and don't forget that my giveaway finishes on Monday night, so head on over to facebook to like away, and leave a comment on the blog for double your chances to win.

Saturday, December 1

back online and up and running

Have you been in the situation recently where you've lost electronic communications for any period of time?  Perhaps an hour whilst your phone went flat?  Or two hours when you were inside a cinema?  How about a long weekend away when you promised yourself that you wouldn't check email?
Well, how about a whole week?

It certainly makes a difference when the choice is not yours too.  A fire in the region's telco exchange essentially shut the whole region down.  I had one day without any mobile services, about 3 days with patchy 3G coverage, a few more without a landline, and a week without ADSL internet.  I was certainly not one of the worst affected, and I was so lucky to have other options available to me, but it really affected my week.  I was frustrated that I couldn't just jump online to check things like I was used to, and I felt completely hog-tied when I couldn't properly check and respond to emails either.  This was especially frustrating for work, but only mildly worried about 'my' connections and access.  First-world problem I know, but it was certainly an eye-opener.

So the wrap up for this week of shut down is that now I'm back online I have about 10 safari tabs open, a hundred things to follow up, lots of great feedback and conversations to follow up and a frenzied effort to remind everyone about this coming Saturday's MADE Artists' market in Port Fairy.  More about that in an upcoming post...  exciting specials and one-off bargains are guaranteed.

A bonus for readers in cyberland is also that I'm extending my giveaway!
I wasn't able to get online and put a few reminders out, so I'm closing it midnight on Monday 10th December now.  That's a whole extra ten days to click like for us on facebook, or leave a comment on the giveaway blog post - or really, any post since then if you prefer.
So if you'd like to be in the running for one or both of the prize packs, follow your links above.

Also, I've opened some messages today to let me know of our inclusion in some esty Treasury Lists.
An inspiring list entitled 'Bon Voyage' just makes me want to pack my bags now.  This list was featured on a blog post by The Chilly Dog.



And directly hitting one of my passions, Bec has collated this treasury of Upcycled Christmas, also featuring one of my upcycled books.


Phew, that's it for now.  I had a few things to say since I've been quiet offline for a few days!


Sunday, November 25

Market Set-Up



All ready to go.
Before that though: lots of organization and muscle!
It's always hard to envisage your site until you're there and you change as you go. No two market stalls are the same for me. What do you think of today's feature board? I'm hoping it'll draw attention to the Xmas theme, esp the bunting. 


Friday, November 23

Travel and car boots

I usually head off to a market solo. When I get to bring a friend/slave along it's a bonus, but I usually have to prepare and execute myself, which brings up challenges of transport and logistics.

Firstly, I downsized my car this year. Oops. Fitting my market gear into my new boot has meant a rethink of my packing habits and really gotten me to just take less stuff. Or rather, fit the same stuff into fewer boxes. I use vintage suitcases in my displays so they're all full of products now - they have to earn their place in the boot!
All other items have to fit into one plastic lidded tub: other display boxes, cloths, cards.
I have a smaller tub which is my kit: business cards, receipt and record books, pins, tape, scissors, stickers, pens, tags and labels, snacks and a mag or two for the quiet times.
My purchase bags are out of a big box and into a smaller bag that fits down the side.
I have a new display board too, but that's in behind the passenger seat (you'll see photos of that on Sunday).
And lastly there's my chair (needed for some markets, and comfy!), and my super super important fold-down trolley. That thing was my best investment; I can get everything from the car to the site in two trips. That's important when distance and access and parking are often not ideal.

On the day, I like to allow 45mins to set up.
That allows for all sorts of mind-changing, but also coffee buying in the time between set up and door opening.

At the end of the market, I am gone in 15 minutes. Super fast pack up, which is great when I need to hit the road.

There are a lot of things that you learn along the way, but plenty of resources to learn from those who do markets a lot more often than I do.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Thursday, November 22

No Internet!



It's been an interesting day with almost no mobile service and no Internet. This is all due to a fire at the regional telco exchange. Our city has no banking services, and no computers has crippled a lot of businesses.
I'm lucky, but the expected week out blackness is going to be tough. Short post, but I'll be in a different region tomorrow which will make life easier. 

Wednesday, November 21

Wednesday = sewing, sewing, sewing

Let's not mention Tuesday...  and go straight to the good night and discuss Wednesday.
I have the sewing machine out:



I discovered that I had somehow forgotten to print any 'X' pages, which is an oversight for my 'Merry Xmas' bunting sets that couldn't be ignored.  So I set up the printing and got that done first.
I'm a speedy sewer, so I like to have the pieces in piles ready to sew in order so that they can all zip through the machine as it whirs along.  Which sometimes means that when the bobbin runs empty, I might not realise until I get to the end - oh well!

When I set up the photo above it was like the pages were zipping through as I snapped.


I found a spool of this wide red grosgrain ribbon which has turned out really nicely on these pages too. I like the red ribbon combination, but not everyone uses red in their Christmas colour scheme, so the black ribbon can be just as popular.

The zoomed in version of the photo above showed be (with some horror) how dusty and in dire need of  a good clean the machine is.  It reminded me to enquire about whether servicing is available next month, or whether I'll need to do my own version.

After sewing up all of these bunting sets, my next stage is to knot and end the threads, trim the ribbon and then package them up.  More things ready for Sunday  :)

Monday, November 19

monday night = fail!

And I thought that a daily post in the lead-up to a market was a great idea!
I should have predicted that it wouldn't last long... but I was kinda hoping for more than one night :(

So the real job overtook my time tonight and about the only thing that I did that was related to Sunday's Piccadilly market was that I thought about it.  And moved some things about when I was looking for something else.

But let's look at the lesson here - running a small business, or expanding a hobby/past-time/craft obsession like I have really is a juggling act, and sometimes the real world invades that time.  You know, the real world that pays for the wishful world!  It's unfortunate, but I don't have the amount of time available that I would like to spend on my papercraft.  There are many craftisans who would say exactly the same thing - we're all time poor.  I'm so conscious of this fact in the days before a 'deadline' as such, because I think back to all the grand plans and brilliant designs that I was sure would be ready for the next selling date.  Pfft!  Grand plans, but at least I am able to have many new things, and some old favourites.

I have a growing list of ideas and plans for luciandjoe... let's see how many of them become a reality in the next little while.  But for now, sleep and I'll try again tomorrow.

Have you liked us on facebook yet?

Have you entered our competition yet - there are two great prize packs up for grabs.
More details can be found on this blog post.

Sunday, November 18

the getting ready phase

I am fascinated by markets and the whole market experience.  Even before I fulfilled a dream of being a stallholder myself, I would stop in at any markets I saw and even plan trips around being able to visit them.

Any time that I see blog posts about markets, I zoom straight in and soak up every detail.  I want to know how they displayed their product, what tools and equipment I could see hiding on the other side of the stall, and of course, I wanted to be amazed by every detail of their products themselves.  I definitely have market love.

So in order to put back into the blogosphere what I love to take in, I'm going to do a daily post for the next seven days giving some insights into what I'm up to in the lead-up to what might be the biggest market of the year for me.  I said "might" because in true market fashion, I have no idea of which markets will be filled with buyers, or which products will be popular from one day to the next.  It's hit and miss, but that's what makes it a bit fun too.

So tonight it's Sunday, and I didn't have high hopes for spending much time on my products this weekend.  I did manage to fix my printer problem and was able to finish off a print run I began a couple of weeks ago.

In this first photo, it gives you a very good idea of the state of my desk.  There are lots of piles, some needed for Sunday but others that will need to be moved away.  I try and keep most of this space empty and just my working projects on there so that I don't get too swamped.  That ideal doesn't always work and it becomes a dumping ground.  First job will be to move most of this stuff away.
The notebook that you can see at the front (it's upside-down), is my latest attempt at a proper inventory system.  This information will get transferred to a database, but I need written info when selling at the market.


This is just inside the door (and in front of a large noticeboard that I don't see half of at the moment).  
The shelves were part of my market display for a little while, but they're just too big for my car so I've gone back to using my vintage suitcases instead.  This suits me better not just for the car space, but also because I store a lot of things in the cases and have cut down the amount of boxes that I actually take with me.  This is a huge consideration when I go to markets alone.

I've got a framed canvas sitting on the top shelf there which is going to be a new display board for my 2D items - the garlands and bunting which are hard to display to good effect sometimes.  You don't often have a wall or backdrop behind you that you can string them from, and signage is hard for that too.  I hope that this canvas will help to display these more effectively.


This is the table from the other side and there's a pile of printed pages at the very front which are ready for sewing.  Putting those bunting pieces together is what I'm going to do over the course of this week, as well as trying to create a more effective packaging for them - high hopes!


These are a lot of the books that I'll re-box up for Sunday.  I spent some time a couple of weekends ago retagging everything.  My old labels were not wearing up to the challenge, and I wanted to add some more information onto them.  I also sorted out what cards were left and remade some of the more popular styles.

I won't get a chance to do anything much else tonight, but am aiming to get the sewing machine out tomorrow night - let's see if that happens!


Wednesday, November 14

Piccadilly Market - Sunday week

I  love market season!  Each one brings a different experience and a different reason to get excited.
The Piccadilly market in Geelong is a large one with a great variety of stallholders.  I am often found bringing home some treasures of my own from other stalls - it is incredibly tempting at this one to do a lot of purchasing.  And why wouldn't you, it's a market that has some beautifully handmade products and amazing choices for gifts.  It's definitely the weekend that I'll be finishing my Christmas shopping.


The market is located in the centre level (ie. not the cafeteria level, which is currently undergoing renovation works) of Deakin's Waterfront campus in Geelong.  This year, due to those renovations, we are spread throughout that level, both inside amongst all sorts of nooks and crannies and in the gorgeous internal courtyard.
They've organised some ongoing live music all day and of course there are food carts and COFFEE available all day too.  It's definitely worthy of a visit - for those based in Geelong, and anyone within a good Sunday drive's distance away [that should be a new unit of measure!].

Keep up to date with information about the market on their facebook site, or through their website.

*****

As for luciandjoe, we've been madly getting our Christmas delights organised - a plethora of cards so that we can keep this ancient tradition going, specialty garlands and our ever-popular Christmas bunting.


On the weekend we were able to travel to the local Melobeda Christmas tree farm and get in before the annual chopping begins in December.  It was a gloriously sunny spring day [read: hayfever], but despite the consequential symptoms, the photos look amazing.  The shoot was a lot of fun too - it even attracted David off the mower to come and help us source a good spot out of the wind.  This involved a maze-like wander through trees three times as tall as myself, following a voice to find somewhere with the right tree, the right light and the right wind!


The top photo shows the bunting which is printed onto vintage book pages, with an old typewrite font.
This lower photo is of the more modern bunting that has a different font, a flourish design at the bottom of each letter (not seen in the photo) and is printed on a gorgeous parchment paper.

Both are available at the Piccadilly market on Sunday 25th November - come on by and smell the Christmas tree :)

Tuesday, November 6

giveaway time!

I've decided that it's time for not only one giveaway, but two!!
The instructions for entry are simple, but you will have to do something in return... read on...

My first giveaway is for this pack,


In order to be in the draw to win pack #1 above, you need to leave a comment on this post here on the blog.  I'd love to hear some feedback from you - whether it's about some of the posts on the blog, your response about whether you still send as many Christmas cards as you used to, or even some suggestions for products.  Just leave your comment and you are eligible to win.

This pack contains three popular cards, a small square notebook with the Paris' Seine river on the front, and a handmade concertina book.


To go into the draw to win this pack, you need to head on over to the luciandjoe facebook page and like us over there.  That's it!
Anyone who's liked us over there from when we launched last month, to when this draw closes on the 30th November is eligible to win this pack, which contains a small square notebook, three popular cards and a small concertina book.

I'm more than happy to send the winners' packs to wherever on the globe you live, so sign on up!
If you like us on facebook and leave a comment here, then you are eligible to win both packs.
There's truly no catches :)

I'll be closing the giveaway at the end of the 30th November, and will use a random number generator to decide the winners for both.  I'll get in contact via your facebook page, or email reference here on your account, so please make sure that each is up to date.

Enjoy  :)
luciandjoe

Friday, November 2

are Christmas cards still valued today?

I'm pondering this question because I know that I have such a biased view on this.
I haven't bought a commercial card - whether with a cute reindeer, or birthday greeting on it - for many, many years.  I make all of my own cards for all occasions.  I also make cards to sell.  So, I'm not a good/objective measure for such a question.

But I ask it because I wonder how many Christmas stamps will be [legitimately] used this coming Christmas to send cards across the globe, both near and far?



I'm going to speculate that people still do send cards, but not necessarily in the same quantity as years before.  It wasn't all that long ago that you would dedicate hours of time, over a night or two some time in December, working your way through your most recent address book, trying to work out who to send a card to.  And it wasn't an easy decision.  Did you hear from them last year?  Have you got their current address?  Is that even their current name?

And then there's the decision about which card to send (did you also save the most religious card for the peson on your list you knew would actually appreciate its message?).  And who received a copy of the bulk update letter?  You don't send those to everyone I'm sure.  Side note: I actually really enjoy receiving these myself; it's a great little biography on an A4 page for those who don't have a facebook account.

My working theory is that cards are still sent to particular relatives, special friends and certainly in bulk by businesses to their 'most' valued clients.  But I believe that the list of those from whom we only hear news at Christmas time, is shrinking every year.  I know that I personally don't send out as many cards as I used to, and don't receive as many in return.  But I am in touch with more people throughout the year through our wonderfully easy and reliable communication methods - facebook, emails and texting.  The need for a yearly check in is not as necessary as it once was.

But I really hope that we still do value the handwritten card or note.  Not just because I really enjoy making such products for you folks!  But because I love receiving them myself and wish that I would remember to send more of them throughout the year, not just in the spirit of Yule.

What are your Christmas card intentions for this year?

Friday, October 26

am busy making

There's a market on Sunday (have I mentioned that yet?!), Warrnambool Boutique market.  But the important content of my post tonight is not another shameless plug, but a glimpse into the behind the scenes preparation that I find myself able to do tonight.  It's not always that I have a whole day and two nights to pretty much solely dedicate to my craft, so I'm making the most of it.



This first shot is a bit of an idea of the early stages of hard work (it gets much messier!).
I have a dining table in the centre of my study, where I do my paper cutting, construction, binding and where the sewing machine will sit tomorrow when it comes out to play.

On the far wall you can see one set of the built-in shelving units that I have in here.  This one has a kitchen counter top for the workbench, which is perfect for its size and surface.  You can see that I am making the most of technology here too - the tv has a movie in the dvd player, the laptop is switching between printing and internet surfing, and there are a few other apple devices there too (probably under piles of paper).


I try and keep this space around the laptop relatively free, so that my many lists and 'important documents' are handy.  I've got some quality caffeine there, as well as lots of inspiration on the inboard at the back (a fabric-covered canvas with ribbon across it to secure in the cards and photos etc.



Usually my printer is its own space above where the tv is, but I am printing a fairly high volume of paper tonight so it's easier to have it on this chair.  I really like my epson printer for many reasons, but I am not completely happy with how it interacts with my laptop.  I may have to upgrade it sooner than I would like.


And lastly for tonight, here's a shot of some of the piles of printing that's ready for cutting, creating and card-making tomorrow.  I've got a LONG LIST of great ideas that I want to finish off tomorrow, including new bunting and garlands especially for Christmas.  I'm planning on spending a lot of time in here tomorrow and I'm really looking forward to it  :)

Monday, October 22

Warrnambool Boutique Market

Yippee, there's a new market in the region and it's on this Sunday in Warrnambool.

The Warrnambool Boutique Market has its launch market this weekend and I'm excited to be a part of it.  From the posts that they've been putting up on their facebook page, there looks to be a great variety of stalls and some very talented artists.


The market opens at 10am and runs through to 3pm, and I'm hoping to do a bit of stall browsing [ie. shopping] myself.

*** **** ***

And speaking of the almighty social media forum of facebook, I've finally gotten my act together and launched the luciandjoe Facebook page.

I'd been resisting this for a while because I was so conscious of doubling up posts and overloading my loyal fans [that's you ;)].  However, I have gotten over that little burst of consciousness and will continue to post on this blog, link these to the Luciandjoe Bookbinding* facebook page, and of course include lots of links and insights on the facebook page itself.  So you'd better head on over there and like to your heart's desire.  See you there (or here, or both!)   :)

* was disappointed to find that facebook's rules don't allow for lower case page names, so I had to ditch my usual stand on equality and make the L and B big letters.  Let me make it clear though: it's a one-time gig and all letters in my business name are now firmly back in the same height forever more!

Friday, October 12

Purchase ideas for tomorrow

It's exciting to be doing last-minute preparation for tomorrow's Made Artist's market, and I get to preview the work of some other stallholders in the lead-up.

Firstly, Shelley is a talented stitcher and her Spincushions blog and etsy store showcase her gorgeous pincushions.



These are a couple of her designs, the blossoms and peacock designs appeal to my colour choices, but you will be amazed at the others that she also has on offer.



*****

Another stallholder who'll be there tomorrow is Phuong-Dung with some new additions to her talented repertoire.  Phuong has been creating these beautiful moccasins with suede leather and the ever-gorgeous Liberty fabrics.



Phuong tells us that “Poesie! It’s French for poetry...”
I look forward to seeing some of Phuong's other Poesie designs.

*****

And here are another couple of sneak peeks of some of the items crowding my stall too...

some fully handmade journals

framed prints - at market special prices

Custom printed bunting - why not order something for Christmas? a birthday?  Anniversary?
I'll also have 'Happy Birthday' and some 'Merry Christmas' buntings in stock,
ready for purchase and hanging.


I hope to see you tomorrow as well  :)

Friday, October 5

it's time for the Port Fairy market again :)

It's definitely market season and I've got a lot of exciting stalls coming up at regional artists markets throughout the rest of the year.

They're a wonderful opportunity to make a big dent in Christmas shopping by selecting some amazing handmade - and unique - products.  I like to do mine at markets as much as I can (and always include a pressie or two for myself in there too!).

luciandjoe bookbinding will have Christmas cards and bunting at the markets, which were very popular last year.  Custom bunting is also available and it's a great time of the year to get in early for the Yule or any celebration.  Custom printed bunting can be as long or as short as you wish, and I'm able to try and cater to all sorts of requests for fonts, bindings and backgrounds.  This is an etsy listing for a 'Happy Birthday' bunting, but you can request any sort of printing that you like.  If you miss me at one of these markets, I can create a custom listing on etsy for you to help you with your order and purchase.   I'm more than happy to help you to try and create the decorations that you're after.

Just prior to the MADE Artist's Market in Port Fairy, I'll be involved in some cross-blog promotions with other fellow stallholders which I'm really excited about :)
Keep an eye out for the post next week.


Saturday, July 7

Geelong's Piccadilly Market

I'm very much looking forward to the upcoming trip to the amazing Piccadilly Market, on Sunday 29th July.



There is always a terrific mix of stalls, and it's particularly tempting to spend more time shopping and admiring the talents of everyone else, than it is to be at my own stall!  But I love the market for the mix of people it brings along too, and speaking to people about my books and ideas keeps me going to the next market - and next grand product idea!

Keep an eye out for a post closer to the date, with details about an exciting new product that I'm going to launch at Piccadilly...

What?   Piccadilly Market
When?  Sunday 29th July, 10am to 4pm
Where?  Geelong: the waterfront campus of Deakin University
Why?  Soooo many reasons  :)

Sunday, June 24

classes and general organisation

I am looking forward to teaching a new class on the weekend, a fabric-covered multi-signature bound book (what a mouthful!).
The class is already booked out, but if you are interested in this or other projects, please get in touch as I have more coming up throughout the year at the little bookshop in Portland.  The list on the right-hand side of the blog is always up to date, but you can also email me directly for details [luciandjoe AT gmail DOT com].

the style of book being made in Saturday’s workshop - I’m excited!


As well as this weekend’s plans, I’m going to be spending some more time organizing the schedule for the second half of the year.  It’s quite a difficult decision to work out which markets I’d like to apply for, trying to space out the travel considerations as well as what’s happening in my ‘other job’ at the time.  I’m hoping that the new website will be ready for an official launch next month, so stay tuned for that.  And let’s also add onto this the ever-growing pile of ideas that I have that I am itching to have a go at.  Phew, and that’s just the next few weeks.  Let’s see how I go with all of those grand ambitions!

Sunday, May 27

Port Fairy’s MADE Artist’s Market

I’m very much looking forward to the next MADE Artist’s market in Port Fairy.
It’s my first one for the year, but I actually got to be a visitor/shopper at the March one and it’s just made me want for June to come around even faster!



I’ve been working on some new products and new display ideas, so I’m looking forward to putting that all together.

Market Details:  Saturday 9th June, 9am - 2pm
Port Fairy - Victoria - Australia
Hope to see you there!

Monday, April 23

coming soon (fingers crossed!)

I’m working on a new website.  From scratchies.  Yep, full programming, file management and all the nonsense that goes with that.  Good luck to me I say  :)

I’m working my way through an online course by the amazing Tara Gentile, and whilst it is challenging at times, I’m excited to see how it’s going to turn out.  I have my design ideas already of course, but they’re changing constantly so I really don’t know what the end result will turn out to be.
The server issues I’m having are holding me back from advancing through the next waiting lesson, but that means more time [ie. more dangerous time] to explore the graphic options and play with pantone colour.  Sigh.

If anyone has any suggestion for my website, feel free to leave a comment.  I’m keen to hear about features that YOU love on websites.  I have my own ideas, but since you’re my audience, that should also be a consideration... [note to self].


Monday, April 9

blogs I love

I love reading blogs, as I mentioned recently.  It's inspiring to read about artists and their own influences.  I have a number that I visit on an almost daily basis, just to see what they've been up to.
I'm going to share some of my favourites with you here:

Kelly Purkey
Kelly is a graphic designer and works in the scrapbooking field, and I love her aesthetic.  She lives in NYC and travels a lot, especially throughout the USA.  She's publishing this year and I'm really looking forward to seeing her work in print, other than magazine features.

This photo is a shot of her Project Life album,
with the custom-made stamp she had made for her Instagram photos.

Amy Tangerine
Amy Tan is also a graphic designer and scrapbooker.  She has a gorgeous range of products and blogs regularly about her work and her life.  I believe that she has a keen business eye and it's fascinating to see what she's up to through her posts.

Amy has released her products through American Crafts, featuring these fantastic daybooks
and their associated [=dangerous!] products.  The 'Two Peas in a Bucket’ website is
where I succumb to temptation with these.

A Beautiful Mess
These ladies blog prolifically and share their ideas through photos and tutorials.  They like to re-use and re-design accessories and clothing items, and love photography so often share their approaches to all of those projects.

Some favourite posts of late have been about photography, especially ones
with film cameras (remember those?) and the lenses that you can
attach to your phone’s camera.

Posy Gets Cosy, Alicia Paulson
Alicia is a fabric artist, embroidery artist, sewer, photographer, amazing cook and lives a gorgeous country life.  She recently reminded me about how important it is to really READ the posts that my adored bloggers were putting out into the world.  Her posts of late last year reminded me of how important it is to appreciate a grateful lot of simple things.

I chose this photo to represent Alicia’s blog for two reasons:
i. her love of sewing and projects
ii. her love of her animals (and how they get involved in her
sewing projects too!)


What are some of your blog loves??

Thursday, April 5

new beginner’s bookbinding class

Sent from Phoster

We had a terrific time at the first class and I’m really pleased to be able to schedule a repeat session for the 12th May.  Places are limited, so drop into the little bookshop to register for this class - or for upcoming projects.

Saturday, March 31

owl know how

A big shout out to former Portlander Isobel Knowles and her collaborative partner, Cat Rabbit for the launch of their new book, Owl Know How.

The book is a form of stop-motion animation, where the ladies built the characters and sets from reclaimed and found materials, creating the wonderful owl factory, photographed each page and then created the story to match the expanded book.  Such creative and amazing ladies!



This was a news article in todays' The Age newspaper on the pair.
If you're interested in purchasing the book - or a limited edition plush toy - check out the esty site for orders

Friday, March 30

productive plans and business savviness

I'm fortunate enough to be able to have some time around Easter away from the 'real life job' and can devote some of my focus and energy into luciandjoe bookbinding.
I've been busy making lists and squirreling away ideas into a bulging notebook of product ideas and designs for new lines.  I can't wait to get stuck into actually making them during this time and getting them listed on to etsy.

Also inspiring me at the moment is a business seminar that I went to recently, which was aimed at 'creatives' (as opposed to the nerdy business types!).  The day give me pages and pages of notes and ideas, which instead of sending me running away frightened, it's inspiring and helping me to grow the possibilities of my business in my mind.  I actually WANT to sit down and do some paperwork!  And I can't wait to get stuck into those boxes of receipts and paper nonsense!  Crazy, I know  :)


So I'll be spending some quality time in the space above in coming days... after I tidy up a bit.

Oh, and the MADE Artist's market is on next Saturday in Port Fairy.  I get to be a customer this time, so I can't wait to go and visit the gorgeous stalls.

Friday, March 16

2 spare spots in the workshop

I've had two people who had to defer their involvement in the bookbinding workshops and are going to do it next term (May or June, still tbc).
If anyone is interested in signing up for the workshop that I'm holding next Saturday at the little bookshop, please message me through here, or get in touch with Megan at the shop.



We're going to be making a simple sewn book, and a concertina book (the one above is a different design, but it shows how the concertina pages work).
Workshop: Saturday 24th March, 1-3pm
Should be fun  :)

Saturday, March 10

shop discovery: l'uccello

This morning's newspaper reading revealed a feature on l'uccello which is a store that appeals to both my aesthetics and love of haberdashery/craftery/treasures.

Kim Hurley has created an oasis in the heart of the CBD and filled it with vintage European supplies, fabrics, Australian products and her own lines.

The store is located in the iconic Nicholas Building in Swanston St, Melbourne and I'm lucky enough to be including a visit there when I have to go up for a 'real work' seminar in a couple of weeks.
I hope to see their delights in person, and hope to uncover some wonderful additions to my own stash.

Thanks to http://createmixedmediaart.wordpress.com for their photograph of a store's display.

Over the course of this year, I'm looking forward to sharing more posts like this: I love reading other blogs and sharing their interests so it's going to be my pleasure in being able to do this in return.  I have a long list already planned and hope to hear some suggestions and ideas from you in return.

Sunday, March 4

Market photo

All set up, ready to go

With parking and too many unknown factors, I arrived at The Design Exchange market to set up with PLENTY of time to spare!
The good thing about this is the relaxation that brings.
The bad thing about this is the browsing time I've already had whilst my fellow stallholders are setting up: very dangerous!!

The market is in the amazing mining exchange building in Lydiard St, Ballarat, 10-3 today.

Saturday, February 25

upcoming class in bookbinding

I've finally been able to organise a class and within a week, there's only one place left!  Wow :)
If you're interested, it's on Saturday 24th March, to be held in the little bookshop in Portland (that's Victoria, Australia in case you were wondering).

I've decided to run a workshop that showcases two of the 'easier' projects: a concertina book like this one, and a simple sewn journal like this one.

Since the places have (nearly) filled so fast, I'll be looking to repeat the workshop so if you are interested, please let me know or make contact with Megan at the little bookshop to register your details.

Wednesday, February 15

new market for us - The Design Exchange, Ballarat

I was so very excited to learn last week that luciandjoe bookbinding will be appearing at The Design Exchange market in Ballarat.
This amazing market is held in the equally amazing Mining Exchange building in the centre of the city.



The local newspaper, the Ballarat Courier did a story on their first market which you can read here.

The Design Exchange Market
Sunday 4th March, 10am to 4pm
The Mining Exchange, Lydiard Street, Ballarat

Perhaps I'll see you there?

Saturday, February 4

blog post about luciandjoe

I was approached recently by Samara, author of the Maddabling blog, who likes to promote Australian sellers on Etsy.  I was surprised to be featured as I am such a new seller on the site and an even newer member of the Dust team, but I'm very grateful for the opportunity!
You can see the blog entry here, as well as gaining access to her previous feature posts about some of our very talented Aussie artisans.

This is another sneak peek photo: this book has some pretty cool features (no bashfulness from me!).
I'll be listing some new books on etsy over the next few weeks.

Friday, January 27

sneak peek at some upcoming listings

I'm thrilled with the interest so far in the luciandjoe etsy shop and look forward to watching it grow and develop as 2012 moves on.
I've got a couple of sneak peek photos to show you of some products that will be available to purchase in coming weeks.








I've been having tremendous fun getting to know my new camera as well, especially making peace between how I usually like to take macro photos and how it really likes to do them.  We're compromising and things are turning out well (I think!).