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!

Source: owlknowhow.com via Joe on Pinterest

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

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.

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  :)

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.

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.