Two & Twenty Years

'twenty years at sea on this little paper boat...', in the front window of Paper Boat Press

A delicious display of Christmas decorations

Behind the gallery, the studio where everything is made

Three sets of hands at work filling trays and trays with ornaments

I visited Paper Boat Press this past weekend to join in their 20 year celebrations (and begin my Christmas shopping). I was so pleased to join in the festivities and support Kylie and her staff as they commemorated two decades of creativity, growth and achievement. How inspiring it is to see Kylie's talents successfully shared with so many.

As a result I found myself reflecting on the past two years, when I made the decision to turn my hobby in to a business, and how far I have come in that time. As I await the arrival of my first logo printed jewellery boxes I realised that over that two years I have crossed everything off my five year plan. From appearing at Finders Keepers Market (twice) to creating a professional logo, from making a $1,000+ sale online to orchestrating a professional photo shoot and creating a look book, from being stocked in a bricks and mortar shop to having jewellery boxes custom printed with my logo. Two years ago these were the highest goals I thought I could achieve in the next five years. They seemed so far out of reach when I made them.

I can't imagine where I will be in eighteen years time, as I am sure Kylie couldn't either. But with her inspiration as a warm, generous, welcoming member of the creative community to guide me, I am going to dream big and write another five year plan. Her positive role modeling reinforces for me that anything really is possible in the future in terms of living my creative passion.

Small World After All

At the Red Hill Fair market on Saturday I had one of those moments that reminds you how small the world is. It was a family market, so we chatted with many Mums with bubs coming past to browse my stall. My twin sister and market helper, Fiona, noticed one young Mum with a pair of gorgeous Each To Own drop earrings. She commented on them. as she has quite a collection of Kirsten's work herself. We three chatted about Kirsten's dangly earrings, the conversation turned to Finders Keepers, from there to Paper Boat Press - Kylie being another amazing Brisbane creative and Finders Keepers frequent flyer. As it turned out, the girl with the amazing earrings helps Kylie with admin work! 

I gushed about how kind Kylie had been when last I visited her gallery, wearing Oscar who was only a month of two old. Kylie had generously invited me in to her own home at the back of the gallery to breastfeed my grisly baby. When I returned to the gallery space she was chatting to two women, one of whom was heavily pregnant. Then Oscar vomited up his milk. It wasn't your average baby posit. A small spit up on the shoulder like my first and second child had done. But rather the kind that ended up as dinner plate size splash on the ground. Accompanied by a comical 'splat' noise. Oscar felt better. I felt embarrassed. Kylie smiled and started helping me clean up. While the heavily pregnant woman looked on in shock. The Mama with the earrings laughed and said 'That pregnant woman was me!' I recognised her the instant she said it! We both laughed about how I had felt so embarrassed, while she had been shocked that a baby could do that. 

What a small, strange world it is indeed, when you can bump in to a stranger a year apart and tell them a story that includes them!

-

PS. Thanks for all the support and love at the market! It was so very good to meet so many of you. It was a thrill each time someone came past and showed me that they were wearing something I made, or told me that they followed me on Instagram. I love making those connections in real life that bridge the social media gap.

'North Coast Mud Trail' Collecting

Images 1, 2, 4, 5 Pinky and Maurice's studio. Image 3 Pebuku Pottery pieces. Image 6 in Lucy Vanstone's studio and gallery.

There's a mountain of laundry from our weekend away and a sink full of dishes waiting for attention, but the kettle has just boiled and the children are occupied, so I'm taking this moment to write. 

This past year I have noticed my fascination and appreciation for pottery has grown and grown. I remember seeing a gorgeous photo in Bridget Bodenham's Instagram feed a few months ago, of Kylie's pottery collection, and it made my heart sing. Practical and beautiful. I had a sudden urge to fill my shelves and cupboards with pottery and swear off mass produced serving ware. Oh, the allure of beautifully handmade, useful everyday items. 

While I love 'stuff' - vintage sewing baskets, antique teapots, and interesting bric-a-brac - there is only so much 'stuff' I can handle before it feels like clutter. My chaotic mind needs several clear surfaces in my home in order to feel at rest. I can't handle a table or kitchen bench covered in 'stuff', but I adore a set of shelves filled with items chosen one at a time for their individual beauty and merit. And so has begun my collection.

This past weekend we called a cabin home as we explored the north coast - in particular the Mud Trail, where potters generously open their studios to the public. I visited Catherine Lane, Pinky and Maurice, Pebuku Pottery and Lucy Vanstone. It was wonderful to peek in to the artists spaces, chat with the makers and even see them in action.

And add a few more items to my collection... 

Creativity Abounds

1. The advantages of a sling.

2. Dandelion clock cuteness.

3. Collections at home.

4. Windy days and bonneted babes.

5. GOMA Design Market goodness I brought yesterday - Paper Boat Press notebook and Sharon Muir Owl Vase

It's been quiet in this space the past week as we settled back in to school routines. Good things have been happening though. I feel like I am surrounded by creativity, inspiration and knowledge in abundance at the moment. And I am endeavoring to make the most of it and say yes to as many opportunities as possible.

- I returned to the bench, inspired by a new piece, which will be making it's way in to the shop soon.
- I ordered the remaining tools necessary for my second jewellery bench to be set up - meaning a more productive work space for Didi and I.
- I've booked my ticket for a ceramic artists talk and demonstration. I'm so fascinated by ceramics.
- I'm looking forward to the Calligraphy workshop next weekend.
- The North Coast Mud Trail is coming up again! I'm hoping to visit a few studios this time, meet the artists and see their beautiful pieces, and maybe make a weekend getaway out of it too.
- I'm joining in with Create and Thrive's August photo challenge, #CTMonthInTheLife, to share some behind the scenes shots of my business, workshop and process.

What creative things have you been planning or doing lately?

8 Little Things

1. $26 worth of sale fabric for my Summer Sewing Challenge - to make a dress, skirt and shorts for Emerson and pants and pj shorts for Cohen.
2. Black Russians from the garden - it really has been a warm Winter, hasn't it?
3. A little skirt cut out and ready for some nap time sewing.
4. Pickings from the veggie patch - baby spinach, peas, cherry toms and chilli's.
5. Finished skirt! That makes three.
6. Purple carrots for our Sunday Roast.
7. Wise words from Oscar Wilde and Paper Boat Press.
8. Stage one of the doll house DIY complete - carpet and wall papers removed.  A much greater challenge than I had anticipated!

What lovely things have you been making, growing or doing lately?