About this blog

A blog about the meanderings of a craft designer and hand maker living in a beautiful island at the end of the earth....I'm a weaver addicted to her little Ashford Knitters Loom, a crocheter, knitter, painter, gardener and grandma. Rowena lives in Tasmania - a world apart, not a world away!

Craft is a social activity, shaped by communal resources and motivations. Leonardo Bonanni and Amanda Parkes Virtual guilds : collective intelligence and the future of craft JMC vol 3, no 2 July 2010 pp. 179-190

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Where has the week gone ?

Started new job at Pirtek (great so far guys), got some superfine mill-spun merino (soooo beautiful - thank you Eric!) and wove a scarf with a beautiful pattern wot I made up, wove one half of a serape/ruana/tunicy wrappy thing (whatever you want to call it, it's exciting because it's a complete garment, not an "accessory") - I just have to do the other side (and I'll be using some of Trace's beautiful buttons on it!), attended my daughter's 29th birthday party (beaut food, shame about the service and the attitude of mine hostess at the swanky caf), went out for dinner @ the Levee (yummy, tasty, good company eh Norma ?), had Lalu and Fergus to sleep over, took Mum shopping, did a day for Steve and the guys @ Paneltec, finished Georgie's Sparkles scarf for her birthday, did some housework (I actually vacuumed and cleaned bathroom) and finished a novel and wove another scarf for the Winter Catalogue.  Whew !!!!!

Too busy to take piccies, but if you look at Shazza's Owl Tea Cozy below, he's gone to live at Oatlands in The Shed ! http://www.duskyforge.com.au/  Lalu's late birthday pressie!  I reckon he'll be very happy.

Monday, May 17, 2010

I'm Baaack!

Just fell off the plane after a week of R&R Bliss in Marvellous Malmsbury deep in the Central Highlands of Victoria.  I just love the area and the plethora (now there's a word lol) of handmades emporia, wonderfully unique pubs and cafes and the endless parade of magnificent views.  We did several "drives" mostly around the Trentham, Dalyesford area and back to Kyneton and home in beautiful sunshine but boy oh boy was it cold!  They tease me about Tassie and suggest I must be used to the cold, but it ain't cold here like it is there.  Could have sworn on Friday it was snowing close by.  Nuh - just cold !

Baz's Lama turned out to be black (so I have to find a new photo) and the fleece was from a 'pacca so I brought home what I could fit in the carry-on to spin up - he want's a cap with flaps...you know, one of them Aztec berry's.  I'll try Baz - reckon I know what you want - a chullo hat.

Made it back to Meskills in Kyneton.  So sad that the spinning mill is now closed and the machinery disbanded.  But they still have some hanks of natural corriedale 30 micron semi-worsted for sale, so came home with another kilo.  Reckon that will be it tho.   The people who have "Wolf at the Door" a marvellous gallery and design business supporting handmade in Hepburn Spa, have leased the building and are to move in around October I think. Check out  http://www.wolfatthedoor.com.au/

Monday, May 10, 2010

Bongo Baz's Llama

Well, rumour has it that Bongo Baz has bought a Llama ! What does that mean ?  Well, he's sent me a message that he wants to swap some llama wool for a woven scarf.  I'm curious so I suppose I'd better choose one of the "boy scarves" and pack it to take to Victoria tomorrow...then I'll get to see what I can do with llama wool! Perhaps some clasped weft weaving coming up lol.

Yep. Esty Shop "on vacation" and this blog will be quiet for a week while I fly off to Marvellous Malmsbury in country Victoria to do a spot of domestic duties for a week.  Really looking forward to the rest and to get away for a change of pace as I have been sooo sooo busy for the last 12 weeks it seems. 

...also, as of today, I don't have to go back to the kitchen! Chucked it in and opted to go back to the relative quiet of the office.  Looking forward to that change of pace too!  Start new job on 19th May : auspicious date - my daughter's birthday ...hope it's a good sign.

See you in a week's time.                  xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Saturday 8th and Marketing again!

Civic Homepsun Market on again this Saturday 10 -3pm in the Pilgrim Hall in Paterson St opposite the Birchalls/Myer Car Park.  Rowena will be there (although she's working like mad to get some new stock together after last weekend's busy times).

See you there !

Sunday, May 2, 2010

People You Meet

Thanks Trace at SoewnEarth for the wonderful clay fired buttons..I just can't wait to use them !

Janine Collins, Weaver and Dyer...beautiful felted hats and felted and woven capelets (Modelled by Robyn at Civic Homespun Market last week).  Just gorgeous!


The shoes are beautiful.......Janellish makes house shoes and other gorgeous things


And what about Shazza's Owl Tea Cozy !!!!  Sharon & Mary are just the best knitters  lol.


See you later !

Whew !!

Just unpacked the car after Niche...yes I know it's Sunday night, but work called at 4 this morning and when I finally staggered home at 1 pm I was just too tired....two days of marketing then a 7 hour shift in the kitchen at work really did me!

I'm blown away by the success of my stall at Niche.  It was absolutely fabulous.  Most of my bling scarves went to new homes - thanks to everyone who came by to buy or chat or both.  I met some amazing people and was encouraged by the comments on my work.  It's wonderful to pack up a scarf, pop it in the pretty bag and hand it over to the new owner!  I just love seeing the efforts I make to create something unique and to me, exciting, being carried off by a pleased purchaser!  

One of the most important things about marketing is being able to talk to everyone and find out what they like and what they are looking for.