10 Things I Love: handmade creations from talented western australian designers

Perth's isolation appears to be a help rather than a hindrance when it comes to cultivating creativity and talent amongst it's resident designers, crafters and artists. Here are a few of my current favourite fellow West Aussies...

1. Enid Twiglet. Embroidered and laser cut accessories. I am truly in love with this dear foxy brooch!

2. Foal Designs. Glorious fabric hats. Very love ♥

3. Lorgie&me. Laser cut timber journals, albums, special occasion books. Divine!
Am thinking about getting custom made Lorgie&me album and guest book for my wedding!

4. Pop Goes the Weasel. Cute as a button fabric covered earrings. I bought a pair of the red and white striped ones pictured just this afternoon. Can't wait for them to arrive!

5. White Square. Sweet and quirky laser cut jewellery and accessories. I have big love for this teepee brooch!

6. Lonely As A Cloud. Clothing and accessories designed with a nod to the whimsical.

7. Mel P Designs. Crochet pieces and patterns. Feel inspired to get your crochet on?

8. Osier. Jewellery and accesories. Just lovely!

9. Pinch and Spoon. Ethereal and stunning one off fabric pieces...a mix of clothing, jewellery and wearable art. 

10. Patricia Fernandes. Ceramic jewellery and accessories. Delightful!

Hooded Scarf

I've finally created some Ruby Bluebird pieces for the lads. After seeing my brightly coloured vintage fabric hooded scarves for the ladies, a friend requested that I make him a couple of "masculine" hooded scarves to keep him snug and warm through the cooler months.

Attempting to make everything using up-cycled or second-hand fabric means that you can't just pop down to your local Spotlight...you have to go HUNTING! So off I went....trawling the op-shops for the perfect "manly" "masculine" materials. The op-shop gods must've been shining their light down on me that day because in the time it takes you to utter "thrifty goodness" I had stumbled across a big piece of thick navy wool blend fabric, a couple of metres of navy/white/red checked cotton and a single cotton doona cover in big blue/grey/black/white checks. Perfecto!  

I ended up making four hooded scarves. Two for my friend, who picked them up bearing gifts....payment for the scarves, as well as bringing me a delicious box of goods from the AMAZING online wholefoods store he owns with his brother, 2BrothersFoods (I suggest you all check it out!)

And that leaves two....which I have popped up for sale on my etsy online store here! A Fathers Day gift perhaps?? Or a "just because" present for the special Mr in your life?? We'll see...

xx

off to market...

Ruby Bluebird Handbags

Ruby Bluebird Over-Sized Hair Bow

Ruby Bluebird Retro-Style Tie-Up Headband

I have a stall at the Market Girl Boutique Handmade Market this Sunday 21st August. So I have spent the last few days sewing, stamping tags & signs, pricing, packing, collecting, organising change, and mentally preparing myself for a day of selling my Ruby Bluebird wares. eeek!

I love sewing/making/creating, but I find the process of actually putting my little designs out into the world a little daunting. No matter how many markets I participate in, I always feel NERVOUS! Will people appreciate each unique piece into which I have poured a teeny bit of my heart and soul? Will they like them? Will they BUY them? arrggghhh! I guess I should listen to the very advice I dispensed to my sister B only last weekend when she was suffering pre-gig anxiety.....that feeling nervous is simply a sign that you are doing something challenging, experiencing the new and putting yourself out there.

In any case, I hope you enjoy these snaps of a few of my delights which will be for sale at the market, made using mostly up-cycled and vintage fabrics. And if you're in Perth may I suggest that you take a cruisy Sunday drive up to Joondalup to check out some super rad bits and bobs that our talented fellow West Aussies have been creating of late! Hope to see you there ♥

DIY: handmade paper decorations

DIY Paper Lanterns

DIY Paper Wheels

DIY Streamer Backdrop

Ruby Bluebird is getting married! The wedding is still a loooong, looooong way off. However, I have lately been inundated with the advice that "it'll be here before you know it!" and so I have started to slowly peruse the net for DIY wedding ideas.

And these paper decorations have most certainly caught my eye. I am a lover of COLOUR!!! And texture. And, of course, all things handmade. These decorations are fun, simple to make and could certainly be re-used....for weddings, parties, anything (if you'll excuse my reference to a certain 90s folk rock band)  ; )

You can find step by step instructions for these glorious Paper Lanterns here. The Paper Wheels and Streamer Backdrop come from Ruffled, which is a delightful site showcasing plenty of real handmade weddings, as well as recycling and DIY ideas.  A good "read" for the handmade bride.

Perth: Sunny 19 degrees

 

 

 

 

Perth: Sunny 19 degrees. It is wintry days like these that make my heart sing! It feels like spring has sprung in my back garden today...the flowers are out and the lemon tree is weighed down with an abundance of citrusy goodness. Providing us with the vital ingredient for our much needed hot lemon & honey drinks. Delightful!

My sweetheart, Mr Bodes, is heading off on an adventure early tomorrow morning. A 10 day work trip camping on the Nullabor, near the WA/SA border. The days may be sunny but the nights will be freeeeeezing...so I spent this afternoon sewing him a snuggly new scarf. The outer layer is thick grey "jumper fabric" which I found in an op-shop in Osbourne Park, and the lining is made from an old checked doona cover. Sew them together and voila!....a NEW scarf.

Before sewing the scarf up completely, I embroidered a tiny heart ♥ on the inside of the lining...a little something from me for him to take on his travels x