Melbournalia

Melbournalia has officially opened at a great new location at the Vic Market. It features products that are all made locally in Melbourne many with Melbourne themed products.

Here are a few fun facts about Melbournalia:

1. Dale, Jenny and Alasdair who run it are really lovely and friendly and super passionate about Melbourne.

2. There is a street mural on the wall. I only saw an 'in progress' shot when I dropped off stock and it looked pretty good then.

3. They are open till 10pm on Suzuki Night Market nights, perfect for escaping a bit of the hustle and bustle of all the Sangria drinking people for a few moments.

4. They are selling a scarf that says Abruzzo Club on it (I'm guessing it's Otto and Spike). I wonder if it also has the Abruzzo clock/themomoter that thinks we are living on Mars.

5. They made all the displays from found objects at the market. That card display below is from Cherry Boxes. It looks amazing.

The Design Files Open House

Starting today is the super exciting Design Files Open House. We are really stoked to be involved and can't wait to see what kind of amazing things Lucy and Lisa Marie have put together. It is only on for four days and this time it is south of the river in Windsor.

Here are all the details for the event:

THE DESIGN FILES OPEN HOUSE 2012 is set to take place at
27 Eastbourne st, Windsor, Melbourne.

Eastbourne street is a one way street, vehicular entry is from Hornby st. Parking in the street is limited - try parking nearby in in Chapel street or High street. Alternatively there is a large public carpark a short walk away on the corner of Chatham street and Izett street.

This event is open from Thursday November 29th to December 2nd, 10.00am - 5.00pm each day. 



Digital stationery designed by Georgia Perry

Big Carny Weekend

After last weekend's big weekend of Markets we are starting all over again with another big weekend of markets. On Thursday we are starting the four week run of the Kris Kringle Night Market. Gareth's excited about this one because there's a fish and chip shop round the corner that he says does good fish and chips. According to him most Australian's don't know how to do this and one of his big dreams is to open a Scottish style fish and chip shop. Warning: It will sell deep fried pizza.

Friday is the Sisters' Market at the Brunswick Town Hall which continues on into Saturday, then Sunday is The Melbourne Design Market. Rose Street will also be running on Saturday and Sunday as per usual. I better get organised and start packing some boxes.

Happy birthday to you

Hobart Shop - Spacebar Gallery

A month or so back on our Tassie trip we popped into Salamanca place to visit one of our stockists Spacebar Gallery. The shop is a lovely small space in an beautiful building housing a whole bunch of small and interesting shops and spaces. Pixe who runs the space wasn't there but we spoke to another lady who sold jewellery and she told us that everyone who works there sells something in the shop - a nice way to meet the maker and maybe a good excuse to visit Hobart again due to scoring a possible shift in the shop!

We emailed Pixe a few questions about the shop and here is what she had to say:




WHAT DO YOU SELL IN YOUR SHOP:
When you walk through our creaky old door off Woobys Lane, Hobart you are welcomed by an engaging space full of colourful objects and a gorgeous sandstone wall! It's a mini emporium of fashion, jewellery, accessories, visual art and home wares with an emphasis on supporting local made design.


WHAT IS A GREAT PLACE TO GO TO EAT IN THE AREA:
I love a good chai latte and "The Pollen Tea Room" on Hampden Road, Battery Point certainly hits the spot. The cafe is cosy, warm and welcoming, serving an extensive tea menu as well as great coffee and light refreshments. Ask the friendly owners to swizzle some of their home-made almond milk into the brew for something extra special.


BEST THING ABOUT RUNNING A SHOP:
Meeting so many wonderful like minded creatives and hearing the positive feedback is probably the best aspect for me. There is so much work that goes on behind the scenes for a store like Spacebar Gallery, so for people to really understand and value my effort is fantastic.

We spotted some Mabel Design products in the shop, the bright colours really stood out. Gareth actually met Dave from Mabel at Rose Street when he was our neighbour and I had a chat to him up at Brisbane Finders Keepers recently.

DETAILS

Studio 021 (off Wooby's Lane)
Salamanca Arts Centre
77 Salamanca Place
HOBART TAS 7000
http://www.spacebargallery.com.au
PH: (03) 6223 3002
EMAIL: info@spacebargallery.com.au

OPENING HOURS
Mon to Thu 10am-4pm
Fri 10am-5pm
Sat 9.30am-4pm
Sun 10.30am-2.30pm

 

Markit this Sunday

In November and December there are so many markets on you might as well just live in your car and call it the carnie bus fun time mobile. Don't bother buying any food to cook your dinner, you'll be eating at the Asian Kitchen Guy's place 3 nights a week. You'll also find yourself telling people "don't worry, come January I'll have a social life again" while picking packing tape stuck to your bottom that could be 2 - 3 weeks old.

This weekend is Markit at Fed Square, a wholesome fun market full of interstate friends you only see at these kind of events. Also, how awesome is the postcard Dawn Tan designed for the event?

This weekend in Canberra: Undercurrent Market

Today I'm flying up to Canberra for the Undercurrent Market at The National Portrait Gallery. Sadly we have to leave right afterwards to come back for Markit on Sunday. I would have liked a nice weekend in the nation's Boss City as Casino Canberra is one of my favourite places to visit. Alas it isn't to be, but the market should be a good one, it will be like a giant art gallery gift shop with live action people (the carnies selling stuff) and Friday night drinks and ooh la la. And here I am sad about missing out on visiting the casino.

DETAILS

Time:
Friday 23rd November from 5pm - 8pm
Saturday 24th November from 10am - 4pm


Address:
National Portrait Gallery
King Edward Terrace, Parkes ACT 2600
GPO Box 1400, CANBERRA ACT 2601
Phone 02 6102 7000

We will also be debuting some brand spanking new Canberra cards that have got me very excited. Lucky I have a brother who lives in the Canberra and can get snap happy with the suburb signs that look very much like train station signs. Wait until you see what we did with Dickson.

Beautiful Wrapping Paper Workshop - This Saturday

I've been busy the last few days preparing for my workshop this Saturday at Colour Box Studio. The class will be over 4 hours and we will be starting with a foundation of drawing techniques. Although it sounds a little dull it is a great way to start off any drawings (or creative work) that you do.

From there we will be drawing from life with some beautiful spring blooms using a variety of different tools. From these drawings we will then learn how to make a repeat pattern (that will seamlessly repeat over and over) that you can then use to create your wrapping paper. I will also have plenty of supplies to create artworks, cards and gift tags, as well as your wrapping paper. There will also be little take home pack of paper supplies that you can use later on as well as information on where to buy them in the future.

We will also have an afternoon tea (any excuse for cake) and hopefully the weather is nice so we can sit outside in the lovely back courtyard.

There is only limited spaces and you can book online here.

Details:
DATE: Saturday 17 November
TIME: 12-4pm
PRICE: $75 including materials & afternoon tea

What we have been reading

Anna
I read America Psycho a few months back after reading Easton Ellis twittering about what Patrick Bateman would be like now. The book is disturbing in so many ways and reminded me a lot of his other book Less Than Zero. I find it interesting to read about these kind of rich, shallow existences and wonder if it is really true. Now whenever I see a guy in a sharp suit "BATEMAN BATEMAN" goes through my head.

Based on the cover Gareth thinks it is about: A well mannered American decides to experiment with flaying the skin off the top of his face.


Gareth

Moonseed by Stephen Baxter was an enjoyable horror science fiction romp set in modern times. I wouldn't even say it was science fiction, it was more a disaster book really.

Based on the cover Anna thinks it is about: The moon decides he wants to donate to a sperm bank but is cruelly rejected. His anger in turn makes him fight for moon rights.

Moreland Summer Show

I'm taking part in this exhibition that opens on Thursday. I posted about the artwork on the blog a few weeks ago and posted this pic of the back of the artwork on Instagram. All well and good but now people will see the real actual front of it. Lucky openings have wine because I think I'll be a wee bit nervous.

Epping

When I drew this guy for the card I had an idea that he would be leaning against the wall. What I didn't have in mind was that semi smug look on his face. You tell him he is amazing and he nods in agreement. You tell him his lilac skivvy is amazing and again he nods in agreement. The card is available on Etsy, complete with faded metlink map.

Brisbane Finders Keepers - This Weekend

Guess what is on this weekend? Finders Keepers Brisbane. It's the first Spring Summer Brissy Finny K we have done and we are looking forward to seeing what Brisbane does in months not beginning with a J as that's the only time of year we have been before.

The Design Files did a Brisbane feature last week which was perfect timing and I'm looking forward to checking out some of the things on the mini guide as the Valley is pretty much right next door to the market. I was a little sad to see that dancing on a coffee table at 1am to You're The Voice in a '90s style bar on Brunswick Street wasn't on the mini guide but maybe it's not for everyone. It also isn't for people who have to get up and do a market the next day. I did meet a pig farmer that night so maybe it was worth it?

Oh hello you

Sometimes all you need is a cat and a wedding dress and your day is set.