On the loom ...

Hunka Hunka Burnin' Love ...

Welcome to 2013!  This is the year of the challenge ... I have so many new things I want to try - off loom/free form projects - looming projects, earrings, pendants, metal clay projects, resin, tatting - the list goes on.  I have signed up for a few bead challenges that are taking place within some of the wonderful bead groups that I am a member.  But most importantly - I am challenging myself to come up with some new designs on the loom.


So what are your challenges this year - love to hear your thoughts - add what you will be doing to the comments section  :)

To start the year - here is a teaser of a cuff that is currently underway ...

Silver and Pearls - Commissioned Cuff

Laced with silver, set with pearls. - William Shakespeare

(Ibid., Act ii, sc. 1. "Comedies," p. 217, col. B, line 32. 16)

This gorgeous cuff was commissioned by a lovely friend of mine. It was with great pleasure that we collaborated our ideas on style and design.  I promised from the first moment she had seen a similar cuff, that I would make one for her - however, it was a challenge as no two cuffs created are ever the same.  So there are variations to the original and this is now on the wrist of my beautiful friend.  Thanks Kiley x

 

First day ...

Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time ... Thomas Merton 

The past couple of days have been crazy ... literally!  I felt like I had returned to my childhood and it was the last few days before Christmas ... then Christmas Eve arrives and there is no way you can sleep - it has been that type of crazy! 

I awoke bright and early on Friday morning ... checked my displays, that I had labelled the cuffs correctly,  made sure I had every thing ... then repeated the process again *grin* ... finally after what seemed like an eternity - it was time! 

Incube8r is wonderfully delightful gallery - the senses go in over drive with the array of Artisians that share the gallery space.  Vicki (the owner) and Anna Margot are very welcoming, making you feel immediately at home and a part of the family. 

It was refreshing to be able to sign up with someone that has an understanding of what you are experiencing, Vicki took the time to explain everything, I was introduced to other artisians who were also signing up for the first time - who enthusiastically shared the same anticipation and excitment at being accepted in this fantastic gallery!

Here is my display and my cube!  For those who are local, I hope you visit Incube8r - with Christmas just around the corner you will be guaranteed to walk away with more than one present ... I already have!

For Sale ....

"Whatever you believe with feeling becomes your reality" ... Brian Tracy 

Drum roll ... I am thrilled to announce that I will be selling my loomed beaded cuffs!  

I recently applied (and was accepted) to sell at the super cool Incube8r  Gallery.   (http://www.incube8r.com.au/)  

Incube8r is a local gallery that supports artists - it is located in the hip Fortitude Valley in Brisbane, Queensland - check out their website for more information about Incube8r and see what the other wonderful artists are doing!


Stay tuned for the unveiling on Friday. I am very excited to be embarking on this journey, it is an incredible opportunity and one I am grateful.  I look forward to meeting the other fabulous artists and participating in the activities organised by Vicki (the owner) .


I am setting up my "cube" on Friday.  Here is one of the cuffs that will be for sale - it is a Champagne Pearl Cuff - created with Miyuki beads with the focus on the delicious Swarovski pearls and Swarovski crystals. 

For those who are not able to access Incube8r - I am available for commissions and will soon be launching my online store.

 

Incandescent

Numero Duo in the series of monochrome silver
 
We are each gifted in a unique and important way. It is our privilege and our adventure to discover our own special light.  ~Evelyn Dunbar

Something old, something new
Something borrowed, something blue!

Silver Cuff - Numero Uno

"The Dove, on silver pinions, winged her peaceful way ... (James Montgomery)"


Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ  The first in the series Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ

 

Advance Australia Fair

Australians all let us rejoice

For we are young and free

We've golden soil and wealth for toil

Our home is girt by sea

Our land abounds in nature's gifts

of beauty rich and rare

In history's page let every stage

Advance Australia fair

In joyful strains then let us sing

Advance Australia fair.

Week one over and we're fairing reasonably well on the medal tally, lets see what week two brings, in the meantime - I will continue to wear my cuff in honour of those representing us in London!

On the loom - Going for Gold

With the Olympics under way and inspired by the beautifully choreographed opening ceremony and our Aussie team already doing as proud in a range of  events ... I have finally got myself organised and started on my Australian Flag cuff.

The Australian Flag is symbolic of our heritage and representation of our early settlers - the Union Jack represents the Cross of St George for England, The Cross of St Andrew for Scotland and The Cross of St Patrick for Ireland.  The Australian Blue Ensign is emblazoned with five stars that form the Southern Cross and a sixth to represent the Commonwealth of Australia.
This cuff has been on my  mind for a long time, with the planning and development of the pattern a few weeks ago, I'm really pleased to be in the finishing stages and to be able to share with you what is on my loom ....

Aussie Aussie Aussie ... Oy Oy OY

One of our iconic symbols or flags is the Boxing Kangaroo ... the boxing kangaroo has been around since 1891  inspired by the outback travelling shows where the Kangaroo competed competed against men.  The boxing kangaroo became a symbol of the RAAF during WWII as well as featuring in numerous movies over the years.  However the flag as we know it today, received international prominence during 1983's America's Cup with a golden kangaroo featured on a green background (Aussie colours) with red boxing gloves was flown from Australia II which won the race.  The image was purchased by the Australian Olympic Committee and has since featured as a mascot for sporting events.

So here is my pattern design as a tribute to the upcoming Aussies who will be competing for Australia.  Aussie Aussie Aussie ... Oy Oy OY!

Go Australia ...

Aussies are very patriotic sports men and women - especially when competing in international competitions.  The upcoming Olympics have inspired me to design two patterns to show my support - with almost a month left to the start, I better get organsied and start looming!

To start ... we have the Australian Flag ...the actual design will feature metal clay stars attached to the piece (so won't look exactly like this).

I'll feature my other pattern design in another blog post.

Anzac Day 2012

Today I had the honour of watching my son and many others march in the Anzac Day Parade.  Whilst watching the parade, there were many fine moments, from the elderly diggers waving at the young children looking on in awe, or the ones who weren't afraid to show the tears in their eyes as they recognised loved ones in the crowd.

It was beautiful to see the diggers from the past ...

 To those currently representing our country  ...

and to the cadets of today ... my boy!