once and hope

just back from a couple of days in sydney,
and while wandering through newtown
spotted my book in better red than dead
a very cool bookshop that i always pop into when in town...
it's quite surreal to see my book on the shelves of bookstores

while in sydney i also saw the beautiful show
a secret - history of blue and white: contemporary australian ceramics
at object gallery in surrey hills
it's well worth a look if you get the chance.
it is always catches me unawares
when one colour says it all...

and just for the record, my favourite song of last year
falling slowly
from my favourite movie of last year
once
was honoured at the oscars

and marketa irglova's speech was one to be treasured and celebrated...

"Hi everyone. I just want to thank you so much. This is such a big deal, not only for us, but for all other independent musicians and artists that spend most of their time struggling, and this, the fact that we're standing here tonight, the fact that we're able to hold this, it's just to prove no matter how far out your dreams are, it's possible. And, you know, fair play to those who dare to dream and don't give up. And this song was written from a perspective of hope, and hope at the end of the day connects us all, no matter how different we are. And so thank you so much, who helped us along the way. Thank you."

poetry tags

tags with poems from my book,
fresh out of the kiln

today

whatever our souls are made of,
his and mine are the same
-emily bronte

quote: used on my ceramic tags
photo: jumbled up letters in my studio (2007)

afternoon tea and book signing...

today my beautiful friend sarah b,
had an afternoon tea and book signing at her gorgeous shop
coming up roses.
there was champagne, cups of tea,
and sweet things (thanks to mrs b)...
there was great music playing,
flowers, and lots of lovely customers...

i was the saturday shop-girl at coming up roses for many years
and even though I don't work there anymore,
i still feel part of the family.
the store stocks a lot of my ceramic work,
and now my book too.

it was so nice to see many familiar faces
from my years behind the counter.
thanks to sarah, mrs b, and aunty jan
for marking the release of
count me the stars in such
a thoughtful and beauty-filled way...

i have made some new tags with some poems from the book...
one word on each tag is blue.
also my new cloud brooches were a hit
(they will be available in other stores soon).

under the stars...

count me the stars was launched friday night
appropriately: under the stars...
thank you to all those dear friends who came along
to support me and my book.
(see blog roll at right all those inspiring friends were there)
along with so many family, friends, and supporters...
i feel truly blessed.

thanks so very much to my wonderful friend lincoln
who launched my book with such beautiful words.
lincoln has posted his speech on his blog low relief
for those of you who asked to have a copy...
and i wore this beautiful necklace that my darling friend
rebecca (aka the wrecker) made to mark this special
moment in my life...
i will post some photo's of the night when i get my hands on some

following is my speech-

Good evening. Thank you all for being here.

My Oma always said I was born with a pencil in my hand, and my mum relishes the fact that before I could even string words together I could recite Betrix Potter’s appley dappley and jermima puddleduck. These stories combined with my memory of being 11 and sitting writing poems in the rainforest at Springbrook on a writers camp, lead me to think that somehow, without even realising it my dream, dedication and love of words were always there… and that standing here now it may be a mix of instinct, hard-work and happenstance that allows me to proudly put forth count me the stars.

So with my heart firmly on my sleeve (where a lot of you already know it to be) I would like to say some very important thank-you’s.

Firstly and why we are all here… To Kay and all the team at Murdoch books.
I feel both grateful and humbled that you saw something in my work. That you took a chance with open arms to publish poetry, my poetry, believing there is a place for it in your publishing house and our country as well. I applaud your bravery and thank you also for letting my visual style flow strongly into its creation.

Thank you to the Gallery Store. I have been selling my self-published books here since 1994, and in recent years my ceramics. Thank-you for your continued support of me and my work and for hosting this event along with Murdoch Books. So, to Linda, Peter, Izabella, Thanh and the whole team, thank you so very much.

To Lincoln for your beautiful words, your kindness and your wisdom. You are an inspiration to me, and a true kindred spirit.

To my friends, there are so many of you and I would like to name you all, but in your heart you all know who you are. I am so blessed to share my life with such constant and wonderful souls, who stand beside me through all the ups and downs. I hope you all know how much I treasure and love you all.

There are three friends I’d like to make a special thank you to, Kellie, Kate and Lisa. In the past few years both with my career and my heart you have been unwavering in the beautiful moments and those most difficult to bear.

To my wonderful and inspiring friend Sarah B, who for many years and especially in the preparation for this book has worked tirelessly helping me with her creativity and friendship, and also to your parents Mr and Mrs B who have quietly played an inspired role in my life.

And lastly to my family. Thank-you to my mum and dad, brother Luke, Sister Tiffany and my Uncle Roger and Aunty Rhonnda.

Mum and dad you have always encouraged me and believed in me. There has never been a moment where you haven’t supported me following my dreams, no matter how crazy they may have been. It is an honour to be your daughter and you have instilled in me the greatest of gifts: those of love, honesty, respect and resilience.

And finally to my sister Tiffany who shares the dedication of this book. You are my sounding board and my moral compass. I have such respect for you both professionally and personally. The dedication reads ever constant, always wise, I hope that says it all.

The poems in this book I wrote but they now belong to those who read them, those who need them… I hope you like them and see that beauty and strength can live in quiet pared down words on a page.

Thank-you to all of you who are here, and those of you who I wish were here, but cannot be…