this week around the studio . . .

we are well and truly in full swing again for the year
with new products getting made,
and old favourites getting restocked too

working in a open verandah studio
lends itself to having little visitors from time to time
be them birds, or raindrops
or leaves . . .
the leaf above seemed to fall like a musical note the other day on that tray of work . . .

in other news
i am doing a special order for some
fabulous fashion designers
(that just happen to be good friends of mine too)
i am mighty chuffed about it and
all will be revealed in time . . .
there is a hint above, but only a hint . . .

hope you are having a lovely week

holiday snaps . . .

as promised i'm back with a few of my favourite holiday snaps i took
on my recent trip to kyoto . . .

it was a much needed and loved trip away . . .
above are some special corners of kyoto.

i spent some lovely time with my friend michelle and her mum on this trip . . .
with one of the highlights being a trip to the pavilion of the silver temple
somewhere neither of us had been
(even though we have both visited kyoto many times before)
it was lovely to share this place, and its amazing gardens with
a friend from home . . .
(silver temple gardens photos top left and bottom left above)

another extra special day on the trip
was with my friends justine and shozo
this beautiful couple have the most wonderful store
of japanese furniture, ceramics and objects
shibui homewares in west end brisbane . . .

we spent the day between antique markets in the grounds of a temple,
wandering the streets of kyoto and having a long lunch in
the amazingly styled and decorated hello cafe
(image bottom left),
stopping by a teahouse, and ending in a wonderful dinner in a
much loved restaurant of theirs . . .

and through the afternoon with them there was a visit to an antique store
where i purchased one of my treasured things EVER . . .
that story needs a post of its own, and i will do so someday . . .

i feel truly grateful that my holiday was shared with such dear friends along the way . . .

that is one of life's greatest gifts i think
to share beautiful memories

today i treasure this trip,
other trips i've taken near and far,
and those loved ones i've traveled with
you know who you are . . .

the photo says it all . . .

it is true . . .
it has taken a while to get back into things this year

last year ended with the biggest year on record for this little studio
literally thousands and thousands of ornaments
and tags, and calendars etc etc
flew away to new homes,
most days of the week the studio light was on
as christmas drew closer . . .

i don't like using the words burnt out, but it is the right
description for how it all felt by the end,
and then the reason for my absence here,
the lack of replenishing stock on the online store and
the emails that we are still getting through . . .

i am not complaining about the tiredness
the years end bought my way
as this work, this studio,
is one of my greatest passions . . .

but sometimes you just need some time out

on the month away from here i caught up with friends
saw films on the big screen and from my couch . . .
read books,
designed some new things for the year ahead
(details to come)

and even managed a week walking the streets of kyoto
(one of my favourite places)
and a place where i was inspired and refreshed
i'll be sure to share some photos and stories of that adventure soon

in the mean time . . .
HELLO
and i hope your new year is filled with
beautiful memories already
and with more to come as each day passes

i'll be back soon
(i know i say that a lot)
but i promise i will . . .

happy wednesday
x