a handful of stars...

so as to use every bit of rolled clay i can,
the other day these little stars appeared from the spaces in between...

as my studio helper ms jenny was moving them onto a board
her hands were covered in stars...
i treasure these moments of happenstance in a busy days work

christmas (for paper boat press) is here...

orders from my stockists around the country

(and overseas) have started flooding in...

every year i create a new bird design
& above is this years...

closer to christmas i will be sending a
mailing list email out letting you all know what stores
will have stock of my christmas work,
& also those stores that will have them
for purchase online.

join my mailing list here to keep up to date,
or keep an eye on these news pages
for i will post information here as well...

keep calm and carry on

the fabulous mel robson has an exhibition
of her beautiful and profound work
opening at jan manton art this weekend...
the exhibition runs until august 16th

mel is such an inspiring ceramic artist.
i am so lucky to have a lovely little collection
of her work within my home...
and even more lucky to call her a friend.

drop in to see the show if you get a chance,
knowing mel, and her dedication to her art -
you won't be disappointed !

in the studio

i've been cleaning out my studio...
a new shelf to store work arrived this week
(a birthday present from my ever-encouraging parents)
and my mum gave me this piece of peach blossom from her garden...

it is so important to me that my work space inspires me...
i am very blessed that the view from my
studio is so beautiful too:
i over look old buildings, a 19th century church,
and a rambling garden...

the vase is one i bought
when i was in japan earlier this year
from a local potter in the historic town of takayama

this studio holds so many things other than work

gifts from my mother's garden...
pieces from journeys and travels...
memories of stolen moments...

and today, these are the things i am grateful for

thank you...

thankyou to all those who made it along to
the winter show, it was such a lovely day...

kia, sarah, erin and myself are all grateful
for your support and enthusiasm for our work...

it was so nice to hang out on the weekend
(as erin has also said)
with some of the best friends you could ask for...

and it was great to catch up with some old customers
and to meet new collectors of my work as well...
thank you so much:
this exchange keeps me making, creating, and dreaming...

above are a few shots of our work
1: kia and my work
2. blossom creations (erin)
3. red felt flower (sarah)

winter show

dear friends
after a break last year, i am returning to my tradition of a
winter show

SUNDAY JULY 13th
11am - 3pm
St Francis Theological College
233 Milton Road Milton Brisbane
(entrance on Baroona Road)

i have been designing some special new work
as well as making some old favourites...
i will be taking orders for personalised christmas stars
(for pick up at the christmas show)
& will have for sale copies of my book
count me the stars

this year i have also invited three very dear & talented friends
to sell their wares with me

sarah b red felt flower
kia &
erin blossom creations

the girls have some beautiful work
just right for your present drawer or to spoil yourself...

i hope you can pop in for a visit

any queries please call me
0429 330073
or email
kylie@paperboatpress.com

the house the johnson's built

i am very blessed to come from a creative and inspiring family.

30 years ago we started building a holiday home
in the western queensland gemfields town of the willows...

my brother, sister, and i would collect 'billy boulder' rocks
earning 50 cents a wheel barrel load, a lot of pocket money back then
my dad would build the walls with 2 layers of rock
and when the cement had dried just enough my mum would
carve back the excess cement...

this was just one of the parts to building a home like this...
there are beautiful old doors and windows, around which, the large
one room home was designed...
the pot belly stove came from an old family pub
in (another outback town) tambo
the coffee table is a large rock with a flat(ish) top...
and the wrap around verandah is laid with local sandstone.
there are so many stories to tell in the making of this home
and so many memories within the walls...

through the years all of us have holidayed here together and alone
bringing many different friends and loved ones to share the space...

but this time, today, all 5 of us are here together
in the same place at the same time
something that hasn't happened for, we think, nearly 12 years...

building this house has been a labour of love, family love.
and it is another and very important part of my creative life

more than anything it is such a special part of my life
because of ALL the people who i have shared
memories here with...

i haven't visited this home in a few years, and the years between
have been some of the hardest i've had...
but it is here i feel close to a specific time in my life that
remains one of the most precious to me, and for that, today i celebrate...
and i celebrate (you) whose day it is...
kylie x

craft revolution

there is exhibition and public program
running at QUT Art Museum at the moment called

craft revolution
june 5 - july 13

i am going to be having a table at the market night next wednesday
June 18th selling a small selection of both my work,
and work from my friends of the umbrella collective

i have also been asked to be one of the panel members on July 2nd
at QUT art museum at 6pm
where the current state of the craft movement will be discussed...

and... there is a blog that co-insides with the exhibition
and through the next few weeks will
continually have some interesting info, discussions and interviews
it's well worth a look...
(above: one of my poetry bowls...with the poetry hidden inside 2008)

count me the stars - the score

a few months back david hamilton, a new zealand composer

emailed me asking if he might use
the title poem of my book
count me the stars as the lyrics
for a composition he was asked to write...
collaborations can be both an honour and a joy,
so contracts were signed, and the wheels were in motion...
this week i was sent the result...
the music score, and an early recording...

a sign for a new store

today i sent an order of quote tags to one of my new stockists...
and as a special order the owners asked for a sign
to hang on the door of their brand new store...
iKOU (the store) is in the glorious blue mountains
and opens this saturday:
181A Leura Mall, Leura NSW