biddy bags for mothers day...

for the past couple of years i've been a part of
my friend sam's social enterprise biddy bags...
it has been so lovely being involved...
i am chief photographer for the website and press,
and that's my teapot illustration
and crazy curly writing for the type face (see green label above)

i am inspired by sam's enthusiasm and commitment.
this unique business links
the older generation of craft makers and young women.
giving the ladies a 'fair trade' payment for their work,
keeping their skills current and worthy.
it started with bags...
and now (and the reason for this post)
wonder washers...

it's mother's day soon (may 11th)
and still time to find that special present for our mums...
AND what better than one that is made with love...
and one that honours and respects the preservation
(and employment) of these wonderful ladies

so there's the plug... but the website says it all

kenji's show at spiral market

as promised a few snaps of my friend kenji's show
at the spiral market in tokyo last month...
it was great to catch up with kenji and his beautiful wife sonia
and spend the afternoon with them...
at the show, wandering the streets,
and having dinner with them and some of their lovely friends.
it was truly one of the highlights of the trip...

your work is so inspiring kenji, thank you for sharing it with us all...
i feel blessed to call you and sonia friends...

paper and flowers

some patterns of my trip to japan (more to come)

i shared this inspiring journey with my sister
and it is her birthday today...
happy birthday beautiful girl xxx

saffy

last month one of my dearest friends kate

lost the love of her life... her beloved saffy...
in this crazy, mixed up, fast paced world
there are some who enter our lives and we are
never (ever) the same without them.

as artists we all have our muse...
for kate it was, and will always be saffy...
i would like to take this moment
to pay my love and respect to the most wonderful of dogs
who filled the world of my wonderful and inspiring friend
with such love, joy and delight for the 11 years she was here...

rest in peace saffy xxxx

i took this photo of kate and saffy in kates studio 2006

japan and cherry blossoms

i've just returned from 2 weeks holiday in japan
it was a very inspiring trip...
japan is such a beautiful and crazy place

i saw cherry blossoms in full bloom...
they truly took my breath away.
this photo was taken in hiroshima last thursday

i will post more photos soon including some of my friend
kenji's show at spiral market in tokyo...
for now, a bit of catching up on sleep, answering emails
and getting back to orders...

cloud brooches

brooches heading to giddy and grace

a beautiful store in maleny in the sunshine coast hinterland.
the store's owner Sam, has a beautiful mix of products,
and it is an honour to have these in her shop.

i use clouds in my poetry a lot...
and these little, sweet puffs of clay came out of
both my use of them in my words
and the special meaning they have in my heart...

cloud brooches are also currently available at:
coming up roses, balmoral
&
gallery store
queensland art gallery - gallery of modern art
as well as many other stores interstate . . .

plastic girl vists...

my darling friend liana, alias plastic girl
came over today to work in my studio.
when discussing that we sometimes find
working in isolation difficult,
we decided to make a time (hopefully semi-regularly)
to work together....
and luckily, quite a bit of liana's work is portable
so she visited today and we both got a lot of work done...
it also helps to have a smiling,
inspiring person in your midst to help brush away the blues...
thanks liana.

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)