Saturday, December 19, 2009

year of the tiger

A stencil I've been working on today for a new print, possibly for the year of the tiger print exhibition if I can get my act together in time, otherwise just a new print to test out some different techniques and to stop my squeeging arm from getting rusty, since I haven't really made anything since I finished everything up for university.



I'm still deciding on a few things, but I think it'll have two layers, plus negative space, not sure what colours.. trying to keep it simple/seeing how much detail I can get out of just a couple of layers.



Hoping to get the background stencil cut out tonight and maybe printed tomorrow.. once I get started on a print I hate to stop halfway through, I don't like to give myself a chance to change my mind about something & create more work for myself...

Monday, December 14, 2009

IPS2

It's time for the second installment of the Incredible Print Show! over at Artstream Studios , again featuring a great range of different artists and artworks. The whole show is available online to view and to buy - it's a fantastic way to find some beautiful new prints for your collection, even if you're miles from the action.



Some of my new silkscreened Sleeper prints (pictured below) are in the show (and for sale, if you feel so inclined). Click any of the images for more info, and to view the rest of the wonderful prints in this show.





Big thank you to everybody art artstream for putting together these wonderful shows. Printmakers, unite!

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Handmade holidays

Almost done with my christmas shopping, at least if my bank account has anything to say about it. I managed to buy one handmade gift for almost every person on my list too this year... there really is something for everybody on etsy if you look hard enough!



Anyway, one the best things I stumbled across this year were these Eco Holiday Stockings from the Beehivery. They're made from recycled coffee bean sacks and look totally awesome, as well as being eco friendly, a great modern christmas decoration and a great gift for coffee lovers.



I've hung them on the tree with some fabulous, caffienated Cafe Vetiver soap from Inner Earth Soaps and some other coffee-related goodies in each of them, and I've got to say I'm pretty happy with these little handmade gifts I've managed to put together (for three boys who are always hard to buy for). Christmas shopping is way more fun with etsy.com! (and don't forget to check out the two wonderful stores above.)

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Super Sale!

Some of my Super Heroes have just come back from their visit to a gallery (they get to travel while I stay here, figures!) But now they're back and being listed in my etsy store for the very first time!



And for a limited time, every superhero also come with a free sidekick (more details in my etsy store ) so get in before they fly out again!



Kapow!

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Illustration Friday - entangled

My entry for illustration friday this week... broken up into a few pieces.







Disorder - silkscreen on paper. 13 x 170cm.. printed for a couple of little accordion books I made recently. (click for larger)



Aand the bound version. You can't tell, but the folded up ones don't have those horrible smudges... but the left over, unfolded ones were easier to scan :)

Monday, November 23, 2009

Naps

The first of the miniature works I created from the leftovers of my Sheets of Paper printmaking project are now listed in my etsy store!






Since I changed my mind about the figures and a couple of blankets, it left me with a small pile of extra prints which I've been able to turn into scaled down versions of the work. These are made from 2 - 3 prints, held together with a pin at the base, allowing you to 'fold' back the blankets and see what's beneath.



A little paper doll to perch above your bed (or computer desk) to inspire you to sleep.. which is what I should definitely be doing right now. Check them out here!

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Christmas shopping

A few holiday items to get you in the shopping mood, from the Australian handmade marketplace, Madeit!


White Christmas Bird Ornament from edwardandlilly. - I just love the tones, the linen and the beautiful snowflake, and it's lavender scented as well in case you needed any more convincing.



Festive Seasons Pear Tree cards from inaluxe. - Gorgeous design from an amazing artist. I love the blend of modern and traditional, you could give one to your best friend and your grandmother.



Gift Card with Tag- Snowflake Tassel from 3GIRLSandagoat - Just fabulous, beautiful combination of textures and colours. Again, love the snowflake. Must be the heat leaving me wanting for a cool change.


So don't forget about Madeit this year when you're gift shopping. It's Australian based, but don't worry, most sellers ship internationally! And for loads more fab gift ideas check out (and bookmark) the madeit gift guide - it's updated regularly with handmade picks, market news, boutique store reviews and all sorts of local crafty goodness.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Christmas crafting

I cannot believe how close Christmas is already. Every year it sneaks up on me, yet every year I'm still surprised and never seem to learn from the previous year. Anyway, since both major shopping centres close to me are under construction, meaning half their available parking is blocked off on top of it being crazy busy with christmas shoppers, I have even more motivation to buy as many gifts as possible online.

And I thought I might share a few of the wonderful things I've come across so far. First up, a bit of DIY - this amazing mid-century modern christmas village. And better yet, you can make it yourself! Instructions are here.



And while you're over at Curbly browse around and check out some of their other great tutorials and DIY tips, like this paper wreath how-to which would make a great addition to your paper-crafted christmas decor.

Monday, November 16, 2009

Recycled silkscreen ornaments

I finally got my power drill back and was able to complete these little gems- recycled silkscreen ornaments - double sided, so they can be attached to your wall or just allowed to hang and twirl around in the breeze.





Made from misprinted (but still beautiful) silkscreen prints and circles of MDF. Edges are sanded and smooth, and a length of string is attached so they're ready to hang immediately. They come in sets of three - two sets are listed over at my madeit store with more to come soon.



And don't forget I have a free gift sale over at madeit right now, everything you buy comes with a little extra handmade goodness [most likely a super cute notebook or one of my brand new ornaments, shh :) ]


Now I'd best get back to my studio which desperately needs cleaning and sorting out..

Friday, November 13, 2009

Crafting machine

Now that my university to-do list is finally just about completed I can start on the massively long to-do after the end of semester list I was mentally creating when I should have been writing my paper. Perhaps I should have added 'relax' to that list, instead it is straight back into drawing, printing, creating, and updating my poorly neglected online bits and pieces.



First up on the to-make section of my to-do list, these tiles - made of MDF and recycled silkscreen prints that were printed a little crooked. I gotta say I am loving these. I have a bad habit of making things in series, in groups, I just can't help it, they look so much better in numbers. And as much as I love the fullsized prints these came from, it's really great to be able to turn the imperfect ones into something completely different. Cropping in on one small area allows you to focus on patterns & lines that get lost in the big picture.



They're about 9cm x 11cm each, with smooth sanded edges and a tiny ring attached to the back so they're ready to hang immediately, no framing required! They're also light enough to stay up with blu-tak or double-sided tape if you don't want any extra holes punched in your walls.



And they will be available in my etsy store very shortly! With more sizes and designs to come soon too, so keep posted.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

update

I finally got a chance to finish printing, then photograph my latest print!:


Familiarity, 2 colour silkscreen on paper, 46x60cm

It's the second half of a series of two large silkscreen prints on comfort, safety, and the home. And they are finally available in my etsy shop! (well, the first is, the second is to be listed very shortly.)



They took a hell of a long time to complete but I really love them, and I hope you do too :)

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Blur

My entry for illustration friday's theme this week - blur.


Image on right - detail to the left and below.



2 colour silkscreen print - the same image printed over itself to denote a restlessness, bluriness, for all those nights we don't sleep so well.