Wish we were there

A big hml cheerio goes out to all the members of the Umbrella Collective who are having their big christmas event this weekend. Bit like a design market but just with work that you love. We love Brisvegas and have toyed with the idea of emmigrating (sunshine, nice people, tropical fruit) It comes as no surprise to us that this amazing group of makers has banded together (as makers should) and have alot to teach their southern overly competitive isolationist neighbours about how to create strength in numbers. Visit their blog for more inspiration.

needle in a haystack

CRAFT FIND OF THE WEEK
Sometimes you find the best things while you're looking for something else.
On route to yet another Fresh! exhibition destination hml found themselves face to face with the wonderful world of Sally Campbell Home Textiles in High street Prahran.


Aftermanaging to get our breath back, and after our heads stopped spinning from all the new the decorating possibilities, we forraged around andfound the best market bag EVER! Hand printed spots on the outside and sturdy jute on the inside... we thought it quite dreamy,and there was even a matching sun-hat on offer.

goldilocks and the two bears

We want to sendout a big congratulations to both staff and students of this years NMIT graduate Advanced Diploma Jewellery class. We caught the show at a very busy opening. After being sorely dissapointed by a couple of will-remain-nameless shows earlier in the week we were thrilled to find fantastic work at The Artery Gallery in Moor Street Fitzroy.
Well finished, fully realised, unique work. Great vibe of celebration (rather than panic which we have felt at other shows) and ambition. Well done all!

we had our tiny minds well and truly blown by the mystical stonehenge circle of finger containers, goldilocks neckpiece and glove purse of Polly vanderGlas


and we loved these oversized felt and knit neckpieces by Shio Otani

and we had to give a sentimental vote for the mother and baby bear fob chain by Ella Bird. Aren't you all impressed?

a breath of fresh air

THEY MADE IT THEMSELVES
The ladies of HML are in the thick of Fresh Selection Madness! But there is something so fantastic about graduate shows. Over the past couple of years we've really seen some standouts and 2006 has been no exception. Here are some of our faves from the RMIT Gold and Silversmithing Show - of which the most interesting work was neither gold nor silver!:

Jamie Andersson

Danielle Lott

Lucy Blackmore

Lights up!

WEBSITE OF THE WEEK
It’s Official. Limited edition jewelry pieces from Iggy and Lou Lou are now available online as they swing open the velvet curtain on their new and beautiful website.

The best of three collections featured:

Last Romance in Paris
The dueling pistols of Onegin, the everlasting love of Wuthering Heights, the mysterious shadows of Film Noir, The poetry of eighteenth century Paris. Romance has always meant high drama for love lost and found.

Ships in the Night
Unchartered waters hold many mysteries. Let the stars be your guide as you navigate
to lands beyond these shores.

Friends of the Forest
One must be stout of heart to enter the forest. Be brave little one and the trees will protect you. Wear your talismans to guard you against the shadows.


Irresistable. And just a fine example of how a website can really showcase a makers work. Always remember crafties that everyone loves a story!

www.iggyandloulou.com

cut that out!

CRAFT FINDS OF THE WEEK

All this talk of food is making us hungry! The ladies of hml have turned their minds to xmas cookies a la Martha - nothing tells the mailman/teacher/neighbor/landlord/and in Ramona's case Video Guy (thanks for getting in season 2 of Battlestar Gallactica!) Seasons Greetings more than a little bag of shortbread. You know our intentions are good but we may be buying the old Walkers petticoats squares December 24 like everyone else. In the meantime check out just part of the extensive staff room collection of cookie cutters.

We love their simple sillhouette shapes and have a particular fondness the the Hang Ten foot cookie (insert foot in mouth joke here). You can also see some of our Easter cookies here - just to prove that we do actually bake on occasion (well annually at least...)

fast food nation

SHOW OF THE WEEK

Nibbles by Lucy Folk
Regular readers of HML will know we have a penchant for jewelry and a passion for food.We like both to be robust, delicious, inclusive and inviting. All these words can be said to describe the work of Melbourne based jeweler Lucy Folk. A member of the Pieces of Eight stable of stars Folk's new work evoke sensory memories of chowing down on burgers, popcorn and pretzels, cheese and crackers and some silvery sardines.
Incorporating such craft skills as whittling, crochet and carving as well as screenprinting on a series of teatowels and napkins, Folk has gone all out with this spread of treats. All we need now is a good shiraz and our sense of humour before deciding on the cracker necklace or the pretzel brooch...

Pieces of Eight 635 Brunswick Street North Fitzroy

Nibbles by Lucy Folk runs from November 10 to December 2