Lindividual at Glebe Markets

Summer means market time.  In Sydney we are lucky to have some really great markets, all of which support handmade and feature some very talented artists.  This weekend we visited Glebe Markets to support and check out the latest works by our creative friend Lindividual (aka Lindy).

All sculptures range in size from 15cm to 36cm

Series include (R)awe, (R)evolution, Rough and Regal

These sculptures are all designed, cast , and hand painted by the lady herself.   Each piece requires much research into the various tribes found within Africa - her motherland. 

For more information regarding the process and inspiration for these pieces, please visit the Lindividual website

Also for a gorgeous account of Lindy's first market day, as seen through the eyes of her 9 year old daughter, please visit TJLine's blog.


  

Back to basics craftyclaudes - Red and Blue ceramic decorations

I bought these 3 ceramic hearts from reverse garbage a few months ago for 50c.   I wanted to initially make a little wind chime out of them, however, the thought of them clinking and banging against each other worried me a little.   So I made them into little tree decorations instead for our year round wooden tree.    Simple and fun and it had me doing something other than sewing and cutting for a little while.   Fun.

Made by.....my mama.

I have a very talented, resourceful and crafty mum.  She is always making things. Yummy food, lovely floral arrangements, cute cushions, table cloths, decorations.  She does it all.  A self taught crafter  - my favorite kind.     This Christmas she has made some tree decorations using scraps of felt left over from my various projects.  All carefully designed, cut and hand stitched.

Blanket stitching - so neat.

Christmas tree decorations ready to be hung soon.

Very beautiful, colorful and sweet - just like my mama!

La vida en color......

paper fashions....vintage craftyclaudes c. 2005

I often think of what my life would be like if I had not taken the plunge and started creating the things my heart felt.  Probably not as colourful, exciting or appreciative of what others are doing to enrich this wonderful tapestry called life.   Here are some of the things that have continued to feed the creative flame in this girls heart......

Martino's parents garden comes alive in Spring!

Ride Exhibition - Bikes shown some love by the people.....

CraftyClaudes....loving the old. working on the new.....

Japanese fabric, Chinese Tea, Ecuadorian coffee

Coffee or tea with your creations......

I recently read an article about the growing trend of coffee shops combining with yarn stores to create a place where both experienced and newbie crafters come together in the one place to hone their skills.   I for one LOVE this idea.  What a great way to create community and be able to interact with like minded people.  Also a good way to share skills and be able to swap ideas or even work on group projects with others.  With communal tables, cups of tea/coffee and yummy treats, what a wonderful way to spend a few hours (or your day off from the office) being in a place conducive to creating.

Here are some places around the globe doing it nicely:


Wool and the Gang - NYC

Cool kits to knit!

A party like no other!

Started by a Swiss and a New Zealander now based in NYC.  They specialize in selling funky knitting kits as well ready made pieces made from quality wool sourced from the Andean Highlands of Peru. Apart from a cool cool name, they also have fun events like knitting brunches!

For more info visit their site


Sweatshop - Paris

Wool chic comes to the the 10th arrondissement

More photos and details available via Cool Hunting

Here in Sydney we now have A Coffee and a Yarn located on the south side of King Street in Newtown.  I went to check it out earlier this year and although I was only there for a quick coffee, it looked like a great space and somewhere I would come back to, once I was ready to pick up the crochet or knitting needles.   Amy from Badskirt did a great review and also got to chat to the owner Ellie.  Here are some photos from Amy's blog.

I dream of one day owning a place like this, where not only knitters and sewing artists come together, but jewelry artists, softie creators, beaders, sculptors, paper cutters,  all creative types are welcome. A really fun place where we all come and share our crafts and learn new ones from each other.

Crafty scenes....

Its been a very busy few days finishing off my projects in preparation for Christmas markets.  Ive been playing around with some ideas for other softies that I want to make.  I finished off some dollies and also some more owls.  They have been my favourite ones so far.  Using fabric remnants, vintage fabric (found on a recent thrift store shopping expedition) lots of felt and even some upholstery fabric.   These little guys are turning out really nicely and even my old trusty work horse of a sewing machine is behaving itself and helping me along the way :-)

Here are a few pictures of what I have seen and been up to in the last few days.  Lots of fun, colour, fabric, wool and creative goodness.  Just how I like it!

Oh yeah - Martino finally organized his art desk yay!  incl the 3 little tins I made for his birthday :-)