Catching my breath!

Lots of excitement around here over the past month or so. A whirlwind time was had late June preparing calendar designs for 2011 before presenting them to Readings in Carlton with the hopes of some being ordered. I came out of an incredible meeting with the rep there with orders for 160 calendars (4 types: 40 of each) and 60 cards (10 types: 6 of each). Wooo hoooooo (exactly what I yelled out -- not being able to contain it -- walking down Lygon St after the coup)!! They will be stocking one calendar that was in store there for the 2 weeks before Christmas last year (Details in Nature II), another calendar overflowing with incredible colour, both natural and colour manipulated, called 'Vibrant Colours', a third with a seaside theme including some beach boxes from Mornington beaches called 'Sand and Sea' and my 'Kitchen Owls' calendar -- filled with 24 of my assemblage sculpture creations. Now to work out the best way to get them produced so I make some money and it doesn't just turn into a marketing exercise!

Other great news includes the cube I now have at In.cube8r: champion to around 90 Melbourne artists. I rent the glass cube on a monthly basis and fill my cube with whatever product I wish (obviously they have vetted mine and all other artists' work). I currently have 12 owls and 3 mini blocks (photographs) on display. Go in and check it out sometime: they have some wonderful work all made in Oz.
In.cube8r
321 Smith St, Fitzroy

My owls have flown into Ojas Handcrafts in Clifton Hill

Exciting news: Focus on Art, in the form of 11 Kitchen Owls, have made a breakthrough onto the retail scene. A long overdue visit to Ojas Handcrafts (at 344 Queen St, Clifton HIll), resulted in some adoptions and they are now the proud owners of owls #31, #47, #48, #50, #53, #55, #58, #59, #63, #66 and #75. If you would like to see which owls these are, check out http://good-times.webshots.com/album/575948722JEguIc?start=96. All owls in this album which have comments are no longer available from my market stalls (either sold, in a gallery, or retail outlet).

New market on trial this Sunday -- Rose St Artists' Market, Fitzroy

Well, I've been enjoying the freedom of the school holidays but *not* the absolute shambles resulting in my house at the end of a few days of playing at home. I'm therefore looking forward to some time to create a little order here once school goes back. Not too much, mind…

Tara's 7th birthday at the beginning of Easter was a highlight of the holidays, along with our present to her, 'Cats', a couple of days prior. It was a distinct pleasure to enjoy her absolute delight at the theatre (luckily not solely due to the kitch, plastic martini glass with the lit stem that constantly changed colour -- "you may take it back to your seat but you must switch it off before the 2nd act begins". Never fear, it was only a non-alcoholic slushy!).

Easter down on the Mornington Peninsula helping to celebrate a wedding and take some photos of the occasion was fun with additional highlights of a judged Easter Bonnet Parade and Easter Egg Hunt at Uncle Martin & Aunt Yvette's caravan park on Easter Sunday. Tara's eyebrows shot up when, on arriving at Granddad's place, the Easter Bunny hadn't yet been as he was "incredibly busy delivering eggs all over the world"! A weak excuse which has helped to convince her that the Easter Bunny, along with that guy in red who turns up at Christmas, aren't real. Let's face it: I'm a terrible liar. ;o)

One benefit of our lazy school holiday life has been the volume of new owl creations (new ones starting from Mini Mae #25 -- http://good-times.webshots.com/album/575948722JEguIc?start=72) which I'll be taking to Rose St, Fitzroy on Sunday 11th. Come and join the fun of a market chock full of amazing talent selling fabulous stuff. I hope to see you there!

Back to school and the usual routine next Monday. Mixed feelings about that. My next market will be the following Sunday (18th) back at my regular Abbotsford Convent Maker's Market. It's panning out to be a busy month.

Back to full health

Well almost. I'm back swimming laps a couple of times a week which is generally a good indication of wellness, however, and it's not surprising, my level of stamina is low. At the end of 50 metres my lungs are struggling and I'm needing to rest a bit where I could previously keep going. Easy does it for a while longer, I think.

I've been busy working on some more owls and diversifying a little -- I need to with so few tea strainers to be had! One of my recent additions is 'Stretch' whose body is an oval grater. You can see him for yourself on my Metal Sculptures album

http://good-times.webshots.com/album/575948722JEguIc?start=72).

I've also been brewing up some other creatures which I"m hoping to bring to fruition during these school holidays. Watch this space!

My blog has had some adjustments and now sports a list of my upcoming market dates down the right hand column. I will endeavour to keep this updated so you can keep abreast of where I'll be to come and say hello.

Off to enjoy the first weekday of the school holidays. I think we'll stay in pyjamas ALL day. ;o)

Market day again!

I have been enjoying the return of movement in my fingers and have been busy making some more owls for my market tomorrow which you can see on my webshots page by copying and pasting the link below into your browser (if you've seen the others, you might want to 'jump' to the current ones by clicking on 3 at the bottom right of the white picture panel).

http://good-times.webshots.com/album/575948722JEguIc

I will be at the Markets in the Garden at the Royal Botanic Gardens (near the Observatory Gate) from 9 to 2pm on Sat 13th March and then at the Abbotsford Convent Makers' Market on Sun 21st March from 10 to 4pm. See you there!