Tuesday, June 18, 2013

making changes: what 'handmade' means to me



Guess what! I have a slightly new direction for my blog and it’s about time. I’ve been holding a lot in and it’s time to let it out in a really good positive way before I explode. It’s all about making little earth friendly changes in my own handmade practice and hopefully inspiring others to think about doing the same. I’ve already started in my own little way by using almost all thrifted and organic fabric in my products. Sure, I have a massive fabric stash and it will take a bit of time to phase out anything ‘un-eco’ but I’m going to start making a more conscious effort.

I go to a lot of markets, mostly as a shopper or a looker or to say hi to crafty peeps. I also buy a lot of handmade stuff online. Sometimes when I’m looking around I feel like we’re getting a little further away from what I think is authentic handmade. I love finding the products where I can see little stitches, or a little bit of ink gone astray, a wonky edge on an item that is hand cut, even a dropped stitch makes me smile. And I’m happy to pay a little more for it because I know what went into it. And I know there’s something inside that person who made it that’s the same as what’s inside me. I want to profile those people in this little space and share their story.

I also want to learn more about materials and resources that can be used to tread more lightly on the earth. The thing I love about running the Brisbane chapter of Brown Owls is that lately we are almost always using up bits and pieces of scraps to make stuff. I love the dialogue that goes on during that process in the group about what could be re-used in place of something else. So I’m going to post more tips, tricks, resources, how-tos and more about what we can make at home, what we can re-use as well as a collection of resources for handmade businesses to be more eco-conscious.

Sometimes people ask me where the name edward & lilly came from. To be honest there was no thought put into it back in 2007 when I started this little blog. They were just my two favourite names. I never dreamt I would actually sell anything I made. It was really just my way into an awesome handmade community. I’d like to get back to the roots of what this space was originally intended to be and what the term ‘handmade’ means to me.

So how about it?

Are you interested in getting more eco in your practice?
Do you have an awesome earth friendly material or product that you use that you would love to share?
Are you already an eco friendly crafter yourself?

I would love to hear from you either in the comments below or email rebecca (@) edwardandlilly.com

Ok, I better get back to writing my new blog plan so we can get this show on the road!

Friday, May 24, 2013

QAGOMA Winter Design Market

Very excited to be part of the QAGOMA Winter Design Market in conjunction with the Quilts 1700-1945 exhibition. This market is always a fabulous one full of gorgeous wares :)

QAGOMA Winter Design Market
Saturday 22 June, 9am-4pm
Gallery of Modern Art
Stanley Place
South Brisbane

See you there!

Thursday, May 9, 2013

the new brisstyle city hall market



Did you know BrisStyle has a new market for high end handmade in City Hall? I'll be there this Saturday 11th May from 9am-2pm with lots of new goodies. Perfect timing for Mother's Day!



See you there!

Thursday, April 25, 2013

my creative space


It's been a while since I've posted some pics of all the crafty goodness that's been happening in my little space. I'm gearing up for the BrisStyle indie twilight market tomorrow night with some new crochet brooches above, mostly made in my creative space on the bus ;)



Knotting away with my rag rug for the super popular Brown Owls meet up on Saturday. I'll post all my tips and tutorials I've found while researching this one soon. 


Country Boy and I did an amazing basket weaving workshop at Northey Street City Farm, I also learnt loads about the art of making miso, I'll post more about these workshops soon.   



Some amazing linen yarn arrived from here, it's a little thinner than I was thinking but I have a new project that it will be perfect for :)


Another fab Brown Owls meet up on the weekend at Brisbane Square Library learning crochet in the round and granny squares. So nice to know there are over 20 more Brisbanites on the crochet bandwagon after this one :) 


And finishing off some sweet custom orders :)



You can share your creative space or check out more over here, it's a great way to document what you're up to!

And if you missed my last post I'll be demonstrating lots of crafty things like rag rugs, how to make t-shirt yarn, macramé knots, crochet and more at the Brown Owls meet up at the BrisStyle indie twilight market tomorrow night, details are here.  

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

get your craft on with me!


This Friday night at the BrisStyle indie twilight market not only will I have lots of new stitched goodies available at my stall (preview coming soon) but I'll also be doing some little live crafty demos for Brisbane Brown Owls!

There will be a Brown Owls meet up happening next to my little stall on the deck above Groove Train in King George Square where you can pop in and pick up some crafty tips!

I can show you how to make t-shirt yarn, the basic knotting technique to make a rag rug, I can get you started with a bit of crochet, show you some basic macramé knots and more! Or just bring your own craft along and hang out with other crafty peeps :)

All of the details about the Brown Owls meet up can be found here and about the market here. There's also loads of other guilds, groups and crafters doing demonstrations and workshops on the night because it's also the launch of Saviours of the Lost Arts!

See you there!

Or leave me a comment or email me if you can't make it and you're after some hints or tips on any of the above :)

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

unfold design studio

 

There will always be a soft spot in my heart for anything made with an artisan's own two hands, I prefer my mugs to be wheel spun with initials carved into the bottom rather than mass produced. 


But at the same time I can fully appreciate the importance new technology plays in the ability for  artisans to achieve amazing new work, to break free of traditional methods and to embrace new ways of thinking, designing and realising.

 

Unfold design studio is doing just that. Through the use of a 3d printer they are able to take ceramics to a whole new level creating fine geometric shapes that otherwise wouldn't be possible. They're adopting a 'tool' to create new and interesting work and that tool is pretty amazing!


What do you think? Is there a place for both or does 'made by these two hands' rule?

Sunday, April 7, 2013

Takashi Iwasaki

Craigofficeisudezainalunsmith
Embroidery floss and fabric (hand embroidered), 35.5cm x 35.5cm. 2008. 
Copyright © 2008 Takashi Iwasaki. 


Negadegrow
Embroidery floss and fabric (hand embroidered), 25cm x 25cm. 2010. 
Copyright © 2010 Takashi Iwasaki.

Umipikahansha
Embroidery floss and fabric (hand embroidered), 46cm x 38cm. 2008.
Copyright © 2008 Takashi Iwasaki.

Nijiawapaip
Embroidery floss and fabric (hand embroidered), 41cm x 41cm. 2008.
Copyright © 2008 Takashi Iwasaki.


Appreciating the slow art of hand stitching in the incredibly inspiring work of Takashi Iwasaki. Next time someone comments on the enormous amount of patience I must have to hand-embroider I think I might just send them his way :)

Check out Iwasaki's full body of work here




Saturday, April 6, 2013

weekend inspiration



I love my second home... soooo much! I love the colour, the light, the texture, the pattern, the lines, the occasional symmetry, the reasons marks are in certain places and of a certain colour... it's a constant cascade of perfect design...




and I love the sweet little sounds indicating certain times of the day; the loud calls, the chittering and chattering you could set your clock to... Yes! I'm looking at you Spangled Drongo, I know exactly the time of day it is the moment you start gossiping ;)



They don't even know how inspiring they are :)

Friday, April 5, 2013

vegan sausage rolls


Last weekend Country Boy made vegan sausage rolls to celebrate our two years of bliss, cute hey! I've had a few people since I posted this pic on instagram ask me about the recipe. To be honest he used left over lentil loaf for the inside this time (so yummy!) but usually we use Cindy and Michael's amazing recipe which you can find here. I can guarantee this recipe is an absolute hit with kids and people who love their meat, it's that good!

Oh, we substitute the garlic powder for loads of fresh garlic too :)

Enjoy!

Rebecca (& Wayne) xx

Thursday, April 4, 2013

shop update


As usual I've been having way too much fun stitching things that I love, that I want to wear, that complement my wardrobe and that I enjoy every step of the way from my first little sketches to sourcing materials to extensive research to that final moment when I finish an item and fall in love with it :)


Like everyone else though I have bills to pay, an oven to fix, a broken hot water system, a garden to grow and my health to invest in so all my creative goodness ends up in my little shop :)


Good news for you and good news for me too, because at the end of the day I love the thrill of knowing someone out there loves and wants to wear my little creations as much as me :)

All of my new brooches are one of a kind but don't worry I have about a hundred ideas per day so you won't miss out ;)