Author Archives: topbird

1. 5 reasons why I won’t be watching the Melbourne Cup today

   November 4, 2014 11:12 am 19 Comments

   

   There are too many losers on Melbourne Cup Day for my liking. Loser rosette by Dear Colleen, via Etsy.

   It’s Melbourne Cup Day here in Australia. Once upon a time I would have baulked at the notion of not watching the Cup. It’s un-Australian, surely!?

   I’ve always loved the Melbourne Cup as a good excuse to take 20 minutes off work and gather around the telly with some mates, glass of Champagne in hand and funny hat on head. As a former magazine editor, I’ve attended many a corporate marquee at Flemington as the guest of a multi-national beauty company, and I’ve even blogged about what to wear to the races on this very site.

   I’ve fancied myself a wee flutter down at the TAB, and I’ve run a few good office sweeps in my time. It’s all a bit of fun, isn’t it? Well…. not really. I’ve read enough about the “dark side” of horse racing that in all good consciousness, I just can’t stand by anymore and cheer it on.

   I don’t mean to be a killjoy, and I’m certainly no vegan saint. So I don’t stand here in judgement of those who love the Melbourne Cup. But here’s the thing: there are some things you can’t un-read or un-learn, even for the “race that stops the nation”. So here are five reasons why I won’t be celebrating the Melbourne Cup today:

   1. Whipping horses is cruel. Flogging racehorses to the wild cheers of a crowd is abhorrent. I don’t want to be one of those people anymore. And you know what? Whipping doesn’t make a horse go any faster. In fact, the opposite is true, according to a study by the University of Sydney.

   2. The horses are pushed to such physical extremes in training and racing that “more than 75% of racing thoroughbred horses in the racing industry suffer from bleeding in the lungs and windpipe (Exercise-induced Pulmonary Haemorrhage) due to over-exertion”.

   3. Jockeys are under-paid, over-stressed and over-worked. Eating disorders and mental health issues are rife across the industry. While the Australian Trainers’ Association has finally acknowledged this worrying issue, there needs to be actual and lasting change to the inherent culture of extreme pressure and unrealistic expectations within the industry.

   Colin Watts, the official chaplain to Sydney’s racing industry, says, “I don’t know if things are getting tougher but they seem to be.”

   “The insistence of the industry is a strain on people, the hours are long and the income is not good. I look back over the last 18 months and have encountered more and more people with depression or feeling quite despondent.”

   4. Having a bet on the Melbourne Cup sounds harmless enough, but for some people, gambling is an addiction and contributes to myriad social and family problems. According to the University of Sydney, “betting on horseracing comprises 14 per cent of total wagering expenditure in Australia, equating to $2.6 billion annually”.

   Last year, Greens NSW Gaming and Racing spokesperson John Kaye said,

   “[w]hile many people placing a bet on the Melbourne Cup are occasional opportunistic gamblers, it would be irresponsible to gloss over the role that the Spring Racing Carnival plays in propagating a culture of gambling and its associated social harms.

   The Melbourne Cup plays a role in perpetuating and normalising the $95 billion that Australians spend each year on gambling. A University of Sydney study found that participation rates for race gambling are significantly higher in young people who are more vulnerable to gambling addiction. Inevitably those of us who question the ethics and practices of the horseracing industry, particularly at the time of the Melbourne Cup, are accused of being un-Australian, wowsers and the fun police. However, conflating a love of socialising, fashion and taking much-needed time out from work with some of the abhorrent industry practices fails to do justice to the problem gambling and significant horse suffering.”

   5. Ex-racehorses end up at the knackery and are used in dog food, unceremoniously slaughtered after being used by humans purely for entertainment and gambling purposes.

   So, fare thee well, Melbourne Cup. I shall miss your beautiful and abundant roses at Flemington, the fashions on the field and the giddiness of the race at 3.15pm on the first Tuesday of November. But it’s time I take my leave from supporting this sinister and shady industry, until real and lasting change has been made.

   Tell me: what do you think? Am I missing something?

2. 50,000 Pinterest Followers & Hipster Cacti

   November 1, 2014 10:24 am 1 Comment

   

   Love: art, bench and foliage. Via Old Brand New Blog.

   I’m celebrating today because I reached a big milestone on Pinterest with 50,0000 followers. Wait a minute. Make that 53,137. Golly gosh.

   “Celebrating” is probably the wrong word as I scramble to write this post in my old maternity nightie, gingerly sipping weak coffee while listening to blocked noses and much hacking and wheezing. It’s been a long week. But yay for Pinterest!

   

   Plants! Hanging plants! George Nelson and nice textiles! Sourced via The Selby.

   

   Cactuses are the hipsters of plants. And I still love them! Sourced via Urban Outfitters.

   I’m one of those people who finds scrolling through Pinterest rather relaxing, and while I repin inspirational homes, kids’ crafts and beautiful design, I don’t have the slightest urge to recreate anything I find.

   It’s just an extension of my magpie habit, and a rather practical one at that as it’s replaced the piles of torn recipes, handy hints and assorted “rather interesting things” I find in papers and magazines. (Mind you, I still have a few piles of those things to go through.)

   

   Fiddle leaf fig in a basket love. Sourced via Style by Emily Henderson.

   Today I thought I’d share some of the images I’ve pinned over the last couple of days. You can see that there is a running theme of plants and greenery. I posted about my obsession with indoor plants a few years ago, back in 2011 when I was using the word “pinteresting” (vintage Wee Birdy makes me cringe). I’d been watching Annie Hall and a few other ’70s films, and the indoor plant trend has really taken off since then.

   I’m still looking for my ideal mid-century inspired planter. If I could design my own product range, that would be it. I collection of affordable and beautiful planters in a range of sizes. Anyone?

   

   Love: Plants, bench, rug. Sourced via sfgirlbybay.

   Tell me: are you one of my 53,137 followers on Pinterest? Do you love it or hate it? Or both? (The love/hate relationship with Pinterest is a well-established phenomenon, isn’t it?)

3. 5 Last-Minute DIY Costumes For Halloween

   October 31, 2014 6:30 am 1 Comment

   

   DIY Strawberry costume by Studio DIY. Photography by Jeff Mindell for Studio DIY.

   It’s always tricky coming up with a fun and original costume idea, especially when you’re a craft blogger. But there is one blogger who always nails DIY costumes and decorations every year, and that’s Kelly Lander from Studio DIY.

   

   DIY Pizza slice costume by Studio DIY. Photography courtesy of Studio DIY.

   I’ve had a few chats with the lovely Kelly over the past couple of years, and the Los Angeles-based blogger always comes up with amazing costume ideas that aren’t overly complicated or expensive to make. Take her strawberry costume, for instance. Got a red dress? Great – you’re halfway there! Now, all you need to do is fashion a simple green “stalk” from card stock and voila: you’re a strawberry.

   

   DIY ice cream cone costume by Studio DIY. Photography by by Jeff Mindell for Studio DIY.

   Studio DIY’s Halloween costumes are also always on-trend. This year she takes on the icecream, which has emerged as one of the strongest motifs in design for spring/summer 2014, while she tackled the ever-popular pineapple last year.

   

   DIY pineapple costume by Studio DIY. Photography courtesy of Studio DIY.

   Kelly always takes beautiful photography and her step-by-step instructions are clear and easy-to-follow. With a preoccupation for food-themed costumes, Kelly demonstrates how easy it is to transform yourself into an ice-cream; pineapple; donut; or a slice of pizza. The costumes are fantastic for adults and kids alike, and she has some cool DIY costume ideas for couples, too.

   

   DIY donut costume by Studio DIY. Photography courtesy of Studio DIY.

   If you’re not already following Kelly’s terrific blog, head over to Studio DIY and add it to your bookmarks.

   Tell me: are you or your kids doing Halloween this year? I’d love to hear about your own DIY costume ideas.

   (I’ll go first! When my son was 10 months old, I fashioned a garden gnome costume for him at the last minute, using his own clothes and a head of a mop as a beard. I held it all together with surgical tape. It was all rather make-do and slightly pointless for the non-Halloween-celebrating street we were living in at the time, but what else are you gonna do with a cute baby on October 31? And he rather enjoyed bum-shuffling around the front garden in his gnome get-up, much to the amusement of passers-by.)

4. Shop the Trend: Put a Feather on It

   October 30, 2014 9:44 pm Leave a Comment

   

   Alberta Ferretti Collection feather print sheath dress, US$1,385.00, from Shopbop.

   Earlier this week I talked how birds and feathers emerged as one of the biggest trends on the European catwalks for Autumn/Winter 2014-15, with the likes of Alberta Ferretti dressing her ‘birds’ in layers of real feathers. Meanwhile, at other designer collections, feather prints appeared on many a top, bottom and frock.

   Here’s my round-up of how to shop the feathered friend trend, from high street to high fashion .

   

   Antik Batik Pare pouch with feathers, US$205, from Shopbop.

   

   Feather duster kimono, reduced to £25, from Topshop.

   

   Elizabeth and James feather pullover, US$485.00, from Shopbop.

   

   Little feather hook earrings, £120, by Alex Monroe.

   

   Mono feather scallop top, £18 from Topshop.

   

   Marchesa Voyage long sleeve pleated dress, reduced to US$381.50, from Shopbop.

   

   Franco Ferrari ombre feathers scarf, $295 from Shopbop.

   

   Shiny feather cape, £110, from Topshop.

   

   PETITE flower bird print jacquard kimono, £55, from Topshop.

   

   Marchesa Voyage bell sleeve gown, US$795, from Shopbop.

   Tell me: do you fancy feathers on your frocks?
   Like this post? You might like to read my original trend report on Autumn Winter 2014-15.

   Full disclosure: Some of my wee finds are also affiliate links and I will be paid a small commission if you buy them, which would be jolly helpful since Wee Birdy is my full-time job. But don’t worry, all of my wee finds are based on their awesomeness and ability to make me smile. Confetti jets optional. (To be honest, I don’t even know which ones are affiliate links in this post, if any. It’s all beyond me and I’m just covering my rather large bottom.)

5. Wee Find: Castle’s New Bedding for Babies

   October 29, 2014 8:10 am 1 Comment

   

   Rachel Castle’s new cot bedding in blue. Photography courtesy of Castle.

   Here’s a gorgeous new product I would have coveted roughly four years ago: Rachel Castle’s new bed linen for babies.

   Castle’s new launch sees her trademark spotty luxury cotton sheets downsized for cots, with both fitted and flat sheets available in a charcoal spot, fluoro pink spot and tiny yellow hearts for AU$69 each. There is also a new 100 per cent cotton blanket in two colour ways: pink and orange or blue and charcoal. The new Blanky, AU$79, has been woven especially for Castle, and fits a standard cot (folded) and a single bed.

   

   Castle’s ‘Sound the Trumpets’ and trademark spotty bright bed linen. Photography courtesy of Castle.

   Good news for Australian mums who were so desperate for quality bedding in non-naff prints, they took to Castle’s sheets with a pair of scissors and a sewing machine (true story).

   

   Yellow heart cot bedding and pink and orange Blanky. Photography courtesy of Castle.

   Castle has also released a new range of linen tea-towels, which can be framed and makes beautiful and affordable art for a nursery at AU$69.

   

   Castle limited edition frameable linen tea towels, $69. Photography courtesy of Castle.

   Check out the little embroidered hen tea-towel, as well as the new big flower and “The Fun Peeps’ designs.

6. Birdy of the Week: Autumn 2014-15 Trends

   12:34 am 1 Comment

   

   Put a bird on it: Alberta Ferretti’s Autumn/Winter 2014 Collection. Photography courtesy of Alberta Ferreti.

   Just when you thought you’d seen the back of birds (and I was almost considering re-naming this blog “wee watermelon”), along comes a flock of feathers down the catwalks of Milan for Autumn/Winter 2014-15.

   

   Alberta Ferretti’s Autumn/Winter 2014 Collection. Photography courtesy of Alberta Ferreti.

   

   Alberta Ferretti’s Autumn/Winter 2014 Collection. Photography courtesy of Alberta Ferreti.

   

   Alberta Ferretti’s Autumn/Winter 2014 Collection. Photography courtesy of Alberta Ferreti.

   The pieces that were paraded back in February are dropping into stores now, and it seems that Europe’s leading designers have taken Portlandia‘s command to “put a bird on it” to heart.

   At Alberta Ferretti, birds were a recurring motif that were worked throughout the collection using various materials and techniques, from knitted intarsia birds and bird prints to embroidered and appliqued birds.

   And if you didn’t quite get the message that birds are back in Ferretti’s books, she used feathers as a major decorative feature, from a subtle trim around the hem of a frock to heavily embellished layers of feathers, remininscent of Matthew Bourne’s swans.

   But if you’re after more of a subtle flash of feathers, Alberta Ferretti’s exquisite feather-encrusted ballet flats, below right, are the perfect solution (and they’ve gone straight to the top of my dream wishlist).

   

   Ballerina flats by Alberta Ferretti. Photography by Alberta Ferretti/Instagram.

   

   Stella Jean AW14-15 collection. Photography courtesy of Stella Jean.

   

   Stella Jean AW14-15 collection. Photography courtesy of Stella Jean.

   This ties into the folk trend that I talked about a couple of weeks ago, where birds (and other woodland creatures) are a recurring motif, often appearing via handcrafted techniques such as embroidery, tapestry and intarsia knits. Let’s call it crafty couture (yeah I know, it’s ready-to-wear, but I’m rather fond of the alliteration.)

   Intarsia knit birds could also be seen over at Stella Jean’s collection for AW14-15, via a rather handsome cockerel on stripey sweater, and birds were a recurring motif in her glorious African prints, appearing on coats, skirts and a kimono-style dress.

   

   Valentino AW14-15. Photography courtesy of Valentino.

   

   Valentino AW14-15. Photography courtesy of Valentino.

   

   Valentino AW14-15. Photography courtesy of Valentino.

   Over at Valentino, embroidered and embellished birds fluttered across a dreamy and whimsical collection featuring floaty maxi silk gowns, and sheer layers of chiffon.

   

   Dolce & Gabbana AW14-15. Photography courtesy of Dolce & Gabbana.

   And while I loved Dolce & Gabbana’s embroidered and embellished florals, I must confess that their rendering of naive owls, foxes and an assortment of other woodland creatures got me scratching my head. Is it just me or does it look a tad crafty, circa Etsy 2008?

   Don’t get me wrong – I’m basically the queen of twee, Etsy and portrayals of creatures large-eyed and naive, but those foxes and owls look way too familiar. The point I’m trying to make is that they’re crafty tropes that have had a good run for a few years now, recalling ’70s style illustration and craft.

   Or is that exactly the point? Do Domenico and Stefano have their tongues firmly lodged in their cheeks with their exquisitely embellished naive renderings of owls, foxes and squirrels? Or perhaps 2008 doesn’t seem awfully long ago to me, but in sartorial terms, it’s fair game for the swings and roundabouts of fashion.

   Tell me: what do you think?

   Head back to Wee Birdy tomorrow for my edit of how to shop the bird trend for your wardrobe.
   

7. Advertise on Wee Birdy for Christmas and Get One Month FREE!

   October 27, 2014 7:00 am Leave a Comment

   

   A miniature winter wonderland for Christmas at home. Photography by Lucas Boyd for Wee Birdy.

   It’s starting to look a lot like Christmas here at Wee Birdy. I’m busy preparing six weeks of the best Christmas-themed content, including my popular Christmas gift guides and round-ups of the most beautiful and covetable decorations, cards, wrap and crackers. Basically, everything you need to make this Christmas really wonderful.

   

   My pick of the prettiest of pretty presents.

   

   My edit of the best pastels and brights for the loveliest of presents.

   

   My gift guides for kids are always fun – with lots of budget options.

   Christmas is very busy on Wee Birdy, with more readers than any other time of the year. In fact, unique visitors to Wee Birdy increases on average by 48.82% during November and December, with pageviews increasing by 48.33% (Google Analytics, 2012 to 2013).

   

   Christmas at home. Photography by Lucas Boyd for Wee Birdy.

   Book a banner advertisement for November now, and I’ll throw in December for free. That’s right, get one whole month for $0!

   Email me now for a media kit with super-affordable, special Christmas rates and support your favourite Wee Birdy!

   Thanks chickens! Please help me spread the word!

8. 5 Creative Australian Instagram Accounts

   October 26, 2014 10:55 am Leave a Comment

   

   A sweet flower fairy by Fleur Florist in Armadale, Victoria. Photography by Red Rabbit Photography via fleur_florist_in_armadale/Instagram.

   After some fresh Antipodean eye candy to add to your Instagram feed? I’ve rounded up five Instagram accounts of some rather clever Australian creatives for you to follow. Get ready to feel inspired when your feed snaps, crackles and pops with colour, texture and refreshing ideas.

   

   1. fleur_florist_in_armadale. Inspirational and uplifting photos of the most beautiful flower arrangements (and flower fairies, above), by the very talented Fleur in Armadale, Victoria.

   

   2. ilikebirdspaddington. A sweet little shop of vintage treasures in Paddington, Sydney. This amazing cascading ribbon curtain was created for them by Boy and Bird for the William Street Festival, 2014.

   

   3. erinswindow. A feed full of delicate ceramics and whimsical figurines by an Australian maker.

   

   4. hellonaomicakes. All manner of beautifully created cakes and cookies by Newcastle-based (Australian) cake maker.

   

   5. kipandco. Bright, bold and colourful bedding and homewares from this Melbourne-based company. I love their new cotton rainbow blankets.

   Tell me: do you follow any of these accounts? Who are you favourite Australian creatives on Instagram?

9. Happy Garage Sale Trail Day!

   October 25, 2014 9:37 am Leave a Comment

   

   I heart garage sales, too! Photography by herlibraryadventures/Instagram.

   One of my favourite days of the year has arrived. It’s Garage Sale Trail Day here in Australia, and it’s a veritable nation-wide feast of trash and treasure. Head over now to the Garage Sale Trail website and search for local sales in your area.

   

   Treasures found at last year’s garage sale trail by Vanessa Timmins. Photography by Vanessa Timmins/Instagram.

   Looking for something specific? Easy. You can search by object! We’re trying to makeover our garden in a budget, so I searched for “plants” and a bevy of sales popped up within 10km from our home. Score!

   

   In Tasmania? Head to the MONA Garage Sale where could you expect to find a David Bowie candle, Ming Dynasty inspired porcelain and a gold bird cage? Photography courtesy of MONA/Instagram.

   

   There will be no shortage of My Little Ponies at the Pick up a Knit Knack and Share a Yarn garage sale in Queensland. Photography via Garage Sale Trail/Instagram.

   

   The Hoarders Hideaway and Laneway Locals Loot in Pragan with Georgina Campbell and James Grant. Photography via Garage Sale Trail/Instagram.

   I’m just about to head off to a garage sale where I spotted a rather lovely mid-century globe, but if you’re anywhere near Alexandria, make a beeline to stylist Megan Morton and Friends’ Greatest Ever Garage Sale at The School.

   

   This vintage enamel basin is up for grabs at Megan Morton and Friends’ Greatest Ever Garage Sale today. Photography by Megan Morton/Instagram.

   Megan and her stylist mates are selling a plethora of homewares and styling props, such as a vintage enamel basin in green, Featherstone-esque chairs antique wall scones, party props and designer clothes (last year they had Chanel, this year Easton Pearson, dries von noten, Marni). And if you can’t make the sale in the morning, they will be refreshing and re-stocking their stands for for afternoon visitors.

   

   Vintage and designer fashion and accessories at Megan Morton and Friends Greatest Ever Garage Sale. Photography by Megan Morton/Instagram.

   Melbourne readers might like to check out Frankie and Friends Garage Sale, hosted by the lovely editor of Frankie magazine Jo Walker. You can pick up a bargain from sellers including Pip from Meet me at Mike’s, who is selling big-eyed dolls, vintage books, retro bikes, knick knacks and cute treasures; and Kitiya Palaskas, who is offloading a bunch of studio samples, pre-loved haberdasher, party supplies and colourful vintage trinkets.

   

   Frankie and Friends Garage Sale in Melbourne. Photography courtesy of Frankie.

   

   Get a lucky dip at Kititya Palaskas’ stall at Frankie and Friends Garage Sale. Photography by Kitiya Palaskas/Instagram.

   

   Kit’s Kiosk! Photography by Kitiya Palaskas/Instagram.

   Happy hunting, garage sale goers! (And good luck to everyone having a Garage Sale today – hi Mum!).

10. 10 Amazing Home Ideas Shaynna Blaze Loves

    October 24, 2014 7:00 am Leave a Comment

    

    Monster loft in Stockholm via Freshome. Photography courtesy of Eklund Stockholm New York.

    The Grand Designs Live Show kicks off in Sydney today for three days of home design inspiration with some of Australia’s top design experts.

    One of them, Shaynna Blaze, is perhaps one of our most prolific interior designers, juggling her role as interior designer and co-presenter on Selling Homes Australia, with her judging duties on The Block, alongside her own design business, several commercial partnerships and collections. Did I mention she’s also an artist and a published author?

    

    Australian interior decorator Shaynna Blaze.

    You can catch Shaynna today and over the weekend at the Grand Designs Live Home Show in Sydney, where she will be offering her expertise on how to decorate in small spaces. She will be appearing at the LifeStyle Channel Grand Theatre at 1.30pm each day.

    In the meantime, get a dose of inspiration for your home with these 10 amazing ideas that Shaynna discovered for the Grand Designs Live Australia Pinterest board.

    

    1. “Lots of storage – tick!”
    Monster loft in Stockholm via Freshome. Photography courtesy of Eklund Stockholm New York.

    

    2. “Megan Weston‘s platters. I first came across this wonderful lady’s art about three years ago and have a piece in my home. Looks like I might need to get the plates too!”
    Photography courtesy of Megan Weston.

    

    3. “Hard to believe this design is all from the light source. It would be hard to go to sleep just watching all the details swimming in the room.”
    ‘Forms in Nature’ chandelier by Hilden & Diaz. Photography courtesy of Hilden & Diaz.

    

    4. “A small lounge doesn’t mean you have to compromise on style. This lounge ‘pit’ is given extra size with the seat plinth around the perimeter, a door to the decking and the explosive colour palette. You could totally lull away the days in this room. Also, proof that not all living rooms need a TV.”
    Justina and Tom Noble’s living room, as featured in Inside Out, via Desire to Inspire. Photography by Derek Swalwell.

    

    5. “Great lamp to give soft light.”
    Crescent Table Lamp by Lewis Yee, via Yellowtrace. Photography courtesy of Lewis Yee.

    

    6. “Full wall murals when I was a kid were not as awesome as this. Combined with the right linen and lighting, this is a bedroom I don’t think I would leave in a hurry.”
    Photography via Domaine Home.

    

    7. “How great are these tiles mixed with blonde timber? The tiles might look a little over the top in another environment, but the timber softens the contrasting black and white.”
    Kitchen timber and marble fittings by Tunisian design company Marmo Spirito. Photography courtesy of Marmo Spirito.

    

    8. “Basic items pulled apart and turned into art at Milan. Might be a dust collector in a home but I love the inspiration.”
    Discipline party at Milan Furniture Fair 2014. Photography courtesy of Sight Unseen.

    

    9. Rugs are essential when you have a lot of hard surfaces like concrete and tiles. This driftwood rug from my collection is bold in its contrast but perfect for when you want to walk around the house in bare feet.
    Driftwood rug by Shaynna Blaze for The Rug Collection. Photography courtesy of The Rug Collection.

    

    10. “Salvaged windows as a bedhead – work well with upholstered frame in front of it. The modern linen balances that old and new. Lazy Sunday reading, anyone?”
    Australian stylist/photographer Kara Rosenlund‘s bedroom via Design Sponge. Photography by Kara Rosenlund.

    Thanks so much for all of your handpicked interiors goodness, Shaynna!

    For more of Shaynna’s favourite products, style and furniture, head over to the Grand Designs Live Australia page on Pinterest.

    Tell me: which of Shaynna’s looks inspires you the most?

11. Australian Design: Lisa Tilse

    October 23, 2014 8:47 am 3 Comments

    

    Porcelain, feathers and gold wire vessel by Lisa Tilse. Photography by Lisa Tilse.

    Today I’m excited to introduce you to the stunning new work by multi-disciplinary maker Lisa Tilse. This collection of delicate porcelain, fibre and mixed media vessels is part of a group show at Sydney’s Gaffa Gallery, called ‘Intimacies and Dichotomies’.

    Lisa is no stranger to the online and design worlds. Her popular blog, The Red Thread, attracts a wealth of global readers and her 12,000+ followers on Instagram can’t get enough of her minimalist vignettes and latest creations. I’ve also blogged about Lisa in the past, when she worked with me on Tuts+ and created a series of step-by-step craft tutorials.

    

    Vessel in linen, leather and porcelain by Lisa Tilse. Photography by Lisa Tilse.

    This new collection by Lisa is an exploration of her work with delicate white porcelain vessels, in which she plays with the juxtaposition of “smooth and textured”, “cool and warm”, “pliable and solid”. She use various knotting, weaving and crochet techniques to combine the porcelain with materials as diverse as as gold wire, feathers, linen, leather, paper yarn, raffia and rope.

    

    Vessel made with paper yarn and porcelain by Lisa Tilse. Photography by Lisa Tilse.

    

    Loopy crochet net vessel using fine linen yarn by Lisa Tilse. Photography by Lisa Tilse.

    Lisa says, “Making allows me to disconnect from the often frenetic pace of the everyday and the demands and expectations this imposes. I turn my focus inward and explore my own measured and intimate journey of details, fragments of memory, and intuition.

    “My muted and limited colour palettes, simple forms and repetition are suggestive of a calm insular state of contemplation. They unify disparate materials, textures and processes.

    “Indigo appears in limited amounts representing nightfall and sleep: the disconnect from day to day life, bringing thoughts together, making sense of them and letting them go into the darkness, processing and transforming.

    “The details and intimacies of my vessels invite the viewer into my personal space of contemplation and calm, hands and heart.”

    

    Paper yarn and porcelain vessel by Lisa Tilse. Photography by Lisa Tilse.

    

    Vessel made with raffia, rope and porcelain by Lisa Tilse. Photography by Lisa Tilse.

    I love Lisa’s restrained colour palettes and minimalist aesthetic, which recalls Scandinavian design and traditional craft techniques in a way that is altogether new and unique.

    I hope Lisa continues making these vessels and finds a way to get a commercial collection together – and not only because they’d look amazing in my home! I’m thinking that some savvy design company or Australian homewares buyer should snap her up and recognise her work as new talent in Australian design – with so much commercial potential. I can see a bunch of Australian design influencers coveting a collection of Lisa’s delicate hanging porcelain planters. What are they waiting for?

    ‘Intimacies and Dichotomies’ Group Show
    October 16 to October 27, 2014
    Gaffa
    281 Clarence Street
    Sydney, NSW 2000
    Tel. 02 9283 4273

    Opening hours:
    Monday to Friday 10am-6pm
    Saturday 11am-5pm

    Tell me: are you one of the 12,000+ fans who follow Lisa on Instagram?

12. Win! Tickets to Grand Designs Live Show

    October 22, 2014 8:42 am 18 Comments

    

    Watching other people build the home of their dreams is something of an obsession for many people, who like me, get a kick out of these overly-ambitious projects that inevitably run over-time and over-budget. We can attempt to dream, just like them, as they stand in their hard hats in the middle of a field on a drizzly Dorset day, attempting to combine the roles of builder, architect and project manager.

    But then Kevin McCloud wanders into shot and scratches his head over a pile of blueprints, asking them the questions we all want to know (basically, have they completely lost their minds). Grand Designs is addictive telly, and it’s all the more fun and relevant when you’re renovating or building your own home, and you can relate to the middle-age folk quietly despairing over a pile of (locally reclaimed) bricks.

    

    Kevin McCloud at last year’s Grand Designs Live Show. Photography courtesy of Grand Designs Live.

    This weekend in Sydney, Kevin is fronting the annual Grand Designs Live Home Show, along with a bunch of Australia’s best design experts, offering a wealth of inspiration and practical advice on how to take your home build, renovation or makeover to the next level. There is a focus on small spaces this year, which is reassuring when you don’t actually own a muddy field in the middle of Dorset to realise your own design dreams.

    At this year’s show at the Sydney Exhibition Centre on Glebe Island Sydney, you can:
    * meet over 200 exhibitors showcasing their products and services;
    * see your favourite TV celebrity experts including Kevin McCloud, host of Grand Designs and Peter Maddison, host of Grand Designs Australia;
    * attend free talks from industry experts and one-on-one advice sessions;
    * shop for unique products from top local designers; and
    * find solutions and tips for your projects on the Grand Theatre, Designs Stage and Sustainability Stage.

    

    Shaynna Blaze at last year’s Grand Designs Live Show. Photography courtesy of Grand Designs Live.

    

    Meet over 200 exhibitors showcasing their products and services. Photography courtesy of Grand Designs Live.

    

    Consult a design expert in a one-on-one free consultation. Photography courtesy of Grand Designs Live.

    

    

    

    UPDATE 23 OCTOBER 2014: THIS COMPETITION HAS NOW CLOSED AND WINNERS HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED.
    

    I’ve got 10 double passes to give away to the Sydney show this weekend!

    All you need to do is tell me about your own grand vision for your own space – big or small – in the comments section below. Make sure you leave your email address in the relevant box so I can contact you. Hop to it as you need to enter today!

    Winners will be selected and notified tomorrow (Thursday 23 October) at 9am AEST.

    Grand Designs LIVE 2014
    Sydney Exhibition Centre at Glebe Island
    James Craig Road,
    Rozelle NSW 2039

    Friday 24 October 10am – 6pm
    Saturday 25 October 10am – 6pm
    Sunday 26 October 10am – 5pm

13. Wee Find: Concert Art Prints by Kii Arens

    October 19, 2014 7:24 pm 2 Comments

    

    Belle and Sebastian signed and numbered lithograph by Kii Arens, $40, from La-La-Land Prints.

    Sometimes I use Wee Birdy to drop big hints. Especially when a certain festive holiday is just around the corner. So let it be known that I really do rather fancy this gorgeous print by LA artist Kii Arens for my Favourite Band of All Time, Belle and Sebastian.

    Look! It combines so many Things That I Love, including:

    1. Belle and Sebastian (natch)
    2. Vintage prints/wallpaper (swoon – and patchworked!)
    3. Belle and Sebastian is touring right now (hooray)
    4. Limited-edition, signed and numbered artwork (oooh, exclusive)
    5. Affordable art (US$40!)

    Check out some of the other limited-edition artwork for bands and concerts by LA-based artist Kii Arens.

    

    Band of Horses signed and numbered lithograph by Kii Arens, $40, fro La-La Land Prints.

    

    Becks signed and numbered lithograph by Kii Arens, $40, from La-La Land Prints.

    

    Beck signed and numbered artwork by Kii Arens, $40, from La-La Land Prints.

    

    Beck lithography signed and numbered artwork by Kii Arens, $40, from La-La Land Prints.

    

    Pixies lithograph signed and numbered artwork by Kii Arens, $35, from La-La Land Prints.

    I’ve collected a few limited-edition concert and album art prints over the years, and it’s a super-affordable way to bring colour, personality, and my favourite music into my home.

    I always get my prints professionally framed with a white mat and simple frame. It’s an extra step that not only looks good, but it protects the artwork as well.

    If you want to start collecting band and concert prints, try collecting prints by the same artist, or prints of your favourite bands by different artists. Look for small, limited edition print runs of around 100 that are signed and numbered by the artist.