Herbert and Friends - Handmade Softies by Torunn

Exhibition piece #2! As I mentioned in my last post, this work took much longer than expected. When I look at it now I can definitely see why it took as long as it did, and I've come to realise I'm a time optimist. Making these works is an interesting process, particularly with these incredibly detailed pieces. So many different emotions arise as I work my way through the project. Most of the time it's really enjoyable but there are moments where I hit a wall and get frustrated and impatient and never want to see it again. Luckily that passes fairly quickly and I get excited about finishing a particular section. Once again I've put together a time-lapse-like stop-motion video of the synthesiser in the making, it's about 10 days compressed into two minutes!    

Only 5 days to go until my exhibition opens! This is both exciting and terrifying because there's still so much to do. Over the last week I've been working on an exhibition piece that has taken a lot longer than expected, but it's almost finished so I'll post more on that in the next couple of days. Now I thought I'd share with you the details of the exhibition.. 

Opening day: Saturday 4th June (until 29th June)
Time: Gallery opens at 10am, official exhibition opening at 2pm
Where: Shop 4, 58-60 Carlton Cres, Summer Hill, (Opposite Summer Hill Rail Station)  

Over the weekend I visited the Finders Keepers market in Sydney. As usual the quality of stalls was great and there were hundreds of market goers which made it difficult at times to squeeze through and look at the lovely things on offer. Nevertheless, we persevered and here are my picks for the market...

First of all is Hideyo, a Tasmanian duo that make stunning paper sculptures.

Candy Hand is next with their playful food jewellery. 

Jen Hall Designs makes awesome hand drawn cloud brooches, a personal favourite, and these floral photo earing. 

And lastly is Crayon Chick who makes these wonderfully colourful necklaces as well as beautifully crafted bowls and more!

I came across these awesome wood sculptures by Shawn Smith on Booooooom and thought I'd share them with you. They're absolutely amazing!

Have a great weekend!

After many days and hours of sewing and problem solving I've finally finished the first new work for my upcoming exhibition! To give you an idea of the process I've put together a kind of stop motion movie. This is also my first ever youtube upload! 

I finally caved and made a koala! I have a very good excuse, a friend of mine is having a baby overseas. I've been avoiding the koala for some time because of its extreme australiana-ness but sooner or later I was bound to make one because they're unavoidable one of the cutest animals ever! I haven't decided whether I'll continue to make them or whether this is a one off... 

Have a great weekend everyone! 

We arrived back in Sydney yesterday afternoon after a wonderful whirlwind working holiday in Adelaide. The Bowerbird Bazaar market lived up to every expectation. The curation and organisation of the market was great, customers and fellow stall holders were super friendly, products beautiful and the food was delicious! You couldn't ask for more! 
As part of the market set-up each stall was provided with a wire fence at the back of the stall to be used for display, banners, signage etc. Before I left I made this sign and a friend put together the shelf below which turned out really well and worked perfectly on the wire fence! 

Now for my market picks (in no particular order).
Funky lamps by Retro Print Revival.

Stunning handwoven scarves by Kyoko.

Super cute and geometric jewellery by Indigo Fawn  

Colourful and subtle ceramics by Susan Frost Ceramics.

Stylish and fun capes, hoods and hats by The Encouragement Award.

Striking and simple jewellery by Emerald Green Submarine. 

Super cute kids clothes by Charlie Bird Clothing.

Beautiful ceramics by Jane Robertson.

Last but not least, the wonderful bikes by Fairweather's Bicycle Emporium.

To finish off I thought I'd include some photos of the striking coastal landscape around Adelaide. 

Over the last week I've been cooped up at home sewing my heart out for the upcoming Bowerbird Bazaar market which is this weekend! Yesterday I was at the Eveleigh Market which was great as always, I had quite a few customers that had bought a softie previously who told me what the creatures are up to now which was really lovely. 
When I get back from Adelaide I'll be sewing like crazy once again, but this time in preparation for an exhibition! The exhibition will be happening at Sweets Workshop in Summer Hill starting on the 4th June and finishing on the 29th June. I'm super excited about this and maybe just a touch nervous, it's been a long time since I had an exhibition! I'll post some more info on it in the coming weeks. In the meantime if you're around Summer Hill there's a show on at Sweets Workshop By Emma Simmons called The Sun Sets in the West which is definitely worth a look, but you have to get in quick because it finishes this Wednesday! Here's a sample of her work below. 

For now it's back to market prep for me as I only have two days before we fly to Adelaide!