So Tread Softly...

art

Hand-crafted goodness? I was lucky enough to find some of it in my Christmas stocking including this fabulous ring by New Zealand artist Jo Luping. The black and white photo is of native flax and is set in weighty silver. I love it! Actually I chose it but Mr Tread Softly wrapped it beautifully for me!

We're in the process of developing a working garden and would really like two or three chickens. Maybe this year? To see us through until that happens my good friend commissioned the remarkable sculptor, Sean Crawford to create one for us using metal. We think that he fits in really well amongst the raised beds. That's the chicken by the way, not Sean!

Towards the end of last year I was having lunch with Mr TS's cousin (who's studying design) and she showed me a series of photos she'd been working on. They were breathtakingly stunning and so I was thrilled when she arrived on Boxing Day with five of them mounted and ready to hang. It brought a huge lump to my throat. I simply adore them. Abby Washbourn is definitely a name to watch out for!

Thanks to Cousin Amy's encouraging tips, I have now finally, eventually, at long last, managed to work out how to add a shopping cart to my website. I could have got someone else to do it for me months ago but I just don't work like that. I'd kind of feel as if I'd cheated if I'd have let anyone else have a hand in the design and building of the site. I'll be adding some new items (possibly) throughout January (I'll let you know here) but most of my spare time will be spent making items for my stall at the Martinborough Fair on 2nd February. I have sooooo much to do!

I'd like to thank those of you who left gorgeous messages on the past post. They mean a great deal. I'd also like to wish you all (those who comment and those who read me) a blissfully happy 2008. I hope that the year holds many special moments for you all.

Until next time...

aratoi

I'm am thrilled to say that Aratoi will be show-casing a selection of Agnes Coy hand mades.

It's an amazing feeling when somewhere you REALLY rate expresses an interest in your work. Aratoi is an art gallery that I've visited so many times over the past year. Their approach to art and their loyalty to local artists is very impressive. If you're ever in Wairarapa, visit it. This is farming country and to have a place just up the road where I can go and soak up beautiful work by other artists has, in many ways, kept me sane. They have the coolest coffee shop attached to it and the BEST flat whites! Can you tell that I'm pleased? I sit in my studio in my little wooden cottage  beavering away whilst listen to BBC Radio 4 on the internet, loving every minute and knowing that out there people are actually considering buying my 'stuff' that I would, quite happily, produce for nothing! Quiet incredible!

...and and AND, they refered to me as a textile artist! Ha ha, a TEXTILE artist, who'd have believed it?! Hmmm, t.e.x.t.i.l.e. a.r.t.i.s.t. - I quite like that hat - let's try it on - oo er, it might even fit!

Until next time...

images

Spring has sprung for real and here's proof...

The cherry tree in Victoria's garden was just begging to be photographed.

My camera almost captured a bumble bee but he popped into one of the blossoms just as I clicked the shutter. Quite obviously shy.

The morning of Girl Friday Craft was spent working on a second bird pillow for Jo's two girls. I'll finish it off just as soon as I'm completed this post. Embroidery work and chatting just go so well together. You're not having to count stitches or talk above the whirring of a machine. You can just...be and natter and stitch.

The afternoon was spent at Aratoi as I was eager to see the Laura Hudson exhibition. She uses images of women and hundreds and hundreds of buttons in her work so you can see why I was drawn to it. Here's my favourite piece of hers. It's called 'Train'.

 

The piece focuses around the training of women by their mothers and grandmothers with regards to motherhood, housekeeping and embroidery.

The artist says that the repetition of sewing on the hundreds of buttons represents the monotony and repetition of household tasks carried out in daily living.

Two new pieces of art went up on my wall this week by the very wonderful and exceptionally talented AshleyG. Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous!

I'll show you some close-ups.

Until next time guys, have a great week!

a bit of culture

It seems like an age since I posted. It isn't really, it's only been a week but the last two posts have just been photos so it feels as though I've been slacking a wee bit. The truth is I've been busy working on our new life in New Zealand. I started my job two weeks ago and I'm really excited about it. My official title is Communications Coordinator for the Wairarapa Region. I'll be continuing to work with people who have learning needs which is a real passion of mine. I also just heard that funding has been agreed for to teach drama in the area. Hoorah!

Crafting wise I haven't really had a chance. I'm busy making roman blinds for each of the bedrooms and need to get one completed by Sunday when our next visitor arrives for a couple of days. The thing with living somewhere beautiful means that people always want to visit which is just lovely.

Thought that I'd share a couple of photos taken early in the morning from our back door over the past two days. The sound of the burner filling up this balloon woke us up.

Last night we had so much rain. Everything is looking dusty and scorched so it was very welcome. We woke up to this amazing site.

A highlight over the past week has been attending the preview night of Sculpture in the Country here in Carterton. It was organized by my friend Andrea who lives next door. I think that it's OK to call her a friend now as we've been out for pizza and chat regularly on the phone and that to me constitutes friendship!! The evening was amazing. We spent time wandering around the beautiful Awaiti Gardens glass of chardonnay in hand wearing summer frocks and admiring the work of up to 50 established New Zealand sculptors. Seven year old Lily (another friends daughter) took most of the photos, in fact you can see her waving in the reflection of one of the exhibits. Here are some favourites:

A beautiful Sean Crawford piece.

The above piece sold within minutes for $16,000. I understand that it could have been sold several times over. An amazing piece of art!

The above is made from chicken wire.

And finally, what is it with Trumpet and his fascination with the dishwasher?!

Until next time...