Friday, July 31, 2009

August Featured Members and Giveaways!

This month, please give a warm welcome to Eliza from Elvenhair and Sharlene from Sharlzndollz, as they give us a sneak peak into their fabulous worlds of crafty goodness, and give away some of their wonderful handmade items to two lucky readers. To enter is simple - just leave us a comment at the bottom of this post. For more info (and to find out how to score an extra entry) read The Rules at the bottom of the post. Good luck everyone :)

Introducing BrisStyle member...

NAME: Eliza Leahy
ETSY SHOP NAME: Elvenhair

1. Can you please describe the items you are giving away to one of our readers?

This Seirra ball point pen is made with Spanish Cedar. It is a lovely pen to write with, the natural timber is so much nicer to hold then plastic. It uses Parker refills, easy to get at newsagencies or pen shops. The gold is 24karat, and the metal has a dark gunmetal finish - it's just lovely!



2. How would you describe your work?

I love timber! I use to turn (turn - that's the shorthand term we use for using a lathe to make things) when I had a small farm at Mooloolah. Then I had my lathe in my goat shed! Now I live in the middle of Brisbane, in a town house, and the only place for it is a corner of the yard, protected from the elements by the eves of the house.


I make any small items out of wood - hair sticks (for holding up hair do's), pens, small bowls, ring holders, lidded boxes, spinning tops - and I have just started designing some toys for little boys, that I will have available before Christmas.

3. How did your Etsy shop come into being?

When I first started Etsy I was doing fine art. But when I got my lathe at the beginning of this year I was having so much fun that I had to start selling the things I was turning or run out of room!

4. Who or What inspires you?

Other woodworkers inspire me. I'm on a woodworking forum that is full of wonderful people who give freely of their experience to help others. A great bunch of people!

Also, the timber inspires me! I pick up a piece and look at it. Will it be a hair stick? A bowl? A lidded box? The pattern and shape of the timber helps to direct the end result.


5. Do you 'reduce, reuse, recycle' as part of your creative process?

Much of my timber comes from reclaimed sources. Sometimes I get bits that have come from old furniture. Sometimes it's timber that has been picked up from the forest floor. Some of the timber, such as Huon Pine (which isn't a pine) is so rare that they aren't allowed to cut trees, but it's available once it has died, and fallen naturally.

6. Can you describe your studio / work area?

I wish I had a huge shed with lots of work benches and room! What I do have is a corner of the yard, and when it's windy I can't work, because the sawdust gets blown around too much! And I love turning so much I really hate windy days!


I have my lathe, a scroll saw and a drill press.


And lots of pieces of timber waiting to be turning into things!


7. What is your favourite thing in the shop at the moment?

Spinning tops! I've just started to make the ones with handles, and the tops spin for so long! I love making them too. My sister in law said "Once you spin a top, you can't stop!"

I've also returned to doing custom portraits in oil paint.

8. Do you have any other places that people can view your work?

I have my websites - www.elvenhair.com and www.elizasart.com as well as my poor neglected blog, http://elvenhair.blogspot.com.

********

Introducing BrisStyle member...

NAME: Sharlene Jones-Martin
ETSY SHOP NAME: Sharlzndollz

1. Can you please describe the items you are giving away to one of our readers?

This is one of my paper doll sets – The FairyTale Images Set. Paper Gals Paper Dolls are an original collage design created by myself. This set is fantastic fun for those young at heart (it’s really too complex for young children).


I have designed a paper doll you join together with brads. The clothes are all created from collaged images sources from retro childhood images and decorative papers. The paper doll faces are hand drawn and coloured by me and as such are unique.


This set contains parts to make one doll body with two different heads, and three gorgeous Art Nouveau inspired dresses! The ones in this set are collaged from children’s fairytale images.

You also receive brads, as well as a fabulous vellum envelope to store your paper doll pieces that has been created again in the Art Nouveau style. The dolls have been varnished by me to aid longevity.

2. How would you describe your work?

I would describe my work as all about me having fun and re-connecting with my childhood. The paper dolls were a favourite of mine as a child. I loved getting new doll books, cutting them out and making new outfits of my own for the sets. I also loved puppets and made many from all sorts of things. So the paper dolls that I make now are a mixture of these influences. I have also been drawn artistically to collage as a medium.


Taking minute bits of paper and other items and mixing them together to form something new has always given me great joy. You can combine ephemera with your work and make it 3-D and symbolic.

3. How did your Etsy shop come into being?

Etsy for me was about being able to connect artistically with many people at once. Like many artisans who create at home and give work as gifts to family and friends, whatever pleasure you give to others comes in the giving of the gift and after a while your family becomes very ho hum about another handmade thing for them. You lose your source of recognition and then slowly wind down to not doing anything creatively anymore. That is where Etsy steps in. People can see your work, they can admire your work (through hearting it etc) and then they can even pay you the ultimate compliment of using their money to buy your work. This, as an artisan, gives you encouragement to keep creating and growing. Plus you become involved in a community of like minded people.

So for me Etsy was a wonderful find mentioned in a craft magazine that allowed me to pursue the creating dream but at my pace.

4. Who or What inspires you?

I have to say that all the other fantastic crafters working online inspire me, especially the talented team of Brisstyle. I mean that genuinely. I get inspired by the little wins and seeing the fresh new work and all in people I have come to know. This gives me new creative energy all the time.

5. Do you 'reduce, reuse, recycle' as part of your creative process?

I do like to use “pre-loved” in my art process. I am a big fan of books and the skill and imagination that goes into the images in children’s books is amazing. To see them sitting in op-shops or even worse going to landfill is such a waste. In my collages I like to re-connect these old images with others in a new way. For example I have used the image of a fish from Pinnochio to make a dress in this Paper doll set.


Now the detail and work of the original is not lost forever but combined to form something new.

6. Can you describe your studio / work area?

Scary, frightening, not for the faint of heart. I really don’t know how I work in it at all. I do have a dream of one day cleaning up – but then that means losing creative time so probably it’s just best to keep adding to the piles instead.

7. What is your favourite thing in the shop at the moment?

I have to say I am loving the bookmarks I am making at the moment. Making a bookmark and using it in what I am reading everyday is a way to have my art with me all the time. And if they look like my paper dolls all the better.

8. Do you have any other places that people can view your work?

Blog: http://sharlzndollz.blogspot.com
MadeIt Shop: http://www.madeit.com.au/storecatalog.asp?userid=900

*****

Thank-you Eliza and Sharlene!

The rules:

Simply leave a comment on this post to be in the running to win one of these two fabulous giveaways. Be sure to leave a way for us to contact you. If you don't have a blog, please include your email address. Only one entry per person. You may enter twice if you mention this giveaway on your blog. If you choose to do this, please pop back after posting to your blog and include the url address to the post it was mentioned on here in the comments. This will count as your second entry. International folk are welcome to enter. BrisStyle members and their immediate families (ie: husbands/partners, dependent children, and their computer savvy pets) are excluded from entering all BrisStyle giveaways. A name will be randomly drawn on the 25th of this month and the winner will be announced on the blog on that same day.

Once again, the very best of luck to you all!

Thursday, July 30, 2009

BrisStyle Weekly Round Up

** New BrisStylettes **


A big BrisStyle welcome to our new member this week Denise from MayJay Clothing. Denise makes practical and stylish clothes for kids like this uber chic Cross Over Dress.


** BrisStyle Member News **


The Young Designers Market at Southbank will be the place to see your favourte BrisStylettes this Sunday. Ruby 2 Go Go, Wicked Child Designs, Kitty Boo Boo and more will be down on Little Stanley Street from 10am-4pm.


Speaking of Ruby 2 GoGo, the fabulous Helen's wares were featured on the sub-cultural guide to Brisbane four thousand. Way to go scooter girl!


This weekend, Maudie (whynotstreet) will be at the Way We Wear Vintage Fair at Mt. Gravatt showgrounds on Saturday and Sunday. The fair is always fabulous for vintage clothing lovers! Here is just one of the creations on offer from Maudie's Millinery... called Ophelia.


** BrisStyle Member Giveaways **


Little Chrissy is having a mammoth giveaway including these cute little brooches from her new Woodland Series, a set of drink coasters and some lovely sea green earrings. It's super easy to enter, just pop over here and follow the instructions.


If you're feeling a little risque you might like to pop over to Up in Annie's Room where Emma is giving away this divine Vintage French Dictionary Glass Pendant.


Tune in next week for BrisStyle's Ekka Etsy Extravaganza where loads of BrisStylettes will be offering free postage and big discounts in their Etsy stores to celebrate Brisbane's Ekka!!

Monday, July 27, 2009

Monochrome Style

According to the fashion world, 2009 is the year of monochromatic style. And who can resist the yin and yang simplicity of the look that has become synonymous with the fashion eras of Chanel and Jackie O.



So harness your inner Audrey Hepburn people, and immerse yourself in these beautiful hand crafted goods that are imbued with classic and timeless appeal. As Coco herself succinctly put it "Fashion fades, only style remains the same".

Sunday, July 26, 2009

July Giveaway Winners!

Hi everyone, sorry this is a day late, but a horrible cold got the better of me yesterday. So without further ado, I'd like to say:

Congratulations Zofia and Micky.

The random number generator decided that Zofia is the winner of the gorgeous Pedrosprout tote bag and coasters.

In her comment, Zofia said "Oh wonderful giveaway! Thanks for the chance you talented girls!"

Zofia, we don't have a blog or email address to contact you through, so if you're reading this, please get in touch so Michelle so can send out your wonderful goodies!

And Micky is the winner of Jetta's Nest's Bloomin' Buttonhead Brooch (with your choice of colours!).


May said "I agree - what a great competition, my fingers, toes, eyes and every other crossable part of my body is crossed... LOL Micky xxoo"

Zofia and Micky, could both of you please send us an email with your postal address to brisstyleteam@gmail.com and Michelle and Samantha will pop your items in the mail for you :)

And thank-you to everyone who entered. Don't forget, we will have another double giveaway starting on 1st August, with gorgeous giveaway items from the lovely Eliza from Elvenhair and Sharlene from Sharlzndollz. So check back to get your entry in for that one, and enjoy reading about our featured members at the same time.

Cheers!!!
xxx

Thursday, July 23, 2009

BrisStyle Weekly Round Up

** New BrisStylettes **

A big BrisStyle welcome to three new BrisStyle members!


You're sure to find the perfect gift for everyone in Stephanie's shop Wimcee. Stephanie makes aprons including children's aprons, bags for all occassions, table linen and accessories, hats, hangings, toys and costume jewellery, as well as cute children's clothes like these spring frillies


Patricia from pbyers design makes cute one-of-a-kind hair clips, fabulous aprons and beautifully-crafted softies like this whale stuffie.


Remember the days of army disposal canvas school bags covered in niko penned band names? Well, new BrisStylette Kerri from Kerri's Hangups has come up with an ingenious way of upcycling and upstyling this classic army disposal store favourite. We're loving the retro geometric print of this Upcycled canvas army bag. Kerri also makes practical and stylish hanging tea towels. Check them out here.


** BrisStyle Member News **


Congratulations Katie from Kitty Boo Boo who was featured in an article in the North-West News. Pop over here to read the article.


Trish from Trishalan Designs has another fun and fabulous d.i.y. project up on the Living Creatively website. Tie dye jeans have been all the rage on the New York and London catwalks and Trish has created a super quick and no-fuss way to transform your tired old jeans into this season's must-have. Check it out here.


Sandrine from SM Boutique is donating a handfelted scarflet and brooch to the Gidget Foundation fundraising night sponsored by the Boutique Market and Barracks Medical. The scarflet will be part of the fundraising raffle. The fundraiser is on Thursday 23 July, 7–9:30 pm at Iceworks, Paddington. For more information check out this post on Sandrine's blog or phone 07 3367 0333.


On Friday Christine from Maudie's Millinery (whynotstreet) is off to trade at the Red Hat Society's Giggle Girlfriend Weekend at Crowne Plaza Pelican Waters. Approximately 500 women in red hats and purple outfits! This fabulous red hat is one of the creations on offer!


** BrisStyle Member Giveaways **


If you haven't already entered you have one more week to head over to Chi Designs' blog for a chance to win yourself this stylish Black Circles Clutch.

Monday, July 20, 2009

Oooh la la!!

This week, in honor of Bastille Day (the French national holiday) which is celebrated on 14 July each year, our BrisStylettes have put forth a selection of French inspired items for your viewing (or shopping!) pleasure!!

Laissez les bons temps rouler!

beret du jour

By SMboutique


Paris GIRLS ROOM ART girls wall print

By Twinkle Star Art


Zelda

By Maudie's Millinary


Mind your French Nappy Covers X 2

By Bettsy Kingston


Dig That Beat

By Hey Harriet

Thursday, July 16, 2009

BrisStyle Weekly Round Up

** New BrisStylettes **



This week BrisStyle is pleased to introduce new member Diane from Obilane. Diane creates beautiful tote bags like this Animal Print and Lace Tote, evening bags, silk scarves and cushions.


** BrisStyle Member News **



A huge congratulations to BrisStylettes Helen from Ruby2GoGo and Ruby Red Studios and Alison from PretaPawte who were featured in the shopping guide of The Courier Mail this week!


On top of her huge media exposure Helen and her fabulous Ruby2GoGo scooter girl eye-catching market stall display took out the Boutique Markets Retailer of the Month Award!


Sally from Flight Industries launched her new website this week featuring her stunning series of prints drawn from patterns found in baluster panels at The Palace Hotel. Check out Sally's new site here.


This fabulous Carla hat created by SMBoutique's Sandrine forms part of her new range of Race Hats, perfect timing for your Melbourne Cup wardrobe preparations. Sandrine has just completed a custom order on its way to Melbourne!

The fabulous Sophie from Strat Designs is having a stall at the Red Hill Fair on Saturday 25 July. The Fair is a fundraiser for the Red Hill Kindergarten. For more info head over here.

And on Sunday 26 July head to the Morningside Festival, Thynne Road Morningside and say hi to Teneale from Wicked Child Designs. For more info pop over to Teneale's blog.


** BrisStyle Member Giveaways **



The Ruby2GoGo adventures keep on going as Helen gears up for a Red Hot Giveaway to celebrate an incredible week AND she's continuing her sale! Just the tonic to warm the cockles of our winter hearts! The giveaway action is happening over here.


Katie from Miss Kitty Boo Boo is celebrating her birthday in style this week with a great giveaway including this jacket and some of her cute little hairclips. To enter head over here.


Emma from Up in Annie's Room is giving away this sweet Love Grows scrabble tile pendant on her blog here. You can also check out more from Up in Annie's Room at the Red Hill Fair on Saturday 25 July.


You'll stop traffic if you're lucky enough to score these fun chainmaille earrings from Shazzabeth Creations. Pop over here to enter the giveaway.

PLUS don't forget to enter the BrisStyle Monthly Giveaway!