Saturday, June 30, 2012

Let's Go Shopping

The BrisStyle indie Designer Market is returning to St Augustine's in Hamilton Saturday July 14th - don't forget!! Below we've got a small sampling of what's on offer for the day...



Edward and Lilly



Little Chrissy



Strat Designs




Spun Mud



Whizzbangle






You too can take part in our weekly Let's Go Shopping meme! Post your Etsy finds on your blog then pop back here and add the blog post link below. Don't forget to link back to this post so everyone can check out all your fabulous Etsy finds. Anyone can play along so come join in the fun!

Friday, June 29, 2012

Crafty D.I.Y

Today let's celebrate the inner Artist in you!

Some super inspiring tutorials ...
patterns, printing, just so much fun!

First one great tutorial about Yarn block prints on Whipup.net

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Learn a fab way to create layers and patterns with Alisa Burke.
She shows us how she creates a rolling pin stamps, clever!

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Now...Let's learn how to make a fine Art print, with this awesome Tutorial kindly shared by our very own "Brisstylette" and talented Artist Chrissy Foreman Cranitch

Image Source Chrissy blog
Hope you are feeling inspired and ready for some messy fun!

Thursday, June 28, 2012

Born to Knit: Learn to knit for a great cause!

Have you heard about the 'Born to Knit' campaign?

The Born to Knit campaign asks supporters to knit woollen blankets and squares for vulnerable children.  For their 2012 campaign they are aiming to make 6,500 beautiful, warm blankets.Through their programs in Australia and in countries such as Laos and Cambodia, all knitted blankets donated to the Born to Knit campaign will make their way into the arms of caring mothers.

Born to Knit helps vulnerable children by making warm blankets to keep them cosy in winter!
The Born to Knit campaign runs from 1 June - 30 September and Brisbane Brown Owls will be having a few meet ups during this time where you can come along and learn or practice your knitting and contribute a square for the Born to Knit campaign.

Brown Owls Meet Up Details.....

Date: Sunday 1 July 2012
Time: 10:30am - 12:30pm
Venue: Carindale Library, Westfield Carindale, 1151 Creek Road, Carindale

What to Bring:
4mm needles and 8ply 100% pure wool

Knitting with the Brown Owls!

For those who would like to get a head start each square should be 20cm x 20cm (44 stitches wide, 88 rows high). Final blanket size should be around 80 x 80cm.

For more details about this great initiative and to read the Born to Knit guidelines visit the 'Save The Children' website here.

You can drop squares off to Brown Owls at any of the meet ups from now until the end of September or send them directly to Born to Knit.

Stay warm and happy knitting!

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

You're Invited: Etsy Meet & Greet

Image Source: Pinterest. Original Source: i make. you wear it.
Are you a Brisbane based Etsy seller who would like to meet your fellow Etsians for a crafty chat and an evening of fun social times? Then get out your diaries and mark July 5 with a big red marker. Etsy Australia is coming to town and you and your friends are invited to come along to their meet & greet!

When: Thursday, July 5
Time: 6.00pm - 9.00pm
Where: Limes Hotel, Constance St, Fortitude Valley
RSVP: http://etsyauandfinderskeepersbne.eventbrite.com/ The event is password protected, so if you would like to come along please email us at brisstylemarketing@gmail.com and we'll send you the details!

It's bound to be a night of crafty good times so gather your favourite handmade tales, pick up some equally crafty friends and pop along to Limes Hotel! We look forward to meeting you all there!

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Tuesday Treasury: Forest Friends


Everybody needs a friend so why not pick yourself up a handmade find from our 'Forest Friends' treasury. Deer, owls, rabbits, foxes and squirrels, there's someone special for everyone!

To view the full size treasury click HERE!
Happy Tuesday!

Monday, June 25, 2012

Etsy Success Sydney

I was recently lucky enough to be invited to Sydney to represent BrisStyle to talk at the Etsy Success Conference as part of the Vivid Sydney Festival on Effective Etsy Team Management and what a day it was!

The Etsy AU girls Angela and Kirsteene (along with their lovely helpers Kit and Renee) certainly know how to put on a great show and I hope more of these types of events will be hosted in Australia.


My partner in crime, Robyn (of Hot Fudge fame and one of the founding members of BrisStyle) joined me for the day and with view's like this we were in for a treat.


Robyn (Hot Fudge) and Melanie (Kimono Reincarnate) catching up

The crowds came from near and far, all ready to soak up some inspiration and network on the day with like minded peeps. It was fantastic to see some fellow BrisStylers come along to lend some support as well.




First up we got to hear Angela talk on her personal journey which has lead her to her current role with Etsy and then we heard from the ever inspiring Chad Dickerson (CEO of Etsy)  with his talk ‘Finding Your Courage’.



Next up was Danielle Maveal, head of Etsy's Seller Education.  In the old days of Etsy Street Teams, Robyn and I exchanged many emails with Danielle, so it was lovely to finally put a face to the name and what a wealth of information she is.



After lunch it was time for Robyn and I to take the stage and we were a little overwhelmed (but honoured) with the number of people that came to hear us speak. BrisStyle has been able to achieve so much in 4 short years and it was very humbling to receive such amazing feedback on the day about what a great job we are doing. 




All in all, it was an experience that I am very proud to have been apart of. I met some amazing and inspiring people and can't wait to put some of the things I learned on the day into practice. Huge thanks go to the amazing Etsy team (especially the girls here in Australia) as without them this event would not have been possible. 


The Etsy Gang
(L-R Andrew, Danielle, Kirsteene, Angela, Kruti, Kit, Leyland and Renee)

There was an amazing line up of speakers on the day it was really hard to pick just which sessions to attend. All the Speakers presentations from the day should be on-line soon so stay tuned and we will announce the links when we have them. You can also check out some more pictures from the day over on the Etsy AU Face book page albums and also search the #etsysucess tag on Instagram.



Bel x

Images with thanks from - 

Crafty Workshops at Handmade Highstreet

 
 
Handmade Highstreet is an indie handmade store at Annerley, Brisbane which aims to give artisans a viable option for selling their handmade wares and educate customers about their contributors and their processes. Starting on June 30th Handmade Highstreet will be offering a range of crafty workshops in their spanking new workshop space - the first class on offer is Beginner's Screenprinting and Stencils!
 
If you're a crafty type or a not-so-crafty type and would like to learn a new skill in a relaxed environment then have a look over at the Handmade High Street website and see if there's something there for you!
 
Email Kath if you've got any questions or would like to teach something yourself!
Kath: handmadehighstreet@gmail.com
 
For more information on the workshops head to the Handmade Highstreet Online Store , Handmade Highstreet on Facebook or pop in to the shop at 466 Ipswich Road, Annerley, Brisbane.

Saturday, June 23, 2012

Let's Go Shopping

'A picture is a poem without words'.

Horace



Delineate Gallery



Sandra Darling



Savage Kitten



Christine Donaldson



Art By Chrissy Foreman C



You too can take part in our weekly Let's Go Shopping meme! Post your Etsy finds on your blog then pop back here and add the blog post link below. Don't forget to link back to this post so everyone can check out all your fabulous Etsy finds. Anyone can play along so come join in the fun!

Friday, June 22, 2012

Crafty D.I.Y

Good morning,
Today we celebrate the start of school holidays don't we here.
So let's get some kids craft inspiration!

Little band aids can fix a lot of things, don't they?!
And little fingers making such pretty ones is surely going to be a winner this holidays!
Helena at Craftandcreativity is showing us the way to some Band-Aid fun.

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The girls may enjoy making those melted bead bracelets?

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Or even like those for the older girls...
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Or, let's think cool "clothespin fun" now...

Over here at Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom
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Or here with estefimMachado...
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Phew!!!
Lots of inspiration today :)

Happy School Holidays!!! 



Thursday, June 21, 2012

Your Creative Business: Secrets of Savvy Etsy Sellers


Hi There Creative Business Peeps! For our 'Your Creative Business' post this week we thought we would share a great Etsy related resource that we came across during the week on the 'On the Dot Creations' website. 'On the Dot Creations' is a website full of crafty inspiration (of the polka dot variety) and savvy business tips for small businesses who sell handmade.

Julie, the lovely lady behind 'On the Dot Creations' has put together a great E-Book called 'Secrets of Savvy Etsy Sellers'. It is full of nearly 50 tips for improving your Etsy shop, all provided by Etsy sellers who know what they're talking about. Best of all, the E-Book is FREE! The only catch is you must share it with your crafty friends and link back to the 'On the Dot Creations' website.

To download your free E-Book pop over to the 'On the Dot Creations' website HERE!

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Pop Up Store @ Nook: Woollen Blanket Club


Woollen Blanket Club would like to invite you and your friends to their very-special pop up store at Nook on Saturday 23rd June. What a perfectly crafty way to spend a Saturday!

Who is the Woollen Blanket Club?
Woollen Blanket Club is the multi-disciplinary collective of Brisbane based artist Bhats and jewellery designer Pannikin, who work together to create handmade objects and other collaborative projects.
There will be an array of artwork, prints, jewellery, zines and handmade objects available for purchase at their pop up store.

The important details.....
Woollen Blanket Club Pop Up Store
@ Nook
19 Browning Street
West End, Queensland

Saturday 23rd June
10.00am - 2.00pm

If you can't wait until Saturday you can visit Woollen Blanket Club over on their blog, facebook page or online shop!

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Tuesday Treasury: Turquoise Love

Happy Tuesday everyone! How has the start to your week been? We've been spending far too many hours browsing on Etsy this week, but we can warrant it as we needed to select some lovely items for this weeks' Tuesday Treasury! We came across lots of sweet turquoise goodies and as a result have put together this 'Turquoise Love' treasury.....

To view the full size treasury click HERE!
We hope you like it!

Monday, June 18, 2012

I Heart Craft: Intellectual Property for Creatives

We'd love you to join us for another
:: I ♥ Craft :: 2012 BrisStyle Creative Development Session::
If you are just starting out and ready to take your hobby to the next level or have an established creative business and are looking for motivation and networking opportunities, this session is for you... and the best part, it's FREE!
So with no further ado here's your invite to the next exciting session...

 Amanda Whitelaw - Hungry Designs

:: Intellectual Property for Creatives::

with Cameron Gascoyne

Intellectual property rights for designers can be very confusing and are often the subject of heated debates in creative circles. Facilitated by Brisbane Intellectual Property Lawyer, Cameron Gascoyne, this session will be sure to answer all of your questions relating to your intellectual property rights as a creative.

About Cameron:

Through his work with Clayton Utz, Cameron specialises in information technology and intellectual property law. Being married to a successful local designer he has a well rounded knowledge of how both areas relate to creatives and creative businesses.

Back by popular demand and armed with easy to understand examples and strategies, Cameron's eye opening session is sure to assist your personal practices as well as your creative business as a whole.

DATE Saturday July 21
TIME 10 – 12pm
VENUE Kenmore Library Kenmore Village, 9 Brookfield Road, Kenmore.
COST FREE
Bookings essential:
Book directly online HERE

PLACES ARE LIMITED SO BOOK NOW!

We're really looking forward to kicking up our handmade heels with you all at this session. In the meantime, mark all the 2012 Creative Development Session and BrisStyle indie Market dates in your diaries and keep up with all the other BrisStyle action, via the BrisStyle Blog, Facebook and Twitter!

Presented by BrisStyle Inc and supported by the Brisbane City Council


Are you passionate about handmade?
Would you like to meet like-minded creative people?
Do you want to take your craft to the next level?
Are you keen to take part indie markets and events?

BrisStyle Inc. provides support and creative opportunities for independent artists, crafters and designers who call Queensland and Northern New South Wales home.

The BrisStyle membership experience includes:
  • creative business development sessions
  • indie markets, events and exhibitions
  • promotional opportunities
  • personal website profile
  • social networking
  • online forum 
  • Etsy street team affiliation
..and much, much more!


Sunday, June 17, 2012

Crafty Folk: Tricia Smout

It's been a while since we've had the pleasure of interviewing a crafty local doing wonderful things around the Brisbane area. We were lucky enough this week to catch up with Multi-Media Artist Tricia Smout to talk about her passion for fibres, paper, yarns and fabric and her creative residency at the Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens.

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself and your creative work?
I am a teacher and practising multi-media artist working with all types of textiles - fibres, paper, yarns and fabrics. I enjoy exploring the tactile qualities of the materials and playing with textures and colour combinations.

I am also passionate about calligraphy and lettering, and I use letters, words and symbols as the
inspiration to create hangings, artist books, sculptures and wearable art using a wide range of techniques. My artwork has been exhibited in galleries, published in journals, and purchased by collectors in Australia and overseas.

Making pages for a collaborative book!
This year I have the privilege of being the Artist-in-Residence at Brisbane Botanic Gardens at Mt Coot-tha. I have chosen “THE LANGUAGE OF NATURE” as my theme for the year. I will be demonstrating and running activities for adults and children throughout the year, as well as exhibiting my work. I am working collaboratively with many colleagues throughout the year. Shelter sheds at the gardens are being progressively decked out in garlands of flowers and leaves to illustrate some of the materials and techniques involved in my projects. I have started a blog to record my progress… please check it out…triciasmout.blogspot.com.au

Hanging swishy swathes in the bus shelter at the Gardens!

School holiday activities! Fun!
2. Who or What inspires you?
Hard to say! Almost anything and everything, but especially anything which includes any kind of
lettering or mark-making (or the potential for that).

3. Can you describe your studio/work area?
I have a ‘Feel Good’ work area which extends throughout my whole house… my mess is much larger
and more widely distributed than anyone else’s, so looking at mine makes you feel good about your
own! And it’s especially bad this year. My residency projects have now spread all over the lounge room chairs … and I still haven’t found time to sort all the stuff I rescued during the January floods last year.

The Mess!
4. Do you have any exciting upcoming events that you would like to tell us about?
June is a very busy month for me at the Gardens. We are celebrating the Winter Solstice with activities for the public making wreaths and candle covers… and I am still trying to finish work to display in my exhibition...
21 - 29 June
10am - 4pm daily
Richard Randall Art Studio
Brisbane Botanic Gardens, Mt Coot-tha Road, Toowong
Daily activities. Free entry

I have advertised it as a “Celebration of Tricia’s Residency to Date”, and it’s definitely now a ‘work in progress’ exhibition ... I’ve run out of time!

Earlier this year I initiated my 'Flowers of Friendship' project by asking people to make a flower, and I received over 450. I hadn’t expected such an amazing response, so I’m still madly sewing them
together in hangings (one down and nine to go!)

Sorting the squares from the 'Flowers of Friendship' project!

Sewing the squares together!

An almost finished hanging - the one and only so far!
I will also have other collaborative projects in various stages of completion. Read all about it on my blog (and please visit my exhibition and say hello). I would also love everyone from all over the world to contribute to some ongoing projects … so please join in and ask all your friends and relatives to participate (due by 30 September)...

1. Post a decorated envelope to the Gardens
2. Email a close-up photo of part of a plant

I will be posting full details on my blog soon, or email me for more information
(smout@uqconnect.net).
5. Where can people view or purchase your work?
I have started a blog specifically recording my residency, and my website describes my other work
and teaching. Both are still works in progress.

Saturday, June 16, 2012

Let's Go Shopping

"I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book."     
Groucho Marx


Here's a few handmade BrisStyle items that will help you get back into reading this Winter. And speaking of books, don't forget the BrisStyle I Heart Craft: Bookkeeping Basics session on today at Kenmore Library from 10 till 12 (bookings essential).



Shelley Berelli



Laugh Land



Candykins Crafts



Spun Mud



Nest in the Attic


You too can take part in our weekly Let's Go Shopping meme! Post your Etsy finds on your blog then pop back here and add the blog post link below. Don't forget to link back to this post so everyone can check out all your fabulous Etsy finds. Anyone can play along so come join in the fun!