Monday, June 30, 2014

Meet the Maker - Fiona Woodhouse - Nomad Hattery

Hello there and welcome to another edition of our Meet the Maker series.  Today we'll be chatting with Fiona Woodhouse of Nomad Hattery.



How would you describe your work?I create handmade, unique, vintage inspired art for your head. I love using old, found objects that can evolve into something new and beautiful.

How did your Etsy shop come into being (if applicable)?I have only just started my Etsy shop and I’m currently adding my first items for sale. I decided to start an etsy shop to help in getting my headwear seen by the world and hopefully make some money in the process. (I definitely have the dream of being able to leave my day job and become a full-time artist)

Who or what inspires you?Living on the edge of Toohey Forest I am very inspired by my environmental surrounds. From the colourful and ever present singing birds to beetles and caterpillars and the varying hues of green and brown that envelope my home. Surrealist art, friend’s art, art Nouveau. I have always had a great love and respect for the bygone eras and the pieces that get passed down from generations before me. I find the old very intriguing. My garden, with the distant sound of frogs and my partner playing guitar on the deck and of course my dog who hangs out and offers support when things start to become stagnant. My life is forever fenced in music. Music allows creation to run free.

Do you ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ as part of your creative process?  If yes, how is your art / craft eco-friendly? Wherever possible I use materials that at some stage of their life have had another purpose. From making flowers out of old scarfs, vintage suits become Ivy caps, old buttons, tiny watch parts and bits and pieces collected from op shops and garage sales. I believe that whenever you are able to re-use something that would otherwise be adding to the giant holes in the earth we call landfill it is being eco-friendly. 

Can you describe your studio / work area? There used to be a room in my house we called the junk room. Now it is my craft room. It has a view of my front garden. It is small, well cozy and has a good vibe for creation.



What is your favorite thing to make?At the moment it is hats. Any kind of thing you put on your head from the logical to the inquisitive.

How did you decide on your business name?Ha ha. I actually didn’t. I knew that I wanted to incorporate something about the nomadic societies that made felt a long time ago as I was spending much of my time dying wool and felting winter hats. It had been days of trying to come up with something until I ran it past my partner. He said immediately ‘Nomad Hatter’. He still says I owe him big time for it. I agree.

Where do you hope to see your creative journey taking you in the next 12 months?I would love to have my art seen by many different people and would be especially happy to see people wearing my products. I would really enjoy if the world could see my art and appreciate it.

What is your favourite handmade item that you have bought?Wow! What a hard question. I have much adoration of handmade effects and try to support the people who create them as much as I can. I love travelling to countries like Thailand and Nepal where you are able to watch people hand-sewing bags and hand-carving jewelry from the dirt at the side of the road. When you purchase these things you always feel like you’ve really brought back a piece of the place and the person who put their time into making it. (I refuse to haggle for handmade treasures.) I think though my favourite is a sterling silver bird of paradise pendant that I bought from The Rocks markets in Sydney years ago. It was one of those times that I said “I’ll have to think about it” and every step I took further away from it the more anxious I became. I ran back and bought it and have never regretted it.

Where can we find out more about you and your work?www.facebook.com/nomad.hatter
www.nomadhatter.com.au
www.twitter.com/Nomad_Hatter
www.etsy.com/nomadhatter

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

{ NEW } :: KIDS Creative Workshops at BrisStyle HQ this School Holidays!


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Start learning new skills in a fun & sociable environment!
We're super excited announce our first series of new KIDS BrisStyle Creative Workshops. Created for Children aged 6+, these fun crafty workshops are a great way to keep your kids entertained these school holidays!
DATES: Various during the July School Holidays : see below
COST: Only $25 per child or 2 classes/2 children for only $45!
VENUE: BrisStyle HQ
Places are limited so click on the links below to book in!

Don't forget if you're a BrisStyle member to use your special code to get 10% off each booking!

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TUESDAY JULY 1st - 10am - 12pm:
HQ KIDS Creative Workshop :: Novelty Pom Poms
TUESDAY JULY 1st - 12:30pm - 2:30pm:
HQ KIDS Creative Workshop :: Paper Plate Weaving
THURSDAY JULY 3rd - 12:30pm - 2:30pm:
HQ KIDS Creative Workshop :: Journal Making
TUESDAY JULY 8th - 12:30pm - 2:30pm:
HQ KIDS Creative Workshop :: Embroidery Wall Hanging
THURSDAY JULY 10th - 10am - 12pm:
HQ KIDS Creative Workshop :: Canvas Art
THURSDAY JULY 10th - 12:30pm - 2:30pm:
HQ KIDS Creative Workshop :: Pet Rocks
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Right click to save and share with your crafty friends, workmates, clients and family!
gettingthere
Getting to BrisStyle HQ is super easy with loads of parking & public transport galore.
Once through the doors enter via the Artslink Offices on the right hand side.
▪ Drive ::Park directly in Macquarie St or in the surrounding streets such as Kingsholme St. There is also parking up behind HQ in both Tilbrook and Crase Streets. If you choose this option, take the set of stairs on the east side of the HQ building which will bring you directly down to Macquarie St.
▪ Ferry/ CityCat :: terminals New Farm Park and Teneriffe Stops (1.2km walk or take the bus below)
▪ Bus :: HQ is at stop 13A (010331) Zone 2 directly outside the front door of the HQ building (route 199 directly from the city and Teneriffe Wharf). The City Gliderstops at Teneriffe Wharf too!
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©2014 BrisStyle | BrisStyle Brisbane, Australia 4000 Qld

Etsy Craft Party 2014 - Wrap Up!

On Friday 6 June we joined in with the worldwide Etsy Craft Party at our new BrisStyle HQ.  The creative buzz was fantastic and inspiring and the work produced amazing!


Recaptured image by Kirsten - Each to Own

The room was filled with lively conversation sprinkled with glittery paper, fabric tape, threads of every colour and sweet little acrylic cutouts all begging to be used for updating our photos.  You can find a full gallery of the amazing work completed on the night here.


Gorgeous crafters stitching up a storm


Big thank-you's go out to everyone who came along and made the night such a success as well as our supporters for the night, sabre, Short Cuts Laser and of course, Etsy!
A few of our partygoers showing off their creations!

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

{ INVITATION } NEW :: I ♥ Craft :: Creative Development Sessions


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Your :: I ♥ Craft :: Creative Development Sessions are back!
We're super excited to announce that the '5 Core Skills' topics you asked to return, will kick off on July 26!
These sessions are once again FREE to attend, presented by Brisbane City Council and produced by BrisStyle Inc. Fab news too that they will be hosted at the new BrisStyle HQ!
COST: FREE
BOOKINGS: Essential via the links below:
Learn more about the sessions via the Creative Development webpage.
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:: Heart to Hearts :: Heat Up!::
The line up of upcoming Heart to Heart stars is filled with our regions most hot handmadies!
This Saturday we get up close and personal with the gorgeous Steph Phillips from This Brown Wren.
COST: FREE
BOOKINGS:Essential through Brisbane Square Library :: 07 3403 4166
Be sure to book your spot to see Steph and all of these amazing creatives
The :: I ♥ Craft :: Creative Development Sessions are presented by Brisbane City Council and produced by BrisStyle Inc.
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The first of our {NEW} :: Creative Workshops :: booked out in minutes ...so be sure to get in and secure your place for the next two sought after workshops:
COST: Various
BOOKINGS: Simply click on the images below to book today!
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join in the crafty fun
:: It's the perfect time to become a BrisStyle Member! ::
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 in 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 2014 BrisStyle membership experience includes:
 creative business development sessions;
 markets, events and exhibitions;
 promotional opportunities;
 personal website profile;
 social networking;
 access to our online forum;
 Etsy team affiliation; and
 much, much more!!
For less than a ball of yarn per week, you too can be a member of BrisStyle’s fabulous and fun crafty community.

Keep up with all the 2014 BrisStyle action, via the:

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Friday, June 13, 2014

{ NEW } :: Creative Workshops at BrisStyle HQ!

BrisStyle Web Banner 2014
meet mearn create
Start learning new skills in a fun & sociable environment!
We're super excited announce our first series of new BrisStyle Creative Workshops. Designed for all skill levels and taught by some of Brisbane's most creative mentors, these workshops are set to be a bunch of crafty fun!
Places are limited so click on the images below to book in & let your crafty side shine!
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gettingthere
Getting to BrisStyle HQ is super easy with loads of parking & public transport galore.
Once through the doors enter via the Artslink Offices on the right hand side.
▪ Drive ::Park directly in Macquarie St or in the surrounding streets such as Kingsholme St. There is also parking up behind HQ in both Tilbrook and Crase Streets. If you choose this option, take the set of stairs on the east side of the HQ building which will bring you directly down to Macquarie St.
▪ Ferry/ CityCat :: terminals New Farm Park and Teneriffe Stops (1.2km walk or take the bus below)
▪ Bus :: HQ is at stop 13A (010331) Zone 2 directly outside the front door of the HQ building (route 199 directly from the city and Teneriffe Wharf). The City Gliderstops at Teneriffe Wharf too!
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Winter Handmade & Yves Saint Laurent at the :: BrisStyle indie Market :: June 14 :: 9am-3pm

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Winter Market Illustration by Mel Stringer and Captures from Emily Nelson for 'The Weekend Edition'
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Get up close and personal tomorrow with our City Hall Marketeers!
They'll be turning on their handmade charm with their new seasons designs. Be sure to take the time to meet the makers in our new winter-warmer boutique layout.
Grab a take away coffee or tea from the Shingle Inn and shop to the smooth sounds of Tim Sladden. Be sure to visit the Museum of Brisbane and help them finish their collection of stories about Brisbane.
We've got a fab giveaway so read on for all the deets....
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WiN a 2for1 pass to the new Yves Saint Laurent
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Simply visit the BrisStyle Promo Table in the Ann St Foyer and tell us how you heard about the markets!
Synopsis: This fascinating film unveils the life of prolific French fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent. At just 21 years, Saint Laurent is called upon to run one of the world’s great fashion houses – Dior. Yves Saint Laurent is an epic odyssey of love, creation, glamour and style; with a privileged insight into the mind of a great visionary, and the doubts and demons behind the genius: IN CINEMAS JUNE 26
BiG thanks to the eOne Films Australia for their generous support.
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Book into BrisStyle's new "Creative Workshops" & Become a Member!!
Stay tuned for some exciting news today about our brand new workshop program & chat to our workshop co-ordinator Bel tomorrow at the BrisStyle Promo table on how you can get involved!
getting there
Is super easy with parking & public transport close by.
Park: King George Square Car Park for only $12 per day!
Additional Parking: Brisbane City parking options
Bus: King George Square Bus Station directly under the venue
Train: Roma St / Central Stations.
Bathrooms: Adjacent to Ann St Foyer
Disability Access: Main entrance to City Hall via King George Square.
Date: Saturday June 14
Where: In the Sandgate Room and Ann St Foyer on the ground floor of Brisbane City Hall, right next door to the Shingle Inn.
Time: 9am-3pm
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If you live in and around Brisbane, Northern NSW or anywhere in Qld and want to be part of of our award winning BrisStyle indie Markets at City Hall ... be sure to apply for *membership today!!
*Once approved you'll be able to apply for all markets open. (more details about membership below and via the FAQ links)
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Post all your market pics to our Facebook &Instagram.
Use @brisstyle and #brisstyle so we can share the love right back and showcase your images!
Looking forward to sharing the day with you tomorrow!
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©2014 BrisStyle Inc. | Brisbane