Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Meet the maker - Isaac Patmore

This week we meet one of our few male Brisstylers - Isaac Patmore. So get your cuppa and a biccy and settle down for a read and who knows perhaps you other creative blokes out there will be inspired to join the ranks.


Were you creative as a child/do you come from a creative family?Looking back I'd say I was creative from the amount of tree houses built rock dams created and adventures had as a child creativity and imagination come hand in hand with living and outdoor physical life. 

How would you describe your work?
My art is strongly based in ceramics. My main focus is tableware. I work quite eclectically within ceramics, I fire in different styles but I am always searching for the same thing the marriage between the form, function and surface. 


How has your work evolved since you started?
It is still evolving. 

How did you start selling online/ Etsy?
I am currently setting up my online shop on my website and hope to get etsy running before the end of the year.


Do you reduce, reuse, recycle as part of your creative process?
I like to collect and use naturally found ceramic materials. Some of my work is fired in a wood burning kiln and we use waste timbers from industry to fire the kiln. 

Describe your studio/workspace?
As I’m writing this my studio is in a state of flux. I moved out of my art space at Maryvale, just last weekend, and have just moved back to Brisbane. I currently just have the basics set up. By the end of this year I hope to have found a commercial space to set up a co-op. Watch this space. 


What is your favourite thing to make?
Mugs How did your business/shop name come about? Isaac Patmore Ceramics. I kept thinking of branding ideas - caveman creations? Martha & Mable? The more I thought about it I couldn't separate, product from self. I have thought a lot about this topic.


Where do you see your creative journey taking you in the next 12 months?
I guess getting a consistent production flow established to maintain a market stall. I have always worked sporadically for exhibitions. So there will be a shift in the way I work. 

What’s your top tip to others wanting to break into the handmade/creative market? 
Keep Making the rest follows. 


Describe your typical creative day?
Somwhere amongst recycle, wedge, throw, turn, decorate, carve, stamp, dry, sponge, bisque, wax, glaze/dip/pour/brush/spray, glaze fire, cool, open, clean up, photograph, sell. 

Favourite quote?
The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge, but imagination.-Albert Einstein. 

Music or movie while creating (if applicable)?
Always applicable,  something on radio, movie or music. I have only just started throwing pots and having a movie going on the tablet. It changes the forms I make, because my attention is focused on the movie. It also slows down the speed at which I work, the bonus is I stay in the gallery for much longer.


What is your favourite handmade item that you have bought?
Too many to list, I have been collecting handmade mugs for about ten years and I have many favourites in that collection. I feel the cup is like a signature for the potter you can feel someone's personality through the cup. 

Where can we find you online/stockists (links etc)?
isaacpatmore.com
Sturt Gallery-Mittagong.

all images from - isaacpatmore.com

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Meet the Maker - Kat Parsons - Kazzycaboodles Creations

This week we catch up with Kat Parsons PhD student and creative mind behind Kazzycaboodles Creations


Were you creative as a child/do you come from a creative family?
Yep I sure was – I have been drawing ever since I was old enough to hold a pencil. My parents are also creative - mum is a botanical painter and my dad likes to build things.

How would you describe your work?
A reflection of myself as a scientist, fossicker and cartoonist, most of my works are related to either one or all of these roles. 


How has your work evolved since you started?
I guess it has become more involved in terms of geology (active mineral collecting in the field) as well as more focused upon recycling and reusing found objects.

How did you start selling online/ Etsy?
I found out about Etsy through BrisStyle and decided to open a store. Since then I haven’t looked back. I have met so many wonderful people on there! :)


Who or what inspires you?
Science inspires me (specifically geology) and the rush of getting out in the great outdoors to find items. My fiancĂ© and family also inspire me along the way – keeping me motivated and contributing ideas.

Do you reduce, reuse, recycle as part of your creative process?  
Yep I sure do. I use recycled clothing and fabric remnants to make my fabric button stud earrings, use vintage buttons for my button earrings, salvage / recycle photo frames for original artworks or displays, and even use copper wire out of dumped televisions to wire wrap raw minerals.


Describe your studio/workspace?
Chaos! In all seriousness it is a room in our small three-bedroom townhouse.  In there I have my trusty table and chair (which I got for free) with an extensive collection of vintage buttons and minerals displayed in glass jars. I also have a large amount of vintage / collectible items in there too so it feels more like an antique store than workspace.

What is your favourite thing to make?
Oooh that’s a hard question! I guess it would be hand drawn wooden brooches as I can create something that’s small, colourful and full of character in one sitting.


How did your business/shop name come about?
My nickname is Kaz, I have the whole kit and caboodle when it comes to my creations (earrings, artworks etc).

Where do you see your creative journey taking you in the next 12 months?
I am hoping to become more involved in markets (whether that be volunteering or having a stall). I would really love to meet new artists and make friends.

What’s your top tip to others wanting to break into the handmade/creative market?
Create what you love. This ensures that you love every bit of the process. Also don’t give up. Persistence is key.


Describe your typical creative day?
PhD, craft, PhD, craft. Rinse and repeat. I tend to mix my creative hours between hours of study.

Favourite quote?
“Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.” -  Norman Vincent Peale.

Music or movie while creating?
Indie / alternative music – Tired Pony, Snow Patrol, Interpol, Doves, Turin Brakes etc. The album I have on repeat at the moment is The Ghost of the Mountain by Tired Pony.


What is your favourite handmade item that you have bought?
A three pack of handmade hair bows from Lavender Latte. They are so cute and so incredibly well made!!!


Where can we find you online/stockists?
www.etsy.com/shop/kazzycaboodles
www.facebook.com/kazzycaboodlescreations
www.instagram.com/kazzycaboodles
www.pinterest.com/kazzycaboodles

Thursday, October 2, 2014

Etsy Design Awards 2014

Finalists have been announced for the Etsy Design Awards for Australian Etsy sellers and four of our lovely BrisStylers are on the list:

Alice - Alice Nightingale



Jess - Epheriell



Melanie - Kimono Reincarnate



Belinda - Belinism


The awards recognise unique, high quality design and craftsmanship and celebrate the people who make etsy.com a destination for great design. Nominees fall into five categories - new talent, home & living, art & illustration, fashion & accessories and business as unusual - and all are eligible for the community choice award. Entrants have a chance to win a trip to New York and be featured in the December issue of InsideOut and you can win yourself a $250 Etsy gift card by voting for your favourite item or shop.

To view all the finalists and cast your vote head over HERE