Monday Maker : Kumihimo Designs experts - Lesley and Wal from Offbeat Designs

Who hasn't heard of 'French Knitting'?

Well how about French Knitting WITH BEADS! Pretty clever.

One of the trademark features that make 'offbeat designs' easily recognisable.

Let's have a chat with Lesley:

 

Hi Lesley, firstly would you say you were creative as a child?

No, I wasn't.

Well you certainly are creative now, how would you describe your work?

I love to create distinctive designs. We also welcome Custom jewellery as well as Repairs and Workshops.

How has your work evolved since you started?

We started off with simple techniques, which we then constantly refined and updated by studying the work of successful designers.

And by participating in workshops at the Tucson Bead and Gem show.



Kumihimo Bracelet

Do you sell online or on etsy?

Not yet, but we intend to do so.

Where does your inspiration come from?

I'm always inspired by Creative design and Innovative use of colours and materials.

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

Yes, we use some Vintage beads dating from the 1940’s

Describe your studio?

We enclosed our balcony to create a secure workspace totally devoted to workshops and a workroom.

One of our Workshops in progress

 Do you have a favourite thing to make?

No, I just love to make anything that appeals to my creative fancy at the time.

How did your business name come about?

It is the same name we originally used for our interior design business – before the jewellery bug got us.

Where do you see your creative journey taking you in the next 12 months?

Our redesigned website with our new product range should be up and running.

And we are also excited about our new branding. 

Do you have a top tip to others wanting to break into the handmade/creative market?

Study your craft, pick a direction, then go for it.

Describe your typical creative day?

Simply put, Chaotic !

Do you have a favourite quote?

-  “ Jewellery can change an outfit more than anything else.  TRANSFORMATION, PUNCH, 

INDIVIDUALITY - is why you should wear jewellery”. - Iris Apsel - ( Famous New York Designer )



French Knitting Beaded necklace

What is your favourite handmade item that you have bought?

An original African Feather Headdress

Where can we find you online?

www.offbeatdesign.com.au 

How long have you been a member of BrisStyle?

About 12 months

How did you find out about brisstyle?

We did some workshops for Tracey from Side Street Vintage and Tracey recommended Brisstyle to us.

Why did you become a member?

It was an excellent fit for our business - designing and making jewellery, and teaching.

And lastly, my favourite question that I love to ask everyone, Why do you craft?

Because Design is our passion.

Thankyou Lesley and we look forward to seeing both you and Wal at a Brisstyle market soon.

 

Anita x

Meet the Maker - Chrissy Foreman C - Art to Inspire

Hey there friends.  I've got a real treat in store for you today.  Our Meet the Maker interview today is with the very inspiring Chrissy Foreman C.  Her artwork is like a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day and as one of the stars of the 2013 Saviours of the Lost Arts, her workshops filled up within a matter of days!

How would you describe your work?

Colourful, heartfelt, vibrant, giving, inspiring and completely amaze balls!!  (ha, ha, not really, actually yeah, kinda really.)

How did your Etsy shop come into being?

I opened my Etsy shop a couple of years ago and never looked back.  It's a constant source of inspiration and connections with amazing artists from all over the world.  In saying that, I've just launched my very own website shop which I'm super excited about!  Both shops came into being because I love what I'm doing so much, I want to inspire that feeling for my viewers - it's the best feeling!

Who or what inspires you?

Uncovering my secret dreams and realising that I can do them is inspiring me no end at the moment.  I'm letting myself dream big and my heart is literally exploding with ideas of things I want to do and share with others as a result!  I'm also crazy about colour, pattern, feelings and nature which feature in various combinations in almost all my works.

Do you 'reduce, reuse, recycle' as part of your creative process?  If yes, how is your art/craft eco-friendly?

Admittedly I'm not as green in my everyday life after becoming a Mumma (ugh.  Sooooo many nappies!); but in my art and business, I'm committed to using sustainable and eco-friendly products.  It took me ages to find suppliers that were both green and amazing quality but now I have them, I feel absolutely proud of everything I make!

Can you describe your studio/work area?
I've recently moved into my very own, separate studio space and being in there feels completely amazing!  My hubby lost his job recently so he's now Daddy-daycare while I go to my studio everday to create, paint, write and conjure.

What is your favourite thing to make?
At the moment, I love the process of rebranding everything in my website to share who I am as a person and what I stand for in my work.  So I guess you could say I'm into making my business successful and completely accessible in a cool, connective and creative way.

I'm now running DELICIOUS new 'Creating with Feeling' courses and feel completely and utterly blessed to be able to share my experiences and skills in ways that enable participants to feel safe to explore their creativity and feelings.  (You can check out more about Chrissy's workshops and retreats here.)

Where do you hope to see your creative journey taking you in the next 12 months?
I definitely want to make some really meaningful, heartfelt connections with people this year through my work.  I'm writing new e-books and workshops to inspire people's innate creativity and trust in their processes.  I've also recently uploaded a short movie of my intuitive painting and will be working on more of these.

What is your favourite handmade item that you have bought?
Oh my, what kind of question is this!  How does one choose?!  I think at the moment I'm pretty obsessed with Tess' amazing custom fabric necklaces under her Monkey & Mum label.  I already have three with more on the way!  Tess and I are collaborating on some jewellery projects using my designer fabrics which is bloody awesome!

Where can we find your work?
I'm building a special relationship with people who really 'get me' and want to stay inspired.  You can subscribe to my weekly 'Art to Inspire' email via the subscribe tab on my website.  It's jam-packed full of tips, art, freebies and discounts.

Website
Web Shop

Facebook
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Etsy

Thanks so much for sharing with us Chrissy, it's always a delight to step into your creative world!  If you love Chrissy's work as much as we do, why not come along this Friday night and meet her in person!  Chrissy will be up on the deck in King George Square at the BrisStyle indie Twilight Market demonstrating her art!  What a treat!!

xSam

Cultiver Workshops in store now!

This year the girls at Cultiver are aiming is to share their love of making and UPcycling by offering you a variety of workshops to fulfil all your crafting needs.

Here's what's happening in 2013:
21 April - UPcycled earrings - half day 
26 May - crochet for beginners - all or half day 
30 June - screen printing - all day
28 July - t-shirt yarn crochet - half day
25 August - UPcycling t-shirts - all or half day 
29 September - screen printing - all day
27 October - UPcycled clothing for children - all or half day24 November - printing and sewing soft toys - all day
And here's all the nitty gritty details:
LOCATION: all workshops held at 126 Brisbane Street, Ipswich.
FOOD, DRINK ETC: take advantage of our stellar position near a number of wonderful cafes including Cactus Espresso Bar, Bon Laneway, Fourthchild and Deanne's Coffee House.And here's all the nitty gritty details:
LOCATION: all workshops held at 126 Brisbane Street, Ipswich.
FOOD, DRINK ETC: take advantage of our stellar position near a number of wonderful cafes including Cactus Espresso Bar, Bon Laneway, Fourthchild and Deanne's Coffee House.

Image courtesy of Cultiver

Craft RehabCome and craft with us in a supportive and non-judgemental environment.

TIME: 10 - 2
LOCATION: Cultiver cosy corner
DATES:Saturday 13 April - UPcycled plastic animal key ring holder
Saturday - 8 June - Babushka doll bag
Saturday 10 August - UPcyled tea-light holders
Saturday 12 October - Men's shirt cushion cover
Saturday 14 December - Papery decorations
COST:
Members - free (materials cost only)
non members - $10 + materials
BOOKINGS:
you can simply turn up on the day or RSVP via cultivershop@gmail.com
PLEASE BRING:
if you're up to it please bring along a plate of something yummy to share

Image from Paint Me Plaid

For more information or any questions, just email Bec or Kyla at cultivershop@gmail.com

Craft Your Own Christmas

The lovely folk from cultiver are helping you 'Craft Your Own Christmas' with an awesome selection of crafty workshops to keep you busy in the lead up to the silly season.  There's a little something for everyone with workshops available across a variety of crafty fields including.....natural skin care, creative gift wrapping, softie making, UPcycled lamps, felting, gifts for him and screen and relief printing.

For all the info about the workshops and details about how you can get involved check out the cultiver blog here.

Embellishment 101: How to make the ordinary extraordinary!

The ever delightful Steph, from wimcee, will be running a crafty workshop as part of the Saviours of the Lost Arts program of events. The workshop is titled, Embellishment 101: How to make the ordinary extraordinary. If you would like to learn the skills, materials and resources you need to create stylish embellishments for clothing and accessories, then this workshop is for you.

Where: Bleeding Heart, 166 Ann Street, Brisbane

When: Wednesday, June 8 2011

Time: 3.00-5.00pm

Cost: Free!

Bookings: click here to book your spot!

If you can't make it along to the Embellishment 101 workshop with Steph, then you might like to pop along and visit her stall at the SotLA Craft Fair on June 1, King George Square, Brisbane City from 8.00am - 4.00pm! For the full Saviours of the Lost Arts program of events click here!

The Art of Basketry

Talented Fibre Artist, Robyn, from fibreartist44 will be demonstrating the art of Basketry with natural fibre as part of the Saviours of the Lost Arts program of events. You can come along and see Robyn at work at any of the below events:

SotLA Craft Fair

Wednesday, June 1 2011

King George Square, Brisbane City

8.00am - 4.00pm

SotLA Exhibition & Workshop Lounge

Bleeding Heart

Saturday, June 4 2011

166 Ann Street, Brisbane City

Demonstration from 2.00pm - 4.00pm

The Textile Arts Festival

Saturday, June 11 2011

ATASDA Stand

Convention & Exhibition Centre

Cnr, Merivale and Glenelg Streets, Southbank

Demonstration from 12noon - 1.00pm

For more info about SotLA workshops and events check out their full program here.

Indie Eco Workshops at BiECO

We're so excited to announce a fabulous line up of Indie Eco Workshops taking place at the BrisStyle Indie Eco Market on Saturday 6 November at St Augustine's Church Hall and Grounds, Racecourse Road Hamilton from 9am-2pm.

Brisbane artist Chrys Zantis will grace the markets with her famous interactive Knitting installation, Landscape of Resilience. Chrys will bring needles and hooks, threads, fabric and wool of all colours. So come and knit and sew with Chrys under the beautiful tree and reflect on your inner resilience.

After much demand, Wicked Child Designs will be running another Softie Workshop! Teneale will be on hand to provide help with constructing a basic softie, and all the materials will be provided on the day so you can have it finished to take home. You can then keep it for yourself, give it to someone for Christmas, or even donate it to Softies for Mirabel! Seats are limited and priced at a bargain $15 each, so book a seat quick smart by emailing Teneale now - wickedchilddesigns@yahoo.com.au.

Sue from Spoil and Indulge Natural will not only have all their Eco-Friendly Candles and Natural Soaps for sale but she will also have her famous "Kool Candles"! Sue will be conducting interactive Workshops where everyone can make their own colourful fragrance candle in a jar for a special price for the BiECO of $5 each. This is great activity for all ages as there is no heat involved in making the candle and you‘ll be using ECO friendly tiny coloured wax beads along with ribbons and stickers to decorate the jars.

Eco dyer and designer Trish from TrishAlan will be demonstrating the super addictive craft of Kumihimo braiding throughout the day and will have her range of eco dyed threads and kits to purchase.

The BrisStyle Indie Eco Market is proudly supported by Peppermint magazine who will also be there on the day!

BrisStyle Indie Eco Market

Saturday 6 November, 9am-2pm

St Augustine's Church Hall and Grounds

Racecourse Road, Hamilton

Stay tuned for more exciting eco announcements!