Simply Phoebe

Simply catching up...

noreply@blogger.com (Simply Phoebe) — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 07:28:00 +0000

You may have long already seen these, but I thought it was about time I updated the blog to include a few snaps of the final product of my collaborative creations at the Fluoresce residency at NGV Studio.

I had such an amazing time and felt very privileged to be part of it, big thanks to Michelle and Rowena! I really excited about the prospect of more collaborations in the future, including some more focused on creating special retail collections. Stay tuned!

Simply yours,
Phoebe

Simply snaps... of work in progress at Fluoresce

noreply@blogger.com (Simply Phoebe) — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 09:42:00 +0000

Wow, another few weeks have flown by in a flash. As you might know, I've been spending a little time with an amazing bunch of artists involved in the Fluoresce residency at NGV Studio. It's been such a buzz to work with these ladies and a real treat to give myself some total freedom to explore new ideas with my neckpieces. Not to mention the amazing opportunity of working with Frankie & Swiss custom printed fabric featuring original artworks created in the studio. I'm endlessly inspired and hope to be able to work on some other collaborations soon.

Tomorrow (Thursday) is our last day in the studio, finishing with a little closing party in the evening from 6 - 8. If you haven't had a chance to check it out yet and are interested, please drop by. I'll be in the studio for most of the day, madly finishing as many pieces as possible.

For those afar, or unable to make it, here's a quick overview of some of my happy snaps taken via Instagram during my time in the studio. For some (much more professional) snaps of everyone's work, please visit the Fluoresce blog and NGV's album on their Facebook page.

Simply yours,
Phoebe

Simply arty... collaboration at Fluoresce Studio

noreply@blogger.com (Simply Phoebe) — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 06:42:00 +0000

Rowena Martinich in action, painting a mural in North Melbourne.

Here's a piece of news I've been busting to share for a little while. This month, I am completely chuffed to be involved with a pretty exciting project called Fluoresce at NGV Studio.

Fluoresce Studio is a collective of local female artists: Eddy Carroll, Michelle Francis, Nien-San Lee, Rowena Martinich, Rachel Jessie-Rae O’Connor, Tania Schultz, Rosa Tato and Yandell Walton. These mighty talented and all-round lovely ladies work across a range of media including adhesive murals, craft-based processes, painting and projection, but they are united by a love of bright colours.

The residency is being curated by Rowena Martinich, pictured in action at the top of this post, whose bright eye-catching work you may well recognise from walls, buildings, shop fronts and other public spaces around Melbourne.

Eddy Carroll materials and work in progress. Image via the Fluoresce Studio blog.

My involvement is via Michelle Francis, who runs Frankie & Swiss, a boutique textile printing outfit based here in Melbourne that custom print designs onto natural fibre cloth using water-based inks.

During the residency, Michelle will be digitally transforming some of the created by Fluoresce Studio into a textile format. Michelle invited me to join her in the sewing corner of the studio to fashion the fabric by hand into new forms and objects, including a few of my signature neckpieces. This is pretty much a dream project for me!

Rowena Martinich work in progress. Image via the Fluoresce Studio blog.

I feel absolutely honoured to be working with Michelle and the other artists involved and cannot wait to get started. I'll be in and out of the studio over the course of the next few weeks. If you're in town, please pop in and say hello. I'll try and let you know ahead of time when I am going to be around, either here on the blog or via Simply Phoebe on twitter and facebook. For those afar, I'll be sure to share lots of snaps of work in progress and the final results.

You can also follow the the Fluoresce blog, and on Twitter via #ngvstudio, @ngv_melbourne and @rowenamartinich.

Simply yours,

Phoebe

Simply blogging... for the Creative Women's Circle

noreply@blogger.com (Simply Phoebe) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:53:00 +0000

Anyone who knows me or follows my blog, twitter or facebook, would have heard me sing the praises/ bang on of the Creative Women's Circle aka CWC. This Melbourne-based events series/ networking group for creative ladies has been an amazing source of inspiration, motivation, support, friendship, work and more for me. Given my enthusiasm for everything CWC, I jumped at the opportunity to join a new roster of regular columnists on the CWC blog.

My monthly column focuses on eco-friendly creative practices. I will be profiling different individuals and businesses who are making an effort to do more with less and/ or minimise the environmental impact of their creative practice. You can check out my first post here, where I have used myself as a guinea pig.

I'm on the hunt for subjects for my upcoming columns. As well as profiling creative ladies doing good things with their creative practice or business, I'm also keen to know about any resources out there that can help us all improve our efforts. If you have any tips, please get in touch!

Simply yours,

Phoebe

http://www.creativewomenscircle.com.au/2012/02/eco-friendly-practice-simply-phoebe.html

Simply spruiking... Laneway Festival market

noreply@blogger.com (Simply Phoebe) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 23:24:00 +0000

Are you going to the Laneway Festival this weekend in Melbourne? If so, please drop by the market, where I will be sharing a stall with the Creative Women's Circle (we'll be selling the book) Emily Green, Pom by Pomegranate, So Little Time Co. What a team!

The market can be found at the festival by the handbag icon on the festival map.

Must get back to finishing some brand new pieces. Promise to be back soon with snaps of new work and a few tidbits of exciting news.

Simply yours,
Phoebe

Simply spruiking... Harvest Xmas Market this weekend

noreply@blogger.com (Simply Phoebe) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 00:48:00 +0000

Yes, it really is almost last weekend before Christmas. I know, it feels like only yesterday that it was October and we were complaining about the supermarkets already putting up Christmas decorations. Yet here we are, almost one week out.

If you are anything like me, you are nowhere near as organised as you would like to be with your grand plans to make everyone's presents this year or purchase those perfect little gifts as you think of them through the year.

Fear not, Harvest Workroom to the rescue. This Sunday, I will be joining a couple dozen other local designers and makers for the second annual Harvest Xmas Market at the Harvest Workroom in East Brunswick. It's a lovely line up, including my personal friends and/or favourites: Beci Orpin, Sunday Morning Designs, The Hungry Workshop, Inklet, Monolog, Emily Green, Stampel Studio, States of Nature, So Little Time, Creative Women's Circle and of course, products from the clever Harvest Textiles ladies themselves.

I will have some brand new neckpieces on offer, as well as some special discounts on older stock. There will also be a new batch of my Christmas deccies (which also double as lovely headbands) pictured below.

If nothing else, you should really come and visit and have a taco from the Taco Truck. Really now, it's only right.

Hope to see you there!

Harvest Xmas Market
Harvest Workroom
512 Lygon Street, East Brunswick
Sunday, 18th December, 10am - 5pm

Simply yours,
Phoebe

Simply spruiking... markets this weekend & Noel Miller art sale

noreply@blogger.com (Simply Phoebe) — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 12:57:00 +0000

Image by Mishy Lane for the Finders Keepers blog

Well, Markit @ Fed Square on the weekend was a great success. Thanks to all those familiar faces who dropped by and hello to any of the new friends I met for the first time. It was so busy I hardly got a chance to look around the other stalls, although I think that is probably for the best for my bank balance.

I'll be back at it again this weekend at not one, but two markets. No, I haven't cloned myself, although that would be quite handy at the moment. I will only be at one in person - the Melbourne Design Market in the carpark at Federation Square. The second one is Finders Keepers in Sydney, where a few new Simply Phoebe pieces will be for sale at the gaffa stall. See below for all the important details.

In other news, you may have already seen me spruiking this about the place on twitter and facebook, but the Finders Keepers posted a little feature on my creative space last week. I've included a few of my favourite pics in this post. Head over here to the Finders Keepers blog for the full interview and lots more lovely pics by Mishy Lane.

Image by Mishy Lane for the Finders Keepers blog

Miss Camille stealing the show, as usual

Image by Mishy Lane for the Finders Keepers blog

Also, if you visited me at Markit, you may have seen I was selling some prints of original artwork by Noel Miller, my clever and talented Dad. I wanted to let you know that he is having a super special sale in the lead up to Christmas (including some of my all time favourites of his charcoals, such as the one pictured below featuring spotty and stripey umbrellas). Check out the sale here. You can buy pieces directly online or contact him to arrange direct debit payment or special delivery options (Brisbane people can arrange free pickup).

Black and White Umbrellas

Original charcoal artwork by Noel Miller

$500 (normally $800+!) available to purchase here

Simply yours,

Phoebe

Simply spruiking...

noreply@blogger.com (Simply Phoebe) — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 01:10:00 +0000

Hey Melbourne, how great is this weather? Let's hope it sticks around for next weekend. We're taking part in a garage sale hosted by Arthur's Circus, aka our awesome landlords and downstairs neighbours here at Simply Phoebe hq.

In addition to vintagey goodness from Arthur's Circus, there'll be lots of clothes, books, furniture, ephemera, toys and other stuff up for grabs. I'll also be using the opportunity to sell some older Simply Phoebe stock at bargain prices, and maybe show off a few new summer pieces.

The North Melbourne Market is also on next Sunday, so it's a great day to get out and about in our awesome little 'hood. While you're here, we thoroughly recommend sampling the mac 'n' cheese whilst browsing the vinyl at Wooly Bully, followed by a sweet treat at the delightful Beatrix.

Seriously, North Melbourne is where it's at. So come on down to 631 Queensberry St, North Melbourne (between Curzon and Abbotsford Sts, just two blocks down from Errol St), next Sunday 13th November, from 8am to 5pm.

Simply yours,
Phoebe

Simply inspired... by Harvest Textiles at the CWC

noreply@blogger.com (Simply Phoebe) — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 12:32:00 +0000

This weekend I popped along to a CWC event featuring the lovely Emma, Jess and Lara from Harvest Textiles and afternoon tea provided by Tea & Sympathy. As always with the CWC, it was an inspiring and motivating couple of hours.

Along with producing their own gorgeous line of handprinted textiles and homewares, the Harvest gals have set up a truly collaborative space where they run classes and workshops, hold pop up shops and exhibitions, and provide space for other local designers and makers. They also hold half-yearly markets including an upcoming Christmas one which Simply Phoebe is proud to be taking part in. It's being held the week before Christmas, perfectly timed those of us who are never very organised, on Sunday December 18th, in their gorgeous workroom space at 512 Lygon Street, Brunswick.

Harvest Xmas Market (image via Harvest on Flickr)

In the last few months, I've taken part in two workshops at Harvest - both in Pacific Island Weaving with the amazing Maryann Talia Pau. As an aside, I think I might be a Maryann groupie. I am in love with her bold woven jewellery and adornments and she is just a truly gorgeous person.

One of my basket creations, made using my fabric offcuts and raffia

(image via Harvest on Flickr)

I've been meaning to share some of my handiwork from those workshops for ages, so now seemed as good a time as any. The focus of the workshops was on using fabric offcuts. I went along not only for the fun of doing something different, but because I'd been thinking for a while that it would be good to incorporate some sort of weaving into my work. In the first workshop, we used offcuts and seconds from Harvest Textiles range of gorgeous geometric prints, however for the second one I took along some offcuts or unwanted tubes from my neckpieces.

Playing around with weaving , using only offcuts from Simply Phoebe neckpieces

(image via Harvest on Flickr)

While I could never see myself achieving the stunning results that Maryann does with her work, the classes certainly gave me a few new skills to play around with and see how I can try and "weave some magic" into my work. Stay tuned!

Simply yours,

Phoebe

Simply spruiking... upcoming Melbourne markets

noreply@blogger.com (Simply Phoebe) — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 06:34:00 +0000

Hi there.

Just a quick note to let you know Simply Phoebe be coming out of hibernation soon to do two fantastic markets in Melbourne, both being held at Federation Square.

Markit@FedSquare is a gorgeous, biannual curated design market focusing on illustrative and decorative-based design products including fashion, jewellery, homewares, stationery & illustration. It's being held in the Atrium at Federation Square on Sunday 27th November from 10am to 5pm.

The following week, I will be back at Federation Square for the Melbourne Design Market. This one's a biggie. Held in the novel location of the Federation Square carpark, the market is something of a cross between a market and a design show, featuring a diverse range of products across fashion, jewellery, homewares, furniture, lighting and more.

I'm really excited to be doing both of these markets and am busily preparing new neckpieces, other accessories and some special new products for the festive season (yes, it is October and I am talking about Christmas).

Hope to see you at one or both of the markets if you're in Melbourne. Regardless of my stall, they're a great opportunity to find unique presents whilst also supporting local designers and makers.

Simply yours,
Phoebe

Simply unveiling... my new look!

noreply@blogger.com (Simply Phoebe) — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 01:53:00 +0000

Hi friends. I've been pretty quiet lately, but I have lots of good reasons, I really do.

Reason #1: As mentioned in my last post, I went away on an amazing holiday to Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. It was so, so great. So much so that it really deserves its own dedicated blog post including gratuitous instagram photos of doors, painted toenails sunbaking, and food. I will endeavour to deliver.

Reason #2: Post holiday, I am now officially, fully, not-even-joking, self-employed. In addition to my life as Simply Phoebe, I'm now also spruiking the talents, work and news of others as a freelance publicist. Getting another new business going has been time consuming, but definitely worth it. I am particularly excited about the work I am doing with Tribe Katalyst, but more on that later too.

Reason #3: I've been holding out a little as I worked with the amazing Tess McCabe on a new look for Simply Phoebe, which I am now delighted to unveil... ta daaaa!

It was a pleasure to work with Tess, who offered the perfect mix of taking my brief and interpreting it, whilst also offering some other ideas and suggestions. I'm particularly thrilled with the way she was able to work in imagery from charcoals by Noel Miller (my Dad), which I use as mannequins for displaying my neckpieces.

Here's a few more snaps showing how the new look has been applied to new business cards...

... and on the swing tags....

Huge thanks to Tess for her hard work and patience and to my dear Dad for letting me use his beautiful images.

Before I go, on another Tess-related note, this multi-tasking creative lady extraordinaire is about to release the CWC book, Conversations with Creative Women. It really deserves a whole spruik of its own, but in the meantime, you should know that it is now available for pre-order - check it out and get in quick!

Simply yours,
Phoebe

Simply Spruiking... Places & Spaces Exhibition

noreply@blogger.com (Simply Phoebe) — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 08:12:00 +0000

I don't want to rub it in too much, but I'm currently in the midst of a fabulous holiday taking in parts of Thailand and Malaysia. Right now, we're about midway through, soaking up the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of Malaysia in Georgetown, Penang. Those who follow my twitter or instagram will have seen Georgetown is all about the food and the buildings, or more specifically, the doors. Every street and laneway holds beautifully, slightly shabby old buildings in an array of colours. I will wait til I am home to post a "best of" photo series for you here on the blog.

In the meantime, I wanted to make sure I let you know about an exhibition I am featured in that is opening next week at Cudgegong in New South Wales' Central Tablelands. Places and Spaces is a group exhibition of emerging and established artists from Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide exploring jewellery design, illustration, ceramics and installation. As well as exhibiting works by the artists, the show provides a sneak peek into our work spaces. I've included a few of my workspace pics in this post (if only it was always this tidy).

The exhibition has been curated by Zara Collins, a fellow artist who is the owner of a very special Simply Phoebe commission piece, which I posted about previously. She's brought together a wonderful collection of artists, including my friend the maker/ artist/ curator extraordinaire Zoe Brand, friend and gorgeous porcelain jewellers Golden Ink, amongst many more whose work I am looking forward to exploring myself. Check out the Places and Spaces blog for more details, links, and artists features and profiles (including mine here).

Places and Spaces opens this week on Friday 2nd September, with the official opening on Saturday 3rd September. Sydneysiders - this could make a lovely weekend or day trip! Full details in the image at the top of this post.

Simply yours,
Phoebe

Simply spruiking... Jumbo Craft Hatch this weekend

noreply@blogger.com (Simply Phoebe) — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 23:01:00 +0000

Just a quick note to let you know I will be spruiking my wares at Craft Victoria's newly expanded Craft Hatch market this Saturday at 1000 £ Bend, a stellar cafe/ bar/ gallery/ event space located at 361 Little Lonsdale St in the city.

This market marks a permanent move for Craft Hatch and is also part of Craft Victoria's Craft Cubed Festival which is on at the moment. If you're in Melbourne, do check out the program, there's some great workshops, exhibitions and events on all over town.

Here's a few happy snaps of some pieces from a new colourway in the Simply Phoebe range, which will be on sale at the market. I've called it "Teal Mocha Madness".

I'm looking forward to checking out some of the other wares that will be on show too. Will try and post another update before the weekend with my top picks.

Simply yours,
Phoebe

Simply popping... up shop with Gaffa in The Rocks

noreply@blogger.com (Simply Phoebe) — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 15:03:00 +0000

Photograph by Lyrebird Photography

This is only a quick post to show off some snaps of my work in the new Gaffa Pop Up Shop at The Rocks, but I just also have to say, I've had the best weekend. I'll save the full details for a later post or two, but in summary, it was an all-round awesome couple of days due to...

Starting on my first project working with Tribe Katalyst, a Melbourne-based a communications and representation agency that works with creative businesses. I am really excited about this project and can't wait to tell you more soon!
Visiting Design Made Trade, part of the State of Design Festival.
Catching up with gorgeous friends.
Participating in my first Harvest Workroom workshop: Weaving Fabric with Maryann Talia Pau (if you follow me on twitter, you may have seen my stream of pics from the day).

Meanwhile, up in Sydney town, the weekend marked the opening of the latest incarnation of the gaffa Pop-UP shop: "Gaffa Stockroom" as part of The Rocks Pop Up Project. I am simply psyched to be featured in the Stockroom, alongside amazing work by ceramicist, Alice Rose and contemporary jeweller and object maker Shan Shan Mok.

Here's a few snaps I've just received from Gaffa. All images by Lyrebird Photography.

Alice Rose ceramics.

Photograph by Lyrebird Photography

Silicon bowls by Shan Shan Mok.

Photograph by Lyrebird Photography

Alice Rose ceramics in Foreground, Simply Phoebe neckpieces in background.

Photograph by Lyrebird Photography

Alice Rose ceramics in Foreground, Simply Phoebe neckpieces in background.

Photograph by Lyrebird Photography

Simply Phoebe neckpieces

Photograph by Lyrebird Photography

The Rocks is one of my old Sydney stomping grounds, having worked in or near the area for several years and also spent many weekends there during a stint at The Rocks markets one summer. I am so glad that the Harbour Foreshore Authority are finally realising the opportunity to make the most of the character-filled precinct rather than letting it squander away into a total tourist trap. If you're in Sydney, I urge you to wander down and check out what's happening in the area as part of the project.

The gaffa Pop UP shop is located at 85 George St, The Rocks. You can read more about the other exhibitions behing held by gaffa in the space here.

Hope you had a lovely weekend too!

Simply yours,

Phoebe

Simply snapping... showing off, discovering, working, wandering... and cats

noreply@blogger.com (Simply Phoebe) — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 12:27:00 +0000

I mentioned in my last post that my latest iphone-related addiction is instagr.am. It's quite a nifty way to make phone snaps look pretty and then share them with friends. You can follow others' photos via the app or post your own on facebook, twitter and other sites. I like using it for my own snaps, but have also loved the daily feed of lovely pics from others.

If you follow Simply Phoebe on twitter or facebook you've probably seen a few of my snaps, so forgive me for the double up, however I thought I would kill a few birds with one stone and post a few snaps here...

Finders Keepers

I got quite snap happy at Finders Keepers, sharing a few of my favourite items from other stands and showing off in general. Below, top to bottom, left to right, are some snaps of: my little bro on stage as part of the music line up (read more about him here); polka dot brooch by Madz Has Runaway, who I've been a big fan of for ages (gorgeous work and an utterly lovely gal to boot); stunningly sweet yet bold ceramics by my stall neighbour, Sharon Muir; fun handprinted, handmade bags by Mrs Morris, and a chair she covered in her fabric (I WANT ONE). Hmmm, looking at these snaps all together, do you think it's clear I'm a bit of a polka dot fan?

Work in progress

After a bit of a spell catching up on other work and life in general, this week it was back to the sewing machine to get cracking on new pieces for existing and new stockists and the Gaffa pop up shop at The Rocks. Here's a few snaps of some new one-off pieces that will be making their way to the harbour city.

Hanging at home...

While photographing the pieces above, I couldn't help snapping a few details around the house and playing with the different instagram filters. Yes, more polka dots.

Out and about...

One of the really fun things about this new addiction is that it's made me take a little more notice of my surroundings and make an effort to capture little things I love about my grand ol' life in Melbourne. In the last week or so, this has included: Sushi Monger, a Japanese hole-in-the-wall that doles out the best and cheapest sushi in Melbourne's CBD; helping a friend on a rental house hunt expedition (my secret guilty pleasure - I know you're not supposed to like it but I love it); breakfast at Roller Door in West Melbourne where Mr D had the sardines pictured while I had the coconut porridge (which is really a healthier sounding name for rice pudding for breakfast - ummm YES PLEASE); North Melbourne neighbourhood details and finally snakes and ladders with the nephew who, by the way, beat us all twice without us actually trying to let him.

Final observation...

There does appear to be some sort of prerequisite on instagram that you must have a pet and post pictures of them regularly. I only too happily oblige, being a crazy cat lady and all.

Simply yours,

Phoebe

Simply playing... catch up

noreply@blogger.com (Simply Phoebe) — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 12:26:00 +0000

Simply Phoebe set up at Finders Keepers, via instagr.am

It's been an eventful couple of weeks in the world of Simply Phoebe.

Finders Keepers in Brisbane was a great success and came about at just the right time to reaffirm that this labour of love is worth every minute. It was lovely to see some familiar faces, meet lots of new people and be inspired by some amazing designers and artists. I hope to get the chance to share some of my new discoveries here on the blog in the next few days. In the meantime, excuse the self indulgence with a few happy snaps of my own stall.

In other big news, this week I resigned from my "real" job in corporate PR. In four weeks or so, I will be officially fully self employed! I will still be doing PR work, but in a freelance capacity, including some very exciting work for a jewellery designer (stay tuned). This means I will have more capacity and flexibility for designing, making and selling. Hooray!

With the extra time I am aiming to start stocking a few more shops. I already have a couple of new lovely stockists in Sydney and Brisbane that I will tell you all about very soon.

Finally, I am simply psyched to let you know that Simply Phoebe is set to be featured in a gaffa pop up shop in The Rocks in Sydney from 21st July - 22nd August. More details to follow, but in the meantime, you can find out more about The Rocks Pop-Up Project here and here. I am in the process of making some special brand new pieces. Will share a few sneak peeks soon.

Simply yours,
Phoebe

P.S. As you may have seen, the pic at the top was taken using the instagr.am iphone app. Are you in instagram? I'm ADDICTED and love finding new people to follow. My username is simplyphoebe. Tell me yours or follow me and I will follow back!

Simply snaps... brights amongst the grey

noreply@blogger.com (Simply Phoebe) — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 11:30:00 +0000

Only a few sleeps to go until Finders Keepers in Brisbane. I'm hard at work preparing all my new pieces. Here's a few more sneak peek happy snaps of what's in store.

Simply listening to (& spruiking)... Dom Miller

noreply@blogger.com (Simply Phoebe) — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 06:48:00 +0000

Following on from my last post on the upcoming Finders Keepers market in Brisbane next weekend, I'm also very excited to give a big plug to one of the musicians on the line up at the event: my very own brother, Dom Miller.

After his band, Rocketsmiths, went their separate ways last year, Dom's been focused on launching his own music management business, Bluebeard Music, working with the Gin Club's lead singer, Ben Salter on his solo career, and indie-folk country-soulsters Texas Tea. While that's been keeping him pretty busy, he's found some time to build on his own solo work, some of which he'll be performing at Finders Keepers next Sunday, July 3rd at 3:30. You can listen to and download Dom's demo here.

Can you tell I'm a proud-as-punch big sister?

Simply yours,
Phoebe

Simply spruiking... Finders Keepers in Brisbane

noreply@blogger.com (Simply Phoebe) — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 11:54:00 +0000

Just a quick note to let all the Brisbabes reading this know that in just over a week, I will be spruiking my wares at the Finders Keepers indie design and art market. It's being held at the Old Museum, corner of Bowen Bridge Rd and Gregory Terrace next Saturday and Sunday, 2nd and 3rd of July from 10am to 5pm.

Here's a sneak peek at some of the new fabric neckpieces I've been working on for the market.

I'll post some more pics and share some other news on Finders Keepers in the next few days.

Simply yours,

Phoebe

Simply browsing... simply snuggly goodness

noreply@blogger.com (Simply Phoebe) — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 01:05:00 +0000

As you may have heard, Melbourne is a little chilly this week. I've been house-bound for a couple of days due to a foot injury, which has been frustrating, but the plus side has been not having to brave the elements! I'm not immune to it though. Even though our house has excellent heating, you can still can feel it coming through the external walls and my little kitty cat has been permanently attached to my lap trying to suck up as much warmth as possible.

With this big chill setting in so early in the season, I'm determined to be better prepared in rugging about against the Melbourne winter this year, but in style of course! I thought it would be nice to share a couple of my new discoveries of seriously snuggly, but also stylish, handmade creations and their makers.

Mrs Dalloway Winter Woollies Emporium

Photo from the Mrs Dalloway blog

First things first, I would not have made these discoveries were it not for Mrs Dalloway and her Winter Woollies Emporium, a pop up shop of handmade winter goodness which opened its doors in a cute little space in Richmond over the weekend. I was devastated when, soon after discovering it via the Design Files, I realised I was going to be interstate. Luckily, the good ol' internet allowed me to indulge in a little online browsing with the makers of the products that most caught my eye...

White Noise Maker

Photo from the White Noise Maker Etsy Shop

A good pair of slippers are one of my must-haves for winter, however most slippers are totally daggy. I used to tell myself that was half the appeal... until I discovered White Noise Maker's crocheted slippers, or house shoes. These gorgeous creations are the work of Jina, a graduate architect who took up crocheting while on maternity leave.

Photo from the White Noise Maker Etsy Shop

After perusing all the gorgeous colours and styles (and their VERY reasonable prices), I was pretty hooked ('scuse the crochet pun there), but couldn't quite find the right pair for me. So I got in touch with Jina to see if she was open to custom orders. Not only was she up for it, but she had them ready and sent within days. Even more impressive - puts me to absolute shame! Here's a couple of snaps of what will be snuggling my feet very soon...

Photo courtesy of White Noise Maker

The White Noise Maker range also features crocheted brooches and other jewellery. I snapped up a custom brooch too, but I can't share snaps of that one because it's a present and I don't want to risk that the recipient will see it! For more crocheted slipper and jewellery goodness, check out the White Noise Maker Etsy Shop and blog.

Ozetta

Photo courtesy of the Ozetta Etsy Shop

I love a good scarf. The chunkier the better. Ozetta's handmade knits not only come in a range or really interesting styles, but with most pieces you can specify your colour out of a range of up to 52 different colours! I'm still a bit obsessed with yellows in the mustardy, citrony, chartreusey realm, so the "Montana" style in Citron, pictured above, is the one for me. I also love the look of her slouchy beanie, pictured below, which I think will look nice in a slightly darker grey.

Photo courtesy of the Ozetta Etsy Shop

Given the affinity I felt with Ozetta's designs, I shouldn't have been surprised to also discover she makes knitted neckpieces, as pictured above. Isn't her stuff lovely, don't you just want to wrap yourself up in it all? Check out more of designs and colours on the Ozetta Handmade Knits Etsy Shop. Outside of winter months, it seems she keeps herself busy with For you, Ila, a range of hand dyed accessories and she also has a lovely blog which you can follow.

OK, enough time on the 'puter. I need to get back to the sewing machine! You may have noticed I haven't posted any new snaps of Simply Phoebe work for a while and my own Etsy shop is looking a little bare! I've been a little side-tracked with some other commitments lately, but there are some new pieces on the way, I promise!

Simply yours,
Phoebe

Simply arty... giveaway!

noreply@blogger.com (Simply Phoebe) — Sat, 14 May 2011 12:26:00 +0000

Moon for You, by Deborah Keogh