Bibliographica

Peach, Teal, Turkoman & Tears

2012-02-01T23:42:00.000+13:00

the tea is made.

as i wait for it to cool,

i tear paper,

and

the radio hums.

i check my phone,

again.

the pile of paper amounts.

the tea cools,

and one by one, the paper slips into the pool,

some of them squeal as it hits their belly buttons,

shhhh, i say, you'll be all dry in no time,

with a nice tan to boot.

everyone will love you,

ink will adorn you,

and you'll travel to the most unlikely of places,

which are mostly unknown to me,

as i never get to see you again.

after you go.

letting go,

is the hardest thing in life,

of that which you have come to know

those you have come to love.

it can be many things,

and i wanted to share with my readers,

that my darling dearest grandmother, who is now 95,

is at her weakest,

and soon i might have to say goodbye.

she is my greatest inspiration,

so often as I create,

i think of her and what she created,

as a seamstress,

a mother,

a friend,

a sister,

a dedicated faithful wife,

a grandmother,

a great-grandmother

her hand so soft,

i felt it today,

holding it in mine

watching her breath

peaceful

tranquil

wonderful woman.

c'est la vie, i said to a friend.

she replied,

"Oui c'est la vie..mais la vie n'est pas toujours facile a vivre... surtout quand il faut dire adieu for now."

(Yes that's life .. but life is not always easy to live ... especially when we must say farewell for now.)

new creations,

peach & teal,

little turkoman,

and me?

just a few tears for now.

Peach & Teal Thought Collector

Little Turkoman

Edie, my darling Grannie. xoxox

Vaudeville

2012-01-27T22:30:00.001+13:00

This is the loveliest, cutest thing I have made in a while. I love it!

Vaudeville

I used this image below, from a selection of images from Vaudeville. It's so fascinating to see all the fabulous theatrical acts of this time! I encourage folk to explore the era, especially if you love black & white photography of odd and eccentric things. You can read a good deal about it here.

I always loved the work of Diane Arbus, and was linked up to this theatrical era through exploring her work and other photographers before her time which may have been of influence.

After scanning it from a photography book I have, I printed out onto some paper that is agreeable with my lovely patient printer, and hand antiqued it.

Born of my hands..

2012-01-26T09:46:00.000+13:00

Miniature Thought Log

Love to Write

Tiny Secrets

An Eco Sunday

2012-01-22T20:49:00.000+13:00

A visit to The French Art Shop on Saturday morning saw me come home with two giant rolls of Fabriano Eco Paper under my arm. I love going to that store and have been doing so for over 15 years.

In fact, I was once the barista at the adjacent cafe (now closed, but not because of my coffee) and the owner would come in for one of my lovely caffè latte's.

I like to support small businesses if I can, and going in to this store is very special to me after so long.

Today, I laid that paper roll out on the table and proceeded to fold & tear until it was the fraction of its original size. Some of it, has now become two new journals. It's such beautiful paper and I recommend it to any artist, writer or such out there who would like an exquisite surface to write on.

For this journal Nestled in Greenery, I couldn't decide whether or not to use mint green thread or forest green thread. So I went and used them both - I quite like the effect, what do you think? Maybe I'll make more of them. Hell, maybe I'll make a whole rainbow.

Nestled in Greenery

Wrinkly Wrapped Words

When I say wrinkly, I mean really wrinkly, this fellow has a beautiful soft coat.

I am but a slow worker that must learn to get faster, however I seem to become attached to creations while creating and they get a good fussing over.

And so they should.

Two New Journals

2012-01-20T13:18:00.000+13:00

Quiet Moments

The Surfer

Treasury & Newbies

2012-01-16T09:55:00.000+13:00

Little Notes of Me

A Little Gypsy

The Little Stitched One

Etsy is my Tribe

A Bibliographica Thursday

2012-01-12T20:14:00.000+13:00

Turkoman

Weathered

A Winner & Some (more) Newbies

2012-01-09T22:42:00.000+13:00

Well I must thank all of you folk who entered my giveaway, what amazing comments came through, I will re-read them often! Thank you all for taking the time to enter, and don't despair as I'll be giving away other things in the future! I was interested in the fact that there were no males (that I detected) who entered.

Do you ever wonder what readership you are hitting? Male or female? I must admit most of my customers are female, but I get alot of males too, who like my books. I like to think they have an air of both sexes, and sometimes I just picture men with them.

The lucky winner was Ngaio who is a very talented artist living on Waiheke Island, who I had the pleasure of living near to for a time, before I flew up to my treehouse on the mainland. Congratulations! Your book will be en route to you themorrow. I encourage you to see more of Ngaio's amazing work in her Etsy shop and 'Like' her Facebook page.

Meanwhile, I made a few new things today while listening to the radio and intermittent rain.

The Thought Garden Journal

The Rider

Globe Trotter

The Fabric & Leather Ledger

2012-01-08T10:16:00.000+13:00

Fabric & Leather Ledger Book

Water Your Thoughts

2012-01-08T09:50:00.000+13:00

Water Your Thoughts

Newbies

2012-01-07T09:19:00.000+13:00

A Taste of Paris

Word Dance

On The Road

The Voice

2012-01-05T08:17:00.000+13:00

The Voice

Where the Wild Things Are

2012-01-04T09:11:00.000+13:00

I thought I'd share with you the little space where I create, mostly. I do tend to pack little mounds and move them about the place, where they grow momentarily before I move them again, and tidy up. It's rather cluttered most of the time, but I know where everything is, and feel inspired by seeing the things I have collected, materials to use, findings and treasures from the days of me.

The light is not so good but I am sure you can get an idea from these images, where I spend alot of my time.

The olde green press, the vintage wooden trays full of things, little trinket boxes, tiny bibliographicas, papers, mallets, thread, vintage ink stamps... enjoy. :)

The Luscious Ledger

2012-01-02T09:10:00.000+13:00

It took me a week alone to tea stain all this paper - press it, create the covers and stitch it - using 10 needles, threads dangling everywhere - a challenge for me, a wonderful result - a new year feat. Now available in my Etsy shoppe.

One of a kind, The Luscious Ledger.

A New Year's Eve Giveaway

2011-12-31T21:05:00.001+13:00

Yes, you read it write (like the pun?)

I couldn't quite help myself.

To celebrate 300 likers on Facebook, and 400 Etsy sales, I'm going to be giving away this sweet little journal! It's a lovely one, a miniature little doodler, for those little secrets lurking in your mind while you....

...Sip your long black in the local cafe, or sit under a tree in the park, or maybe the town square...You might be inspecting ants walking along a leaf, watching the tide wash over your toes, squinting at the sun, seeing your breath before you in the early morning when no one else is awake...chatting to the neighbours cats when no one can hear you, dreaming up schemes and how to execute them, leaping over stars in your mind and yelling hullabaloooo...

Hell, who knows? You can write it all down in this one.

Little words though, folks.

It's so much nicer.

Really it is.

Small is beautiful.

I do make larger journals, and will be listing one tomorrow...

This lovely one measures 3 1/2 x 2 1/2 inches and is dressed in rustic, beautiful brandy brown leather with natural 'pleat' marks on the front. Remember those pleated pants from the 80s? Kind of like that but a bit nicer..

The first page features an Italian postmark stamp. To follow, you have with 88 sheets (176 pages counting both sides) of beautiful tea-stained sketching paper with a weight of 110gsm.

It begins and ends with tea-stained Italian paper featuring Italian script, don't ask me what it says as I have completely no idea.

But what do I have to do to win?

1. "Like" my Facebook page. (I'm going to check too!). You can do that here.

2. Leave a comment below this post on my blog (not on the Facebook page), telling me why you want to win.

And you're in! I'll be selecting the winner on Sunday the 8th of January, so you have a week or so to get it together.

Happy New Year, my beautiful readers and likers. You're all friends in my book. Thank you for all your support and see you in 2012! (Tomorrow). so far away...

ps... this one of a kind, new little darling is listed on Etsy! It's one of my loved things at the moment. I wonder how long the affair will last?

Petit Rouge Notelets

It's Christmas...

2011-12-24T08:32:00.000+13:00

Wishing everyone a warm, safe and happy Christmas for 2011 -

wherever you may be...

whoever you may be with.

A time of year to reflect on yourself and be with those you love.

Thank you all for your support and reading my blog posts, it means alot to me!...xox

Newbies & Inspiration

2011-12-22T10:01:00.000+13:00

I'm inspired by rustic metal things of late, and have been listening to tunes from the likes of Mongolia, Afghanistan, India, China & Turkey. It plays loud while I create and seems to have influenced me somehow. Trinkets and treasure sit before me, jump out at me and never fail to resurrect a longing in me... to make something that I haven't quite discovered yet...

The evolution of art is wonderful. Being an artist never has an end. There is always learning, discovering and finding ways to create.

By clicking on each image or the title of the item will take you to the page where you can inspect, if you wish to do so.

More to come! I hope you are all enjoying the last frantic days before Christmas.

Me? I'm switching off.

Lobe Treasure

Take Flight

The Wearable Dragonfly

Turkoman - A Miniature Journal

A Little Neckwear

2011-12-20T09:21:00.000+13:00

Some new creations are on my Etsy & Felt shelves. Clicking on the image or title of the necklace will take you to the store listing, where you can have a good thorough inspection. A new book is in the making, I can only say it's got something to do with the sea...and a tiny wee red one, to which I have become attached.

Christmas?

Who said?

A Long Gypsy Book

The Little Camel Book

The Little Black Book

The Travelers Assembly No.2

The Collectors Necklace

The Auburn Gypsy

Back in the Wheel

2011-12-18T19:44:00.000+13:00

Bibliographica is back in the wheel,

and still creating like a nut,

the rain still falls on the roof,

the slippers back on the feet,

endless cups of tea,

needles and thread,

paper and leather,

here we go again...

a new journal today, a Sunday creation...

A Way with Words

A Christmas Crafternoon Tea

2011-12-15T22:51:00.000+13:00

i hope to see some new and known faces this saturday at the crafternoon tea market.

folks may be aware i have put my etsy shoppe on vacation mode until the 17th of december, after this market closes. my stock is so limited that i will be taking all of it to sell at my stall.

the last few days i've had my hands in lots of tea, laying out paper & waiting for it to dry - which is very slow due to the damp humid air & persistent rain... in obscure places, semi-dry paper is laid out to dry off. meanwhile, wet paper waits for an obscure place in its transit station: rolls of wax proof paper on top of an antique table.

paper upon paper.

inside the olde green press, dry paper which i had folded into sections becomes increasingly flat.

the radio hums,

the cat sleeps.

ducks quack and splash about in the little ponds outside,

rain drums on the roof.

a needle goes into paper,

comes out the other side,

and over again...

leather is polished, embossed & embellished.

snippets of fabric sneak under leather and

peak out of a hole,

tiny wee miniatures sleep in the Gus-press.

awaiting chains themorrow.

not alot of journals will be coming with me, but i can only do so much.

the most important thing is to have fun, and enjoy the company of other crafters,

which i so often crave.

(and maybe make a few bob.)

and maybe i might have some little treats, so be sure to come visit the Bibliographicas.

xxx

The Rider

2011-12-14T08:43:00.000+13:00

I've had this beautiful leather for a very long time, and finally got the courage to take it apart - and subsequently part with it. It was an olde child's camel seat used during WW2. Very enchanting. It was shaped like a giant knuckle bone (remember those? I was quite the expert if I recall...). I didn't take a photo of it - silly me! But now I shall make it into a series of wee books, making each one unique as it will feature tiny snippets from the hand painted image that was on the front.

Here is the first.

The Rider

The Yellow Rose

2011-12-13T20:35:00.000+13:00

The Yellow Rose

A new little one, now available on Etsy.

Buzzzzzz.....psst!

2011-12-13T06:05:00.000+13:00

My photographic work Preserved Wings has been featured

in this beautiful, enchanting treasury.

It inspires me so!

The Mini Wearable Ledger

2011-12-12T09:46:00.000+13:00

The Ledger Style just got a whole lot smaller.

The Mini Wearable Ledger. Now available on Etsy.

Titirangi Village Market

2011-12-11T07:27:00.000+13:00

The Titirangi Village Market

10:00 - 2:00

Find me inside the foyer, today!

Any items not sold will return to the Etsy shelves right after the market.

Come along and experience what makes it so special.
• Over 130 stalls of arts, crafts, produce and information
• Live music from some of Auckland's best folk musicians
• Cafe and organic coffee
• Indoor and outdoor
• Rain or Shine
• Sign posted from the Village

Friday Creations

2011-12-09T21:16:00.000+13:00

A busy Friday creating, after yesterday was taken away when my computer crashed. So I had it repaired (along with.. er-em, buying myself a half terabyte external hard drive to back up all my creative endeavors, precious files and exhausting long hours of work).

SAFE.

Two newbies are up on Etsy now... I loved creating Le Petit Artiste which came into my head as I thought of landscape format books for a change.. which I might start creating. Best for me to start small...This is an adorable little book, quite rustic looking with an extra long chain, just over 18 inches, so you can draw in it while it's around your neck.

Le Petit Artiste

I also created a lovely rich dark chocolate brown leather journal, with a piece of leather I've been saving for what seems like forever, it's gorgeous. Mottled, old, rustic and crinkly.

LOVE.

The Chocolate Journal

I hope you are all well and enjoying my posts, I'll bring you another old journal entry soon....

The Thought Provoker

2011-12-07T20:51:00.000+13:00

The Thought Provoker

Tuesday Creations

2011-12-06T23:37:00.000+13:00

Rustic Brown Eco Journal

Weathered Eco Journal

Little Cream Stitches

New Creations

2011-12-05T21:39:00.000+13:00

An Old Journal Entry, No. 2

2011-12-05T09:58:00.000+13:00

This was written in 2004 while studying for my honours degree at the College of Fine Arts in Sydney, Australia. I lived across the street from University in a tiny little one room apartment with barred windows, in which I squashed everything I had.

That year I wrote a dissertation on 'Waiting' - the concept of waiting in itself. I spent a year wandering Sydney with my Rolleiflex Twin Lens Camera loaded with 25 asa Tech Pan Film (which records mainly blacks & whites and used mostly for scientific reasons). I chose this film for its simple views, seeing things in black and white without the grey tonalities - like a child, viewing things the way they are and not questioning (the greys) or analyzing (the greys)...

I saw and experienced many things that year which I feel changed my perspective of human nature and appreciation of what I have.

28-05-2004

"...At 5:52 pm last evening, still in the city; a last minute dash to the Photo Store (Foto Riesel) for more film & negative sleeves. I chased light as it moved and manipulated itself on the city, rapidly dissipating as the short day became shorter. I was cold & had found myself in Pitt Street with inadequate light. So I followed light to where it flooded: Circular Quay.

Performance artists, travelers, daily commuters, office workers seeking air; all were present in this wondrous light-filled sphere; and here I was, a static figure with Rollei, positioned and waiting for shadows to creep and light to move; people to turn a certain way. I saw so many different things in one spot and couldn't stop shooting - everywhere I looked I saw photographs and the feeling was nothing but pure; like a fresh splash of water on my face from the early morning KareKare stream...

People didn't see me as they waited thawing in their sun-drenched spots, and I could stand right infront of them without so much as a glance. My last shot was of a lady reading who yawned after I had been standing infront of her for some time, I pressed my shutter and went forth to roll into the next shot but it kept rolling... and that was that... end of the film. 12 exposures."

Two More Little Ones

2011-12-02T22:34:00.000+13:00

I made the above journal 'The Stitched One' about a month back, and sold it last weekend at the Titirangi Market (my local craft market). I had a special fondness for it and decided to turn this new little baby below into a miniature version. This is now available in my Etsy store. Go check it out here.

The Little Stitched One

And one more listed tonight...

The Petite Brandy One

There are two more necklaces complete, which I shall be listing in the next day.

Here's a sneak peak...

An Old Journal Entry

2011-12-02T07:46:00.000+13:00

If you write in journals like me, you are sure to have trawled back through them for a read every now and then. And this is where their importance comes to light. You remember a time gone, what has happened since and where you are headed now. Sometimes it's deep, sometimes just a thing.

I write about all sorts, but I found this entry and thought I would share. In fact, I might share a few more in the coming weeks... this is not edited, just typed out from the page - where I wrote in black ink. It was the first entry I wrote in a journal I had bought in Boulder Colorado 4 years earlier. It is a lined journal with an embroidered fabric cover. At the time of this entry I was living in Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia, and studying for my Honours Degree in Photography at the College of Fine Arts.

This took place outside the post office in Bondi Beach.

13-04-2004 9:10pm

First line of a 4 year-old book; a story to tell.

As I left the post office before the stroke of five, I went to the rubbish bin to dispose of my train-station-bought diet coke can, and came across a man rifling through its contents. I watched him select a yellow envelope & proceed to tear the stamps off in a little square.

I said, "Do you like stamps?"

He said he collected them to send to a friend, and that sometimes he was lucky - he showed me his garbage find which bore no postmark or ink stamp. A mint! I said I'd just received a letter from my Aunt in Switzerland and would he like the stamp? Well of course he would, yes please, and I gracefully cut off the corner of the envelope and brought a cleanliness and appreciation to his bin-rifling habit.

I smiled as I wandered away.

Some Newbies

2011-12-01T21:25:00.000+13:00

A Piece of Paris

The Long Thought Keeper

Wearable Gypsy

Like to write screeds?

2011-11-30T21:06:00.000+13:00

The Screeder

Ledgers 6, 7 & 8

2011-11-29T20:25:00.001+13:00

Yes, I've been at it again. I had a mound of tea stained paper awaiting me this morning, so I managed to create these lovely ones today. I have listed these journals this evening and all are available in my Etsy shop.
You can click on the image, or the link below each image to take you to the description.

The Dragonfly Ledger

The Caramel Ledger

The Ledger of Fall

The Key to My Vintage Heart

2011-11-28T07:53:00.001+13:00

The Key to my Vintage Heart

Another Ledger

2011-11-27T19:52:00.000+13:00

I had an extremely successful day at the Titirangi Village Market today, which was welcomed and wonderful! I loved meeting my customers and seeing their faces, sharing in their delight at their new found book-friends or gifts for loved ones, feeling the cash in my hand (because I rarely ever carry it and forget what it is like) instead of numbers on a screen (which is also very nice), seeing other crafters and catching up with some good friends that I have made over the years. Wonderful to see everyone.

It was a buzzing day with lots of people to watch and how amazing it is, to see happy families all together going about their Sunday in the sunshine.

I came home to instantly gather up dried tea stained paper, fish more paper out of the tea bath to lay each one out flat to dry, before immersing the next batch for the night. After pressing some for a couple of hours I took it out and managed to complete & photograph a new ledger book which I have just listed on Etsy. This is number 5. This journal is rustic, thick and gorgeous. I love it.

More journals to come this week to fill the shelves as we all gear up for Christmas. I hope to have a nice selection to choose from.

The St Anne Ledger

Elements of Indulgence

2011-11-25T21:24:00.000+13:00

There is a certain delight about indulgence.

Self indulgence, that is.

Now, I am not one to be greedy, but I like to adorn my physical being in jewels, if I can. The problem is, I have many but don't seem to wear them. I realise I have been waiting for that special event or such to show off my jewels. Special event? I don't think so.

Lately I've thought, well - every day is a damn special event. So on with the jewels, and off I go to the studio, where I spend most of the day completely alone. Well, not really, as I have all my Bibliographicas around me, and that's always a splendid affair. We do have a lot of fun. Sometimes its testing, other times just revelatory.

Then when I take a break I feast on Esty eye candy or read blogs.

Yes, I do get outside.

Now, I have to share with you some very special eye candy. I have long been a blog follower of Fanciful Devices. I can tell you this, every time I visit Marina's blog I am equally entertained and enveloped by her beautiful archaic creations and absolutely hilarious sense of humor. I always know I'll get a whip of fun when I go there.

I took the liberty of commenting on one of her recent posts, when she was in the midst of giving away a whole lot of deliciousness to celebrate 1000 Etsy sales. What a woman! Well I couldn't believe it when I actually won?! I never win anything - really, I don't. It's very rare. And this, well - this was way better than any lottery! Check it out.

Fanciful writes "A very rustic necklace made from the frontpiece of a metal printing block/stamp. It says something very romantic and meaningful on it, namely: Solkowski Oil Company. However, since the letters are inverted for stamping, you can tell folks it says whatever you want."

"...It also includes handmade clay beads from India which I've painted dark over the original bright colors, and links of hammered Indian bangle pieces in an emerald color." Fanciful Devices

Would you just look at that incredible bead? My macro nearly licked it!

I wore it to the post office this evening and posted some Etsy sales.

I felt like I was ten feet tall.

Along with this amazing necklace, I actually purchased some earrings lately.

The first pair, came from the delightful talented Nusquam. I saw a pair in her shoppe which had sold, and asked her nicely to make me another, which she accepted. The ones I got slightly differed from the original, which I liked as I'm not much one for lots of stuff that's the same. My worst nightmare is to run into someone on the street wearing something that I am wearing.

n-i-g-h-t-m-a-r-e

Nusquam writes: "Vintage raw baltic amber stones decoupaged with antique paper bits reading the Armenian alphabet. Topped with rustic stoneware bead caps by chellev2. Oxidised African trade beads, vintage wave-like chain, engraved antique metal medallion button sliced in half."
They measures 3 ¾ inches.

Love the 'button sliced in half'.

Every time I look at these earrings I see something new.

They are just so beautiful! So archaic... storytellers....

Lastly, I discovered Jaana from PalimPalim, and had been eyeing up these stunning earrings for a while. I couldn't stand the fact that they had so many hearts and that someone else might get them, so I added them to my cart without much of a further thought. She kindly adjusted them for me to have sterling silver hoops, and I just adore them.

Eyes in The Dark

This amber is just so stunning, the macro lens brought up what looked like a little lizard living in there. I have decided that there is. I might name him?

You can see Mr. Lizard pretty well here. I think he's basking in the sunshine.

I hope to see more like this from Palim Palim in the future.

The greatest thing, is the cultural aspect of all this.

I am in New Zealand,

Fanciful is in Uruguay,

Nusquam is in Canada,

and PalimPalim is in Germany.

Love it.

Thank you talented ladies for making me feel adorned in jewels.

The Sacred Place

2011-11-23T20:49:00.001+13:00

The Sacred Place

Ode To Baudelaire

2011-11-23T08:51:00.000+13:00

Mr. Baudelaire (1821-67) was a French poet best known for his work ‘Les Fleurs du mal’ (The Flowers of Evil). Also greatly known as the father of modern art criticism, he famously denounced the invention of photography at the Salon of 1859. As the new wondrous invention began to walk in its new shoes, he stepped out in his to speak scathingly of the photographic industry, stating it was,

“...the refuge of all the painters who couldn’t make it, either because they had no talent or because they were too lazy to finish their studies. Hence this universal infatuation was not only characterized by blindness and stupidity, but also by vindictiveness.” - Charles Baudelaire - 1859, [cited in: “Camera Austria” 14/84, Annie Le Brun “The Feeling of Nature at the Close of the Twentieth Century”, p. 20]

I wonder what he would make of photography today...

Ode to Baudelaire

The Bi-Plane Book

2011-11-20T20:03:00.000+13:00

I'm so excited to release this book. I loved making it - after realising maybe I ought to be making a few books with children in mind.

I don't have children myself, but always thought that if I ever did, I'd see myself with a boy. Why? Probably because they have cooler toys.

This little book reminds me of those wooden building blocks that were around in the 70s, they had pictures on the sides and you'd put them all together to build a complete picture. I remember having some and the pictures were peeling off.

Although I made this journal with a boy in mind, it won't mind going to a girl either, or a grown-up for that matter. It's all about creating, releasing the mind - so whatever tickles your fancy, and all that...

The Bi-Plane Book - A Journal for a Boy

Now available in my Felt store.

Wear Your Thoughts

2011-11-19T20:45:00.000+13:00

They might become things...

The Miniature Duo No.3

Celtic Green - Wearable Thoughts

Wearable Secrets

Little Doodlers

2011-11-17T22:03:00.000+13:00

The Little Stout Sketchbook

Petite Noir

Nights in White Satin

2011-11-16T09:15:00.000+13:00

Nights in White Satin

The Fabric Circle Books

2011-11-15T22:39:00.000+13:00

The Paisley Journal

The Oval Striped One

The Little Ledger Books - No.3 & No.4

2011-11-15T20:06:00.000+13:00

I made them...

they went...

so make them more I do.

I am making a little family here, possibly a limited edition of 10. They'll all have their own funny little thing going on. They're fine little pocketbooks - you can hold it in your hand;

take it to the local cafe and write about your stuff.

The Little Stitched Ledger Book No.3

The Little Ledger Book No.4

The Little Mailer

2011-11-15T07:19:00.000+13:00

The Little Mailer

The Little Ledger Book No.2

2011-11-11T21:32:00.001+13:00

The Little Ledger Book No.2

Unfinished Symphony

2011-11-10T22:09:00.000+13:00

I finished the Unfinished Symphony...

As much as this one can be,

for it remains unfinished,

until it meets the soul who will write, draw or sketch in it.

Heavy, fat, dense and delicious, this journal I like.

It's wonderful, and full of wondrous things.

And soon more to be added, by who?

I don't know...

This excites me.

Entices me.

I like to encourage folk to write or draw.

To bring out something in them that maybe they were too afraid

to unleash before,

because they didn't realise they had the wrong paper, or wrong pen.

Each to his/her own.

It's all got to come together, or the thoughts stay stuck.

I hope this journal allows some thoughts to flow out there...

In this spherical place we call home.

Unfinished Symphony - now available on Etsy.

PS: There's a bigger one, it's coming... not for a while, but it will eventually get there.

The Stitched One

2011-11-07T22:16:00.000+13:00

The Stitched One

The Black Thought Book

2011-11-05T20:57:00.000+13:00

The Black Thought Book

Bibliographica Spring Sale

2011-11-02T23:15:00.000+13:00

It's spring here in New Zealand, and spring's a good time to have a change-up of things...

So I have decided to have a sale in my Etsy store.

Check out the link here. Or click on the link below.

bibliographica spring sale

festivities are in the wings of time...

Lobed in Black

2011-11-01T21:35:00.000+13:00

Lobed in Black

The Girl with the Pearl-Boxed Earrings

2011-10-29T22:49:00.001+13:00

Lately, I am the maker of teeny tiny things. So much so, that when I laid eyes on what one would consider a 'normal' sized journal I thought it to be enormous.

Gulliver wanders around me.

I watch the daisies popping up through the grass and can see the sky from underneath their petals.

Life is beautiful...

So I thought I'd photograph my creating today.

I started by seeing this beautiful olde vintage pill box with a pearl-shell inlay that I was determined to create something to fit inside. (I have smaller ones than this and am becoming rather adventurous) I began by tearing up tiny pieces of archive text paper, which I had earlier prepared with tea-staining and pressing.

After dividing the wee pages up into 6 signatures of 3 sheets each, I gently made two incisions with my awl to sew with linen thread.

Here you can see the paper and little sections before they were sewn.

And here, after I stitched the wee thing and had it sitting on my fingers (this is the part when I become Gulliver)...

I found a small cutting of a beautiful piece of leather I acquired a while back from a bag of off-cuts. I used the large piece to make this journal: (which sold very quickly and flew to Dublin).

I cut a tiny piece of the left-over leather to size & covered the wee books once they had dried (and after I had added mull & headbands). The process is long and intricate, but I am passionately fastidious with teeny tiny things.

These little babies are so delightful, and are fitted with antiqued copper niobium ear wires with a bright copper ball. Perfect for sensitive ears. The wee tin says 'Clover' on the underside. What does it all mean?

The Girl with the Pearl-Boxed Earrings - now available in my Etsy store.

Erudite Ears

2011-10-26T21:30:00.000+13:00

Erudite Ears

Riveted

2011-10-26T09:12:00.000+13:00

I love to hammer things so much enjoyed creating this hefty journal. I am picturing a man with it, but one never knows... Now available on Etsy.

Riveted

The Little Gypsy Doodler

2011-10-26T08:50:00.000+13:00

A new little doodler now available on Etsy.

The Little Gypsy Doodler

Literary Lobes

2011-10-24T23:02:00.000+13:00

The last lot of little lobe jewels sold, so I set about making another pair - along with a few more which are at present at various stages of creation.

One pair are very tiny and are currently sleeping in my little wooden press, which I call the "Gus Press" only because my wee second cousin Gus has taken a shining to it each time he comes to visit.

The Literary Lobes can whisper your little stories back to you while you go about your business, whatever that may entail. Maybe you'll create stories in them to pencil in later? A word a day for 72 days?

Literary Lobes

Before this quiet day I spent in the studio creating, I disembarked a ferry in downtown Auckland last night bound for my getaway car. Yet I knew I'd have a sea of black-clad rugby fans to tackle en route (this is as close to a real-life tackle as I'll ever get), and I was sure that the only way I'd make it was to pop my earphones in my ears and blast some loud music while I literally bush crashed my way through the crowd.

With only metres to go before I clasped the door handle of the car with white knuckles, I realised that I was walking by a man wrapped snuggly in a French flag, and that simultaneously I was listening to Edith Piaf L'hymne à l'amour.

I had not even thought about the fact that this was the music of France, only that I loved it, and it was all I wanted to hear, as loud as I could get the volume to go as I moved through a crowd.

Edgar Allen Poe could have called me The woman in the crowd.

But - what would the All Blacks have thought of me?

Maybe something for my journal entry tonight.

À bientôt, j'espère...

A Little Colourful Addition

2011-10-22T10:40:00.001+13:00

I came upon this sweet tiny off cut of moss-green leather and couldn't resist clothing the newest tiny journal. It seemed to balance out well by the little maroon-red book, which is dressed in a wee scrap of vintage leather from a 1970s era eel skin bag. I always take preference for browns, but lately I've been drawn to different colours - maybe it's because here in New Zealand spring is in the air, and life emanates from all things. Green leaves, red flowers - and a sprinkling of nature's perfume all around...

The Miniature Duo #2, Now available in my Etsy shoppe.

Lobed

2011-10-18T20:01:00.000+13:00

Lobed

No.2 in C

2011-10-17T21:57:00.000+13:00

I was ready to leave the studio last night, as the second half of the rugby rolled on out of the television set; seemingly a magnet to all eyes but mine. I'd been in the kitchen gluing tiny little books while the yahooing carried on, listening to Joni Mitchell on my Ipod 'Both Sides Now' - on repeat...

In packing my bags together I came across a bag of fabric which has been passed down through the family from my dear Grannie, who recently turned 95. Back in her day she was a talented seamstress and dressmaker, creating the most exquisite gowns which adorned the bodies of many thrilled customers. She even made her own wedding dress, and also my first tutu that I practically lived in as a child.

(yes, I fancied myself a bit of a jack of all trades - either that or I had an identity crisis or chronic indecisiveness, I just wanted to wear it all at once, so I did...pic taken in 1978)

Our Edith (my Grannie) even made her own quilt cover, under which she now sleeps - it's absolutely beautiful, covered in pretty pink flowers. She sits under it in the morning and sips tea like a true lady would, out of her beautiful tea cup and saucer which actually match. I am not sure that was intentional - it just seems flowers follow her wherever she goes.

I found some off cuts of this particular quilt fabric, and I saw a journal in my mind. Instead of going home to my house in the trees, I found myself minutes later laying out fabric, cutting up leather and trimming boards. In between some current commissions, I had prepared some tea-stained archive text paper that I had not decided quite what to do with - but today I found the time to stitch and complete this sweet journal.

No.2 in C.

This one's for you, my dear Grannie. xxx

La bibliothèque en miniature

2011-10-14T22:16:00.000+13:00

La bibliothèque en miniature

Smile Lines

2011-10-12T20:54:00.002+13:00

It's spring.

From the unpredictable days,

through sunshine, wind & rain,

as heat moves slowly through the air,

to form somewhat of a summer,

A journal has emerged.

I watched it form,

take shape as I scoured my buckets and old treasure houses for a piece of leather,

which would suffice.

Being a Libran I'm known to be rather indecisive,

or quite particular when it comes to creating.

I simply had to find the appropriate leather,

to say what I wanted to say.

I just got a year older,

and well, I would like to think that the lines that appear on my face,

are from all the smiling I've done,

up until now.

So, after I discovered this delicious piece of leather which came from the same wallet as The Journeyman and also Mr. Camel Doodler, I was happy that I could actually,

make a decision.

I got out the museum polish and worked this piece of beauty to resurrect some sure fire smiles from years of traveling - I wondered where this wallet had been,

who had handled it,

how much money it contained,

if it contained money at all...

and Smile Lines was born.

Some years after I was, but on the same day.

A special little book,

waiting for a friend.

I think I even saw,

it wink.

Smile Lines

Journal No. 12

2011-10-06T07:02:00.000+13:00

100% Recycled paper

Reclaimed leather

Vintage key

Olive linen thread

Deliciousness.

Journal No.12

Unmatched

2011-10-04T21:40:00.000+13:00

Unmatched

The Bibliographica Treasure Trove

2011-10-03T08:16:00.000+13:00

The Bibliographica Treasure Trove

Tar & Cement

2011-10-01T22:09:00.000+13:00

There they were,

lost words, sprinkled on tar & cement.

words lost, from my world,

the 'lost' unknown to me, at the time.

I'd been walking with vigour, the gritty wind in my eyes, loud music in my ears,

my raincoat ready for the rain, which

only lightly fell.

50 minutes earlier...

I'd packed my journal in my bag, (thought that I had) zipped up the pocket,

stuck plasters on my toes as armor from my too-new shoes,

hid the house key

and trickled down the tree house path past the pongas & friends

down the rickety wobbly steppe which I try to consistently (but fruitlessly) avoid,

tumble round the drive so steep I wish a wind gust would come up and I'd be

blowin' in it

past the black circular washer or something that's been on the pavement since I moved in..(I look forward to seeing if it's still there, and as always, it is - and seemed to have not moved one iota...I have a loose plan to pick it up and stitch it to something...)

Up the hill I went, like a hand was pushing me, past the lush green forest which I love so dearly,

the land which is, and always has been home, to me

even though it took me years to see it.

my soul breathes...

and in my backpack, I carried words written in the hills,

within the landscapes of my mind,

the loves, worries, complexities, joys and storms which,

in black staedtler ink,

stain the pages like a swirly tattooed alphabet

a language only known to me.

Upon arriving at the studio, I went to fish out my precious journal -which I had used to keep a receipt flat to send off that afternoon with my most recent Etsy sale.

But all I found,

was an open zip,

a bit of lint,

and inner alarm.

next thing I know we are on the road, backcombing the walk with our beady eyes out the car window,

fixed on the pavement, looking for that old black book that

if someone found and read,

would have me either a published success or a candidate for the nearest asylum.***

and with a blink of the eye,

there it was - I saw it, collapsed in a gutter, on the corner of a street,

where I remember having leaped on to the curb off the road, in a moment

of condensed energy.

the journal I have in my hands,

the sale has been shipped,

all is good in the world.

all is good,

in the world...

***It's true, if you write, they'll either praise you or condemn you.

The Tartan Circle Journal

2011-10-01T09:19:00.000+13:00

The Tartan Circle Journal

Chest Treasure

2011-09-29T11:28:00.000+13:00

The sumptuousness of petite things has always and will always allure me.

It beckons, from way out yonder, before I even see it -

I hear it coming.

An invisible string conn-ects us...

And upon meeting,

We find a friendship we have already known,

Once before.

Chest Treasure

The Rustic Leaf Journal

2011-09-27T11:15:00.000+13:00

The Rustic Leaf Journal

Orange Crush

2011-09-27T08:16:00.002+13:00

In the wake of R.E.M. splitting up, I created a journal titled 'Orange Crush'.

I spent much of my teens listening to their music on vinyl, and even got to see them live once...

Full of orangeness, this sweet journal seemed to make a fine tribute to their song "Orange Crush".

Now available on Felt.

Orange Crush

Words Awash

2011-09-21T10:49:00.000+12:00

I was rattling around in my parent's garage the other day. It's full of all sorts of things - things we love, things we hate, things we ought to get rid of but haven't, things we ought to get rid of but won't, life stories, boxes of 'stuff', tools, machines, bits & bobs, empty honey jars recycled into nail storage boxes (full of nails), hammers, a very large old dining table dating back to another era (where I actually lay out my tea stained paper to dry)...

Several times over the years, we have managed to clear it out to park two cars in there. This lasted so long, until the cars were outside again. Someone moved, things changed and we needed to store more stuff. Now as frustrating as it can be to observe all the stuff that needs moving to another place (where?) it is an absolute magical wonderland, if one has the patience, to stand and find things.

My father is a sure fire tinkerer. He knows how to make almost anything and fix anything else, and if he doesn't know he'd probably have a go at it all the same. He's got all sorts of things in there and I am often scouring the shelves just for a look.

There I was, doing just that the other day, when I came across this delicious olde washer. The detail is beautiful, it's dented, rusty & worn - reminiscent of molted earth or volcanic rock cut away by harsh winds over thousands of years. I saw a journal in my mind upon spying it, and had to set about bringing it to fruition.

So with clearance from the previous washer-owner, I set forth on my journal-creating-journey and came up with Words Awash, now available in my Etsy store.

Words Awash

Crafternoon Tea

2011-09-19T11:00:00.000+12:00

I thought I might share with you a couple of photographs I took at the Crafternoon Tea market which I held a stall at over the weekend. It was a lovely event during which I met and spoke with some wonderful crafty folk who up until then I had only known in a cyber way! What a refreshing thing, to have a cyber 'friend' breathe and smile infront of you - the world opens up. :) Although I am grateful for the online connections I have and the amazing people I have 'met' I do wish I could have them all in one room at once, to have cups of tea and chat about art!

These were taken with my cellphone, so not the best of quality... but still nice to see the set up all the same.

More to come soon lovely readers, I am in the midst of much creating!

The Journeyman

2011-09-15T09:19:00.000+12:00

I loved creating this beautiful journal. The leather is from an olde wallet with the most delicious features, I particularly am fond of the splash of what appears to be red wax on the bottom left on the back of the journal. It's got true age and character, I wonder what journeyman stories await! I have more of the inside of the leather left, and will continue to create with it! Just a beautiful find.

Now available here on Etsy.

The Journeyman

The Italian Zodiac Journal

2011-09-14T11:10:00.001+12:00

The Italian Zodiac Journal

Mr. Camel Doodler

2011-09-13T05:31:00.001+12:00

Mr. Camel Doodler

The Florentine & Leonardo Journals

2011-09-11T10:22:00.002+12:00

The Florentine Journal

The Leonardo Journal

The Espresso Traveler

2011-09-10T08:00:00.000+12:00

The Espresso Traveler

Vintage Silver & Lace

2011-09-09T05:27:00.000+12:00

Vintage Silver & Lace

A River

2011-09-05T09:31:00.000+12:00

Flowed past me last week, as I made my way to the studio.

On my back I carried Mr. Nikon (who is wrapped in a towel since his official bag had to be discarded after a certain animal decided to pee on it), a snippet of tea stained paper with a handwritten address to send an order, a staedtler pen, bottle of water & a pear.

In my ears played an olde tune by Ultravox.

It was then, that it started to rain.

First just a light precipitation... then a little heavier until... there I was,

Umbrellaless, with 20 mins left to my destination.

Caught.

Continuing on, I walked until I declared myself officially drenched; only then taking refuge in the roadside bamboo mini-forest. Turning up the sound on my Ipod, I focused on the river & enjoyed a moment or two of meditation as the water danced past my eyes.

All the happiness, sadness, passions, dreams, losses & loves swirled, surged in my head, heart, body & soul.

Pieces of me, I thought lost, came floating past in the water,

and picking them up,

I put them back where they belonged.

In doing so,

I no longer felt the wet clothes in which I was clad,

nor did I care for the fact that I was cold,

and without my broken wing,

I walked on,

with Ultravox,

my whole self,

and the rain, rainy... rain...

Ye Olde Barber Shoppe

2011-09-03T10:18:00.000+12:00

Ye Olde Barber Shoppe

I just adore this treasury, created by the lovely Jocelyn of Flowerleaf Fine Art & Jewelry. Love the cat on the bicycle and the splashes of red, white, black & grey. Super!

Thank you Jocelyn!