Inspiration: Marina Camargo

Some more inspirational loveliness... this time, the "letters" work of artist Marina Camargo. It's no secret that I'm a total fan of just about any typography- or paper-based art. I just love the clean linear simplicity that these works often have. Marina Camargo is a perfect example of this simplicity – the kind that somehow also dominates spaces; commanding attention and occupying the brain as it tries to decode her seemingly straightforward pieces. She is particularly interested in the "lost space" between what is read and what is seen. You can find her amazing portfolio of work here, along with detailed artist notes on her work. I found her via here.

It's here!

Look what's just arrived on my doorstep! Peppermint Magazine #3 is out and, even though I haven't had a chance to read through all of it yet, it's looking pretty fab. Loads of bloggers and their work are featured too. If you haven't heard of Peppermint yet, it's Australia's first eco fashion mag, printed right here in Brisbane :) Go to Twitter to find out more or check out their website later (it's in the process of being re-done at the moment).

Inspiration: Christien Meindertsma

Yes, Crochet Week is over, and no, I haven't moved on to knitting just yet... but this is such a sumptuous find that I couldn't help touching on a spot of knitting inspiration just for today. This is the amazing work of Christien Meindertsma and, more particularly, her Design for a Living World project for The Nature Conservency. These divine pieces are all hand made from an organic flock of Panama sheep from Lava Lake Ranch in Idaho. There's a YouTube interview with Christien regarding this project right here. I'm so in awe of the size of the needles and yarn – they are just incredible. Don't you just want to wrap yourself in it and roll around?! Must stay focussed on my crochet for now ;) 

I found this via a very lovely blog called Abundance.

Jersey inspirations

I went to see Coco Avant Chanel the other day and was suddenly totally inspired to sew again... (such an easily led girl!). There was a part in the movie where she exclaims over a 'new' fabric and you can see her mind ticking over the possibilities... fabulous, versatile, soft jersey. I have my own love affair with jersey and it reminded me of the sumptuous fashions of Lauren Kovin. She does wonderful things with this beautiful fabric and is particularly skilled in draping. If you'd like to see her entire collection, visit her website here.

Crochet Week: (Friday) Etsy Finds

I've an eclectic collection of crochet finds from Etsy for you today – the final installment in Crochet Week! There are so many talented people out and about making the most exquisite things with crochet, aren't there? Here are just some: Lichen Crochet Lariat Necklace - Bodhitree;  a selection of pieces from Elin Art; a fab iPod / phone holder by Valentine Arts; a medley of crochet gorgeousness by Astash; and the cutest of little crocheted animals from Handmade Awards. There were so many more fabulous finds on Etsy, but I'm sure you know this :) Hope you enjoy these + Happy Crochet Week!

Happy Birthday Belinda!

It's my wonderful little sister's birthday today and this is my favourite photo of us together at the beach when we were little things! She is just the most incredible person – I have soooo much admiration and respect for her and just love her so much. Have a fabulous day, man!

Crochet Week: (Thursday) Carol Hummel + Outi Martikainen

I won't be participating in My Creative Space today... it's been a week of administrivia and I really don't have much to show for my labours I'm afraid... some weeks are like that :| 

Instead, I have two very talented people to showcase – both of whom are artists with a thing for decorating trees with crochet...

Just about everyone has heard of Carol Hummel. Her sculptural public art is her own vividly eye-catching telegraph which fuels her fame. She calls them Tree Cozies to highlight the soft encasing of a solid object. In fact, her work is all about dichotomies – the masculine and the feminine, surface and substance, concealment and protection. All culminate to connote the message that "things are not always as they appear to be and making choices independently of external determining forces is essential to living". Love a good message with a bit of crochet!

Outi Martikainen is a Finnish textile artist who also works with crochet. Again, her work is sculptural, but Outi is more interested in the design process; how forms take shape in space. That is, the most important thing for her is not the finished product but how she got there. She says that when crocheting her pieces she thinks about her grandmother and how she + her friends used to crochet blankets by sewing all their smaller pieces together. It's such a beautiful idea and gives hope that skills are not being lost around the world, don't you think? I found her via here.

Crochet Week: (Wednesday) Joana Vasconcelos

The work of Joana Vasconcelos is laden with crochet – if you look through her portfolio, it's like she wants to crochet the world! Statues, mannequins, furniture, everyday objects and even buildings and bridges have been the recipients of her crocheting attention. From what I can gather, though, her focus isn't on the craft itself. She sees crochet as an artistic tool to change the way people view objects by playing with what she calls the "fragile tension between high and low culture". Her work is basically about democratising objects and the crochet functions to draw the viewer in to contemplate the piece as a whole. Well, she certainly drew me in! I'm fascinated by her arts practice and totally in love with her divine crochet! 

I found her via here.

Crochet Week: (Tuesday) Arielle de Pinto

Now this is what I call creative anarchy – the divine crochet jewellery of Arielle de Pinto! The first time I saw these I knew I had to learn how to do it. Visions of anarchic crochet on my brooches filled my head! I wonder if that's how it is for everyone? You see something you like; a skill you admire, and after devouring it with your eyes all you can see is how you would do it your own way...? ;) Hmm, anyway, back to Arielle...

The reason these pieces are so breathtaking is that they have  such a raw, strong presence and yet are incredibly delicate and fine. These hand-crocheted pieces are made from sterling silver and vermeil metal. [French word originally for silver gilt but now means a combination of sterling silver, gold and other metals!]. The incredible colour variations are achieved through experimental oxidation techniques. You can find her exquisite work here. I found her via here.

Crochet Week: (Monday) Resurrection Fern

When I said I was learning to crochet "soon" there actually is no set time to that quest... So, to get myself motivated, I've decided to have a week of crochet posts. I'll be featuring artists and artisans who inspire me. No exhaustive research has been done to compile any sort of list I'm afraid – it's just work that I've stumbled upon and loved...

First up, Resurrection Fern. As much as I love the minute detailing of crochet (structure + discipline!) I also love the chaotic anarchy that can be achieved with it as well. Margie Oomen of Resurrection Fern seems to embrace both styles in her work. Nature plays a big part in inspiring her, with a lot of her work being crochet-covered sea stones. She actually sees her arts practice as a way of motivating people to get out there and be inspired by nature themselves; to appreciate just what we have that is worth saving. Her favourite quote is a Frank Lloyd Wright one... "Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you." 

Visit Resurrection Fern Blog or Etsy Store to read more about Margie's process and works, or view her Flickr set. I first found her via Working Title.

Sunday Stash: Crochet Doilies

My Sunday Stash this week is yet another small collection – this time, my crochet doilies. I just love them. All the work and minute detail that has gone into them. I had a day in Belgium last year en route to somewhere and the one thing I bought was... you guessed it, doilies! One day soon, I'm going to finally learn how to crochet and I can't wait to start creating my own little doilies etc. Happy weekend everyone!

For more Sunday Stashes or to join in, visit here. Or check out the Flickr group of Sunday Stashers here.