Chicks on Speed for ABC's Sunday Arts

Last week the team from ABC's Sunday Arts program dropped by CVHQ to interview the Chicks. Very exciting indeed! It's definitely something to look forward to: Alex demonstrates that she does know how to play (shoe) guitars, Melissa puts on her voice-altering helmet and does an impromptu spoken word session and the Chicks take us on a tour through the exhibition.

The Chicks on Speed special will be aired on Sunday 12 April at 7.30pm. Also look out for an interview with Nella, CVHQ's curator, and exclusive footage of the Chicks on Speed/Dylan Martorell performance from last week!

In the meantime, here are some images from the filming.

Don't forget! Sunday 12 April at 7.30pm

AFVMBP

As promised, here are some images of our fantastic enCOUNTER display that features work by local designers Alexi Freeman and MATERIALBYPRODUCT.

Both studios are actively engaged in the exploration and promotion of hand processing techniques in contemporary design. While Alexi draws upon dry-point etching methodologies to produce his signature geometric print motifs, MATERIALBYPRODUCT appropriate markers of construction as templates for print design.

What has emerged from this collaboration is the Punched Out and Studded Flapper; an exploration of Alexi's iconic geometric flapper motif that has been reinterpreted with MATERIALBYPRODUCT's investigation of surface: incorporating hand punched leather and a play on the grid, with bifurcated pyramid studs replacing signature beading.

With 2,379 buckled bifubricated pyramid studs in total (and no, yours truly did not stand around counting them, honestly!) and involving over 50 hours of work, the resulting work is something we hope you managed to see.

The work was on display until 22 March.

Limited edition COS poster

As you all know, our current exhibition Viva La Craft! by Chicks on Speed is a truly momentous one. To celebrate this, we have a super-special, super-limited edition Chicks on Speed poster signed and editioned by Alex and Melissa themselves. That's right, by their own hands! (or more like their right hands).



Designed by the Chicks and developed specially for Craft Victoria, these posters run in an edition of 110 and are priced at $110 each. If you'd like us to frame it for you (POA), we can most certainly do that. And if you'd like a particular edition, that can be arranged as well! Just give us a call or drop by.

On a side note, we have plenty of other COS goodies that arrived in conjunction with the exhibition. In additiion to our usual products like Third Drawer Down's Girl Monster teatowel (pictured above) and Chicks On Speed book It's a Project (pictured below). You may remember the latter as the inaugural 'Book of the Month' book! We also have a rack of clothing and bags (which is steadily diminishing by the day!) and a range of CDs and records.

Weekend reading

Want more? Check out Alex Murray-Leslie's blog - it's filled with photos and tales of adventure. Perfect for the weekend!

Introducing... Felicity Large

Meet one of Melbourne's most fabulous and charismatic jewellers, Felicity Jane Large. Injecting oodles of fun into her playful jewellery, Felicity toys with a range of materials ranging from wool, to acrylic, to found clock parts, all of which form the sum of one jeweller to watch (pardon the pun...)!

Always vibrant and full of colour (like her hair yours truly might add), Felicity is a ray of sunshine and her jewellery will brighten anyone's day. That being said, read away and Happy Friday everyone!

Tell us a bit about yourself. How did you get into jewellery making? Was it nature or nurture?
I've always been into jewellery. That part was definitely nature. My grandma and her sister used to work for Beville’s, back when there was just one Beville’s store in the city, and a real live Mr. Beville running the place. They imparted their love of jewellery to me at a young age – I was probably the only 5 year old around who knew the difference between gold and gold plate! The part that was in my nature was the craft aspect. I was always craft oriented, whether that meant making paper chains, constructing a swing in the back yard, or painting detailed Christmas motifs onto my fingernails (mmm... classy!). The jewellery and the crafty-ness didn't come together until I started my metals and jewellery degree at Monash in 2003, but when they did, it all seemed to make sense.

You must be glad to be working for yourself now! What are you currently working on?
I sure am! It's been fabulous to spend some time doing my jewellery full time. It's much easier to keep your train of thought, and make progress with what you're doing. Having said that, having one distinct train of thought isn't really my style. I always find myself working on a few different series at once, with different themes and materials. Lately I've been working with fruit again – food being one of the few common themes I always return to. I've been knitting strawberry pendants (pictured top), while also working in acrylic to make fruity bangles (pictured below). I'm also doing a range of fruit pendants combining acrylic with other materials such as silver. Other than that, I've been making jewellery using vintage pocket watch parts (pictured below).

And what's next for you?
I'm planning a super-duper website! My friend Steve put one up for me the other day (thanks mate!) and we're planning to replace it with a web-tastic extravaganza in a few months – yay! As for jewellery- perhaps working with glass, maybe returning to silver for a while, or even crocheted vegie gardens – I'll let you know as soon as I know!

Who are some of your favourite makers?
That's a tough one, there are so many great people out there producing fabulous work. I'd have to say Dani M, my studio buddy (and last week's Introducing... sweetheart!). Her porcelain creations are so elegant, and yet so inviting and touchable. Also Irene Grishin-Selzer from Iggy and Loulou – I just love the stories that are played out in the pieces, and the sense of humour. I also love Mark Vaarwerk's work – the way he transforms household plastics is amazing, and I love the vibrant colours. Other than jewellery, I'm mad keen on Penelope Durston's knitted fingerless gloves – so cosy!

What's the first thing you do when you wake up...
Have a shower. (Or perhaps it's the showering which wakes me up!). This is followed closely by breakfast- usually something shamelessly sugary like Crunchy Nut Corn Flakes.

... and the last thing before bed?
Usually telly.

And finally: one thing you can't live without?
Apart from the telly? My partner. He is always so supportive of what I do, and copes well with my eccentricities!

Faythe Levine lecture: Craftivism

Last Friday evening, craft guru and DIY extraordinaire Faythe Levine paid a visit to CVHQ where she presented a talk on Craftivism: Reclaiming Craft & Creating Community. It was lovely to have Faythe and a great honour as well! Over the course of an hour, Faythe gave an animated and charismatic presentation on the politics of craft and the handmade and its relationship to the wider world.

Super lady Faythe Levine

Some of the questions posed included "Within a world of mass production, globalized economy, and extreme materialism, what does crafting something by hand mean?" and "Where does craft find itself today?" Hardhitting questions indeed! Punctuating her talk with visual examples of work from other respected crafters like Knitta, Lacey Jane Roberts, Stephanie Syjuco of AntiFactory and the Counterfeit Crochet Project, Betsy Greer of Craftivism and Kate Bingaman-Burt and Obsessive Consumption, Faythe's talk was a definite winner.

Without further ado, here is a visual snippet at what attendees were treated to.

First up was The Counterfeit Crochet Project. In 2006 a call was sent out to crafters asking them to construct their own designer bag. Ranging from intricately detailed to the amazingly lumpy, each bag represented a unique manifestation of how crafters translated these symbols of luxury via the medium of crochet.

Faythe also introduced us to guerilla knitting group Knitta. Formed in August 2005, Knitta is a spontaneous craft collective that delight in covering everyday objects such as traffic sign posts, fences and the like with colourful knitwear.

Have you heard of World Wide Knit in Public Day? This year it falls on 13 June, so get those needles out!

Meet Lacey Jane Roberts, craft activist and political crafter.

One of Lacey's pieces entitled We couldn't get in We couldn't get out. The thread has been individually crocheted onto the fencing wire. Time consuming and amazing!

An example of stallholder's work at the 2007 Renegade Craft Fair.

Faythe's 'Craftifesto'

For more on Faythe Levine, visit her wikipedia entry (why not?) or even better, visit her personal blog and her craft blog.

Craft Hatch marches on

Last Saturday was the Craft Hatch market for students and emerging designers. It was great fun to see so many fresh new artists and their fabulous work, as well as familiar faces too. The wet weather outside made the City Library a cosy place to escape from the rain - and a good place to stock up on some well-made handmade goodies!

Here's a peek at what was in store last weekend (warning, image-heavy post ahead)

Beautiful 'wing' brooches from Jen Hall. Each brooch consists of 3 wings hand cut from plywood and covered with a beautiful photograph. There were also stud earrings that came in small and large sizes.

Deirdre Hoban and Jasmine Targett were great additions to the market, and their unique jewellery was extremely well received. Deirdre's work ranged from pastel-coloured ceramic triangles on silk cord to hand cut car and canoe necklaces. There were also rings and earrings too, as well as some brooches. Too cute!

Jasmine's work presented a new take on glass jewellery. Delicate and super shiny (and also super attractive for magpies like yours truly), Jasmine's dichroic glass pendants changed colour depending on the surface they were laid on. Fantastic! What was once green pendant on a black dress was transformed into a pink pendant when placed atop a white t-shirt.

Next to Deirdre and Jasmine was Ellen Kocjancic and her label, ellka designs. Consisting of sweet little embroidered brooches featuring cats, strawberries, teapots (pictured below) and other ridiculously adorable motifs, Ellen was also industriously working on new brooches to add to her flock.

Plenty of stationery goodness from Kim McGeachin's label, Moose and Me.

Janine Kleynhans, whom some of you may remember from the February market, was back with plenty of brilliant new jewellery.

Many makers were busy bees this month, crafting away on new work while bantering with visitors.

Over in the seminar room lay plenty more of delicious goods. The seminar room is where you will find larger work, including bags, furniture, clothes and the like. So next time you visit, don't forget to turn round the corner and make your way down!

Lovely bags from one of Craft Hatch's dearest, Christiane Poulos of Le Petite Poulette. Don't forget guys, Christiane also makes bags to order so do enquire!

Intricately detailed ceramic vases and vessels by Moj Habibi.

Button brooches and accessories by Mixamasha (Tasha Hassapis). Colourful pops of colour to brighten your Melbourne wardrobe.

Favourites Box Hill TAFE were back too with plenty of fine jewellery.

Catherine Preston's fun LEGO jewellery and accessories made an appearance as well...

...and not to mention 2 candy dishes full of pretty badges. All at $1 too! Bargain beauties (literally!)

Lisa Engelhardt and her beautiful textiles executed under her Orchis Morio label. Check out her blog post on the market. The products below are pillowcases. Good for lounging upon, which is what we like.

Jules Musgrove of Poppet also graced us with her ultra-cute wares. Check out her blog for a closeup of the cutest fruit and vege necklace we've ever seen, honest!

The next market is Saturday 4 April. We've pushed the date forwards as our usual slot falls on Easter weekend. Don't forget to write it down in your diary!