John and Ellie's window (better late than never!)

In case you missed it, here are a few images from John Hall and Ellie Mucke's enCOUNTER display that came down a week or so ago. The window was complementary to their exhibition/installation in Gallery 3 for I'll Show You My Craft If You Show Me Yours (part of the Craft Cubed festival program).



Currently in the window is ceramic work by Box Hill TAFE students. Photos to follow soon!

Introducing... Nadine Treister

This week, CLOG's featured artist is jeweller Nadine Treister. Despite taking on Interior Design as her field of study, Nadine decided to embark on a career as a jeweller - and a real good one too! Featuring architectural lines and a geometrical cleanness, Nadine's jewellery label Jeu de Tree is a collection of lovely items we wish we had in our jewellery boxes.

This edition of Introducing... is also our 50th. Hooray for us!

Happy Friday everyone, we hope you are enjoying the beautiful sunshine outside.

About my decision to explore jewellery design...
There is a close translation between architectural model making and designing jewellery; they both adhere to a language of volume, proportion, line and aesthetic. Funnily enough, I started making jewellery whilst completing my Honours year. I think it was more out of procrastination than anything else.

It's all in a name...
Jeu De Tree translates roughly from French into Tree’s playtime. My mother came up with it during a family brainstorming evening. The meaning is twofold. I was nicknamed ‘Tree’ in middle school and somehow it suited and never wore off. The Jeu or playtime is essential in my eyes to my jewellery practice; it is part of my creative process, time taken to experiment

My influences…
These days I turn to a conglomeration of collected blogs for inspiration; sometimes it becomes sensory overload but without a doubt there are designs and creative outputs to dilate my pupils.


About my studio...
Having a studio space in the Nicholas building (with fellow COUNTER stockists Emma Grace and Jasmina Krupic) is an absolute treat; fantastic location, historic building housing fellow creative thinkers and makers. There are six female artisans sharing our large space but we all have various daily schedules which means that it’s a rare occurrence that we are all in the studio at the same time. We most definitely share ideas, give feedback and advice and encourage one another in our individual practices; this is inspiration in itself.

Apart from jewellery, another skill that I'd love to learn...
My list is definitely too long.

A day in my life…
My days fluctuate depending on deadlines and stock orders. Of late, however, I seem to be juggling a career as an interior designer, jeweller and university teacher; the diversity of skills and environments makes for an interesting life.

One thing I can’t live without…
A sense of humour and the basket attached to my bike (recently stolen).

Getting ready...

The other day Nella paid a visit to Nathan Gray's studio to say hello, have a peep at the space and generally make sure he's actually working towards his solo exhibition which opens this Thursday evening. He's enlisted CV lady Anita's nimble fingers to give him a hand with some of the installation's fiddly bits and it's looking to be an extragant affair!



In the meantime, check out Nathan's blog for more images and text.

So fast!

We're quite excited for this show and we're really looking forward to seeing what Nathan does with the three galleries. It'll be soooo juicy!

Festival round-up

Like all good things, our flagship project Craft Cubed came to end on Saturday. We hope you managed to get to some of the many programs and events that happened as part of the festival - there certainly was a lot!

To view more blog posts on the festival, click here.

A big thank you to all who participated and helped us in any way at all, we couldn't have done it without you!

Introducing... Pip Keane

This week meet one of COUNTER's most prolific jewellers, Pip Keane. After completing her Visual Arts degree at the Canberra School of Art, where she majored in Silversmithing, Pip moved around Australia before finally settling in Melbourne where she has been based for the past few years.

In between balancing her artistic practice between commercial and exhibition pursuits and managing her eponymous shop in Prahran, Pip is also a mother! Amazing! And doing all of this is clearly makes for many a busy day as you will read below...

Pip's signature touch for her jewellery line is a deceivingly simple design detail - for example a toggle that adjusts the length of necklaces to suit your mood, to a lariat construction that has confuzzled certain staff members with its interlocking design (once it was figured out how to wear the necklace there was much slapping of the forehead and mutterings of "...but of course!")

Without further ado, happy reading and happy Friday everyone!

Tell us a bit about how your interest and jewellery was fostered… Was it something that caught your imagination when you were young, or is something that you fell into serendipitously?

I was lucky enough that the school that I went to had after school jewellery classes. I really enjoyed making jewellery and I did a major work that counted towards my HSC. From there, I studied visual arts, majoring in Silversmithing, at the Australian National University's art school. The course was very practical and I learned Silversmithing techniques that I still apply today to making jewellery.

Looking at your artist profile, you’ve moved around Australia quite a bit! What prompted the move from Canberra to Sydney, and subsequently from Sydney to Melbourne?
I was originally from Sydney, went to the Art School in Canberra then returned to Sydney where my family live. In Sydney, I set up a shared workshop, where I worked for ten years. Three years ago, I moved here to Melbourne when my husband got a job here.

To date, you’ve been commissioned to make some absolutely stunning jewellery. What has been the most exciting commission to work on?

I have recently made a couple of engagement rings where I have been given free reign to create something a bit different. Turning a design in my head into a finished piece is very rewarding and I feel honoured making a piece that will represent such a special occasion for the client.

Tea strainer

Apart from jewellery you also make hollowware specifically for exhibitions or commissions, would you ever plan on creating these works on a production level?

I did a Silversmithing degree at Canberra and really love designing and making hollowware, however each piece does take a considerable time to make and design, which makes them quite expensive, and difficult to justify from a business perspective. I still make these pieces but mainly for exhibitions.

About my shop on Izett Street in Prahran (pictured above)…

I opened the shop in Prahran after moving from Sydney to Melbourne. I felt that it was a logical step after working in a shared studio for ten years and was a good opportunity as I needed to re-establish myself in Melbourne. The move to Melbourne was a challenge, looking for a new home in a new city, trying to find new suppliers, customers, and opening a shop. Learning to delegate and share the workload in the shop after working alone was a big challenge for me. Meeting more customers face to face in the shop has been the biggest breakthrough, I love the instant feedback and I get to make more one-off special pieces. The biggest challenge has been the past year as I have had a baby and it hard juggling work and baby.

A day in the life of Pip Keane…

5am Wake up to feed Elise (our 14 month old baby) then back to sleep until 6am (sometimes, if I’m lucky) 6am Organise Elise and get ready for work. 9.30am Drop Elise off at day care. 9.45am Get to work, work like crazy returning calls, meeting clients, making jewellery until 3pm. (I even have cups of tea at the bench) 3pm Pick up Elise and spend some time with her before her bedtime at 6.30pm. Evening I do emails and paper work and designing then fall into bed by 9pm ready to do it all again the next day.

This sounds very busy, but I like being busy.

On the weekends, Monday and Friday I spend as much time with Elise and my husband as I can. I would kill for an occasional sleep-in! Although I'm only in the shop Tuesday to Thursday, the shop is open from Tuesday to Saturday.

Pip's new range - earrings

When I was younger, when I grew up I wanted to be…

A chef or a flight attendant, I thought travelling the world with my job would be fun.

My dream collaboration would involve…
I would love to do a series of hollowware and jewellery with a friend of mine that I did work experience with before I went to university. He inspired me and every time I see him and his work, he makes me glad that I became a jeweller and followed my dreams.

More from Pip's new range - necklace and bangle (pictured below)

Craft Hatch - The Graduate Edition

RMIT (Brunswick) Bachelor of Arts (Textile Design)

This Saturday it's time for Craft Hatch again, and it's a bumper one to boot! 7 graduating courses will be taking over Craft Hatch in a special event that will gather graduating students from a variety of disciplines ranging from jewellery to textiles to ceramics to product design.

Proceeds from the day's sales will go towards funding the students' end-of-year exhibition, and we hope you'll drop by to help support this worthy cause. The market will take place in the usual spot at the gallery in the City Library (253 Flinders Lane) from 11am to 4pm.

Here's a peek at what's in store this Saturday...

Box Hill TAFE Advanced Diploma of Engineering Technology (Jewellery)

RMIT (Brunswick TAFE) Diploma of Screenprint Design & Diploma of Studio Textiles

RMIT Bachelor of Arts (Fine Art) Ceramics

RMIT Bachelor of Arts (Fine Art) Gold & Silversmithing

NMIT (Greensborough) Product Design - Jewellery

Monash University Bachelor of Fine Arts (Metals/Jewellery)

See you this Saturday!

Emma Davies: fine art and fine food

Recently, Gallery 2 exhibitor Emma Davies's eye-catching polypropylene vessels have become part of the interior at fancy fine-dining eatery, No 35.

Located high up on level 35 at the Sofitel hotel in the Paris end of Collins Street, Emma's work will occupy the rarefied air shared by an illustrious roster of artists including Geoffrey Mance, Eduardo de Luca, Andrew Browne, Lara Merrett and fellow CV favourite Holly Grace.

No 35 currently has a fantastic ongoing program of involving artists in the fitout of the restaurant. Mmm... fine art and fine food. It doesn't get much better than that really!

Here are a few images of Emma's work in situ. Make sure you check it out the next time you pop by for some smoked Tasmanian eel linguine and a chilled glass of sauvignon blanc. Seriously though, the menu looks amazing. When our tax return comes in, that's where we'll be heading!

Last days...

The past 6 weeks of Craft Cubed have been a whirlwind adventure and the last days of PERSPECTIVE are finally upon us. With 4 days to go before the exhibition comes down on this Saturday evening, make sure you swing by to have a look and fantastic new work by some of Craft Victoria' s professional members, as well as John Hall & Ellie Mucke's exhibition/installation in Gallery 3 and enCOUNTER.

To celebrate the end of Craft Cubed, we'll be hosting a small party this Friday at 2pm. There'll be some chilled bubbly and white wine on offer, as well as a chance to hear PERSPECTIVE exhibitors Peta Carlin, Pam Stadus, Susan Robey, Maryann Talia, Nicholas Jones and Karla Way speak about their work.

We'll also be tallying the votes and annoucing the People's Choice Award winner - how exciting!

I'll Show You My Craft If You Show Me Yours (John Hall and Ellie Mucke)

In part two of collaborative exhibition I'll Show You Me Craft If You Show Me Yours, we have metalsmith John Hall and textile artist Ellie Mucke exploring the idea of the kitchen as a site of creation and creativity. Turning nooks and crannies upside down, John and Ellie have sifted through the detritus of the kitchen to turn out some beautiful works.

Bits of chipboard and chopsticks find new life as they are transformed into bangles and necklaces, while tablecloths are pulled apart and remade into draped garments for the body. It's all come together very beautifully and John and Ellie have transformed the space in Gallery 3 into a cosy kitchen.

The artists will be in the space on Thursdays so do drop by for a chat and maybe a cup of tea.

John and Ellie's exhibition will be on until the end of Craft Cubed - 12 September. More pictures to follow soon!

Father's Day suggestion list

To make things easier for those of you who have yet to get the special man in your life (we mean your Dad, duh), here is our handy guide to gift-giving.

For the op-shopping, teaspoon-collecting Dad, novelty teaspoon cufflinks by Kearnsie (top)

And for the classy business Dad, blue glass cufflinks by Lisa Cahill (pictured bottom)

For the nature-loving Dad, perhaps a set of spoons and condiment dish by Stuart Williams - skillfully carved from native Australian wood like Desert Cypress and Jarrah.

For the fashionista dandy Dad, perhaps the book Modern Menswear might put an extra spring in his step...

Or a hand-stitched leather wallet by Te. for cashed-up Dad (pictured right)... or even a Woody Allen badge by Sniffle Corp for neurotic-Jewish-film-buff-Dad.

You could always gift Dad with a set of wheels - a set of green wheels by Irianna Kanellopoulou (pictured bottom right) - to bring out his inner child.

And for design-savvy Dad, what better gift than the Melbourne Design Guide?

If all else fails, you can always bring out the tried and tested truth that "every day is Father's day!" and plant a big hug on your #1 man.

Pom Pom making with Anita Cummins

Fresh from her exhibition at Mailbox 141 Pantone Pom Pom, textile artist and CVHQ Retail Ass.Man (hmm, we might have to rethink that abbreviation) Anita Cummins is now poised to revolutionise the world, one fluffy pom pom at a time!

In conjunction with the Victorian Tapestry Workshop, Anita will be facilitating a half-day workshop on the art of pom pom-making. The class will take place on Monday 21 September at VTW and bookings are now open.

Some information on the workshop:

In this half day workshop Anita will unlock the secrets of pom pom making. Using recycle cardboard and the gorgeous VTW yarn, Anita will guide people through making a pom pom pattern and provide inspiration for the many possible uses for these little cuties.

Pom pom makers will have the opportunity to utilise the VTW's 366 yarn colour range, and each person will have the opportunity to make at least two pom poms in the class.

And most importantly, here are the hard details:

What: Pom Pom Making with Anita Cummins
Where: Victorian Tapestry Workshop, 262-266 Park Street, South Melbourne
When: Monday 21 September, 1.30pm to 4.30pm
How much: $30 (!!!)
What do I do to book: Call Lily Fraser on 03 9699 7885 for enquiries, or fill out the form (pictured below)

Craft Hatch @ MWF (part two)

On Sunday, Craft Hatch was once again the esteemed guest of the Melbourne Writers Festival. Featuring eight emerging and established makers like Studio Sam, Studio Hip, Rebound Books, Kearnsie, Vince Letterpress, Brydie Dyson, Anita Cummins and Michael Pham, it was great to be part of such an incredible festival. Thank you for having us MWF!

Here are some pictures from the day...

Brydie Dyson

Brydie brought along three of her typewriters on the day and invited visitors to sit down and play wordsmith for a while as they typed out a bit of prose, which she then transformed into one of her delicate sculptural paper works. As expected, there was a constant hubbub of people surround Brydie which just goes to show, everyone loves interactive art!

Studio Hip (featuring the most beautiful rocking chair in the world, pictured right)

More scarves and pom poms by CVHQ darling Anita Cummins

Witty badges by Michael Pham (special MWF edition!)

Studio Sam was back again...

...as was Rebound Books.

And of course, the effervescent Meaghan Barbuto of Vince Letterpress

To view more images of the event, click here.

The next Craft Hatch market will take place in two weeks' time on Saturday 12 September at our usual location in the City Library gallery. Featuring 7 graduating courses, it'll be a super special edition of Craft Hatch. No rest for the wicked, really!