Design and inspirations

This past week I volunteered (OK, I was actually paid to do it, ...) to work at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. And the carrot? One of the biggest and best Design Expo's in the world!

With my staff card (which I got late last year, and consider one of my prized possessions!) I have almost unlimited access to venues in the building. So some days I will just walk around looking at all the exhibitions, sometimes spend money on interesting stuff, and just absorb. But last week, oh last week!

Top trendsetters, designers, even a top chef, all gathered in the big auditorium for lectures. All the trendiest who's who from South Africa and abroad were walking around, just looking and taking the atmosphere in. So was I. I bought a few books on pattern and design. And of course I sat in on the talks, hehehe! The delegates paid almost $400 for the opportunity, I got for free while sitting open mouthed just absorbing!

On Thursday night the Expo opened, and moi was there. I was gobsmacked, to say the least. Fabric, wall paper, jewellery, ceramics, clothing, furnishings, you name it. The top names in new and innovative design in South Africa was well represented, and they were all busy with the lots and lots of foreign buyers who were clamoring to place orders.

What did this do to me as an artist and crafter? Major rub-off ... Inspiration seemed to drown me as I jostled with the crowds of people flocking to see beauty. On Saturday night I rushed home, said hallo to Leo and disappeared into my studio. An hour later I had made a couple of rings and started to prepare some 130 beads and stuff for ceramics. At about 02 Sunday morning both me and Leo crashed in our bed, fatigued, but me with a happy and content smile while I drifted off to unconsciousness. Sunday Leo and a neighbor joined me as I once again did the rounds in the Expo. We saw lots of friends, and knew quite a lot of the ceramic exhibitors. I wore my new cluster ring, and got stopped a few times by people who wanted to know who sold it at the Expo!

Not a lot of drama happened from a nursing viewpoint - one broken wrist, a laceration that needed sutures, another wound that needed daily dressings from me at the clinic, and a fainting lady. All in all a week worth working ...

A grand day out

Last week I was invited to visit our local Aquarium at the V&A Waterfront as part of a visual inspirational trip, that was organised by the Cape Craft and Design Institute. Visual stimulation, and the cognitive awareness of visual stimulation on Art and Craft is SO important, yet often neglected in today's race for financial gain. A day wasted and not spent at my torch turned into a day of awareness for me. Set with a camera emptied of all photos and batteries charged, I set off on my trip ...

Outside the seals lounged on a special ramp constructed for the pack. Afterwards, while viewing the photo's, I was more aware of the colour ripples caused by the water. But I really wanted to show you these beautiful animals, perhaps I will include the water pictures another time ...

I was bad, and never bothered to note the names of these fish, but I just loved the blue lips on this one!

And this evil looking dude was so well camouflaged, that even the inside of his mouth was patterned.

The something forest. Do not ask me - I have amnesia! I was so happy that I was able to duplicate the rays of the sun flowing through the water, making the picture almost grainy in appearance.

And of course I had to include a picture of the evil one ...

A sneak preview

Here is the first coffee cup from my new line!

After a week of horrors and initially not having a kiln to fire my pieces, I finally collected them all this morning. Will I bore you with the details? Nooo, to boring. Let's just say that I had quite a few sleepless nights and stress levels that went into the stratosphere ...

Let me introduce 'Red Wallflower Coffee Cup' to you (soon in my Artfire shop):

I have a painting ...

I had a young friend who's paintings always amazed me. Her parents house were full of her vibrant work, very reminiscent of Jan Vermeieren, an well known South African artist, whose work I also love.

When my dog, Johanna, disappeared in '97 all I had left from my dear dog, was a very bad photo. But Carla was able to make Johanna come back to life in this family study of us.

Where ever I have moved, it is one of the first items that I pack. And it always hang in a special place. Now it is hanging in my studio, where I can look at it everyday. I have over the years lost contact with Carla and her mom, but in a sense her spirit is still with me, looking over my shoulder at what ever I am doing, even now, watching me while I type this ...

2010 World Cup

I planned to do some Lampwork today, but got bogged down in a chat room, having a lovely time with some online friends, till the website froze up. Then I suddenly realised that I had an appointment in the city with the CCDI.

They were briefing art and craft people about the 2010 World Soccer Cup, and selling opportunities. We all got lists of do's and do'nts and just general information. I wore some of my jewellry, and got a few compliments! That is always good, lol. Now I have to work towards the 10 th of February, when we have to submit work for judging. From there on, the panel will work with us, and help with marketing. Apparently the big corporations is already looking for gifting, etc.

I have also made another appointment with their panel to discuss my ceramic line. I took some of the completed pieces with me, and got good feedback. I am to late for Design Indaba, but will still be able to take part in the Decorex Cape Exhibition. That will also give me time to make sure that I could get some media coverage to coincide with the exhibition.

On the way home I had a mental picture of what I want my coffee mug to look like! Poor Leo, he will be slaving away for ever on my work! At least I am learning a lot about making moulds, and slip casting.

the proof is in the pudding ...

I finally got my ceramic pieces back today, and spent some time drilling the holes clean, rinsing them with my squirt gun, and then took them all outside for a leisurely sun tan before I attempted to assemble everything.

Armed with my Vernier Caliper, and a lot of other stuff I started to measure, cutting bits of mandrels with my abused Jeweller's saw, and finally put all together. Currently the whole lot is resting with elastic bands around their ample bosoms, waiting for the bonding agents to cure, while I cannot wait to start using my pretties.

I absolutely believe in test driving everything I make. Whether it is a new ring design, or what. I must know that it will survive me and those around me before I will ever consider selling anything that I have made.

A belated Happy New Year!

I was more than a bit shocked when I noticed my last entry - mid December 2008! I would like to offer lots of excuses, but I suspect that the real reason was me just not having a lot of energy. this last week my body finally orchestrated a mini revolt and declared itself sick. My immune system went off somewhere nice and fancy and left the back door wide open for bugs. As a result I have been coughing and spluttering till the wee hours of the morning, sleeping in bouts of strange nightmarish places.

My lungs is behaving a bit better, the gaggas in my nasal passages seemed to be leaving and the absolute fatigue that has been plaguing me since new year seems to be disappearing.

Good news is that I will receive my first batch of fired ceramics tomorrow! Just some teacups and sugar bowls. I have been a bit tardy with the milk mugs and they will start their firing process tomorrow. Except for the pitchers that I played with last year, this will be the real fire walk for me. Will my head pictures work? All the what ifs will either come true tomorrow, or be dispelled to Lala land forever. We have not started on modelling any saucers or cake plates, as I first wanted to see how the tea cup's shape is altered by the beaded handle. At a later stage I would like to add a beaded lid to the sugar bowl. And of course the Tea Pot! I have already made some beads for the first one!

And not least: I hope that you all have the bestest of best year ahead of you! May all your wishes come true, may your path be an easy one, your health excellent and your purse full!

Finally, I have finally tried going BIG, lol. Please find the link to my new Art Fire shop. I will be adding more goodies in the next few days!