FELTING DREAMS

Despite post-holiday malaise, I've been gathering some superb content for the bloggidy-blog & it's about time I shared the newness & cuteness with you. HUZZAH!

Spotted via Etsy, Felting Dreams exquisitely crafted forest nymphs are probably the cutest little tinkers EVER!

With a fondness for petit forest dwellers (currently re-watching The Borrowers) & Ratatouilles enigmatic protagonist Remy...I know what I'll be adding to my Christmas wish-list! 

Image | Felting Dreams 

GRANDY & BAA

This morning I spotted a sweet little softie via Jodi's dreamy Practising Simplicity IG feed. Smitten, I swiftly tracked down his originator - Rachael Ashman of Grandy & Baa. 

A fellow Melburnian & busy lady, Rachael expertly juggles making - baking - motherhood and by that I mean - in between blogging, gardening, sharing her culinary adventures & raising two children, she sews together cute softies for us to snoodle. Seriously A M A Z E. 

Whether you are looking for les enfants présents parfaits or a treat just for moi, Grandy & Baa's cosy collection of Gazelles, Racoons & Frenchy inspired mini-folk are sure to delight! 

Go on...get snoodling! 

Image | Grandy & Baa

RACHELJOK // HAND WOVEN TAPESTRIES

If you haven't had the good fortune to spot one of racheljOK's dreamy tapestries in person, you'll be sure to see one in your Pinterest or Etsy feeds soon. Self-taught Melbourne creative Rachel Johnstone has been busy honing her craft & weaving up a storm since taking on the loom 2 years ago!

Inspired by Melbourne ex-pat & cult fiber craftslady Maryanne Moodie, Rachel initially started by teaching herself the basics. Experimenting with a cornucopia of techniques & colour palettes, Rachel has steadily developed a diverse range of bespoke weavings...ranging from free-form organic compositions to statements of bold, geometric colour. Smitten with fiber-art (& highly skilled), Rachel has quickly became a stalwart of the local market scene & launched her own successful Etsy store. Go girl!

In keeping with Melbourne bonhomie, Rachel also hosts sweet little workshops for others keen to learn! You can keep up to date here.

Image | racheljok

LOCAL INSPIRATION // GEMMA PATFORD

Whether you're in the market for a set of giant hamburger scatter cushions or an intricately hand stitched rope vessel, Melbourne based craft dynamo Gemma Patford has you covered!

Since first discovering Gemma via Instagram, I have steadily followed her prolific output of playful, quirky handmade designs & wondered...how DOES she do it?!? When she's not busy weaving her highly coveted rope vessels or food sculptures, Gemma can also be found sharing DIY tutorials on her blog, baking yummy recipes & collaborating with other local artists. SUPER mad-skills!   

I recently secured an incredibly sweet indigo-dipped rope vessel from Gemma, a product of her latest collaboration with local Shibori artist Victoria Pemberton. TOTAL SWOON! 

To view Gemma's current collection of crafty amazingness...looky HERE. 

Image: Gemma Patford

CRAFTY PACKAGING BY A LA MODO

As a lover & purveyor of good packaging design, I was stoked to discover the innovative work of Seattle based creative, Stephanie Brubaker. 

Perfect for sweet & savoury goodies, Stephanie designs wedge shaped boxes & colour dipped bamboo cutlery which make for the cutest take-away-style treatment EVER. 

Planning your next crafty soiree or picnic? Head over to Stephanie's little Etsy store A La Modo for a look pronto! 

Images: A La Modo / Etsy 

OBJECT + TOTEM // MAINTAINING NOVELTY, CRAFT & MEMORY

Thanks to Pinterest & Instagram I'm invariably ranting on about something I've found online...today it's all about Object & Totem.

Based in Philadelphia, this little studio embraces a simple design aesthetic & locally sourced materials to create a completely unique range of objects intended to 'maintain novelty, craft and memory'. 

How GOOD.

Images: Object & Totem

SCANDINAVIAN SOFTIES X JANE FOSTER

Happy New Year! 

BIG thanks to everyone who visited this space in 2012 & for keeping me motivated. 

It's been amazing watching the OTIS & OTTO audience grow!!! I am sooo looking forward to sharing more creative stories with you all in 2013! 

Today's NYD post features the work of UK based illustrator Jane Foster. Jane has a knack for collecting vintage fabrics & screenprinting scandi inspired designs. The end result...extremely cute softies for snoodling.

Looky at Jane's work & Etsy store here. 

Meow Meow!

POP & SCOTT WORKSHOP CO-OPERATIVE

This Northcote Workshop is a space to watch! 

The POP & SCOTT Co-operative is home to some of Melburnia's most innovative craftspeople / designers. There's a bunch of interesting design goings on worth tuning into... one of which, is that you can now purchase some lovely bespoke furniture pieces through the website! Woooo!

You must check out the 'Thinking Swing'... it has a place reserved in our reading room! The Workshop is also open to others who need to rent a space / tools / equipment to create. All round awesomeness! 

Images via POP & SCOTT

ALEX FALKINER / LOVELY STUFFS

Alex Falkiner | Visual Artist & Maker

Alex & I met over sweet pastry & tea at the recent Craft & Design as a Career seminar. Alex is a super talented Sydney lass & maker of many wares including the most amazing woven baskets, art things & screen printed tea towels (inspired by her romanitcal joys & failings) Witty cuteness!

Bring on the colour colour colour! I can see myself going a bit crazy in her Etsy store! More about Alex & her lovely work over here...

Enjoy!

CRAFT & DESIGN AS A CAREER 2012 SEMINAR

Yesterday, I took myself to the Craft & Design as a Career Professional Development Seminar at the NGV. Wowsers. What an inspiration boost! 

It was a real treat to hear Beci Orpin, Hello Sandwich & Patrick Pittman (Editor, Dumbo Feather) share the evolution of their careers & their insights on design. 

A quick browse through the NGV Shop resulted in purchases for M & S too. 
in the forest pop up book by anouck boisrobert / louis riguard
IZOLA triple-milled oatmeal soaps (amazing packaging!) 

For more details on Craft Victoria events, looky here.
Images via OTIS & OTTO /  Craft Victoria

WOOD & WOOL STOOL

Based in the Netherlands, crafty lady & maker Ingrid Jansen designs, builds & sews to create the sweetest stools I have ever seen...

Bespoke loveliness. 

Visit her lovely shop & blog & flickr now

COLOUR + DESIGN / BECI ORPIN

Colour. Crafts. Design. Fun. Homewares. 

Beci Orpin | Melbourne 

Hear Beci at the upcoming Craft + Design as a Career Seminar + visit her wonderful blog pronto!

Images: Beci Orpin & Beth Wilkinson / CraftVic

LORD COCONUT OF MELBOURNE

Lord Coconut | Handcrafted Jewellery for Gents

A must see destination in Melbourne...

Suite 3 / Level 4 Carlow House / 289 Flinders Lane, Melbourne 

HELLO SANDWICH X HELLO MELBOURNE

Ebony Bizys | Artist, Blogger, Designer 

Visiting Craft Victoria + Harvest Textiles in August.

More info + crafty goodness via HelloSandwich. YAYSIES!

SIGHT UNSEEN / ONLINE SHOP

Triangle Pillows / Wood Chopping Boards. Si por favor!

Available via SightUnseen

BENEATH THE SUN

Colour + Fun. Get now via Beneath The Sun 

Made & designed by the lovely Leah Bartholomew.

Available to buy via Paper Runway

Images: Beneath The Sun

ARIELE ALASKO

Builder, fixer & innovator Ariele Alasko . . . 

Follow her handiwork via Brooklyn to West

Amazingness.

Images: Ariel Alasko.