Easter 2013

I have just 'Easter-fied' our windows for the month. On one I have transcribed  'An Ode To Chocolate' by Julia Gazdag, here's what it says (in case the image is too small to read easily):
Chocolate is not a snack.
It is not a food to be taken lightly.
It is a magical, sacred, refined particle of universal truth - reflecting all that is good and right with the world

  

On the other I have drawn a scene with an oversized bunny and some easter eggs, however... Every photo I try to take of our window bunny looks like he is eating the Bendigo bank building!

Hop into VPHG (Ha! Hop - see what I did there? Bunny humour!) to check out the adorable range of bunnies and other crafty critters we have in - sweet treats without the calories!

Forget Me Not - Official Opening

We're trialling a more family friendly time slot for our next opening!

This Saturday from 3-5pm we will be showcasing some incredible local artists, highlighting their previously unexhibited gems.

There will be a VPHG gift voucher up for grabs as a lucky door prize for those that come along to the opening.

We're also introducing a dedicated kids art area, with all the makings for them to produce their own master piece!

Stockist Spotlight - Amor Amor

Today in our Stockist Spotlight we're featuring the creative talents of the Colombian trio Amor Amor, enjoy!

 

Who are you?

We are 3 Colombian friends (2 sisters and a best friend) who all left there homeland at different times to follow dreams of building a new life in Australia. We fell in love with the country and of course the people. The way of life here suits us and we now can't imagine leaving this amazing place.

The team comprises of Luisa (Graphic designer) Viviana (fashion designer & psychologist) and Juliana (Scientist with a big passion for craft and design).

We all went to the same high school but reunited here in Melbourne in 2004. 

 What do you make?

We specialize in kids clothing and stationary with a big emphasis on hand drawn illustrations of Monsters. We create an imaginary world with stories behind them for little people.

 When did you get started? and Why do you make your 'thing'?

Actually the initial idea started a few years ago when Viviana was studying fashion design at University. She was asked to do a project on kids clothing ’inspired by monsters’. Once Luisa heard about the project she was extremely excited to do some sketchbook drawings to help Viviana with her character design. The concept of the sisters lending a hand through school was not new. Luisa and Viviana often shared their ideas and drawings through many school terms at University. Looking back at that project we remember how much fun it was and at that time we actually said, “One day we should bring these characters to life as a business”.

A few years later when Luisa had her first baby, the two sisters had the courage to fulfil their crazy idea and they took the collection of Monsters to Juliana (an old friend from high school who they made a promise to start a business with as teenagers). The three fell in love with the idea and of course the monster characters. Shortly after (in 2011) Amor Amor the business was born. This is the how our cute monsters came to life! 

Above Vivi's university project before we started.

Where to next for you? (what direction do you see your work heading in?)

We still have a large archive of monster illustrations that we haven’t yet associated products with.  In addition to the illustrations we have many more stories that are just waiting to be connected to each little character. We are so excited about the potential here and what the stories may evolve to. Our imaginations are constantly on the go thinking about what new fantasy worlds and pretty images we can create. 

Stockist Spotlight - Ineke Designs

Who are you?

Hello, my name is Angela and I have been living in Bendigo, Victoria with my fiancé and our two beautiful children for about 5 years now.
I have always been a lover of everything and anything handmade and come from an artistic background. Being lucky enough to spend some quality time at home with my children, and after admiring the work of so may talented work at home parents (WAHPs), I decided to have a go at making my own dress for my daughter. I enjoyed so much that I made another…and another….and the list goes on!! After receiving so many amazing compliments from friends and family and requests for me to make clothes I was encouraged to continue with my sewing and so hence “Ineke Designs” was born!

What do you make?

Currently Ineke Designs’ main focus is on the Ineke Dress and variations of, however, I am happy to say that there are many new designs and product ranges on the way, which also include clothing for the boys! You will also find a range of hand appliqued tops and soon to be released Full Front Waterproof Bibs for Toddlers! Ineke Designs only uses the highest quality designer fabrics and trims. Some of the regularly featured designers are Michael Miller, Amy Butler, Joel Drewberry and Riley Blake amongst many others.

When did you get started?
 

Ineke Designs was born in March of 2011, and have just celebrated out 1st Birthday!! It's been a very exciting first year and I am looking forward to the one ahead! Now to get all these ideas out of my head and onto fabric!!

 

Why do you make your thing??

 

Oh that's easy... I just love doing it!! I think it all stems from my arty history. I studied Fine Arts and Crafts at school and actually received top marks for the school for that year and had a piece accepted into the states touring gallery! It was very exciting! I really love doing quite abstract pieces using dye and charcoal! I was then accepted into university to follow this path...but I had other stronger passions at the time and wanted a career in medical science. I even did year 13 to strengthen my grades...but, alas, it wasn't for me. To cut a long story short I went on a very long and windy journey to get to where I am today. I still pick up a pen and some paint and have a play every so often but it wasn't until I had my children, particularly my daughter, that I decided to try sewing! I am a self confessed fabricoholic and LOVE  all the gorgeous designs and playing at matching colours together. I find it really feeds my arty side and I so very much enjoy putting it into exercise! I hope to one day put together my very own design to be put into print!! The other big part of why I like to do what I do is hearing and seeing the joy that my items seem to bring to others. I have had so many lovely comments about how much a customer has loved their dress or top and that it makes it feel all worth while! I love to make others happy!!

 

Whats in store for you?

 

I am really looking forward to participating in some markets this year, both local and around the state if at all possible. I am full to the brink with ideas and I am just itching to get them all into action. I have some great new lines I would love to see released in the near future, and some are already in the works! I am currently having a website designed so that should come on line in the near future. It will be a great place to view my previous creations, purchase ready to go items, order pre-designed items and it will eventually contain a place where you can create/designs your own dresses!! Very exciting!! I have in mind a new concept of bringing Ineke Designs to you at home as well... I can't say too much about that one at this stage...Ssshh! I am also participating in some great new online markets this year. Stay tuned to my facebook page to hear all about those! And.... I have been lucky enough to work with a brilliant Victorian doll maker on a recent collaboration making matching doll/mermaid dress sets!! Just loved doing it and we are planning on doing more, so stay tuned for more of that as well!! All in all, an exciting fun filled year ahead for Ineke Designs!!! I hope to be able to share it will you all!!

 

Stockist Spotlight - Pollyanna by Belinda

 

 WHO ARE YOU?

My name is Belinda Smith. I'm currently a stay at home mum to 2 beautiful kids - Cooper & Piper, & married to a Bendigo local, Matt Smith. I was born in Seymour in 1971 & moved throughout Vicoria during my childhood, attending Matthew Flinders Girls High School in Geelong. After meeting Matt in 1996 whilst living & working in Melbourne, we decided to relocate to his hometown, Bendigo, after I had fallen in love with the place! We married in 2001 then along came Cooper in 2002 followed by Piper in 2004.

I have a love of all things creative, particularly sewing, thanks to my mum & the Holly hobby sewing machine she gave me in primary school.

WHAT DO YOU MAKE?
Unique, retro & OOAK kids clothing using vintage, recycled & new fabrics & embellishments.
I have also been desiging & making headwear during the Spring Carnival season for the last 5 years - currently stocked in Mona Lisa or by custom order.

WHEN STARTED?
I have sewn since primary school & have always created "things" for as long as I can remember.

WHY?
After having touble finding funky boardshorts for boys, I began to sew shorts for Cooper around 2005, followed soon after by little girls dreamy creations.
I love sourcing all of the gorgeous fabrics & bits & bobs, particularly vintage items, & recreating them into something wonderful again. Generally no two items are alike, so I'm never getting bored!

WHERE  TO?
I am currently smack bang in the middle of the Spring Racing Carnival, and am thoroughly enjoying working with lots of lovely ladies to design a special headpiece for their racing event, as well as keeping them stocked in Mona Lisa.
My kiddies clothing range is now on sale in the View Point Gallery - feel free to pop in & have a browse, or check out my website (though still being stocked!!) at pollyannabybelinda.com

Thanks for your interest....love Belinda

Stockist Spotlight - Sputnik Playwear

Who are you?

I am a WAHM (work at home mum) with 2 young children – my son just turned 5 and my daughter is nearly 2.  We live in a fab 1930s cottage with my husband and we’re working toward moving out to the country in the next couple of years.

What do you make? 

A range of vintage styled children’s clothing including shortie pyjama and bloomer sets, caped collar and retro pinafores, bonnets, boys shirts and boys briefs.  I use a mix of modern nostalgic and vintage fabrics with ric rac, ribbons, tucks and buttons.  The range is dynamic - limited run in terms of fabric but a standard style collection is maintained with some one-off pieces and lounge pants thrown into the collection.  My inspiration comes Australian movies and miniseries set in the 1940s and 1950s like ‘Smiley’ and The Shiralee. 

When did you get started?

I began making children’s clothing for my son, nieces and friends children in about 2007 using my 1956 Necchi Supernova sewing machine that my mum in law gave to me about 10 years ago.    I received so many lovely comments about the shirts and little girls clothes for my own daughter born in 2010 and friends daughters that I became confident enough to begin selling online and through word of mouth in 2010 – all still using my lovely Necchi.  Jess at View|Point has given me my first retail opportunity which I am loving so far.

 Why do you make your 'thing'?

Sewing and vintage are my passion so I enjoy combining the two and knowing some special little person is wearing something that was handmade just for them.   I love the process of taking a piece of fabric and turning it into something beautiful.  Inappropriately aged clothing is on the increase too so I love to offer parents unique ‘proper’ styled clothing.   

Where to next for you? (what direction do you see your work heading in?)

I see myself maintaining a small niche presence in the handmade industry (and at View Point!) behind looking after my children until they are older.  My final range is just developed so I’m just enjoying the stage my hobby business is at, at the moment.