Big Hearted Business: WOW

 

I'm still wrapping my head around the inspirational, mind-blowing and insightful weekend I just experienced - Big Hearted Business, presented by Clare Bowditch, held at the stunning Abbotsford Convent.

I walked away from the 2 jam packed days with a notebook (and mind) overflowing with ideas and a heart full of gratitude for Clare, her team and all of the amazing speakers. The fire has re-ignited in my belly and I'm more focused; I've got more done in the last few days than I would in over a week.

 

 I'm sure there will be more blog posts about what I gained from the conference, but I feel like I still have to chew on the ideas and concepts that were shared. I want to wrestle with them and filter them through a focus on what they will mean for View Point Handmade Gallery. In the mean time, I have noticed blog posts starting to pop up on the web from the attendees, sharing their experience. Head over to these blogs to read more about some of the personal experiences of a phenomenal and life changing weekend:

•  Stunning sketches of the weekend by Lily Mae Martin
• Kelly Zarb's beautiful blog 
• Pip from Meet Me At Mikes (also a presenter at the conference) 
• Ambah (confessions of a serial crafter)
• Amy from Saint Gertrude
• Martine at greenolive

The cherry on top of the most delicious weekend was singing Nick Cave's Ship Song, in the beautiful Abbotsford Convent chapel, with a group of amazingly talented, creative women (and a few lads!), led by the powerhouse that is Ms Bowditch. Goosebumps on top of goosebumps!!

Do yourself a favour and sign up for the BHB Mailing List - you won't want to miss a thing!!

Stockist Spotlight - Clay & Clasp

Who are you?

My name is Lucy, I am from the UK originally but now live in Perth with my husband Jake, dog Archie and cat George!  

What do you make?

I make jewellery and homewares from clay!  

When did you get started?

I started in September 2012 as I was feeling a little frustrated in that my job was not creative enough. So I started making jewellery to keep my design brain ticking, and do something really visual at the same time. 

I am a Heritage Architect by trade so come from a design background. I’ve been using clay since I was a child and I never gave it up. Even whilst studying I was always trying to sneak something made out of clay into my architectural models!

Why do you make your 'thing'? 

I have an obsession with tea and cake and have always been a really keen baker.  I tasted my first macaron at Laduree in London (not Paris unfortunately) and think I probably became obsessed with the look of them rather than the taste. I spent hours slaving in the kitchen trying to perfect the art of making them look perfect! Several thousand hours later (er, and several thousand kilos heavier), I still can’t get it right every time so it got me thinking if I’m doing this for looks over taste, maybe I should make some in clay!

I am also a big animal lover and hence many of my pieces feature birds, bunnies, owls and foxes!

Most other things I make stem from a piece I've wanted to make for myself, usually to go with a certain outfit or for a specific occasion.  

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

I would like to develop my custom pieces so that I can make pieces for families or individuals that are truly unique to them.  I am forever thinking up new designs, inspired by something I've seen (or eaten) and so who knows what I'll make next!

Project: Caravan Studio Renovation

(note: stock image, not the ACTUAL caravan in question)

While I don't normally include a lot of personal stuff on the VPHG blog, I've decided to starting sharing a few of my creative projects with you all!

We moved into our new house over 6 months ago and I've been using the dining table as my 'temporary' creative space during this time. I find packing away half finished projects in order to set the table really stuns my creative process (and I'm sure my family is sick of eating dinner surrounded by tubes of paint and the debris from a crazed collaging session)

Enter the dilapidated and sad caravan that's been sitting, unloved, on the property for over 5 years. I've come up with a harebrained plan to gut the interior and renovate it into a studio! This beast has seen better days, I'm talking water damage, broken windows and a veritable paradise for insect life. (I'll take some 'before' photos and update with them soon)

As with any good project in the digital age, I've started a Pintrest board for inspiration during the planning stages, and we are in the VERY preliminary phases. Currently I only know that I'd like a comfortable seating area, a table top workspace, running water (cold is fine - space for tea/coffee facilities would be a bonus!), as much storage as possible and an open area where the bed used to be for larger projects.

The first step is to move the van itself to it's forever home and make sure that it is securely in place, then let the demolition begin - I'm going to show the sad 70s faux-wood lined interior who is boss!

All of this will be happening around continued house renovation, cafe installation at VPHG, working full time and a very active 6 year old little girl... So it won't be a speedy process.

Wish me luck!

(and just a note on the stock photo used in the title image - I've started using Morgue File for stock images, I really dig the concept and was thinking of adding some of my MANY MANY photos to their database... gotta share the love!)
 

Stockist Spotlight - Cuillere moi

It must be the week for showcasing stockists with brilliant business names, today we're featuring Cuillere moi, which is French for "spoon me".

Corbert and Jenae began making this unique style of jewellery from antique cutlery in 2012 whilst living in Castlemaine. Their range proved to be very popular, especially at the Castlemaine Artist and Bendigo Square markets.

Jenae and Corbert certainly have a passion for this which is reflected in the professional quality of their pieces.

Their rings are now world-wide, with customers from England, France and Germany have fallen in love with them also.


During April, Culliere moi will be showcasing their full range, so why not pop in and take some of this old-world charm with you. 

Jubly-Umph Jewellery Sale

We have a lot of Jubly-Umph fans amongst View Point customers, so I'm sure this sale will interest a lot of you!

I want to clear out the Jubly stock we have in currently so that I can bring in a whole fresh batch - so we've marked it all down!!

Sale is while stocks last and I don't think they'll last long, so you'd better get in quick!!

Easter Trading Hours

We'll be closed for Good Friday trading, but will be sneaking an exhibition opening in for the evening - feel free to head on down for a glass of wine and experience some fabulous art! (details for the show here).

The rest of our trading hours for Easter weekend are much the same as usual 11-3 Saturday and Sunday and closed on Monday.

And don't forget that at View Point we have a fabulous range of gifts that are super sweet, without rotting your teeth this Easter!

Texture - Group Exhibition

 

 To coincide with the Bendigo Easter Festival, VPHG has asked artists to explore the theme of 'Texture', tying in with the overall Festival's 2013 theme of 'Embrace Your Senses'

The official opening is on Friday the 29th of March from 7-9pm. (all welcome) RSVP on Facebook

The show will run from March 29th – April 14th during VPHG opening hours.