Showing posts with label Artwork. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Artwork. Show all posts

Sunday, December 7, 2008

My Top Five

I recently joined a new group, BrisStyle, so today I have decided to do a spotlight on Handmade in Brisbane! All the fabulous items below are made by Brisbane locals. Make sure you also check out the BrisStyle Blog - and if you're a local, they're holding a market this Saturday, at Hamilton Town Hall.


Twinkle Star Art - Personalised portrait



Wicked Child Designs - Dame Edna



Pedrosprout - Neon Blue Dotty Baby Booties



Sharlzndollz
- Babushka Doll




Knitwish
- Montague Mouse


If you'd like to submit a spotlight on local sellers in your home town, I would LOVE to hear from you!


Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Introducing...Look At The Wall




Name: Monique Gaspar

Occupation: Children’s Wall Art Designer

How did you get into wall art designs? How did you come up with the concept?

Like many new mums who take on the task of decorating their baby’s nursery, I frantically searched for the perfect wall art pieces. It had to be cool, carry a contemporary edge, all the while being colourful, happy and inspiring to let little minds run wild. I couldn’t find anything appropriate so I decided to make my own and from that point the “artist” grew and that is how “Look at the Wall” was created.

“Look at the Wall” has limited edition collages handmade from a variety of papers such as magazines, maps, old atlases or really any paper at all. Each piece is individually cut, so you may find slight variations in the handiwork and colour schemes but that is exactly what makes each piece unique.

Do you come from a design background?
I have always been creative but spent many years at University with two degrees in Biomedical Science and Radiography. Over the past few years I have also been teaching at Monash University. Designing artwork was only supposed to be a hobby while on maternity leave, however, it has developed into a small business.

What are your works inspired by?
People always ask me who inspires or motivates me and I always answer “my kids”. It may seem cliché but what they see, what they find, what they create, always makes me think differently and see things in a whole new way. Now that my oldest child is nearly four and youngest one, I, of course, have learnt so much by watching and listening to them. They are my inspiration, my collaborators too and source for many ideas. I guess I’m also really inspired by anyone who is “creating”– whether it’s my style or not, their process of creating something they’re passionate about is really motivating to me.

What are some wall art designs you have done? How do you create the images?
I mainly focus on animals, however, if someone has an idea or would like a specific colour scheme, I am always ready to be prompted by their creative inspiration. Basically I draw an initial design, cut and sand the wood, select from a vast array of different papers (if anyone want to find a home for their scrap papers I can put them to good use), assemble the collage, glue, seal and varnish with an epoxy resin.

What is the most challenging?
Finding the time to complete my orders. I work late at night or when my kids are sleeping (not much these days) but I always manage to somehow finish them. However, the hardest part is actually selecting the papers. It is like choosing what you are going to wear. Not all colours go together!

Where to Buy: See the Retailers page on Look At The Wall for your nearest stockist.

Thank you Monique...I am in love with the Cat on a Fence and Doves. You'll have to see the designs page to find these two!


Thursday, November 27, 2008

My Top Five

A few cute little things I have found today...enjoy.

Blue Retro Dachshund Stuffed Toy - Sausage Dog Softie From Badskirt



Dinner with Friends print from Tummy Mountain

Gypsy Pants by Charli Rose for Oopsidaisi



Scrabble Tile Pendant from The Pendant Factory



Pram Tissue Cozy from PramPurse




Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Mathilda's Market Brisbane wrap up

I've been a bit sick...and more than a bit slack with the blog recently!

We had a FANTASTIC response at the Brisbane Mathilda's Market. The crowds weren't huge, but they were spending! We were very happy with the results for our TikiBoo Kids.
I forgot my camera! There is no excuse...I have 3 of them, but I didn't even take one. I did have a chance for a quick walk around and saw some fabulous goodies.
Here are a few of my favourites from the day:

Wall Allure - Wall stickons really are the latest thing, and Bernadette makes all her own right here in Queensland. I bought some as gifts, then this adorable bird for our bedroom wall. LOVE them.

Ruffian Industries - Uber trendy retro style t-shirts for boys. YES, for boys. Mandy's designs are very cool.

Wild Things of Noosa - Selina makes the cutest little bucket hats, toys and bloomers, so cute for the little ones.

Lisa Olivers Canvases Personalised canvases for kids rooms, I particularly love this nautical lighthouse.


Heart On Your Sleeve - Tennille's beautiful handmade children's jewellery and hair accessories are perfect for little girls everywhere (I didn't buy this time as I already have lots of her goodies at home!)

If anyone has a report from the markets in the other states, I'd love to add it!


Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Guest Blogger - Michelle

I have been looking for great linen and bedroom accessories as we are currently starting the process of decorating our daughter Charlotte’s big girl room.

SO many of the kids sheet and quilt sets out there are just... Well they are licensed... Or they have so much pink they make even me want to turn down the “pink-o-meter”.

So I began searching for something handmade and pretty... I didn’t have an awful lot of luck to begin with, but did find this...

A gorgeous Play rug from mimoo on etsy. One of our favourite gifts we received when Charlotte was born was a unique handmade play rug. It got used every day, every where when she was little. And it has been my quest ever since to find something similar and just as nice to give someone else as a baby shower present – as very few people would remember a play mat is needed.

I love the colours and stripes on this one, for a boy or girl. I also love her apple play rugs too.

Next my search found this gorgeous set at Crab Apple Bedding


I love her retro vintage prints, and that you can get matching cushions and even buntings. Corinne’s quilt covers are custom made and can even include your child’s name.

And if there is a boy in my belly at the moment, I will have trouble not buying this one


Lastly (before I had to drag myself away from the computer at 11:30pm)

I found this gorgeous site Rachael Zelensky

A team of two sisters who together can create a gorgeous Children’s room in gorgeous Themed quilt sets and paintings to match.

I love the Ballerina and Cupcakes set



And this gorgeous Fairy Garden painting – takes me back to my childhood and spending hours searching for Fairies in the bottom of my Grandmother’s garden...


I think I am going to have more trouble deciding on her big girl room... Especially because I haven’t even started searching mermaids yet!