Kylie Johnson - Ceramic Queen

Let me take a moment to introduce you to one of my friends, who also happens to be a fabulous ceramicist. Her name is Kylie Johnson and she has been a Brisbane ceramic artist for many years . Her vessels are usually handformed, imprinted with poetry (often her own) and delicate textures. There is usually just a hint of colour. Her work shows are pared back beauty and a restraint that I can rarely muster.

When I started making ceramic jewellery a couple of years ago I was keenly interested in who else was making some and what other type of ceramic jewellery was out there. I didn't find much, and even less that I liked. Although, I did see some lovely black and white pendants for sale at the Queensland Art Gallery and someone told me about this girl who lived in the same suburb as I did who has been making gorgeous ceramic jewellery for years. Didn't have a clue at the time that this was both Kylie and her work!

Kylie also being the sharing soul that she is called me excitedly last week to inform me that Friday night's edition of THE COLLECTORS on the ABC was to feature a segment on a collector of vintage plastics. Love ceramics, but really love my plastics. Thanks Kylie

Clay Play

I will be experiencing some ceramic related trauma over the next two week as I attempt to recall how to make ceramic jewellery. Now I have made ceramic jewellery in the past and in fact it is the jewellery (here are a few odds and sods I found in my studio) I made before plastic, but that seems so long ago now. I'm just not sure if I'm up for the challenge or I'll be pleased with the results.

To help me deal with these issues I've decided to at least enjoy the experience and dedicate the next two weeks to clay related posts.

All In The Name Of Research

I have just purchased this vintage French plastic brooch. It marks an important event, as it was my first International Ebay jewellery purchase.

I have started off small with the full intention of working my way up to Prada Bakelite pins and Lea Stein pieces (lots of).

This is all very important research and must be continued at all costs, and yes it will cost!

Art Jewelry

I was welcomed with a nice email this morning from US magazine, Art Jewelry ,informing me that they were including one of my images in a future issue. Well that was nice but it wasn't a total surprise as I had sent them an image and information regarding my work and myself.

I have had a number of other crafty/arty types make comment about my images often being used here and there. So I'm going to tell you all the secret, which is to just send images to wherever you would like to see them. They won't always be used, and sometimes it will take a while, but you may be surprised how often they will be.

There really isn't any secret and admittedly I am a bit haphazard in my approach, so perhaps I should take my own advice and make it more of a priority.

Flower Power

Did you see the title of this post? If so you will understand why I am in desperate need of help - pronto!

I have a show coming up in September at The Hive gallery in Canberra just in time for Floriade . Which is appropriate as the show will be all plastic flower jewellery and some oversized plastic flower wall pieces. Now I can do plastic flowers, no problem but can I think of a good title for the show, ah no.

Any suggestions? Any help? I really can't have a show titled Flower Power!

Plastic Crafts

I'm keen on given those plastic crafts of the 50's/60's a go.

I've collected a few pattern books and vintage handcrafted plasticy things. These are two of my recent finds.

Perhaps I'll start with plastic tube earrings and work my way up to wall panels several meters long. What fun!

German Girl

If you have visited my website recently and looked through previous blog posts this image will be familiar to you. I have used it often and I'll be using it again for my website opening page and for website promotional postcards.

It is one of my favourite pictures for several reasons. Having the photograph taken is one of my first memories. I can clearly remember the photographer sitting at our dining room table filling in the hand colouring sheet, "blue eyes, oh no green eyes, um no blue eyes, yes blue eyes" (I actually have green eyes). Also I look more like my father in the photo - German with blonde hair and blue eyes. Now I am definitely more like my Italian mother. It reminds me that I am both, and this European heritage is important and influenced what I do. Also the image is a photograph and photography is the first creative area I studied outside of school. At 15/16 I spent each Saturday for a year studying at The Australian Centre For Photography and it was fabulous. I went onto study photography at TAFE and East Sydney Tech and had several darkroom and was passionate about Diane Arbus. I really didn't enjoy taking photography or was even any good at it but I loved manipulating images in and out of the darkroom. Again I'm sure this affects what I do now, and more so as I add printed images to my work later in the year.

I want to thank Miss Rebecca Ward (Kellee Uhr had called me Miss Liana and now it is one of my favourite terms for my favourite people - thanks Miss Kellee) and her lovely partner Wayne, for spending the time in PhotoShop resizing and adding text. Your efforts are appreciated and there is a Tiramisu coming your way (they are terribly dessert deprived).

Little People

I generally don't do figurative work although I am usually drawn to the work of those that do.

Last week I made a number of earrings all with little boy and girl figures on them. As I finished a pair I lined them up on my bench. As their numbers grew I soon had the uncomfortable feeling that they were all staring back at me. In fact they were really starting to creep me out! They then soon found their way to the draw hidden from view and from viewing me.

Perhaps I should just stick with floral and abstract designs.

Two Men In One Week!

Yes, I had two men in one week and I'll have to say this is the first time such a thing has happened.

I have been asked in the past to think about making a range of jewellery for men but I had generally dismissed the notion since I thought it would be too far removed from what I do. But this week I realised perhaps not, as I sold two pieces to men!

Firstly a handsome young man (very young) stylishly dressed in black bought a black rubber and silver bracelet ( I struggled with what to call it should I say wristwear?) which was made with an extra disk to fit.

Secondly (but first in my book!) was super stylish man-about-town Matthew Bacon who came into the studio to show me his recent Bloomin Brooch purchase from C.Q.

Thanks boys you've given me hope. Maybe my buyers are a little more diverse than I thought!

MoB Blog Competition

By scooting over to the MoBWorkspace blog and answering a few short questions you will have the chance to win a pair of my Jack & John or Jill & Jane hairclips.

Now I have to admit that I didn't know the answers myself as they are Brisbane based and I didn't grow up there. But really this is no excuse as all the answers we need are generally only a couple of clicks away. So why not do a bit of research (if need be), possibly win something and learn something to boot.

Printed Jewellery

U.K Jeweller Lindsey Mann makes the most wonderful, fun jewellery using printed aluminium, silver and (my favourite) plastics.

I often go back to take another look at her work as it never fails to put a a smile on my face.

Translations in Tupperware - Global Design Contest

I was speaking with Anna Varendorff (jeweller to watch out for!) last night as she excitedly told me about this BIG Tupperware competition that she had read about in Surface magazine and that I surely must know about it Which I did!!

Anyway it prompted me to find out how Tupperware Australia planned to run the competition this year. So I sent an email to the Marketing Manager and got this prompt reply.

Hi Liana,
Thanks for the email regarding the 2006 Translations in Tupperware competition.
This year's competition is only open to current Tupperware demonstrators and is not open to the wider community. Therefore unfortunately we will not be able to accept an entry from you - unless you plan on becoming a Tupperware demonstrator!
Cheers!!

Gee, I don't think so. One Tupperware Lady in the family was more than enough thank you!