About Liana

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Brisbane, Australia
My studio is located in Brisbane, Australia. For the past 10 years I’ve been enjoying creating jewellery designs from an array of mundane materials. Tupperware and knitting needles have remained a firm favourite. My designs have been published numerous times, graced the shelves of many wonderful galleries and stores and been worn by those whose aren’t afraid of colour and attention. All of which I am very grateful for. For several years I’ve also been fortunate enough to work with many businesses as a coach and workshop facilitator.

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Tuesday, August 29, 2006

Modamuse



I'll say it again - it is always O.K to talk about ME!

I just received a nice email from Jessica Lim to let me know I was featured on her modamuse blog. Thank you Jessica.

It seems this blog has been up and running only since earlier this month. What I love about it (besides the obvious!) is that it will feature modern Australian and New Zealand designers, artisans and crafters. So good news for us all.

Monday, August 28, 2006

Reasons Why



There are all sorts of reasons why I make certain "career" decisions. They may be because I think, "it's a good opportunity", "it will lead to something BIGGER", "I'm supporting my local community", "I'll sell work" or "there will be great publicity". Then there are also other more personal factors that come into play.

I was contacted recently by Sue at Pomme gallery in Mt Martha, Victoria. I had come across the website a couple of times,liked it very much, and had thought that I may contact them at some point. It felt like a match to me. So when Sue contacted me regarding exhibiting in an upcoming show I didn't need much convincing to say "yes". One of the factors that really appealed was I got married in Mt Martha. I really liked that. It felt personal and special.

I realise that I do need to make more head decisions if I'm going to survive and expand my practice but I know there will always be room for the heart decisions as well. Thank goodness for that.

The Flowering Art Show will be held at Pomme 7 - 27 October. Do pop in if you can.

pictured above is Emma Davies gorgeous polypropylene bowls. I just love them.

Wednesday, August 23, 2006

Nana Bead Earrings





Rebecca (Miss Wrecker as she likes to be know) and myself set up our CQ window exhibition today (with lots of help from the ever cheerful Cate).

The jewellery will stay on display until September 20.

Sleepy now....more info later....images also....links too....

Monday, August 21, 2006

Plastic Food


Plastic and food are again dominating my life.

I was supposed to say something about the Ekka last weekend but I didn't as I have been distracted by the arrival of The German, a large plastic shell and food. So I'll say something about all this now.

I ventured to the EKKA last week with my children and husband in tow. There is usually an equal amount of excitement and dread on the part of us adults but this year ended up being the best ever, as we were all on the same page for once. No one wanted to go on a ride or place ping pong balls in clowns mouths, and the only showbag that was purchased was daughter number 2's Ninja bag (did you know that there were seven different Ninja bags to choose from!). This year we spent most of our time in the Woolworths pavilion tasting an array of food samples and watching cooking demos and buying good old Queensland produce. It was heaps of fun.

Our purchases were quickly put to good use with the arrival of The German (dad) the very next day. Not that he came without a massive array of food himself. The little Barina was jam packed with bottles of Chinotto, packs of Gnocchi, biscuits and chocolate, courtesy of The Italian (mum).

For the next few months my builder, plumber, electrician, jeweller dad will be constructing a deck and installing a plastic pool. Hopefully if we don't go to level 4 water restrictions it may even get filled with a lovely liquid before the full effects of a Brisbane summer hits. If not, filling it with hundreds of plastic balls is my back up plan.

Sunday, August 20, 2006

Meet THE Makers




On Friday 25 August a new batch of talented local craft and design artists are coming to Craft Queensland to share the secrets behind their remarkable work. The speakers for the August ‘Meet the Makers’ are: quirky ceramic artist Sharon Muir, jewellers with plastic and glass, Liana Kabel and Rebecca Ward, and savvy paper and textile artists Taryn and Elise Eales.

This is the third session in the ‘Meet the Makers’ series of talks at Craft Queensland for 2006. These talks offer attendees the opportunity to learn about Craft Queensland’s artists, and to hear the stories behind the exceptional work they create.

Please join us on Friday 25 August from 10am-12pm for morning tea (I think I’ll make scones this month) and informative talks by some of Brisbane’s most talented artists.

Craft Queensland
381 Brunswick St
Fortitude Valley Qld 4006
F +61 7 3215 0808

I'm a fan of Sharon Muir's ceramics and I'll be interested in hearing from new designers Taryn and Elise. And of course I have been following Rebecca and her work long before I knew her.

Do you think I could just sit in the audience? Do I really have to say something?

I'll worry about this in a couple of days...

Wednesday, August 16, 2006

Sick Of Myself


There are times when you have something to say, and times when you don't. I'm just not in the mood today to talk about what I think or like or blah blah! I'm frankly feeling a bit sick of myself.

Now I'm sure I'll get over it and will feel more inclined to go on about ME in no time at all. But for now (and always) it is ok for others to talk about me as much as they please.

Liz from Great Green Goods sent me this link to an online article in which I got a wee mention (Tupperware). Thanks Liz for the update.

Saturday, August 12, 2006

Press Release - Sent To Me!


At present Miss Wrecker and myself are sending out press releases for our Website Launch and window display at Craft Queensland. What happens is, we send out information and then cross our fingers and hope that the editor will find it of interest and give us some positive coverage.

Well today I got a taste of the shoe being on the other foot and was sent my very own press release about another designer. Now I get to feel the power.

What was interesting about this for me was 1. Blogs are powerful tools (sort of knew this) and it makes sense to send them information as you can have it published that very day rather than the possible 3 months later! 2. Perhaps my readership is not as large as Mr Coutts suspects - but I'm working on it!! 3. It was actually well targeted because I have visited the Craft Scotland site a number of times and yes I LOVE PLASTIC so I'll mention the designer!!!

Hi Liana

I've been reading Plastic Girl for a few weeks, and I thought you might be interested in hearing about Jan Milne, who designs plastic furniture and textiles.

Jan is a graduate of Glasgow School of Art, and her work has been recognised across the world - leading to contracts for Gloria Estefan for her themed restaurant 'Bongos' in Miami.

She is showing a colourful digitally printed acrylic chair at this year’s Homes & Interiors Scotland Exhibition at the SECC in Glasgow, Scotland, UK, on 9 and 10 September, as part of craftscotland’s display within the show.

The 20mm thick acrylic chair is one of a set of 4 dining chairs featuring a cerise damask print. Every set of chairs can be customised using any colourway or design. She can also produce bespoke designs.


Funded by the Scottish Arts Council, craftscotland creates a vital link between individual makers and potential buyers. The website, Craft Scotland, provides an online directory of Scottish makers and crafts outlets.

You can find out more about Jan and view images of the chair on
http://www.craftscotland.org/makers_search_results_by_ID.html?MakerID=599 and
Jan Milne

If you'd like more info, images for your blog, or show tickets (if you would be interested in a giving away a few to your UK readers as some form of giveaway) - please get in touch.

Best wishes, James.

---
James Coutts
Project Manager
craftscotland

Thursday, August 10, 2006

No Ekka For Me Today



Miss Wrecker and Miss Windbag are off to the Ekka today without me. Instead of spending a fun filled morning circling my showbag picks I instead did the mom thing, which translated this morning to searching for missing school hats under air hockey tables, attemping to tame fly away hair and gathering materials for the construction of a robot from recycled materials not more than 50cm tall DUE tomorrow.

Anyway I hope you girls have fun and I'll file a full report when I go to the show next week with my girls.

I just don't know how am I ever going to last a full week before seeing this Ekka treat, the Nunsations.

Monday, August 07, 2006

Where All The Magic Happens.


A productive Sunday was had cleaning my home studio.It got to the point where even I couldn't stand it.

It should stay this way for a couple of days at least.

Friday, August 04, 2006

D.I.Y Brooch


Some days I wish I had helper monkeys to make all my pieces for me. Then there are other days when I can't think of anything better than the pleasure derived from just making. On the days when the former is true this would be a great idea (well it just is anyway).

Thursday, August 03, 2006

Today's Post


There were no bills in the letterbox today so I was already off to a good start.

My invite for the Beyond Diamonds show arrived today. It was so lovely and glossy. I sent off a few images for it a while ago and I wasn't sure which one would be used (or even which ones I had sent) so it was funny (and kinda nice) to see the same image in print twice in one day. It was also used alongside a little write-up in the current issue of Object.


Also in the letterbox was this postcard from my friend (and good at everything artist) Yvonne. She said she was thinking of me while wondering around the Victoria and Albert Museum (ohhh) and thought "maybe paper clothes" could be my "new thing". Well maybe not, but that dress sure is giving me some ideas...

Wednesday, August 02, 2006

We Need To Talk....Brisbane Artists Explain Themselves.


I picked up this flyer (pictured above) last week and was a tad excited. I don't always run to hear artist talk about their work but I'll be making a few visits to the IMA over the following weeks as they have a pretty good line up.

I am most looking forward to hearing what Van Sowerwine has to say, as she recently had her photo installation Sharper Than A Serpent's Tooth at MoB. I can't say I have seen better work in any medium for quite some time. It is just my opinion and sure I don't get out much but that work had it all. It was big and small (issues), it was effecting and powerful, it was art and craft, and colour, composition and lighting were all masterfully handled. I was moved and curious. It made me want to be better.

Perhaps an old bias still lingers but I find photography hard to beat for sheer impact.