Greetings from Malaysia

Hanif Khairi sent me some images of his recent work with the little note about wanting to share with me some of the pieces he is currently working on. I am so pleased he did because it was a great reminder of how much more I have to learn and how far I still have to go. Sometimes I find that all a bit daunting, but mostly I find the success of others to be exciting and inspiring. It is just about the best motivator around.

I had some trouble saving Hanif's images so I did a little research (that B.A does come in handy sometimes) and found this article and image from the New Straits Times, Malaysia, 2007.

He softens plastic bottles in a kiln before pressing the resulting lump into a mould. Hanif, who teaches at the university’s arts and design faculty in Machang, Kelantan, has made paper weights, photo frames and key chains, and is even planning to make a car accessory — a gear knob. "There’s no such thing as waste. Everything can be recycled. It is up to us to be creative."

Indeed!

OPENING SPECIAL ENDS

I can't believe I have been selling on etsy for nearly two months now. The time has passed quickly on one hand, but on the other I feel like I have been there forever! I have been spending so much time figuring out how it all works (and sometimes doesn't work). Anyway it has been intense. From next month I'm hoping for a little more balance and getting back to such things as updating my website and reading blogs again.

To get things rolling over at my etsy shop I had a bit of fun and designed some exclusive pieces, such as the Knitwit Necklace and Knitwit Hoops (pictured above) and offered them at OPENING SPECIAL prices. It was nice to be able to do this, but come July 1st the prices will need to go up to better reflect retail prices as this work then becomes available in selected galleries and stores.

If you happened to have your eye on any of the above, or other OPENING SPECIAL pieces perhaps now would be a good time to grab them before the price rise. Also I am happy to fill any custom orders at the same prices until the end of the month. If you would like a different colour combination and your very own one-of-a-kind piece feel free to contact me here to discuss options!

Sugar and Spice and All Things Nice…

I have a thing for kewpie dolls, and I also have a thing for handcrafted ceramics. Since the lovely Beverley from KickArts knows this, she has kindly sent me some pictures of the show Sugar and Spice and All Things Nice…. which is currently on display.

I won't be making it to Cairns anytime soon so I will just have to enjoy Bexley Birrel's slipcast dolls through the images above. I am completely in love with the layout too!

The show runs now until Saturday 11th August 2007

I've Just Landed In Rome

Well I'm actually sitting in my pyjamas in Brisbane typing this, but my 11 yr old German/Italian/Spanish/Irish Australian daughter has just flown over unaccompanied to Europe. She met up with my parents last night and will be spending the next six weeks travelling through Italy and Germany, with a couple of days in Tokyo.

I intend to put all my mother-worry anxiety into being super productive over the next six weeks. With regular orders, restocks and two exhibitions coming up I really have to be. Although I may have spaced out a bit over the last few weeks and may do so on occasion over the next six. Please forgive me if I do!

Miss 11yr old is Manga/Anime obsessed so has wanted to go to Japan more than anywhere else. When she heard she would be staying in Tokyo for a few days she was beyond excited and said to me "I'd almost given up on my dream of ever going to Japan!" AT 11 !!! Well I guess she is like her mum, we both have big dreams and it just goes to show that dreams can come true! Now I'm just a little worried about what her dreams will be like at 18.....

One of Miss 11 yr old's drawings (she doesn't mind the limelight one bit, although I don't know if you could call my blog that!?)

Nothing Makes Me Happier...

..than to hear from you. I love finding out where my pieces end up and getting pictures really is an extra treat.I must say that there are also those who may never buy, but I know are great supporters.

I appreciate you all, and I just wanted to take a minute to say so.

Holly
Stacey

I Like Cats But I Don't Like COPYCATS

I had a bad dream last night about the Brisbane person who has been selling knitting needle bangles as her design. I'm not happy about it and I don't plan to ignore it. I just don't think I could respect myself if I did ignore it completely.I also don't want to dwell on it all day so I decided to do a little cathartic posting now. Anyway I got that out and now I'm off to spend the rest of the day with happier thoughts.

The ORIGINAL Knitwit Bangles

What does it mean when you feel you may have to start calling your creation THE ORIGINAL such and such? Or in my case the ORIGINAL KNITWIT BANGLES!

Over the last few years I have attended a number of commercialisation classes at Craft Queensland/Tafe. The issue that was raised a number of times was the fear that if you sent your designs away to be manufactured that they would be copied - big companies would copy them - China would copy them. A number of speakers with years of experience in these areas allayed our fears with the regularly heard statement "it isn't manufacturers/China that you have to be worried about it, it is most likely to be people in Brisbane (your local area) that will be the ones to copy you." This was not a nice thought at all. I think we all preferred to think of someone doing the dirty on us as being a nameless/faceless foe living far,far away from us, and not as someone we could be sitting next to on the bus!

Anyway this is all a bit of a downer and pretty negative but I know this isn't just an issue for me, so I am discussing it here. It is something we all have to think about or at least be aware of. People copy, although I do believe that this is a very small minority and that there are many grey areas open to misinterpretation. Also seeing others being influenced by your designs can be a complimented - a huge one. Hey I want be influential but I just don't want you to make knitting needle bangles and sell them in my local area (or anywhere really). I think it is pretty UNORIGINAL and plain just NOT NICE.

The Original Knitwit Bangles (pictured above) manufactured by Liana Kabel in her Brisbane studio since 2004.

A Fondness For Teenagers

Before jewellery overtook my life I worked in healthcare. At various times I've worked with children, adolescents, the elderly and adults. My favourite group by far were the teenagers, as I found them to be the group that you could make the biggest impact on. Also I love a challenge, and often they were the most challenging.

Besides a few jewellery workshops over the last few years I haven't had a lot to do with this section of the population. Although recently I have become reacquainted, as I am getting regular emails from high school students. I guess I must be on some sort of list. It is quite surreal to think that I have been mentioned in numerous school assignments.

One of my priorities now is to find better/faster/more efficient ways to answer these regular questions, because if these students are anything like myself, the assignment is probably due tomorrow!

How could I resist emails like these?!

p.s. i hope i'm not annoying! i love your jewellery. :)

I'd appreciate any info. you can send me and I'm wondering if you'd like to put it into a 1000 words for me. haha. =]

I have been unable to find your full name and birthdate.I know this is perhaps personal information but would appreciate it if you could tell me these secrets.I promise to keep it between me and my teacher!

i would like to know a bit about how the company formed and maybe how 'LiANA Kabel' got where it is today, how you started the company

ohhh thanks your the best thats the exact information i neeed!!! thankssssssss
byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee:):)


pictured above, Tumbling Bangles (made from vintage Tupperware tumblers)

An Executive Decision has Been Made

Sometimes I forget who's the boss around here. I let everything else control me and sort of forget that I can change things anytime I like. Saying that I also feel a sense of commitment to my supporters, don't want to go back on my word and realise that consistency is important! I'm talking about my decision to start sending out my newsletter monthly from now on.

Reasons why?

** I'm busy - Since starting the newsletter I've added an etsy shop, had more press which has let to more regular web sales, I'm answering students questions often now(3 this week, four last week..) and I have more new stockists.

** The fortnightly newsletter has served it's purpose - I'm now on a bit of a roll and if there is a quiet moment I quickly fill it with creating a new design or developing a new promotional idea. I don't need the thought of filling a fortnightly newsletter to motivate me.

** Too much mail - As I'm getting heaps more emails myself I realise I don't want to send out too many emails to others. I have a few newsletter subscriptions and frankly some of them come a bit too often - or seem to anyway!

** Once a month means it will be better - I can't give away products and have competitions every two weeks, but I can have one every month.

The newsletter will go out tomorrow, and will continue to go out in the first week of every month. If you haven't, but would like to subscribe send me an email - thanks.

Kara Smith bag & my bangles, pictured above

Happy Birthday

I just wanted to take a moment to wish PLASTIC a very Happy Birthday, as this versatile material is 100 yrs old this year. Belgian-American chemist Leo Baekeland created the first synthetic plastic - Bakelite, in 1907.

What is a birthday without presents - right? So I bought myself a couple of Lea Stein celluloid brooches in celebration.

What's In The Box?

The wonderful Miss Davern has sent me a parcel all the way from Estonia. I am a lucky girl. The box is filled with daisy-like plastic candle holders. I'm not sure what I'll do with these yet but I'm sure I'll think of something!

Anna is someone I admired for many reasons. A few of these are that her work is fabulously inventive and perfectly constructed, she is thoughtful, generous and funny too! But perhaps most importantly, she has a CAN DO attitude. You really aren't going to get too far in these creative spheres if you let the roadblocks stop you. I believe you need to find your way around them, again and again. When Anna didn't get any hoped for funding for a residency in Estonian she found a way to get there on her own steam.

I know she will make it big time - I have no doubt whatsoever. As you-know-who said, JUST DO IT.

P.S I am in no way saying nice things because Miss Davern is now sending me a postcard she found of a Tupperware meeting from the 50's - too cool!