the beginning

Before children and then for a while with children (but only on a part-time basis), I worked at Sydney University, within the Faculty of Arts doing such things as timetabling, result processing, handbook editing, career advising, internship organising and website maintenance. It definitely appealed to my structured and organised side and there was a bit of space for my creative side but I also knew that when I finished up at Sydney University I would be ready for something new.

Moving to Bellingen has introduced an openness to explore what I might like to do. And although I don't really know exactly what it may be I am really excited that I have the luxury of time (and the luxury of having a partner who already knows what he wants to do and does it really well) to sort things out.

I think I want to head in the direction of craft, but am so aware of the exceedingly high level of talent out there, my lack of skills with regards to sewing. You know things like machine sewing in straight lines, finishing off garments at a certain level through to working out patterns and all that kind of stuff - I can make things for myself, Poe and Ilo and an intimate few but really.... I also know how hard it is to make money from things you make (factoring time, materials and the creation of the idea). I do have a couple of ideas that I hope will work regardless of these boundaries but I guess only time will tell.

So with that in mind, my exciting and scary news is that a few weeks ago as I was pottering around in Wabi Sabi (a little shop in Bellingen that sells some really great handcrafted items from local designers) I happened to be wearing one of my headpieces that I make out of felt offcuts and Bella (one of the lovely people who run Wabi Sabi) expressed her love for the headpiece that I was wearing, we then got talking and she offered to have them in the shop (eek and yay). So I made up the following pieces and they really loved them, on the first day I think they sold three (albeit to Bella, another person who runs the shop and Amelia who runs the coffee shop across the way, but hey) I'm not actually sure whether they have sold any more since then but it has only been a couple of weeks. They take less than 20% commission which means they sell them for $22 and I get $18, which is awesome.

 

 

 

 

 

I just wanted to say that the first headpiece I sold was to the lovely Jessica from Newtown Community Chiropractic who commissioned one after seeing me wearing one every time I would take Ilo in for a session (it was Jessica who actually gave me the confidence and the idea that they could be sold).

Once I put these pieces into Wabi Sabi, Annie commissioned me to make one for her friend Louisa, normally Annie would handcraft something amazing but what with moving and all she asked me to create some amazing headpiece with a vegetable theme. As is the way with Annie and I, I had already been thinking along the fruit and veg theme (thinking back on the time I made felt fruit brooches for Christmas). I am really super happy with the headpiece.

My amazing and beautiful friend Ruth has also commissioned five pieces for Christmas. So it is a beginning and I am not sure how it will go or where I am headed but it is really exciting.

*thanks Jen, for the use of your beautiful head.xxxxx