Art and Design Market in Wollongong

I attended the Art and Design Market in Wollongong today. It was lovely. A really busy market with a lovely feel. Live music, coffee van and an artist who did a painting while people watched. I sold some bags, a purse and a brooche and am hoping I get into the November Christmas market. I am tired this evening but feel good. People liked what I made and I had a lovely easy day with a good friend. I spoke to lots and lots of happy, encouraging people. And lots of people from my work stopped by and supported me, thanks Susie, Jedda and Robyn! Thank you everyone.

I'd like to share a couple of quick snaps from the day.

 Crowds of people poured into the hall when the market opened at 11am.

 My DarlingBridget art to wear brooches on display.

 Pretty vintage doily bags, purses and aprons.

A big thank you to my darling friend Ashley who gave up her entire Sunday to help me. I could not have done it without her. She helped me and dealt with my chaotic outburts of non-worthiness. Thank you to the sweet and talented Ash.  Ash is a great writer, watch this space for more on Ash's writing, she doesn't know it yet, (shhhh) but I'm going to ask to interview her or profile some writing. 

I made Ash an apron to say thanks. It is a simple white cotton apron with lace trim, stitched doily pockets with crochet and vintage button decoration.

A big thank you also goes to Rach and Marcelo who always encourage me! Check out their work on a previous post.  Its 8.30pm on a Sunday night and I'm off to bed. Sweet dreams everyone!

DarlingBridget at Art + Design market, Wollongong

I am preparing for next weekend's Art and Design Market at Pioneer Hall, Wollongong. I have sewn some fun and funky handbags from vintage tea towels. These are seriously cute! Mostly they date from the 70s so are genuinely retro.

I also have a range of bags made from old embroidered and chrocheted doilies and tray cloths. Its so lovely to give these handmade cloths a new lease of life. I have been collecting them for ages and have finally found a great way to use them. Lined in bright cottons or corduroys they become cute and one of a kind handbags or iPad bags.

And naturally I have some Art to Wear brooches to sell. 

If you are in the Southern Highlands, Sydney area I hope you pop down to Wollongong for the market. The ladies who run it are very inspiring and by the look of the stall holders they have chosen it is going to be well worth a visit.

I am also running a give away promotion. If you Like my DarlingBridget facebook page by Friday 16 September you can go in the draw to win a DarlingBridget silk purse.

First day of Spring

Its the first day of Spring here in the Southern Hemisphere.

I have been doing lots of gardening, weeding, mulching and planting flowers and herbs.

 Lettuce and perennial spinach in my herb garden,

I bought this great trolley at my local recycling centre. I am so happy with it and put it into use as soon as I got home dragging plants around the garden.

 A new bed in my front garden filled with an impressionist mix of yellow and blue plants.

The bench seat Howard built for us from an old sleeper.  A great vantage point to look at the flowers.

DarlingBridget at Art + Design market, Wollongong

I have just been accepted to attend this market with my DarlingBridget art to wear and vintage inspired labels. I am very honoured and very excited. Please wish me luck and hope to see you there. I'll keep you posted as I plan for the big market day.

Weekend yoga retreat photos

I spent the weekend at a yoga retreat, a wonderful, invigorating yoga retreat. I worked hard in the classes but spent lots of time in meditation and relaxing too. It has gently but firmly kick started my yoga practice after years of dormancy. I finished off the weekend with a deep tissue massage, just the thing to loosen up my tight shoulders.  In some of my spare time I walked around the property with my camera. Thanks to Lis and Rachel for offering love and light in such a beautiful setting.

The retreat centre is cunningly hidden in the bush. The yoga studio, dining room and accommodation cottages are made from timber and blend into their surroundings.

 

 
Wildflowers in the bush. Can anyone tell me what these flowers are?

This one I know. The smell from the wattle was intoxicating and the bees were busy humming while they worked. I've never seen the sacs of pollen so clearly on a bee's legs before. 

 The yoga studio in the early morning.

 The property has a large billabong, or watering hole. The water was so still I saw beautiful reflections.

Some I didn't see until I checked my photos later. This reflected duck was a delightful surprise.

The trees were ghostly and compelling.

 A quiet spot to sit awhile.

Spring is in the air

We've enjoyed a stunningly clear, warm week. Everyone is talking about a predicted cold front but I don't care because right here, right now its just stunning. Winter isn't over but there are signs of a magnificent spring ahead. I wanted to share these inspiring images with everyone to make you feel happy and warm.

Jonquils pushing up in my front garden. I created this new garden bed in Autumn this year and put in a graceful arc of bulbs. 

 Daffodils are one of my favourite flowers. They are so cheerful.

 I have hundreds of daffodils in my garden, these are the first few to come up.

 Spring blossoms in front of my neighbours house.

 The smell from these blossoms is intoxicating. Now wonder the bees are busy.

Snowflakes.

A tiny visitor. I could hear the fairy wrens twittering away but it took me a while to spot them and even longer to focus on one. They fit around like tiny mice.

Where ever you are, what ever you are doing I hope these photos make you smile.

DarlingBridget in Wiss Emporium, Kalbar

I recently finished some new stock which is now on display in Wiss Emporium, an art and design boutique in an historic building in Kalbar in South-East Queensland.

I made some more autumn leaves. I love making these brightly coloured brooches.

I have also started making a new range of bags from upcycled retro materials such as souvenir tea towels

and vintage doilies.

I parcelled them all up and sent them on their way to find new homes. Seriously, letting go is still a bit hard...

 Vicki has displayed my work so beautifully in her shop.

To find out more about the Wiss Emporium please take this link to their webpage.