frocks, wraps and fabric lengths, works on paper and sterling silver pieces

If you are in the area, this is sure to be a beautiful exhibition to see.

India Flint's amazing eco-dyed and hand worked pieces - as she calls them frocks, wraps and lengths of fabric. You can view some of her work over on her website; but let me tell you - seeing it in real is just so very interesting and inspiring. To stop and look at the depth in the fabric, the colours and movement and stitches. Her work looks like little pieces of the landscape.

In conjunction with India's fabrics, there will be some jewellery pieces by Marianne Hall, and Roz Hawker's finely stitched intricately worked fabric pieces.

I met Roz while in New Zealand earlier this year; she had spent the previous year slowly and quietly stitching, almost as a meditation and a journey. The results of that year (in a different country with little-to no family) are simply awe-inspiring. Quite hard to describe the feeling of quiet that comes over you when you look at the cloth with her teeny tiny fairy-like stitches. {Of course, I didn't actually manage to take any photos of her work while in NZ; so I hope to show you some after this exhibition}.

Saturday September 18th, 5 - 8pm. 22 Blue Hills Drive, Bunya,Qld.

There is a 5-day workshop with India to follow; which I really wish I could attend. {But lots of other things happening, and you know - kids to look after and stuff like that. So, I hope those who are going have a wonderfully marvellous time}.

* all images used with thanks from India Flint's website. Visit her blog as well.

my journey in Peppermint Mag

The latest issue of Peppermint Mag has a little story on the journey I took, earlier this year, to New Zealand. 

I had the pleasure of writing about my amazing week-long workshop with India Flint, wandering in fields and forests. Sometimes when you experience something you are just there, and sometimes you have time to reflect about it. Sometimes you write about it. But very rarely do you get to publish it in such a beautiful magazine, where your own personal journey is as important as the inspiring artist you are spending time with.

I am especially proud of myself for not only having written the words, but also being able to produce some photographs that Kelley (Peppermint's founding editor) thought worthwhile to print. Little things like that just make me smile with pride - you know what I mean?

If you haven't heard of Peppermint yet, then where have you been living for the past year! Peppermint is first and foremost an eco fashion magazine, where the design and content and quality sit perfectly alongside the green and eco credentials. Where being green isn't enough - you also have to be pretty amazing at what you do.

I love that despite every single obstacle that has jumped in front of the Peppermint team, they have continued to stick to their ideals and not succumb to the easy way out. Often, when situations prove to be long, arduous, difficult, even sickness-inducing, most people slip on the original reasons they started something. They allow other things to take over, they go the easy way. And, really, I'm not saying this is at all bad. Sometimes that's the only option - it's a hard world out there for those of us trying to run our business, let alone in an ethical manner. 

All credit to Kelley for sticking to her green thinking in every way. Peppermint is the only magazine of it's kind - self published, water-less printing process, recycled paper, every single advertisement you find in the magazine is held to the same ideals and ethics as the articles. I so appreciate that when I read the magazine, I know that I can trust that every single page (articles + the absolutely necessary - in terms of actually making some sort of survival) to fit within the parameters of being eco, organic, fair trade, local, and/or ethically made. 

Every single part of Peppermint Mag is made with heart. From first to last page. From the many countless hours sourcing the best and greenest of fashion and beauty (and all the rest!),  to the dedicated weeks putting the artistic talent into the gem that Peppermint is, to the tireless days sending your little mag right to your hand.

These are just a few reasons I feel extremely privileged to be part of Peppermint, if only in such a small way.

Subscriptions to Peppermint start at only $44Au per year. What a small investment to spend on your green fashion future. Or you can buy individual issues over at Leeloo (including back issues), or ask your local newsagent.

And, if you think that you're not into fashion, well this mag is still for you. The in-depth articles are well researched and written - giving you info about sustainable fabrics and dyeing, organic yummies, art, music, homes, and many other beautiful toxic-free living. The photos and illustrations are beautiful, whimsical and simply lovely to look at.

easing back in

i am not doing a terribly terrific job of easing back into "life after holiday"

11 days without kids,
without having to cook, clean or look after myself

oh - it's hard to come home to the noise and mess and life of a home with two busy little ones

since flying back home on Tuesday morning, i've barely been at home at all
no time to unpack a suitcase, heaving with dirty washing, dyed fabrics and memories of time away
no time to email new made friends, or catch up with old friends
barely time to even look at my photos

so today, Saturday, i've had to say no to a few things so that i can settle into the week afresh, tidy the house, and clear my mind ready to make all those 11-days of dreaming come to life. {tidy my desk and work room as well, ready for lots of new work to be designed and produced}.

here's some images from my time away in NZ.
i'll be back later this weekend with an account of my time spent on that beautiful organic farm, amongst apple and pear trees, sleeping in that sweet little caravan, finding wind blown treasures to wrap up in the luscious wool and silk fabric and simmer and boil in the pot of leaves.

India in New Zealand

I have just booked a workshop with an amazing textile artist.
India Flint uses found, collected, 'windblown' leaves, flowers, natural colours to dye and manipulate fabric. Mainly using wool and silk, she produces pieces that just sing.
Well, they make my heart sing when I look at them. And my head jump with ideas, and thoughts, and new works.
To be honest, I don't know a whole lot about India Flint - not much more than gleamed from her website, blog and briefly looking through her book (which Sylve owns).
But those images are enough for me.
The workshop is in New Zealand, a place I have never visited, though have longed to see. I'll be spending almost a week on an organic farm, wandering the fields searching for leaves and pieces to make into natural dyes.
Almost a week, spending time with myself and others with similar interests. No kids. Just my own journalling and thoughts and ideas and notebooks. And of course the wild organic farm.

And, by coincidence, talking with my dad on the phone last night. He has just been spending time looking at India Flint's website, so he got all excited for me about the workshop {well, as excited as my dad gets}.

Now, I'm off to book flights and organise visiting my dear dear (old school) friend who has just moved back to NZ, from the UK, and who I haven't seen for about 6+ years.