metremade

Finders Keepers Market this weekend!

2010-06-24T08:08:00.002+10:00

Hello, for anyone who still pops by here occasionally... I'll be selling a few Metremade wares at this weekend's Finders Keepers Market in Brisbane! More details here. Hope to see you there!

tess

Thanks and goodbye from Metremade!

2010-04-19T14:49:00.001+10:00

Hello,

Well as you may have noticed it's been pretty quiet on the Metremade blog this year!

While we remain great friends and passionate about textile design, Liz and I have decided to move onto new creative endeavours... you can see what Liz is up to at her new blog Bling Me a Rainbow, and what I'm working on at my blog. I am still running the Creative Women's Circle in Melbourne and my business.

Metremade might pop up at a few local and interstate markets this year selling our bits and pieces, so keep an eye on our blogs for news about that.

A big thankyou to everyone who ever bought our products, commented on our blog and encouraged our designs. We heart the blog world and hope you enjoy our new projects!

x tess (& liz)

season's greetings from us

2009-12-21T15:11:00.001+11:00

Well we're winding down the year here at Metremade... Liz is in sunny Qld/NSW and I'm enjoying the last few days of work before a 2.5-week 'staycation' in Melbs.

Until 2010...

2009-12-10T15:36:00.002+11:00

This Saturday! Come and visit, we'll be under a tree outside Kenso station.

SALE! 30% off Grippiks in December

2009-12-08T16:38:00.001+11:00

Grippiks accents applied to various IKEA furniture items.

Grippiks™ are having a pre-Christmas sale...get in now for 30% off all accents!

The patterns! Top row - Urban Vine; Middle row - April Gust; Bottom row - Assembly.

top 5... getting festive

2009-12-04T12:55:00.003+11:00

So, I'm not so much into the traditional Christmas hoo-ha... tinsel, blah. Santa, meh. But the things I do like about this time are the happy social events, the warmer weather, the 'giving spirit' of the season, and decorations as long as they're nicely designed! Observe:

1. Prabal Gurung's simple yet classy set of looks for SS'10 - knee-length skirts! Flat shoes! A sense of modesty! This is a runway look I could pull off.

2. Decorations that aren't holiday specific... from apartment therapy.

3. Softies for Mirabel 2009! Soft toys for kids who might not get much this Christmas, courtesy of Meet Me At Mikes. So cute. Love the 'find the...' shop window game too...

4. The tree IS the decoration, thanks to Buro North... I have a tiny Rindd tree from 2007 which I love, although the Frigg is very cool too.

5. OK, perhaps a little sparkle is OK. My headband love continues.

Now to update that Xmas list...

Pics: NY Times, Meet Me At Mikes, Elephantine

metremade market wares!

2009-11-29T15:59:00.012+11:00

Yes it is melbourne market season again. How many are there this year? A million? Something like that. We will be making an appearance at only two, however.

Sunday 6 December
Yarraville Market
10-3pm
Masonic Hall
Cantebury St, Yarraville

and........

Saturday 12 December
Market 3031
10-4pm
Cnr Bellair St and Macaulay Rd
Kensington

(blank for any occasion!)

Hope to see you there!

...for you to DIY!

(All items pictured will be for sale at our upcoming markets, but get in quick!)

Liz's christmas top 5

2009-11-27T15:53:00.003+11:00

What! I thought everyone put Marni shoes on there christmas list??? (size 39 incase anyone was wondering)

1. Marni hot amazing shoes at the outnet
2. The latest Westwood Melissa range is right up my alley.
3. Sportsgirl stud earrings
4. Archipelago scented candle from Kit
5. How adorable is this ban.do bow head ban, I'm loving the bow right now, all bows are welcome

friday 5... sort of!

2009-11-20T22:41:00.005+11:00

ok, so i haven't been trawling the interwebs much because of work, but i totally forgot to post about my fabric scores from my recent trip to japan. behold!

my favourite find... sou sou!

can a fabric tell a story? i think so...

mostly tokyo hands bargain bin!

heavy canvas...

fat quarters galore... i found them at okadaya in shinjuku... the shop girl could sense my excitement and all I could say was 'Do you accept Visa?' :)

Top 5 look alive

2009-11-13T15:28:00.002+11:00

1.Stumbled upon this fantastic blog: street etiquette, for all my man styling needs
2.These handmade baby mobiles from jodie petite chose are absolutely adorable
3.I am in love with this Gold-lined quail egg by Stephanie Simek, its so delicate and beautiful, available at Oye Modern
4.Seamstres, a cute new blog that I have started reading
5.I do love an overpiced shoe:) My latest Burberry Prorsum Crush at Net-a-porter
liz

tess' post-japan top 5!

2009-11-06T11:39:00.006+11:00

So I'm back from 2 weeks in Japan... lovely weather, lovely people, and enough goodies to fill a suitcase to it's limits (including the world's most bizarre souvenir from a holiday- a jaffle/waffle/panini all-in-one sandwich press...!).

While I eat tasty cheese triangles, here's my trip-inspired top 5:

My favourite homewares/furniture shop: Unico! Beautiful furniture and homewares with a distinct mid-century scandinavian flavour, and all so small to fit into compact Japan residences. I stumbled upon this place in back street of Tokyo, but they have locations all over Japan.

My favourite fabric shop: Sou Sou! They do clothes and fabrics, and their contemporary designs on cottons and linens are divine.

My favourite odd discovery: The japanese make spectacularly good croissants. Light, buttery, flaky, crunchy, perfection. Who would have thought??

My favourite cafe: A-Z cafe, an homage to Yoshitomo Nara.

My favourite place to spend my money: Loft and Nippori textile town!

Top 5

2009-10-16T16:53:00.002+11:00

Top 5
1. Its time to think about getting a new calendar, this one featured over at Oh Joy is my current favorite
2. Everyone is talking about them...now I love a good shoe but I have to draw the line somewhere!!!
3. One of my very favorite bloggers just got married, I have very much enjoyed looking at the beautiful photos.
4. Regretsy self explanatory, very very funny.
5. Models off duty, don’t know why I find this so interesting.

Top 5

2009-10-02T17:28:00.003+10:00

Top 5

1. I'm feeling pretty proud... you can get my design printed on a Mattt Bag from there website!
2. Beautiful photography by Julian Wolkenstein, for some reason I really adore this horse print above.
3. Bit of Melbourne pride, oh what a fashionable city!
4. Honestly is this Peter Alexander jumpsuit not the cutest bed wear EVER!!!
5. The latest collection to my daily reads, R-A-W shoe....straight from the runway to you.

friday 5

2009-09-25T11:07:00.002+10:00

Lots of things to love this week...

1. I love things like this. I can see people actually filling up the pages of 'artists', 'designers', perhaps 'chefs' and 'poets'... but Estate Agents? Lawyers!? The whole thing has an air of David Sedaris about it that I love. Also I think I found the answer to every single person I know's christmas present this year (c'mon, they even have Publishers I've Met and Liked - perfect for the world's hardest person to buy for!)

2. 52 Suburbs. Love this idea - what a unique way to show Sydney's 'design' side!

3. Love these brighly coloured purses and bags from Mia Accessories

4. I followed a link to Colour Me Katie the other day. What a rad person! I've always loved Improv Everywhere and seems she is involved somehow.

5. I love my new brooch from Mainichi - it's like this one. The other day I told someone it's 'like me in a brooch'. Sturdy, natural, stylish and a square :)

Pix - 52 Suburbs, Mia Accessories, Archie Grand

Top 5

2009-09-18T12:15:00.004+10:00

1. My friends fabulous new Label Alabakov has been featured over at one of my favorite blogs, Lady Melbourne
2. I have always been in two minds about novel wine labels.... I love this one, helps that the wine is delicious!
3. Even people with really small outdoor areas can have cool pot plants.
4. This flapper girl drawings are super sweet and you can buy them at Etsy.
5. I have been dreaming of a green comme de garcon wallet for some time now, this red one has thrown a spanner in the works!
liz

Friday 5

2009-09-11T10:53:00.002+10:00

1. I'm planning for my big craft-tacular adventure... 1 month to go!

2. Hey, company-that-is-taking-over-Melbourne-trains! How about hiring us to decorate our train stations likeLotta Kuhlhorn in Denmark!

3. I know it's Spring, but I'm dreaming up quilt designs (see #1!). This one is cute!

4. Spring time means spring home projects. I'm consistently impressed by the DIY projects of Jenny from Little Green Notebook.

5. As much as I like Rubie Green's textiles, I wish more that I had the life of the girl in these pictures! She looks like she's on permanent staycation in NYC in spring. Bliss!

Pics - Rubie, Jenny, J & Lotta

Top 5

2009-09-04T16:11:00.004+10:00

1. Flipping through the latest magazine at work, my heart skipped a beat or two when I saw this super but Chloe Bow shoes.
2. Kate Spade, does clothes and does them well! I want this spotty number!!
3. The wall hooks make me think about the house I one day hope to live in.
4. You probably don't know this but I am, in fact "Wild about Whippets".
5. Walking past a bar near my house a few nights ago I was VERY impressed to see some new artwork through the window, then Lucy from the Design Files posted and told me a bit about it, thanks for that!

Friday 5 - Sydney edition!

2009-08-29T17:32:00.002+10:00

Well Sydney was a blast... I haven't visited in years and this time made sure to stray away from the city centre and deep into the more 'chic' suburbs. While Sydney may not have the quantity of amazing eateries and chic shopping outlets as our dear Melbourne, the quality is still there. Here are my faves!

1. Koskela - not only did I want to buy everything, but I could have imagined myself just living and working right there if it was my home.

2. Darlinghurst! Our home for 4 days... such a pretty suburb.

3. Mongers at Bondi - Off the main strip and the best chips I've had in a long time.

4. Boon chocolates... delicious drops of heaven, in random but delicious flavour combinations! (Thanks to Not Quite Nigella for that tip!)

5. Bourke St Bakery... out last eatery pit stop and the best coffee of the trip (apparently).

Images from Koskela, Boon and Bourke St Bakery. Yumm!

Top 5

2009-08-21T15:48:00.003+10:00

1. These keys are so cool, I would wear one as a necklace.
2.Speaking of necklaces, this is an old post but... May we never run out of storage ideas!
3.Yay for late notice work trips to San Francisco!! My favourite little San Fran blog
4.Check out this amazing jewellery by Iossolliani featured on the Sea of Ghosts Blog
5.I have my eye on one of these flamingo pins.....what can I say, I heart the flamingo!!

top 5

2009-08-14T16:00:00.000+10:00

Well I didn't get around to posting this last friday due to market crazyprep, and Liz is galavanting around San Fran this week on a work-funded shopping trip! So here's my top 5 atm...

1. Lucky - an amazing stop-animation video clip for All India Radio by Darcy Pendergast... the sheer volume of work that must have gone into this boggles the mind!

2. Laptop sleeve. I need one, and this is so cute. Plus the 'TP' signature has special meaning for me! (via Oh Joy)

3. I like how this place categorises teatowels as 'kitchen fashion'.

4. This artist is 12. TWELVE YEARS OLD. Why are tweens so uber talented these days??

5. Ay yiy yiy - Tastespotting. I just found this hub of recipes from around the blog world. Oh man, am I glad it's the weekend (I have weekday eating rules and weekend not-so-many-rules. It's complicated!!)

Vote for new Grippiks patterns

2009-08-10T16:10:00.003+10:00

We have designed a bunch of new Grippiks patterns for their upcoming Kids range - you have the chance to vote on which ones will be printed! Vote here now!

Metremade @ Thread Den Market, this sunday!

2009-08-05T09:29:00.002+10:00

Woohoo! We're finally launching our new range of fabrics and things-made-from-fabric at the Thread Den Market, this sunday 9 August (10am-2pm)!

Come and visit!

10am-2pm
Lithuanian Club
44 Errol St, North Melbourne
(57 tram!)

image - a little sneak peak of our new range!

Top 5

2009-07-31T09:28:00.005+10:00

1. I saw this awhile ago at the pipeline.... made me laugh out loud!
2.My boyfriend has recently grown one of these.
3."Chirm" (the bird above) purchased from "AFTER" on Therry street opposite the vic markets... GOLD.
4.Mattt bags, a melbourne staple, check out there amazing new space on Gertrude Street!
5.A super cute blog I just discovered, much love
liz

top 5!

2009-07-24T12:57:00.001+10:00

The State of Design festival in Melbourne is winding up, but here are my top 5 loves from the (This is not a) Design Market and DesignMadeTrade last weekend!

1. I love typographic totes from Lola and Bailey.

2. I love tea and toast from Victoria Mason

3. I love everything from BernabeiFreeman

4. I love badges and brooches from Foundry and InSyncDesign

5. I love Melbourne for being such a design-loving city in the first place!

Pics from bernabeifreeman, Lola and Bailey, Victoria Mason, and InSync

top 5

2009-07-10T09:53:00.000+10:00

Geez it's friday again. Time for some top 5 action!

1. I know this is not real, but I would love to see Bottle Rocket on the big screen!

2. Shout-out to Kelly at Catacomb... she is on top of the blogging thing all right - and finds some great stuff!

3. Speaking of blogs, here's a good one if you want to spend a weekend visiting the little hideaway gems of urban melbourne and then tell your friends you 'discovered' them ;)

4. Saw this on the weekend... will endeavour to see the exhib at No Vacancy soon too (note, they are NOT open on Sundays even though their website says they are)!

5. Designer/Illustrator/Typographer inspiration of the week - Jessica Hische! (via)

top 5

2009-06-26T10:32:00.000+10:00

1. I have been watching episodes of Dialogue all week... as a freelancer it's great to hear others discuss the big issues! So glad I found it!

2. I have coveted Kareem Risk's work for quite sometime, and will hopefully be the owner of this little guy v. soon!

3. Headbands! Ah, yeh, I'm a little obsessed (see my last top 5!). Not even so much with wearing them, just they way they look. I like these (though the mannequins are freakishly real-looking!)

4. Social sewing night at Thread Den was v. fun. I ate a lot of my two favourite sugary sweet goods - cupcakes and banana bread - and I'm sure that had an effect on the speed of my knitting :) Hope there is another one soon!

5. Ever wanted to find artists who also blog? Check out Artists who Blog! Genius.

Clockwise - Kareem Risk, apol lejano massebieau via artists who blog, Adelaide by Tulet

Top 5

2009-06-19T16:42:00.004+10:00

1. Who would of guessed the wonders of washing up gloves, Im so impressed by Min-Ji CHO's Jewellery.

2. Artstick has some seriously cool decals but I especially love this Vinyl clock.

3. If you can imagine it you can put it on your wall supersized.

4. The Sally Bag!! It should be illegal its so expensive...... its an investment.

5. So have you ever thought about donating blood? 1 donation can save up to 3 lives!

top 5

2009-06-12T18:00:00.004+10:00

brrr... it's been cold and rainy like a mofo this week... i'm more than a little jealous of our blogging buddies in the northern hemisphere with their daily posts about summer fashion and garden makeovers ;)

anyway here's my top 5 finds for the week:

1. Workroom - Awesome NZ furniture and homewares! (Via D*S)

2. Winter outfits often need a pop of colour - try these brooches from Mainichi!

3. One day I will build a house like this, pre-fab style... pods are can be added and subtracted as needed... how awesome.

4. DIY ruffles are taking over the world of handmade fashion. Love this headband! Though the colour is a tad 'big bird'... :)

5. Rad mirrors and little tables - and other cool things at Uncommon!

Images from here, here and here.

Top 5

2009-06-05T15:30:00.009+10:00

1. My friend has just launched her own label Alabakov!! She is amazing, I's so proud of her!!

2. Cutest Bikini EVER!! Reminds me of warmer day when I wasn't frezzing my bum off in Melbourne

3. The Pixie Market is super cool!!! I want it all! The product shots are styled so well too.

4. This is an amazing mission, I admit I love wedding...read it and I guarantee it will make you smile at the very least.

5. Designista...."Shop for unique design online" they stock some seriously rad things!

top 5

2009-05-29T09:30:00.000+10:00

Kkaarrlls chair installation via Yolksy; New York by Kat Macleod; Images from KatieDid

1. Yolksy is a blog I've discovered recently, heaps of cool and quirky interior and furniture posts.

2. Suddenly is seems half of Melbourne has up and left for a holiday in New York City. I don't blame them, at this time of year NY is beautiful! (Kat Macleod print available here)

3. Pattern love: Micah Lidberg

4. I saw Amy from Moyou at the recent Sister's Market in Brunswick and really loved her jewellery. She's from our nation's captial - check it out!

5. Katie lives in NYC in a tiny apartment, and makes THE. MOST. AWESOME. clothes for her two young daughters. I am SO jealous of their wardrobes. Katie, you are a talent! Please make dresses for grown-ups!

Top 5

2009-05-22T11:07:00.005+10:00

1. Amazing House of Baulch bling found at the modamuse blog!

2. My friend just got engaged and as a result I have been pouring over wedding stuff, I love these wedding photos, her dress!!! his tie!!!

3. Lady Melbourne is the latest addition to my daily reads.

4. My memory is not what it used to be.... actually it always been pretty dodgy! These Rats cards could be my new best friend.

5. I'm getting on the ruffle scarf bandwagon... its a great place to be.

Creative Women's Circle - Saturday 23 May

2009-05-18T17:54:00.002+10:00

The next Creative Women's Circle, featuring the fantastic Shannon Lamden, a.k.a. Aunty Cookie (and a fabric swap!) takes place this coming Saturday!

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Saturday 23rd May
10am - 12 midday
MARS Gallery
418 Bay Street, Port Melbourne (corner Raglan St)
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I personally have a whole bag of fabric to give to new homes...

top 5

2009-05-15T12:20:00.001+10:00

Here are some things that have caught my eye this week...

1. Awesome indoor/outdoor office in Madrid. I doubt public transport would go anywhere near it, but what a lovely place to work!

2. Slowly researching for my end-of-year Japan excursion... found a new blog this week, Pretty Pretty Yum Yum.

3. I went off reality game shows a while back but on a whim I've decided to start watching Project Runway again. It's exactly what I needed to get me back into a sewing mood!

4. I like reading about the people behind the craft/design. Especially here, here and here

5. Looking forward to the Creative Women's Circle in a little under 2 weeks, featuring Aunty Cookie and a fabric swap! I have a whole bag full of stuff to swap away...

Images from Man Make Home, Aunty Cookie and Pretty Pretty Yum Yum.

Grippiks at the Sydney Home Show

2009-05-14T14:48:00.003+10:00

Just had to post this pic of Grippiks at the Sydney Home Show last week. Yay!

Via www.grippiks.com. Read more about our involvement with Grippiks here.

top 5

2009-05-11T15:31:00.002+10:00

The (non-swine) flu took me down last week so I have been a bit behind, hence my Friday top 5 post only making an appearance now!

1. The winner is Sydney, I have just returned from a weekend visiting family and friends, it was so great, beautiful weather! Ferry rides across the harbor!

2. It might be a bit of a wait until it arrives in Australia, I'm hanging out to smell the new Marc Jacobs smell....Lola, the bottle design is so cool!

3.This wood and silver jewelry featured over at She Breathes is calling my name.

4. Some great street shots from the recent Sydney fashion week.

5. I have just bought my super orginised sister in law a present from Kikki-K, I never knew there were so many stationary items I so desperately needed!

Friday 5

2009-04-30T20:54:00.004+10:00

Here's some things that have kept me distracted this week from the very sudden cold that has struck ol' Melbourne town!

1. Colour combo inspiration @ Holly Color

2. I know everyone already knows PoppyTalk, but I hadn't visited in a while since the new site design went up. Awesome!

3. How nice is the T2 website? Almost as cool as their stores. Nice photography and efficient flash.

4. I'm knitting a scarf (lessons courtesy of Thread Den)! My first attempt at a scarf was getting me down and so I made it into a tea-cosy for my mini teapot instead. But thanks to Liz's tip (thicker needles, thicker wool), I'm almost half finished.

5. I love blogs, but I just don't think Twitter is interesting... am I wrong? If you feel the same, you'll find this video hilarious!

Top 5...look alive

2009-04-24T15:26:00.003+10:00

1. My amazing friend Anna now has a blog!!! Its only the beginning but there are some great photos of her beautiful Jewelry.

2. The Sartorialist and Garance Dore are in Australia, get your sunday best on and hit the streets!

3. Im currently considering investing in a wall mural, I am a big fan, just a bit nervous about attacking the wall.

4. Topshop is having a sale... get on board!!

5 I saw this Kristen Doran Backstitching pattern in my blog trawling the other day, the perfect mothers day gift.

Friday 5

2009-04-16T15:51:00.005+10:00

It's friday (yay) and it's my turn for a top 5!

1. I currently use my mobile phone as my alarm clock, and this is just not very stylish (nor safe for my brain apparently, if you accidentally watched 60 Minutes like I did a few weeks ago). I am looking for a new alarm clock and I love this one found at Pulp. Love!

2. Jo @ Desire to Inspire did a mammoth blog guide over Easter and my bookmarks grew quite a bit. I particularly like this blog all about bookcases.

3. Kuwaii (pictured inset - supercute top!)

4. More awesome Pantone stuff to collect.

5. Awesome illustrations by James Gulliver Hancock (pictured)

tess

Top 5

2009-04-09T16:03:00.003+10:00

This is the first of Metremade's "top 5" Tess and I will be taking it in turns to post our weekly 5 favourite things, hope you see something you like!

1. Matina Amanita, first there was the Globetrotters now there is Mount Olympus....apparetnly she can do no wrong.

2. Easter is upon us and my love of the hot cross bun is once again in the spotlight, I have done some research and my verdict for best in show is Sugardough, 163 Lygon St, East Brunswick.

3. Oh Willow... If there were dresses made of dreams I'm pretty sure this is it!

4. Five Boroughs!!! My one stop present shop, so many cute things and a blog to check out what's new.

5. My new blog find is Karlas closet. She pairs her vintage finds with high street knock-outs and adds a touch of that ever-eclectic LA style. Watch this space!

liz x

Metremade for Grippiks

2008-12-04T12:44:00.002+11:00

Some of you may have read about it at a few places around the blogosphere, but we thought its about time to put something up here about our collaboration with Grippiks™!

Grippiks accents applied to various IKEA furniture items.

In February this year, Grippiks™ approached Liz and myself to design the decorative patterns that would become their range of 'accents' for IKEA furniture. You can read all about them (and see the results in the 'Inspiration Gallery') at www.grippiks.com.

The pattern designs are printed on a fantastic new paper that adheres with suction, rather than sticky adhesive. And the paper is pre-cut to size for popular IKEA furniture items. So that means you can peel and re-stick as many times as you like without damaging your IKEA furniture item or the accent! It's genius, really.

Being involved in the Grippiks project was a great insight into design and marketing a pattern-based product for a global market, and we are extremely happy with the results. We hope you are too. Now you can have a little bit of metremade in your home or office all the time!

The patterns! Top row - Urban Vine; Middle row - April Gust; Bottom row - Assembly.

Metremade @ market3031 tomorrow!

2008-11-21T16:42:00.002+11:00

Come and see and buy!
10-4pm
Scout Hall
55 McCracken St
Kensington, VIC 3031

Map

Kim's lamp

2008-05-27T15:49:00.005+10:00

A while back Kim from Desire to Inspire (one site that features in my Blogs:Everyday favourites folder) bought some of our Take the Tube in green to cover a lamp. I was so pleased to see today her post of her own abode, featuring said lamp! Yay!

Kim's lamp covered in Take the Tube

Other cool pics from Kim's house!

Tess

desktops in action

2008-02-29T11:18:00.005+11:00

more shoutouts to those who have taken our desktops wallpapers and put them to work! LifeFlix, Journey from Ethiopia and Amelia Mae - we thank you!

tess' stamp project - part 3

2008-01-19T15:27:00.000+11:00

So it's been a while between drinks with my stamp project, but I assure you I have only been spending time looking to make this a happy, successful stamp post - but unfortunately it is not!

Last time I posted I was about to try my 3rd type of stamp material - some green flexible rubber bought in the "lino printing" section of an art supply store. I was reeeeally hoping this one would work because it was so nice and easy to cut into!

Unfortunately, I think my problem either lies with technique (maybe it's just me!?), or with needing a rubbery material that ink will adhere to in an even way, instead of inky clumps and non-inky clumps.

I tried printing this time on nice, coarse brown paper as i thought perhaps there was an issue with the coating of some papers and fabrics. I don't think it made much of a difference though.

I even had another attempt at the school eraser rubber (I wanted to make wrapping paper for a certain someone's birthday!), and this did work well in some areas, but less well in others.

I'm still yet to find some kind of DIY stamp-carving "kit"... so until then I might focus on other printmaking options!

---------

Meanwhile can I just say thanks to Liz for being a super-poster recently. I have been working on a metremade website! Hopefully online this coming week. Stay tuned!

tess

tess' stamp project - part 2

2007-11-19T16:57:00.000+11:00

well it was a disappointing outcome to my weekend's attempt at successful DIY stamping.

i had 2 methods in mind for my little leaf stamps made last week from 'Ezy carve' rubber. i didn't mention it in part 1, but carving these stamps wasn't necessarily much easier than what i remember lino to be like. And when i thought about it, the texture wasn't exactly rubbery like, say, an eraser. also, the surface was shinier... i thought prior to stamping that i didn't think ink would adhere to a shiny surface in they way a stamp would require.

seems my suspicions were correct... here are the results with stamp pad ink:

the ink just didn't want to adhere evenly to the surface of the stamp.

maybe this product is better for traditional lino-like printing with the thick sticky ink and proper rolling press. but it didn't work here.

i was determined to try it with another substance though, and using what i had at home i mixed up an acrylic (water-based) paint and gave that a try.

because the paint was thick it was hard to keep it out of the grooves of the stamp. a slightly better result but still not desireable in any way...

onto plan B. thinking i needed something more rubbery with a coarser outside texture, over to the $2 shop i went and purchased these...

carving neatly into these erasers was actually hard because the rubber was SO easy to cut into. plus, the size was limiting. it would be hard to find commercial erasers any larger than this i think...

... which is fine because as you can see from the results, it's still not perfect. the eraser rubber held regular stamp in more consistently on paper, but was slippery with paint.

as i said - disappointing!

i have another option up my sleeve for part 3 though. an alternative to lino blocks that i found at dean's art... now this stuff is really flexible and rubbery...

tess' stamp project - part 1

2007-11-13T19:25:00.000+11:00

christmas is coming and probably my favourite thing about it after wrapping presents is making people gifts (as opposed to buying people stuff from their 'lists'... where's the fun in that for me!?).

designing people bolts of hand screenprinted metremade fabric would be lovely, but it would send us broke. unfortunately neither liz or myself have the capacity to set up screen printing facilities at our own homes just yet, so i've decided to start experimenting on a smaller scale printing on paper and fabric with handmade stamps.

when I first thought of making my own stamps, i figured that it would be an easy process - surely DIY stamp making kits would be everywhere (have you seen the volume of stuff associated to the hobby of scrapbooking!?). but alas, I either didn't look very hard (a coupla stationery stores, an eckersley's, handworks and a spotlight) or the craft world is not enamoured by the possibilities of DIY stamping.

overhearing a conversation i was having on the train about my unsuccessful stamp pursuits, a girl noted that she too was interested in the possibility of DIY stamps!

so, over the next little while i'm going to document how I'm going to go about making my own stamps, and the products that I'm using and how successful they are.

PART 1!

Previously I had considered making stamps from lino, when i remembered the callouses i got on my hands as a youngster carving lino's in art classes. then i read about Ezy carve print blocks, which are apparently made from rubber. 'Much easier to carve than lino' they say. And rubber, well, the stamps i bought recently from Zetta Florence feel rubbery, so it sounds promising.

I have started small, carving these two small leaf designs (from this pattern) from some Ezy Carve rubber, then gluing them to some pieces of balsa wood (i painted the balsa wood in the hope that it would keep those tiny fuzzy splinters at bay).

I'm yet to start stamping, stay tuned for part 2...