Tuesday 4 December 2012

Pre-Christmas Felt Vessel Sale!



I've been digging around amongst my felt collection and have decided it's time to give some of my vessels an opportunity to find new homes.

I made these vessels for my Honours Undergrad Project at COFA. I was thinking a lot about how material objects can convey a sense of home - the comforting, accepting, cocooning feelings.

I'll be posting more felt goodies up this week, so these are just for starters! Pop over to the Feeling Fuzzy Etsy Store!

x Emma

Monday 3 December 2012

An interview with Pia Jane Bijkerk for Country Style...

I'm sure most of you know Pia Jane Bijkerk's beautiful blog, books and styling? If not, you are in for a treat... Pia has a magnificent eye for the small wonders in this world.

I was lucky enough to be interviewed by Pia for the section she writes for the Country Style blog. You'll get a little insight into my recent work, inspiration and background.

Oh, and have you seen Pia's beautiful section she puts together for the Country Style magazine? Just lovely.

Image from Pia's Book Store


Tuesday 20 November 2012

Drum Roll for the Felt Ball Rug!

Holding_FeltRug

Stitch_FeltRug

Wilton_FeltRug

Slightly embarrassingly, I started making this Felt Ball Rug two years ago. Two years? Yes. Two years. November 2010. You might remember this post mid-way through the making... No? Well, neither do I... that was one year ago. A lot happens in one year... and a lot of nothing happens in one year, particularly when one has the habit of stopping and starting projects willy-nilly.

When I purchased 8000 felt balls, this kind of rug was a rarity. I think Anthropologie had a nice looking one out last year... but now... I see them everywhere! Not quite the same as mine, but still.

Never-the-less, I am proud to announce that I am literally days away from finishing this guy up. Just a few more stitches and this rug will be ready to adorn our living room. I must admit that it's only two-thirds the size that I had originally planned (thank-you to my sister who pointed out there was no way a bigger rug was going to work in said room). But despite this small change, I'm quite happy with how it is looking.

From the above photo you might thing that Wilton just loves sitting a top of these balls. The reality is, since he ate, digested and pooped one of the balls out, he's steered clear of the rug and was forced to sit on it for the photo shoot.

Speaking of photos, my marvellous sister Hannah took all of the above. She is super talented and very generous to make time to take shots of my work. I'm going to invite her back once it is all done and dusted for a final capture of TWO YEARS of procrastination and a bit of stitching results in.

Friday 16 November 2012


Festive Felt Workshop in Sydney!

This is more exciting than the count down to actual Christmas!
My workshop at Koskela is coming up very soon and I'd love to see you there if you're in Sydney on Sunday 25th November.
I'm gathering lots of materials for us to make lovely felted Christmas Garlands and Bon Bons.
Stay posted for more updates and go here to book yourself a place.

x Emma.

Workshop Details
Sunday, 25th November :: 10.30 – 12.30 / ALL AGES
Cost: $60.00: all materials provided
TO BOOK: info@koskela.com.au / or / (02) 9280 0999
85 Dunning Ave
Rosebery NSW 2018

Wednesday 14 November 2012

Emily Heath: Jewellery

Looking at Emily Heath's jewellery is keeping me inspired. She has an exhibition on at Gaffa Gallery, Sydney so I'm looking forward to seeing the pieces in the flesh.

I'm in the midst of writing a paper. Writing has never been my first love, but slowly the forming sentences and placing of words is reminding me of craft-making a little more. Starting to feel a little less daunted by the process.

Emily Heath: Illuminate


Gaffa Gallery
15 - 26 November, 2012
281 Clarence Street, Sydney CBD, NSW 2000 

Monday-Friday 11am-6pm 
Saturday 11am-5pm 
Sunday and Public Holidays closed




Thursday 8 November 2012

Hello Singapore!

Well, it's actually 'so-long Singapore' as I write this post. Battling against bleary jet-lag may mean a bit of rambling today... The couch feels like it's moving underneath me, but I will persist!

Our five day trip had three purposes - having some tailor made shirts and suits stitched up for NP, to eat good food and to relax. All were accomplished, along with some sight-seeing ta'boot.

Highlights included our stay at The Fullerton Bay Hotel (the breakfast was a-mazing), The Little Drom Store, Supermamma, the Perikanan Museum and The Gardens by the Bay.

Some photos to illustrate:

 

 

Wednesday 7 November 2012

Koskela Festive Felt Workshop hosted by Feeling Fuzzy!

Hi there! I'm writing from Singapore where NP and I are wrapping up a very demanding holiday... the eating and relaxing really has to stop!

I have some exciting news... I'm very happy to announce my Festive Felt Workshop taking place at the end of November at Sydney's Koskela space (one of my favorite places to visit).

The workshop is open to both kids and adults for felt-making fun. We'll be stringing and decorating felt-ball garlands and rubbing and rolling Christmas Bon-Bon's to fill with your choice of treats. Perfect little presents for your friends and family.

If you have been wondering about felt-making this is a great introduction to wet-felting. It's a little less delicate than needle-felting, which is why I prefer this method. The merino fleece has a mind of it's own and happy mistakes lead to lovely soft pieces.

I hope you can join me for this fun day - spread the word if you know anyone that might be interested.

x Emma

Workshop Details

Sunday, 25th November :: 10.30 – 12.30 / ALL AGES

Cost: $60.00: all materials provided

TO BOOK: info@koskela.com.au / or / (02) 9280 0999

85 Dunning Ave

Rosebery NSW 2018

 

 

 

Thursday 18 October 2012

Textiles Workshops & Pop-Up Store, Sydney

A few of my talented COFA companions are having this very good-looking Pop-Up Store at Gaffa Gallery from the 12 - 17th November.

The workshops, ranging from zine-making to crochet are sure to be creatively inspiring. Make sure you book yourself a place!

Head over to Alex's site to do so.


Friday 5 October 2012

Work in Progress

My talented sister and I spent a Saturday at COFA hanging (me) and photographing (Hannah) the work I've completed so far for my Master of Design Degree.

It was great to see my work in progress on a white wall, hanging and interacting with their partner-designs.

The top samples are rust dye experiments, the large sample is an indigo-dyed felt. You might be able to see how breezy it was that day in Sydney!

Thanks Hannah for capturing the work for me with your unique eye.

Work in Progress - Photography by Hannah Morgan
Work in Progress - Photography by Hannah Morgan

Sunday 5 August 2012

COFA Exhibition Announcement: Art, Design, Textiles, Sculpture, Ceramics and More!

In two weeks I will be showing my work in progress at the COFA Half-A-Desk group show. It is the first time my small samples of felt and small drawings will be shown outside of my studio in the flesh.
It's also a great chance to see the work that goes on at The College of Fine Arts as there will be 59 other students with half a desk to fill with their creations.

Consider this your official invitation. Hope to see you there!



Friday 27 July 2012

Textile Trip to Melbourne

Stitch and dye sampler from Roz Hawker's Workshop.
A stitch and dye sampler created in Roz Hawker's workshop over two days.
A first glimpse of the rainbow shaped theme of the week.
 Last month I travelled from Sydney to Melbourne to attend India Flint and Roz Hawker's workshops that were part of Beautiful Silk's Natural Dye Symposium. This had been a long awaited trip to immerse myself in dyeing and stitching for three days. Heaven! And the best way to learn anything. I'm looking forward to trying out some of my learnings with my local vegetation. I have three bags of various bits and pieces at the ready to start the alchemy!

Waiting for my tram. Early morning Melbourne.
Waiting for my early morning Melbourne tram. A novelty for Sydney-siders!
The road trip from Sydney to Melbourne, via Beechworth.
Road tripping with a pit stop at Beechworth, Victoria.
The rainbow that greeted us on the day of departing Sydney. A good omen.
The rainbow that farewelled us from Sydney.
My lovely Sophie necklace that accompanied me most days on the trip.
The rainbows accompanied me most days via Sophie's lovely necklace gift.

Friday 29 June 2012

Publisher Textiles Sale - Today & Tomorrow

Untitled
Cushions from Publisher Textiles amazing sale @pubtextiles
Nabbedd myself some great cushions and printed fabric meterage at the Publisher Textiles Sale today. If you're in the area and pop by you are in for a treat!

Wednesday 27 June 2012

Walter G Pop Up Shop at Barometer Gallery, Paddington

Walter G Pop Up Store Walter G Pop Up Store

I had an invigorating conversation with Lauren and Genevieve from Walter G today. I scooted past their Pop Up Shop to see their beautiful products in person.

They were so generous in telling their stories of working with artisans in India where they live for 3 months of the year working to produce raw and beautifully patterned fabrics. Not only are they skilled textile and product designers with an amazing sense of aesthetic, but have deep knowledge of traditional block printing and dying and collaborative skills.

They are at Barometer Gallery until 1st July 2012 selling and chatting about their wares.

Barometer: 13 Gurner St Paddington.

Images 1 & 2: Emma Peters
Images 3, 4 & 5: Walter G

Monday 25 June 2012

Wondering Around Wandering by Mike Perry

Work So far... Monograph featuring a conversation with Ed Fella, and introductions by Jim Datz and James Victory


This book was an automatic boost of goodness. Thanks Mike Perry. What made it even greater was that I could borrow it from the COFA library. I love new books at the library. Hurrah for student life!

Wednesday 20 June 2012

Dumbo Feather Kickstarter Project

Untitled
My Dumbo Feather Collection.

I've subscribed myself and lots of friends over the years to this lovely magazine. It has provided much encouragement and insight into the big choice of following your "heart lines".

I've had a few pauses between subscriptions and I've always found myself missing the Dumbo Feather immersion. This can be identified by copious cups of tea, lounge sitting and a sprinkle of heart-warming Dumbo Feather happiness. I think some of my favourite interviews they have published have been with India Flint, eco-dyer and magic-maker, and Sabrina Ward-Harrison, artist and teacher. Beautiful encounters with creative and inspiring people.

This month Dumbo Feather is on Kickstarter in the hopes that they can start developing an iPad app. I hope they reach their goal as everything they do is full of integrity and beauty.

Friday 15 June 2012

Frank Chimero: The [Thrilling] Shape of Design


Earlier this month I went along to see Frank Chimero talk at the MCA as part of the Vivid Festival. Much of his thoughts on what makes good design resonated strongly with my own. His ability to package his thoughts into appealing narratives must certainly stem from his years working as a graphic designer and design strategist. 

I was particularly interested in Chimero's thoughts on writing, whether his design practice influenced his process, and how he found the process of writing. I got the chance to grab the microphone during question time to see if he ever found the flow that happens during the design process within the writing process.
It was quite comforting to know that he battled with wrangling the words into a finished book. 

Since the talk I've been flipping through the e-book version of "The Shape of Design" and furiously thinking about his approach.

Design Theory needs to be relevant, exciting, accessible, compelling, stirring, thought-provoking! So much of the musty-dusty journal articles out there are just so... mind-numbing. As a Design Lecturer it's quite difficult to motivate students to understand the mechanisms and methodologies of design without sending them to sleep. I'm going to be passing this book onto them as required reading. Something tells me that it's going to get some fresh young minds excited about their potential careers.


Emerging Work: Collecting, Pods, Growth, Felt, Wind

Signs of a productive weekend...
Signs of a productive weekend...Bursting at the seams...Morning WindfallThis morning's collection.Sprouted over night!The wind brings me new gifts everyday.
Pod SketchBerry Tree.What are you?Some strange things coming out of the felt house this morning...

Pods, Growth, Felt, Wind, a set on Flickr.

A collection of the little pieces that have been sprouting. The felt pieces are my way of thinking through some of the reading and research I have been soaking up for my Masters of Design. Ideas rubbing together.