An itch to scratch.

On Tuesday 18th September, I was acutely admitted to CHCH woman's hospital and booked for surgery at 8.30am the next day. Let's just say I was quite nervous and didn't sleep much the night before with the constant monitoring and noise. I had a longstanding issue that I could no longer ignore due to intense pain, and had a laparoscopic cystectomy done (yeah... go look that up). I'm not prone to Dr's visits, and am not a fan of pain killers or hospitals, but I could no longer ignore this one. 

It was a pretty major surgery removing a huge cyst (think large grapefruit size filling the left half of my pelvis) no complications on the day so that's good! (There have been a few hurdles since but am working through them!) The last thing I remember before falling asleep was looking up at the theatre lights. Then I woke up in recovery 2.5 hours later mumbling to the nurses some nonsense about a dream I'd had about surgery. (eek...was I awake for some of it ?) I can imagine they hear some funny things when people wake up! So 4 holes in my tummy later, I am resting up on my 5th day, and recovering at home in bed. It was my first surgery and hopefully my last! 

Hence this post. I'm itching to be creative, to do something fun or at least get some work done, but I can't. I'm confined to bed while I heal, and even if I wanted to get up and sneakily do some work when my hubby isn't looking, I can't!  I tried a quick trip to the kitchen to make a cup of tea today, and that had me back in bed dizzy & tired, for the rest of the afternoon. I've also got 3 kiddies whose new hangout spot has become my bed and so in between listening to stories about lego men or checking out new doll outfits,  I'm trying to stop my 2 yr old from kicking me in the tummy, and trying not to catch his vomiting bug (which he got the day I came home)

I'm just not used to sitting still or laying in bed for so long. I've read a wonderful book by Nancy Atherton, trawled through stumble to get a creative fix ( couldn't live with out my iPad right now!) and slept 100+ hours & even folding washing. It's times like this I wished I knitted, did crochet, sketched/ painted or something easily done while lying or sitting up in bed. Any ideas? I could be in bed for another week or so! 
I could do boring things like paperwork, and probably should, but that's not very exciting is it! ( and quite frankly I'm lacking the motivation to do that... and this post along took quite a while to write with regular breaks)

So in the meantime while you or I dream up things for me to do, here are some things I found over the last few days -to do with the kids or for yourself or just to inspire.

ENJOY!

Incredible artwork by Abby Diamond

Chocolate bowls by Bakerella

String balloons
(wrap string coated in PVA glue around a balloon)

Gorgeous Hand stitching by Freckled Nest

Paper Cup Garland from Hello Gorgeous

Map Garlands from Bookity

Most of these ideas are pretty self explanatory, but if you need any help with how to get started just ask.

So in the mean time, I'll continue to look at lovely things and try not to panic... I'm making my debut at two HUGE Christmas Fetes starting October 25th (Culverden Christmas Fete and the Geraldine Summer Fete) they are only 1 week apart and I really need to be rolling, cutting, shaping, smoothing, firing and glazing right now! Not to mention there is only 1 week left before School Holidays start, and I'll have 3 young kiddies with boundless energy bouncing around the house.

I didn't have any control over the timing of this surgery, but I guess it is better that it is over and done with, rather than living with the pain for a couple of months.

Talk soon x Gill

Wait for it.... Goodies to come!

That's right, if you know me, you'll know I LOVE giving things away. I love my business and it has blessed me so much. I get to do what I love, to create with clay and play with gorgeous glazes... the ideas are endless. 

Without all you lovely folk, my friends, supporters and customers I wouldn't be here today ( I know I've said that before but I truly mean it!)

So...I'm gearing up for a hugely busy season with stalls at big fetes like the Culverden Christmas Fete & the Geraldine Summer Fete (quietly panicking as they are a week apart!) and then Christmas markets in December and before it gets all mad around here I'd like to do something fun.

[All my markets are listed on my website HERE ] My next one is THIS friday  -  The Paparoa St School Hall Shop me Pretty.

 Entries will be open this Saturday for the giveaway and all the details will be up in a new post. I'll put the link up on my FB page Mudbird when we are all ready to go!

In the mean time... here is a taster with what's on OFFER :-)

xx Gill

Fine Fashion & Flair...

This week's 'Friday Finds' is a showcase of some fine New Zealand designers. These 3 ladies are an inspiration, and I know just how amazing their work is as I am lucky enough to own a piece or two!

When I look at the stunning handcrafted jewellery that Julia makes at Relique, I want it all! I LOVE her combination of Silver and Copper, all 100% handmade in Christchurch. I am lucky enough to have done quite a few markets alongside Relique Jewellery and have no problem helping to promote her beautiful work... 

(and am lucky enough to own a few pieces!)

These beautiful Forget Me Not Copper & Sterling Silver earrings are my new favorites.
Available on www.relique.co.nz.

 The label 'shelley d' is by Auckland based designer Shelley Dunn and her range of products are top quality. Shelley uses premium leather and other high quality fabrics in her designs and her craftsmanship is beautiful. I have one of her card holders.

This beautifully made Patent Nude Pink Clutch is just gorgeous, I haven't seen anything quite like it! 
Available from www.shelleyd.co.nz

 

Over on the West Coast of the South Island, Artist and Jeweller Fiona McDonald from Brightonmine creates stunning 

Enamel, Copper and Sterling Silver Jewellery. Fiona also paints, and I've seen a few of her paintings up close and I'd love one for my home. I have a pair of earrings like this in a deep blue.

 As these are in my favourite colour... 

how could I resist picking this pair to show you. 

Available from www.felt.co.nz/shop/brightonmine.

Till next time x Gill

Paua, Purses & Prints

Friday finds is a wee bit late this time. Started early but just didn't make it before midnight, but it is here anyway! 

Mel from Wildflower Designs makes the most stunning jewellery with a twist. Her use of beautiful New Zealand Paua shell and gorgeous pearls, polished beads and crystals is just stunning. 

Sweet Matilda's Felt shop is loaded with gorgeous upcycled goodies like this sweet crop jacket, There are also sweet aprons, dresses, bags, skirts and super cute clutch purses.

Cushions by Stacey have some wonderful fabric range, ready to  enhance your couch, chair or sofa! I'm particularly drawn to the Turquoise Bird prints... I wonder why! You can see all her fabrics on her Facebook page and ready to buy cushions in her Felt shop.

You can find links to their shops in the comment below the photos, and Facebook links here:

• www.facebook.com/wildflowernz
• www.facebook.com/SweetMatilda
• www.facebook.com/pages/Cushions-By-Stacey/284421874976646

Not sure if I'll have time next Friday to blog... I'll be up to my ears in last minute prep for the Spring Encraftment Market - I can't wait. I'll be outside in my white gazebo near the main entrance. I've got a whole lot of new glazed birds, Christmas ornaments, jewellery & more ... so much fun getting ready for this one. If you do come down, please say hi. If you mention you saw this blog, I'll even give you a wee gift!

Spring Encraftment Market - Saturday 1st September, 10-3pm 

x Gill

Crochet, Cosies & Cute Finds!

Welcome to Mudbird's Friday Finds, edition two.

A different selection of handmade this week. Amazing sewing crafts using nostalgic old and new designer fabrics, lovely crochet handwork and Pretty Jewellery. I love that crafters re-use and give life back into vintage fabrics, there is something about these old patterns & colours that bring back memories of childhood. And let us not forget the humble crocheted granny square, if you like bright colours or muted tones go and check out the Hottie cover! Perfect for this wet and wild weather we have been having.

Recognise any of these patterns from looooong ago? I do!
(I have a set of sheets in that top pattern!!)
Wonderville upcycles fabrics into lovely Arts & Crafts from Nelson

RuthsPatch makes these wonderful Bodum Plunger Cosies in gorgeous fabrics plus other goodies like Jackets and Bags.

If you love to sew and are after some inspiration, Berry Patch Cottage sells the most amazing fabrics and even a few patterns like these super cute Bella Pants.
I love the 'Pear Tree - Blue Trees' fabric, wish I had a project on the go so I had an excuse to get some!

How cute is this! Emilie Berri Switchblade makes these quirky
and irresistible Vintage Plush Monsters, available on Felt & alot more designs on her Facebook page.

It was hard to pick a favorite from the range at Pretty Birds -
so many lovely designs & options.
I thought these four Robins were pretty sweet.

Oh I LOVE the colours in this cosy granny square hottie cover
from Alexandra Mackenzie. Go and check out all her amazing crocheted creations - available on Felt.

Paula from Slipstitch makes these gorgeous Little Red Riding hood pinafores  and other very cute kids items. This is a size 2-3 and available on Felt and also check out her wares at the Spring Encraftment Market coming up!



And to finish off - a wee shout out for a new Fair coming up.Crafty Christchurch is a boutique craft supply and quilt fair running from the evening of 23rd August to the 25th August 2012 in the Geodome at Hagley Park. This fair will include stands from local craft suppliers, exhibitions, and demonstrations.

General information

Thursday August 23rd 5-9pm (Opening Night)
Friday August 24th 10am-6pm
Saturday August 25th 10am-6pm

Profits from this event will be donated to Bellyful Christchurch.https://www.facebook.com/BellyfulChristchurc

Check out the links to their Facebook pages if not listed above in the photo comments links:

• www.facebook.com/BerriSwitchblade

• www.facebook.com/wondervillenz

• www.facebook.com/slipstitchnz

• www.facebook.com/pages/Ruthspatch/303721876359306

• www.facebook.com/BerryPatchCottage

• www.facebook.com/PrettyBirdsCreations

• www.facebook.com/alexandramackenzienz

• www.facebook.com/Encraftment

If you are in Christchurch, you'll also find some of us at the Spring Encraftment market - 1 September 2012. So you'll be able to meet the maker and see these lovely items in person.

www.facebook.com/mudbirdnz

If you want to be in the next blog, keep an eye out next Thursday night on my Facebook page - be in quick, limited to the number of pages listed that day.

x Gill

Ideas, ideas, ideas - put your mark on it!

We all have ideas - right? Little thoughts that keep you awake at 2am, when you should be asleep. Instead your brain is going full speed as thoughts take shape, ideas evolve and creativity sparks new processes.


Well my brain has been a prisoner of late of those exact things ( actually it always has been).


It's been a pretty exciting time for Mudbird lately with the creation and completion of a new Logo :-) I've been working alongside a long time designer friend who worked her magic on my brand. I wanted something that could stand alone as an icon, also to use a design in my products. I have yet to make up new banners for my website or my blog but I will... so here goes... this it it!

I just LOVE LOVE LOVE it... yes, I'm excited.  Gail did a great job didn't she?  {The colors are a bit brighter in these jpegs than actual colors}


This is the nest element that I'll be using on its own. I've already made dishes, earrings, brooches and necklaces!!

So back to ideas. Being a creative person, I find my brain coming up with ideas at the craziest times, the worst times ( like a parent/teacher conference when I'm supposed to be paying attention ) and also at the best of times.


As a designer ( of Ceramic Art ) I really strive to come up with original Mudbird designs. I don't copy others ideas, but this world isn't exactly small, you do tend to see the same thing out there. Sometimes seeing designs similar or the same just breaks my heart!  There has been a lot of talk in the Handmade/Craft circles of late of other people stealing ideas/patterns/designs and going on to create/sell them.  My friends have worked so hard to create their ideas, invested a lot of time and money into their product, then someone else comes long and rips it off. Not cool. It has got me thinking a lot about that in the past 2 weeks.


Sometimes I make something, get it out there, take it to market and am 100% confident that NO-ONE ELSE HAS DONE IT... yippee... then, oh oh - someone else has. But that's ok, I always put my stamp on it, to make it mine, to make it different...  Great minds think alike right?
I've even had people send me links saying...  'so in so' has copied you, but that's so hard to prove right? I've been told its the greatest form of flattery when someone copies you, but it still has an ouch factor! And then there are the days when people claim to be the inventor of that design, that just makes me chuckle!
Sometimes people ask me to copy a ceramic design, which I am firmly against.  Other artists work hard to create their designs and I don't want anyone copying mine so I won't copy theirs.


That's why I try to use as many original textures as I can to create my designs - like my collection of 10 antique Song plates from 1920's - they weigh a ton and were used to print the actual books. They are as much of a treasure to me as a tool.

And my grandmother's tatting lace, or my antique carved indian woodblocks - creating textures that *hopefully* no one else has.  I found a gorgeous antique French madeline tin in Akaroa, that is wonderful to display... and also to use as a mould!
In fact many of my textures and patterns are from my personal collection of antiques and treasures. I have collections of Keys, bottles, books, carved wooden blocks, metal type... I search high and low for things to use, digging through 2nd hand shops across the countryside. I even used part of a ring that my Husband bought me in Italy to imprint the heart into my Emerge Earrings... I've got stories about all my designs.

I'm pretty excited about what is in the pipeline - I've got a lot in the drying stage, the bisque stage ( first firing) and also lots of lovely pretty glazed things waiting to be shown off. A coupe of months ago I was in the middle of finalizing my Christmas DOVE decoration shape to me made up, and another idea popped up into my head.  CLOUDS... I have no idea where they came from, but I could see them, cut from thick slabs of clay, imprinted with lace or my wood block. Then suddenly I remembered all my photography of clouds over the years - maybe thats my inspiration. So I spent ages ( and I mean AGES) drawing up cloud shapes, who new this could take so long. I didn't went just a generic clip art cloud shape, I wanted ones with personality.


I wanted to increase my wall &  hanging art range - funnily enough I was forced into exploring new ideas when I had to step down from taking my jewelry to a market ( jewelry roster) so I though.. oh no! What can I take to fill that gap? So I got thinking and making up new ideas to take... hence the CLOUDS and new Christmas Decorations.


Then I realized, cutting everything with a scalpel is just plain silly. So I got some metal cutters made up, not only of the clouds, but also of my other signature shapes/designs. This way I can improve on productivity. Although I loved the hand-cut aspect, there comes a time when its better business sense to make life easier. I still hand-cut some designs, but hope to build up my cutters. They take time to make and are not cheap.


I still use the old plastic cutters, had a lot of fun making these last week and exploring new glazes too!

So I've been in the Studio - rolling, cutting and pressing textures into my new ideas and its been a lot of fun. They'll be on sale in Christchurch at 2 markets next week: Shop me Pretty &  Craft Invaders Market. I'll then make more and load onto my website.


I've got a LOT more to show you - next time ok?


x Gill

Hot off the Press!

Yikes, where did May go? Thought I'd better squeeze in a post this month before it ticks over to June 1st tomorow. I can't believe we are 1/2 way through the year, but I guess it has been kind of busy lately! I counted up that since February 22nd earthquake, I've had 12 markets... TWELVE! That's busy and wonderful all at the same time. Great for Christchurch that there has been such a creative scene. I've got 5 lined up for the rest of the year and there is another 5 or so to add to that! So if you are in Christchurch there are plenty more opportunities to get your handcrafted shopping fix!


In May the studio was humming as there were 3 markets that I attended, so I am taking a break from markets in June, to catch up on building up stock levels, an exciting commission { accounts / paper work - better put that in, incase my husband reads this } and working on wholesale orders - Yes, you read that right... I'm going to start wholesaling, just small to begin with. I've got a very long list of requests to supply to some wonderful stores, but I'm a one woman band, with 3 young kiddies and I do need to sleep ( contrary to popular belief that I don't need and sleep!).


So anyway - exciting news this week. Yesterday I was in the Christchurch Mail newspaper on page 4! The lovely Cate Broughton came over last week to interview me about my Emerge range, kind of like an update after my article in Zest Magazine ( 27 July 2011). It's been 10 months and I can't believe how much work I have packed into those months. Imagine what I could get done it this was Full time...!

I've also been contacted by TVNZ Breakfast show on TV1, and I'll be filmed next week (all going to plan) to be part of the reporters round up by Lacie Wilson. Pretty exciting to say the least.


I've also had fun making a new range of earrings and necklaces that I've called "Lovebirds" and to celebrate over 1100 likes on Facebook, I'm setting up a wee giveaway. Details will be posted in next few days.


Keep warm x Gill

May's TV Debut & Markets.

I'm nervously counting down the days until my segment airs on Hearts in Crafts on TVNZ7 ( episode 5 ) May 5th, Saturday at 6.30pm.

It's a wonderful 13 part series showcasing some of New Zealand's creative and forward thinking people. 
From the TVNZ7 website:
 "Hearts In Crafts is the first of its kind, a show all about embracing New Zealand's appetite for craft; sharing the stories and meeting the personalities of some of this country's finest crafters. 

While reflecting on traditional crafts, Hearts In Crafts reveals emerging and contemporary crafts, and most importantly profiles the people passionate about craft. From the internationally renowned craft masters whose craft is their life's work; to the exuberant hobbyist who can't get enough; to the environmental saviours turning trash to treasure and the meeting places where likeminded crafters gather to share and learn. Crafting knows no bounds as viewers will discover over the course of our 13 part series."

Coming up in just 6 days is my first Market in May. It's the fun filled Sumner Rocks Village Street Party!

When: Sunday 6th May, 11.00 am 4.00 pm
Where: Wakefield /Marriner/ Nayland street precinct, Sumner Village ( Streets closed off, entertainment galore!)

Then the new monthly shopping evening, complete with bubbles and nibbles - all for a Gold coin donation!

Shop Me Pretty

When: Friday 18th May, 6.30 - 9.00pm
Where: Ohoka Hall, Mill Road, Ohoka

And to finish off this busy month is the wonderful...

'Winter' Encraftment Market

When: Saturday 26 May, 10am - 3pm
Where: Jack Mann Auditorium, Canterbury University, Christchurch

So all in all, May is shaping up to be pretty busy, well the lead up is already busy with the studio overflowing with drying pieces, bisqued and glazed designs. My kilns are cranking 24/7 as I build up stock!

All this info is up on my website plus more! ... Markets & Fairs

See you at the Markets... or on TV. Please visit my FACEBOOK page for some feedback. x Gill