I checked out Faux Show this afternoon, an Artrage exhibition on at Keith+Lottie by Jessie Mitchell and Sophie Webber.

Reproducing the set of a trophy room, Faux Show replicates a fire place, taxidermy animals, grand portraits and more in lovable plush incarnations.

I really loved this plush deer head, it is about life size and would look awesome in my place. Really reasonably priced too, $130... Hmm... and I know just the position that it would work.
Faux Show is only on for a few more days, closes on the 24th of October so check it out now.

Labels: art, Artrage, brown, craft, deer, Keith+Lottie, perth, plushy

My sister, Tanya, a mum with two young boys under four, has been recharging her creativity for a few hours every Thursday evening at Melanie Sharpham's ceramic course. She has been coming up with some wonderful organic pieces and feeling revived from the experience.
If you live in Perth, Western Australia (and can easily get to the suburb of Kensington) and are keen to participate, email Melanie: msharpha[at]bigpond.net.au
BTW, this is also an excuse to plug my sister's new blog, check out Old Grey House, and show off my adorable little nephew! He looks like he would like to get his hands on those organic bowls!

Labels: bowls, clay, craft, kitchen, Melanie Sharpham, My sister Tanya, Old Grey House, perth, sculpture

Popsicle! is an 11 day pop-up retail space put on by The William Street Collective (which includes my fave stores, William Topp and Keith+Lottie). This is the spiel:

This 11 day event has been especially created for the Perth Fashion Festival and is where the public and buyers can shop for the latest in clothing, jewellery, accessories and more. Popsicle! showcases Perth's finest within an abandoned building, which has been transformed by interior designers and will stay open only for the duration of the festival.

I am on my way this avo to check it out, can't wait to see what they have there and maybe pick up a few special new treats for my new apartment.
Popsicle! is at 214 William St, Northbridge and runs from today to the 14th of September, 11am - 6pm daily. Check out the website for more details.

Labels: fashion, Keith+Lottie, perth, pink, William Street Collective, William Topp

The illustrated work of local artist, Sean Morris always makes me smile. His clean lines and the funny little plump characters peer through hair, leaves and bark in a strange mix of horror and delight.
On the 8th August Sean is having a solo show in Perth. Click the invite (left) for details.
If you are not lucky enough to make it, check out his blog or website.

Thanks so much to Apartment Therapy for including my photo Progressive Dry Cleaners in their Hot House photo exhibition!

Labels: art, brown, illustration, perth, pink, Sean Morris, wood

I really love the way that the people in my city have embraced handmade and original works of art, craft and design.
Coming up in September 14th is Perth Upmarket which I found out about through the great Australian site, Indie. According to the site:

Perth Upmarket brings together Perth's talented artists, designers, stylists, craftspeople and gourmets all under one roof. The product mix is diverse and unique often with a distinguishable handwriting. It is a unique event to connect the makers of beautiful things to people who appreciate the unique, handmade and locally designed.

It seems a bit early to be telling you about this but if you're a sandgroper with a knack for the crafty, start putting stuff together and get a stall at Perth Upmarket.
Otherwise, on September 14th, be sure to support your local arty-types and check it out!

Labels: art, craft, indie, market, perth, website

Yesterday I picked up issue two of Mayk zine.
Mayk is the side project for three female graphic designers who want to show that Perth is not 'dullsville' but has a varied and vibrant art and culture scene.
If it's just a matter of knowing where to look, then Mayk can certainly set you on your way.
I bought my copy of Mayk at Keith+Lottie but you can also get it from their website. I'm looking forward to issue three!

Labels: black and white, Mayk, perth, photography, print, zine

Progressive Dry Cleaners are just around the corner from me on Herdsman Pde, Wembley in Perth, Western Australia.
I have been looking at their sign enviously ever since living here and as I am about to move into my new apartment, thought I better capture it in pixels. I think it must be from the 60s, it reminds me of the optimistic sentiment reflected in a lot of commercial work from that time. I love that it looks so retro but announces how progressive it is.
I just think it would look awesome mounted on the wall in my new apartment! Perhaps if they every update it I should put in a bid. I will just have to settle for a high quality print. If you would like one too, you can get a print here.

Labels: blue, perth, photography, print, retro, sign, sky

Melanie Sharpham is a talented local potter who makes fine porcelain slip clay pots. Her work has a wonderful hand-done quality and the way she finishes them is quite ethereal.
Each year she holds a 'studio open' to allow members of the public to come in to her studio and check out her latest work. She is based in the suburb of Kensington in Perth, Western Australia.
I have blured out the address in the invitation below, however if you are keen to check out Melanie's studio open, please email her: msharpha[at]bigpond.net.au

Labels: clay, craft, kitchen, Melanie Sharpham, perth, sculpture

The West Australian Symphony Orchestra, WASO, have commissioned some really wonderful artwork for their most recent series of classic performances. Among them are two of my favourites, Manfred & Mozart on the left and of course, Beethoven's 5th on the right.
I really appreciate the bold use of limited colour and striking central images used in these posters. They are reminiscent of posters for music from the past and become quite timeless looking as a result.
I have been trying to search online for where I might be able to purchase them as posters but haven't been able to come up with anything useful. If anyone knows of anything, please let me know.

Labels: art, birds, blue, illustration, music, perth, poster, red, retro, WASO

Thebrokenmagpie is a local (Perth, Western Australia) talent who has made her crafty work available to the world through Etsy.
I love this crazy, original little monster, Reinhold, with his antler and odd eyes.
I work with thebrokenmagpie's partner at The West and he has the coolest zombie made by her on his desk. I'm going to be checking back to see if she makes more and has them available on her Etsy page.
Thanks thebrokenmagpie.

Labels: Etsy, monster, perth, plushy, retro, thebokenmagpie, toy

Form is an amazing space on Murray St in Perth (near the very swish King street) and has some amazing arts and crafts in it from Australia and around the world.
One thing I saw and loved were these tea towels! They are made by Third Drawer Down and artist have contributed their work. The only thing is, I don't think I could bring myself to wipe my dishes on them, they would look great stretched and framed.
Check out Third Drawer Down for their tea towels and other domestic art works.

Labels: art, craft, decor, form, kitchen, perth, tea towel

Inspired by Apartment Therapy's coat rack story I thought I would share my hat stand, which is one of my favourite pieces. I had wanted one for ages but just couldn't find something suitably mid-century. I found plenty of antique ones and many contemporary ones but I just didn't think they would work.
Eventually I stumbled on this Eames style hat stand for only $30 at an antique stall at the Scarborough markets. It holds all my favourite hats, coat, umbrella and satchel perfectly positioned and ready to go on the way out the door.

Labels: Apartment Therapy, decor, eames, hat stand, interior, perth, retro

I spotted these fella's while passing through a clothing store on my way to the carpark in Leederville. They have a little courtyard with a headless Snow white and other quirky little twists on kitch suburban gardens. These gnomes in the birdcage hidden in a corner were my favourite.

Labels: art, decor, garden, leederville, perth, sculpture

I met a friend for coffee in Greens Cafe in Leederville and enjoyed a few perfect flat whites. I really love the casual decor and especially the hundreds of white paper lanterns filling the roof. Such a great and simple solution for a memorable cafe experience.

Labels: cafe, decor, leederville, perth