Let's hear it for the Girls!

There's been an historical event in Australia these last few days. A female has risen through the political ranks and wrangled a job at the top. So to celebrate I give you a round up of Betty Jo Girls!

Over at The Byron Life Megan writes about Julia's inspiring rise to the top from the perspective of a Mother of three girls. Although I don't subscribe to judging women on what they wear, coming from a jewellers perspective, I hope she only wears the work of Australian designers.
Who ever made the necklace she wore while announcing her coup would be a proud person. Yes, I notice the important things!!!!!
Cam from Curly Pops, who also believes in not judging our Julia by what she's wearing, did happen to mention she had a very bare neck yesterday that was crying out for some Betty Jo adornment.So, because Julia is an Altona girl, I thought a Seagull would remind her of her Bayside haunts when she moves to the Lodge.

Snow Globes and Wombats.

I've lost count how many blog posts have I written about Betty Jo Giveaways. There's been quite a few over the years that Lino Forest has been alive..........just shy of three years to be precise.
The random winner of the latest Giveaway, a Betty Jo Snow Globe brooch, is Sam from "Good Mum Hunting".
Sam requested a wombat in her Snow Globe as she has a a grumpy wombat that lives under her holiday house in Thredbo named William. Although William poos everywhere Sam loves him!
So here's a Grumpy William the Wombat Snow dome brooch made especially for Sam this morning!( Actually William might be more of a Whilemina as he loves snuffling around with a hibiscus behind his ear)
Speaking of grumpy , Mr. BJ is not happy that he had to have X-rays on his wrist last week to check it wasn't broken from his icy fall in the snow a few weeks ago. The jury is still out on the state of his Ulna. Not good for someone who is permanently attached to a guitar!
There's a new post over at Find, Make, Do this morning. Cool and crafty up-cycled board games. Go and have a look!

Linoleum!

A quick reminder that the Betty Jo Snow Globe Giveaway is still running. I will announce the Winner on Saturday morning - 26th June! You could win an owlie snow globe brooch like the guy in the pic. or nominate your own critter to live in your globe! Just leave a comment to enter.And here's a bit of industrial history.

Ever wondered about the origin of Linoleum? This excellent article from Modern Mechanix and Inventions Magazine circa 1936 gives you the lowdown. Click on Pics to read!

Thank you to Modern Mechanix for this!

New News! (as opposed to Old News)

The cute Peter Alexander hottie covers from last post seem to be all sold out. I'm not surprised.
A facebook friend who spied the thumbnail pic. thought they were brooches I'd made and this gave me an idea.
So I zipped into the studio and made an Owl Hottie brooch . It won't replace the real toasty thing, but maybe your cardi would like one! Thanks for the idea Peter A and Anna B.
The Snow Globe GIVEAWAY is still running. There have been some cute suggestions for critters to live in the winners globe. A grumpy wombat, a cute squirrel, a grey puss. You still have plenty of time to enter, so leave a comment, or even a poem like Sarah's.....
"Look at me, I've learnt to ski,
Past the bunny and round the tree.
Flying fast, sudden stumble,
Lose your balance and down you tumble! "
Here's a birdy Snow globe brooch. Birdy is sitting in silvery laminexy snow flakes!

And in other news, last week I was having a fossick at a favorite opshop and saw this lovely old box. When I asked to have a closer look , this is what I found inside. Some resourceful person had made little cardboard compartments for all these lovely buttons. It was so meant for me I almost did a little dance. (I was dancing on the inside though!)
As I was just about to leave with my lovely treasure, a massive storm rolled in stranding me in the opshop for another twenty minutes. The op-shop lady handed around sweets and I spent at least another $10. Can't think of a better outcome.

P.S. I just remembered flea market finds over at Her Library Adventures. I reckon this Box o' Buttons fits the bill this week.

Cold? Hotties are the GO!

These Hottie covers by Peter Alexander as well as being cosy and functional, certainly capture some cuteness. I'm a Huge fan of the hottie.... last year I featured some crafty hand made Hottie Covers on Lino Forest as well as my fancy knitted "Baz and Liz" set we got for a wedding present!

Found at My Owl Barn.

I know why these hotties got my attention. There's bit of Betty Jo synchronicity in the designs.

Don't forget to enter the Betty Jo Wintery Snow Globe Giveaway. You could win a snow globe brooch like these ones.

Snow Globe Giveaway!

There's recently been a Betty Jo giveaway over at Georgie Love (congratulations Amelia for winning foxy!).
BUT, there hasn't been one in the Lino Forest since Valentines Day!
I don't know about you but time is movin' a bit fast for my liking these days. Just where did those four and a bit months go?
So to celebrate the Antarctic weather we have been having lately and to remind ourselves that it's probably more than ten degrees colder somewhere other than here, I'm offering up a Snow Globe brooch similar to these ones. It will be perfect if you are like me and would now rather see snow swirling around a dome of plastic, than actually go and get amongst it. Mr. BJ has just got back from playing some gigs at Perisher Vally ski resort nursing a badly sprained wrist.
Now get this, he purposely didn't go snow boarding or skiing because he wanted to avoid injuring himself.
But guess who slipped over on the ice as he was walking out the door of the venue?
Anyway, this prize will be custom made for the winner, and you can nominate any Betty Jo snow loving critter to live inside the globe. Furry, feathery or maybe a rabbity pastoral tableaux.
So go on, leave a comment!

Daffodils

New Cuckoo Clock. With daffodils. And buttons. And bird that does not go cuckoo!
There's only a wee hint of daffodil action at Betty Jo headquarters, but there's always the cheery alternative!

Things I'm Lovin'

Loving the website and goodies at Twisted Twee. These Twisted Twee knitted rings are featured over at Find, Make, Do at the mo, along with some more ring eye candy.

My new favorite Softie from Olivelse. found via thatch and burrow.I love me a bit of fancy font, like this one-Burnstown Dam. It's woody and crafty and paling fency!!

Too close for comfort

Two friends have alerted me to this Made it seller. This fox cub brooch(below) has now crossed the line from "similar' to "copy" in my book.

Shall I do anything? I think I may.

P.S. I penned a nice note to the Made it folks who are great! They are going to notify the seller and have it taken off Made it.
P.S.S The Betty Jo Foxie in question is now featuring on a GIVEAWAY over at the Top notch Georgie Love blog. Giveaway Give a yay!

Recycling, Reclaiming, Reusing

Some Recycled and Reclaimed goodies are waiting to be put to creative Re-use today.

Gorgeous Vintage lino donated by Anna ( a champion of the curbside salvage). Now just itching to be Betty Joified!

Cute thrifted ceramic baking dish......might be good for this wintery vegy dish (yes I know, daggy, but yummy).

Delicious Japanese fabric found at my favorite oppy. Although I'm not a fabricaholic like some people I know, this cool pattern was calling my name from the big basket of material. It's asking to be transformed into cushions maybe, or an apron or..........ideas anyone?

"Rev Bot" made by Charlie and I on the weekend with our new set of "Makedo" connectors.
I love these as you can re-use them over and over again and the days of floppy, wobbly box construction patched together with masking tape and clag are well and truly over.
Robot is now famous. Check it out on the Makedo blog renamed "Frilly Lilly"!

What's been going ON!

Lots actually!
Learning, learning, learning about all things related to running a Micro Business. My classes have been all day, everyday last week and include muchos homework......moan! (actually I'm really enjoying them). This will no doubt cause some interruption to regular blog programming, and poor old Find, Make, Do will also be running on an "off peak" timetable.

I did get around to finishing off some more clocks.
On Thursday I turned up to Northern Craft Bonanza with NOTHING to craft, but I left with a scarf on the go (thanks to a loan of needles from Susan and a gift of wool from Cam). Lets aim for a scarf for next Winter shall we!Planning has started for the big move out of my extremely poky home studio into The Pea Green Boat artists Studio in Brunswick. I felt it was time to spread my wings so stay tuned for updates.

Toying around with some brooches for this exhibition. If you're a brooch making dynamo (and I know a lot of you are) this will be a good opportunity to get some brooches "out there" and maybe make a sale or two. Thanks to Tinniegirl for the heads up on this!

The Owl and the Pussycat

Cats and Owls...you've got to admit they are a winning combination.

Speaking of Pussycats I thought I'd go back in time a smidge and show you the window of Pussycat Black in 2006. These were the first Betty Jo Clocks ever made.In a few months I'll be filling another shop window with clocks , but more about that later......