Busy Sunday!

Yay! I got through the busiest market ever in Betty Jo history. It was fun, tiring, a bit chilly when the wind whipped through the Atrium, bustling, and best of all, the visitors were opening their purses and seemed totally removed from the ikky state election doom.

My table was full of stuff and the old plant stand I picked up from the side of the road on Saturday didn't topple over thank goodness.

As well as jewellery, I sold some clocks and cards too!

I noticed the Age newspaper SOMEHOW decided to mention that Betty Jo Designs would be at MARKit with necklaces made from recovered beach plastic. Um, I use lino people.
But anyway I made up a few pieces with my collection and that solved that dilemma!

Laminex Rescue

On the way to visit the Northcote KrisKringle market last night I spied an old kitchen bench top in the rubbish. Covered in cool pink 50's laminex . In the blink of an eye it was in my boot and today I set to and made some goodies.

There's no mucking around when it comes to making this time of year.
There is the MARKit @ Fed Square on Sunday, and numerous orders that must go out next week. EEK.
Throw a sick little boy home from school this week into the mix and it's been kinda CRA-ZY!

Come along on Sunday if you can....a seriously good gift buying opportunity awaits!!!

This Year

In the past I have designed little collections such as Lino Cottage and Lino Deco, but I think my designing mind was all over the place this last twelve months or so.....a bit like my life has been this year actually.

So there wasn't a "range" this year. Just a rather higgledy piggledy collection of new brooch designs .And here are some of them. Pics via Georgie Love and my Flickr

Time is Ticking Away......

If you are thinking about ordering a Betty Jo 'Time will Tell" Clock for Christmas, you had better get cracking. That goes for shops too.
There's less than 32 days before Christmas. I know, crazy.

This Geranium Cuckoo Clock will be available at MARKit @ Fed Square this Sunday. The market is held in the Atrium at Federation Square so rain or shine we'll be cosy, cool and dry.

If you want to order a custom made clock for yourself or a gift contact me here or visit my clock shop.
For great Christmas gift ideas, pop over to Indie Art and Design's Christmas Gift Guide.
There's a Betty Jo Cuckoo clock in amongst some gorgeous goodies.

Time Will Tell

Some Betty Jo "Time Will Tell" clocks hanging around in the spring sunshine.
I'm trying out a new display for MARKit @ Fed Square next Sunday! (although most of these clocks already have homes). Hand me my Jigsaw......I've work to do!!!

Collections

I love a good collection. But more than that, I love a good photo of a collection arranged just so. Then of course it must be posted all over the place to give everyone the full experience!

I have been getting my collection thrills every day this year whenever a new Lisa Congdon's "A Collection a Day" post pops up. I also like to check out the Organised Collection Flickr group....you should too.

Here's a wee collection of circles I found in my studio.Can you see my reflection in the teapot lid?1. collection of one day, 2. Fuchsia leaves, 3. Hmmmm, 4. Pink stuff1. collection of objects to print with, 2. Elwood Beach Plastic, 3. vegetarian meal, 4. 　

These collections were featured over at The Indie Handmade Show . I spy some Betty Jo Pink stuff and Beach plastic!

Ahoy!

"All at Sea" brooches. Now available on Georgie Love.

Use Less Plastic!

Use Less Plastic from TakePart on Vimeo.

I've found some lovely salvaged beach plastic goodies and featured them on Find, Make, Do. I like the creative re-purposuing of the discarded seawashed plastic as well as the eco -friendly aspect of removing the troublesome, non biodegradeable product from our beaches and waterways.I still have all my bags of salvaged beach plastic from when I created these collages. I'm waiting for the inspiration bug to bite , but I am going to make them into "something"!

Here's a heads up to Electolux for being pro-active in the search for ways to reduce and recycle discarded plastic and the need for "better plastic karma."

The "Vac from the Sea initiative aims to raise awareness around ocean plastic waste and inspire consumers and industry to more recycling. Electrolux is looking into auctioning out one vac, where the revenue goes to research."

There is a hideous thing happening in the Pacific Ocean called the Great Pacific Garbage Patch

This video explains it all........:-(

Summer Hols

It's almost that time of year!

and if you were wondering......

these are coming in very handy!

Laneway Master-pieces

I take a shortcut down the lane between my Brunswick studio and the post office. The walls are adorned with street art ....and I do declare, even a bit of Betty Jo sycronicity.

And, if you are anywhere near Union Lane in Melbourne's CBD check out this Master-piece by Madeleine Stamer. Skully Babushkas....ACENESS!

I heart Mirka

Spent a pleasant Sunday afternoon at Heide Museum of Modern Art absorbing the magnificence that is Mirka Mora. The collection includes drawings, paintings and soft sculpture .

A highlight of the exhibition is a new large scale painting executed by Mirka on the sunroom windows of the Heide farmhouse.Jeff Thomson's Cow sculptures in the Heide sculpture park.

The second pic. goes back almost four years ago. How time flies, especially when you think that on Saturday Miss Lily celebrated a milestone birthday with a ginormous party and much festivities. (still recovering actually!)

...and he sailed off through night and day.

Now there's an "All at Sea" pendant.

A flickr friend saw a bit of a similarity to this famous boat. I like!

........and an ocean tumbled by with a private boat for Max!

All at Sea

New "All at Sea" brooches. These will be available at the BIG MARKit @Fed Square

on Sunday November the 28th.
Apparently this is the market you go to INSTEAD of the Melbourne Design Market.....so I've heard!!!!!

Here are some nautical inspired goodies from some of my favorite designers. All these talented peeps will be at MARKit too. There goes any profits I make!!!!!

Nancybird bag,Wall decor by Bride & Wolf,

Striped tee by Hamb, Galleon jewellery by Iggy and Lou Lou.

Movember

Boris Babushka and his lovely wife Betty are here to remind you that November is also Movember.
Boris knows that not all of us can get the kind of stach result that he's achieved, so he recommends purchasing some of these. See how long you can hold them under your nose with out taking a bite!

P.S. Sorry for not drawing attention to The Melbourne Cup, but I've grown to dislike everything connected to Horse Racing . Well, the puplic holiday isn't bad, but thats about it.

The Norf is Nice

My son can't yet get his chops around "TH" . We still live in "Fornbury", we shop at "Norfcote Plaza", and we see movies at "Norfland". I correct him sometimes, but new front teeth are tricky to negotiate, and well, it's kinda cute.
If you like the Inner Norf of Melbourne and all the riches it offers, check out the new blog of "Norfguide". Originally a printed directory of cool inner north haunts, now it's also online.
I am happy to see a Betty Jo skull featured sitting in situ on the shelves of Kids in Berlin.
If you're in Nth Melbourne, go and say Hi to the lovely Zanin, KIB'S new proprietress extraordinaire!