Pip Pony

Pip Pony got her horsey head in Yen. The latest sassy Cat Power issue. Pip's just a little horse, and needs an owner. You can buy Pip to own at"Ambiguous Horse"online store.
And while you're there, look at the very adorable pendants from"Little People"

Tortoise or Turtle?

Last year, out of the blue, a lady contacted me asking if I could make her a tortoise brooch. She was a true tortoise fancier, you know those collectors that only collect one thing.
So now her lino tortoise has outings on her coat lapel.After looking at a few tortoise pouffe stuffies lately, I decided to make another, definitely a tortoise, not a turtle.
I think I'll call him Torbert!

Tuesday=Cuteday

It was too wet to meet friends in the park yesterday, so me and the 5yo went op shopping (this is an activity often suggested by both my kids, they definitely have a good eye for a bargain)
I think timing is everything. How many times have I asked to see the buttons and have had this apologetic reply "Oh, someone just came in and bought the whole jar". Well today it was me! And a nice vintage jar to boot!(Yummy glass florals and leaves!)

This dot-to- dot book was going to be for Charlie, but as it's in mint condition, I'm not so sure.But we all enjoyed these cute mini Panda biccies.And speaking of cute, the wonderful "Cuteable" has posted a pic. of Oscar Owl brooch, which is exciting for me and Oscar!Thanks Lynsey.
And a new crafty blog full of Melbourne info. has started here. Thanks to Gemma for asking those very thought provoking questions!

Unused and Archived.....

I dug out these cool postcards in a dusty old suitcase in the garage. I'd bought them overseas many years ago intending to write a newsy letter to send to family but never did. I can't remember where I got them, but they are Turkish made, so maybe in Turkey. I can't find out much about the artist, Emilio Freixas, but I know he published a few life drawing manuals.
I also dug out some old art work ( slightly mouldy as the suitcase barely survived the Great Thornbury flood of 03). I remember my Art teacher was trying to encourage me to go into the greeting card business!!?? And this new Betty Jo designs Cuckoo Clock brooch is for sale at Lino Forest's Corner Shop

Oscar and Horace

Oscar Owl is now on etsy!This Sunday Mr BJ is playing with the amazing Horace Andy, Jamaican roots reggae star, at Hamer Hall ,Victorian Arts Centre. "Roots Nation 2008" will have a big line up of local and international reggae, hip-hop , roots and dance hall acts. Tickets still available.

Images I like ...

This fabulous old porridge advert is on our corner milk bar. It's been featured in the local paper recently, some residents in the area are worried the proprietor is going to paint over it (which is totally his prerogative) Wouldn't it be nice if it was preserved for us all to enjoy.This sparkling tomato was found in a school lunch...
At home in the kitchen. (photos by lily)

Going, Going , Gone.....

These guys are sitting on my table waiting to go to Craft Victoria.
Some of their broochy colleagues have already been delivered to "Petranillas" in Coventry St. Sth. Melbourne today. Nilla has owned this shop for many years.. in the early days when I lived down the road I often bought great vintage clothes from this very shop, lovely 40's jackets and dresses, then went and got my fruit and veg. over the road at the Sth. Melbourne market (usually late Sunday afternoons when it was all going cheap).
I also thrifted a few kids books today including "Pogles' Wood Story Book" which was a popular BBC television series in the late 60's ( I wonder if anyone remembers it?)It featured cute animated puppets and toys and the occasional stuffed owl!I looked it up and the series has it's own official website!

The three R's

It's no secret I subscribe to the Three R theory. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
So for this weeks "This Is..."( thanks to Angela of Three Buttons' Mum), my way of recycling can be demonstrated in this article from yesterdays "Sunday Age". Including nice bits from Sam from April May, (who's shop is open all May!) Ellie from Mucke (who has just recently recycled a big pile of Mr. BJ's old shirts into amazing dresses) and Nicole and Lina from "A Name Is A Label"who refashion preloved clothing and fabric into unique new garments.
As well as my craft, we compost, op shop, fill the recycling bin with paper and bottles, and live in a house that seems to be full of perfectly good furniture found on nature strips, at garage sales, or sourced from junk emporiums (even though Mr. BJ works for a prestige furniture company!) Even Bella our cat was pre-loved , rescued from the Cat Protection Society!

Wet Saturday......

Gumboots, pumpkin soup, scarves and chocolate chip biccies.

Friday Archives

In my "Other Life" as a jewellery designer I used to make pretty, sparkly, girly things.
A bit different to scrabbling around in skips for lino, but an interesting contrast!


1. Bridal necklace for "Victoria Spring"with antique china pendant.
2. Hatpins for "Family Circle"
3. Fruity shiny things for "Family Circle"
4. Charm necklace for "Alannah Hill" with op-shopped trinkets.
Last night "Queen" launched the opening of their amazing new retail space at 75 Smith St. Fitzroy, just two doors down from their old shop. Lots of gorgeous clothing and accessories, glasses of champagne and chitchat! It was a pretty, sparkly , girly experience,( but cool things available for boys too). It's well worth a visit, but make sure your credit card is feeling healthy.

Laminex!

Laminex is my second favorite material to work with after lino. I often find pieces of cool vintage laminex from old kitchen benches or table tops.
This funny decorated box was sitting in a skip ready to go to the tip. It is covered with colourful laminex samples with very inventive names for all the shades. I think I will just peel them off as I need them, leaving me a sturdy old storage box.

Just the other day I favourited this flickr image from Comfy & Cosy. Amazing retro laminex kitchen tables. Drool!

Swap Meet!

I scored a big pile of swap cards yesterday, including these beauties. I love old swappies and either save them or use them to package my brooches and pedants on. I had an urge, (after seeing others collections in Flickr and blogland) to re-live a girlhood pleasure and get swapping. I have many double ups and think it would be a very fun "Big Girls" activity.....got it, want it, NEED IT!

The Owl and the Pussy Cat

I bought this great t-shirt on the weekend at PussyCat Black. I loved the image (Owls and Pussycats being my top fave critters) and a Melbourne girl can't have too many black 3/4 sleeve tees. Designed by "Non Fiction", it's all Aussie made and sweat-shop free. Carolyn from Indie Art and Design and a fellow Georgie Lover is half of the design team behind this cool Sydney label. She suggested I should be sporting one of my Owl or Cat brooches when I wear it.
So that posed a wee dilemma, which one would I wear? Then I decided I would make this so I could wear them both!

More Mosaic Fun

Some Betty Jo designs in a bunch!1. Olivia Owl, 2. Roar!, 3. Finches, 4. Lucky Ducky, 5. Gaget the Robot, 6. 8 Owls, 7. Hello Dolly, 8. Owl Clock, 9. This puppy needs a name!, 10. Flying Ducks, 11. Frances Finch, 12. Buttony Necklace, 13. Ollie Owl Pendant, 14. Betty Jo Lino Pendants, 15. Flying Finch Clock, 16. Autumn Owls

Mum's are Ace.

My day started well....Kisses and hugs, a big delicious breaky in bed, brewed coffee and homemade frittata...wow!
And a new cd player for my studio, cause i was sick of hitting my old one to make it work.
So here's to Mums.. my Mum and every other Mum in the World. It's a hard job, but the dividends make it more than worthwhile.
A special Mum's day congratulations goes out to the many gal's brewing bub's this year!

And if you want to give this baby elephant a mother...go over here.

Friday Archive.. late again

This morning I was reminded after popping over to Loobylu and Kootoyoo that,
a. Yesterday was Friday archives and,
b. I worked as a mosaic artist in the 90's and early 2000's and produced many small and large scale pieces. I also taught classes, but to be perfectly honest ,I wouldn't mind if I Never had to do another mosaic again in my life! So labour intensive, and too many sharp edges ( I still have the scars). Here are some photos I found.....
Magazine cuttings of mosaic tiles, frames and pots.And a big floor installation at the Hunt Club Community Art Centre in Deer Park.( I have never been back to see this, I wonder if it's still there?)* And look, Olivia is now for sale at Etsy

LOOK....

At her, over here. It's just an etsy trial, but there may be more!