MAKER'S MARKETS

Here's a look at some of the work I have been selling at Markets over these past couple of months. The ones that I have really enjoyed doing have been the Ivanhoe Maker's Market in the Banyule Arts Space on the 3rd Saturday of the Month, and also the Abbotsford Convent Maker's Market where Sunday 20th Dec was my first one.

The Indoor Maker's Market's have a great atmosphere where artists of all different styles meet to sell their work directly to the public. The outdoor ones have been subject to Melbourne's continually changing weather, but have been great fun on a fine day! I have had fantastic feedback and some great sales!

My most popular items I have found to sell are the Boxed Bowls, Brooches, Mini Circle Platters and the Sculptural Raku Bottles.

I also took part in the special annual event of the Mount Dandenong Village Festival on the 29th November. Having grown up in that area, it was an exciting thing for me to revisit home and be involved in - however it did pour down with rain on and off all day. Aah, the challenges of Markets!

BOTTLED EXHIBITION Nov 2009

BOTTLED - My final exhibition for the year has now closed at Pan Gallery, Brunswick.

It was another successful exhibition with many visitors and a lot of talk going around Melbourne about it. I found it to be a young and fresh show with only 18 exhibitors selected from around 60. I was very excited to be one of those 18! Also, I was showing with my friend Leah Jackson (pictured above) and several other ceramic folk I have gotten to know here in Melbourne, so that was fun.

My works ' Weeping Duo' which were a new development for this exhibition, were made using the technique I had learnt whilst in India at the beginning of the year. It involves a process of Raku Firing where I take the HOT pots out of the kiln at around 800-1000 degrees, and carefully position combustible materials against the hot surface of the clay body. It's quite an exciting process really, as it all has to be done very fast and with no mistake.

I was thrilled to be able to bring along my aunt Eileen and uncle Mike to my opening, as they were here visiting from England at the time. This was a rare opportunity to show them my exhibition work in situ. My aunt even admitted that this was her first art exhibition opening! Well, I'm happy that your first (and maybe only) exhibition opening was mine Aunty!