Flying Star Toys in iMart Design Book

I was a bit of a star this week at the local post office.

When they gave me a package from my post box, recognising the cover, I opened it to showed them the book inside - a double page about Flying Star Toys in a Chinese design book! What a surprise to see their faces light up in admiration. Most of the exhibitions and publicity involving Flying Star Toys happens so remotely I don't think much about it. So it was nice to feel the excitement of the lovely ladies at Sandgate post office. To me, they're a part of it too, because they take care of my parcels at the beginning of their journey out into the world.

The book, put out by Affalog is almost entirely in Chinese so I couldn't read it. However, I liked the traditional stitched binding and enjoyed looking at the work of fellow toy and craft artists in this beautifully finished publication. It seems the craft design bug has really caught on in China too! With iMART being a big (going by the pictures in the book) craft design event and association in China.

What a treat to be a part of it!

Friends at the Bisbane Craft and Stitches Show

Yesterday Mum and I went to the Brisbane Craft and Stitches show which us gals in the family usually do together but with little sister due with her first baby in only two weeks she was staying off her feet :) This year the Living Creatively people have taken on the show and have injected a little modern craft style into the event. The incubator section was particularly good with lots of great stands featuring up and coming craft designers. Among them were a few friends and a new friend.

In the above picture you can see a slice of Ellie's stand of Red Seed Studio wares. Screen printed and sewn by hand, Ellie working together with her husband Sam, use only natural, organic, and reclaimed fabrics to create modern textiles, homewares, clothing and accessories.

Below is a picture of the delightful stand of new friend Christina of Old Yarns - reclaimed linens. You can read more about these beautiful vintage textiles on her blog The Bowerbird Stories. Christina has an obvious love of the fine hand and classic appeal of her collection of wonderful reclaimed vintage pieces.

Two friends at the show I unfortunately didn't get to chat to was Kelly of Peppermint magazine, who was busy selling subscriptions for her delightful girly, crafty and green magazine - sorry to have missed you! And also Thea of Thea and Sami - who had a gorgeous stand as well. I particularly like their screen printed fabric made into dresses. Thea was giving classes at the time - I hope she had a great show too.

little fluffy clouds

Autumn mornings are beautiful.

Present for Sis - The Seamstress

It was my sister's birthday over the Easter weekend and I was so excited to be able to give her this framed drawing by Cathy Cullis called The Seamstress. The framing came out beautifully and Emma assures me it will be given an honoured place in the formal dinning area.

Emma is about to have her first baby, the first in our family. So it was a doubly special occassion. Emma, like myself, grew up sewing. Her specialities were drawn cut work and bobbin lace. She's a IT manager now and doesn't get to spend time on making as much as she would like so I wanted this painting to be like a family ancestor reminding her of her connection to the cloth and the thread.

On the artist: Cathy is multi-talented, she paints, draws, machine embroiders and makes wonderful fabric jewellery and art dolls too! Her blog/website is called November Moon and she has two shops on Etsy.

New Stockist - Beebee Mod

Flying Star Toys has a new stockist! - Beebee Mod: an online US boutique for lovely items for little ones. Handmade toys, patterns, fabrics, furnishings to name just a few of the beautiful things Beebee Mod stock.

7 things I love (because Kara Smith asked me)

I haven't done a blog meme for a while....blogging hasn't been coming to me very easily for a while. A blog friend recently said that I didn't reveal anything personal about myself. Often what I think is personal must in the end sound very abstract and also it's because I'm usually so involved within my interior meditations that often it's difficult to know what to say. That sounds a bit like a paradox but it isn't I can assure you. It happens to me all the time, at functions, blogging, emails, family occasions, parties....

Anyway, the other day I was aware that aside from the clashing rocks of the collective conscious and the collective unconscious there was a slim vessel of my own that seemed to like a few things all of its own......now what were they?

On Good Friday I walked up to Shorncliffe to watch the boats begin the Brisbane to Gladstone race. I thought I would list seven things that I liked that special day.



1. Walking up the pier, softly and quitely. looking back out over the clouds and mountains behind me. Passing the crowd with my own breath, for a short time free from the interior turmoil of the minds surrounding me. Trailing my fingers along the edge of the orange plastic netting marking off one side of the pier. Feeling a golden warmth spread through my interior nature and a smile the Creator alone understood.

2. Silence. The surge of the sea. Movement, primal - the Begetting. Surges now upon the rocks of earth. Music. Light. The mandolin sounds sweet and ancient, echoing across the water...I have closed my eyes.

3. Walking across the sand and grass, sitting down in the shade of a tree. I am, you are, a jug and the water is everywhere, in everything, in everyone. The Doer is Doing. A child asks, "Are you a ghost?" I'm shocked.

4. Looking at people...curious, people are much stranger than I imagined.

5. Walking home. Looking and sensing each little world, each little house...water scents of knowing, of loving. Usually I would feel too shy to peer over my blanket even with these rose bud eyes. Delicate care.

6. communion, community, freedom, my own path included into the story of man. Daring to shed what was after all only a mirage.......

7. Home - an afternoon with my husband. Peace.


I hope you liked my little story Kara :)

Biscuit Bunny greeting cards in time for Easter

Just in time for Easter is a new set of Biscuit Bunny Flying Star Toys greeting cards. This set has three unique designs: Big Group of Biscuit Bunnies, Biscuit Bunny on Chair and Biscuit Bunny in Bowl. There is a set of six available that has two of each design and they are available individually.


Biscuit Bunny greeting cards are now available on the Flying Star Toys on Etsy shop ($USD) and on the Flying Star Toys on Big Cartel shop ($AUD).

Don't forget if you would like to order more than one of eighter the set or the singles contact me directly for a special shipping price :)

To all I hope you and your loved ones have a very happy Easter!!

Molehill Mouse knows where your treasure is

There's a little mouse who's taken us residence in my kitchen, a wee thing, so tiny.  I know I'll never catch her...my cat will have to finish the job she started. But until then I'm willing to share my house with the little thief :)

Molehill Mouse and his companion Piccabu Elephant are related to Ganesha (Ganapati) and his mount, Musaka (mouse). What a wonderful mystery is held within these two!

Little Musaka is "the master of the inside of everything. The all-pervading Atman is the mouse that lives in the hole called the intellect, within the heart of every being. It is the real enjoyer of the pleasures of all creatures." (The Myths and Gods of India, A. Danielou, Inner Traditions International, 1964) Ask yourself, "Where is my true treasure?" Little Musaka will know and I'm sure he will share his secret with you and his little cousin Molehill Mouse too.

Molehile Mouse's story says that Molehill Mouse tells Piccabu Elephant stories of all the secret passages that lead to surprising new territories and stores of sweet food - there is nowhere that Molehill Mouse can't go.

up where she belongs

Last night I cleaned the walls of my office, so I could finally hang "Smoking Angel" above my computer work station. I bought her last year from good friend, and fab artist, Nadine Sawyer, and it's been sitting in the hall waiting its time. Now she's up where she belongs! It's already brought me much enjoyment - I'm actually starting to like my office as a room, rather than as a large storage closet....all I need now is a rug to make it cosy!

Rosiepose - New Stockist

Flying Star Toys can now be found on online boutique Rosiepose. Australian based, Rosiepose has designer wares for babies, children and mothers.

image: a sleep-pile of Night-Night Mushrooms.

Sail Away Boats: Holiday on the Island of Flowers and Fruit

After so long in the works I can finally intoduce to you the first in my boats series Sail Away Boats: Holiday on the Island of Flowers and Fruit. I hope you like them :)



Glide through the flowing blue waters of your paradise island. Be at peace.

The fabled floating islands of paradise have been a part of the folklore of many peoples around the world. It was said that those who lived on them were always happy and never aged. Many adventures set out to find these islands and there are tales of those who found them. The description of these blessed abodes are always of the beauty of the trees, water, flowers and fruit.



Just to imagine an island holiday is enough to be filled with fresh thoughts and renewed joy....so to allow your mind to sail away on a holiday to the Island of Flowers and Fruit.



Currently in four limited edition variations: Fragrance, Golden Pine, Wildberry Palm and Deckchair Delight.

Dimensions: 16cm (6 1/2 in) high, 15.5cm (6 1/4 in) wide.

Now available in the Flying Star on Etsy shop in $US dollars and also Flying Star Toys on Big Cartel in $AU dollars.

kokeshi find

This little kokeshi was waiting for me I just know it! I found her today at my local Salvo's second-hand store. I collect old style kokeshi and this make her number six. Welcome little one :)

Udessi - new stockist

I'm proud to announce that Flying Star Toys are now featured among the growing list of talented artists curated by Kim Wallace owner of the beautiful Udessi website - bringing together a select collection of work from Australian designer makes.

She has recently featured an interview with me on her blog - it can be read here.  I just love her photography of my work too - as seen in the photo above of a Blue Meringue Biscuit Bunny.

Afternoon Moon in Small Magazine

I was surprised to learn about Afternoon Moon appearing in Small Magazine. I must admit I hadn't read this online indie magazine before but I was very impressed with them when I "flipped" through the pages.   Wow!  It made me wish I was five again!  Small Magazine write that they show design that "represent(s) the philosophy of small - small scale independent design small sized for kids."  I like the sound of that :)

Robert Mahar of Mahar Drygoods was kind enough to include Flying Star Toys Afternoon Moon in his beautiful night-time collage for 'small finds', as seen above.  I couldn't ask for a more lovely place to see Afternoon Moon.

Margaret Olley watercolour exhibtition - UQ

Yesterday I spent a pleasent day with friend M.B., he invited me to join him to see the Margaret Olley watercolour exhibition at the University of Queensland Art Museum.  We took the ferry from South Bank and travelled up river spotting attractive tree clusters, hidden river perches  and generally enjoying all the interesting things one never sees from the street.

The University of Queensland is a beautiful campus with a collection of curious architectural specimens ranging from the dignified sandstone of the Great Square to the concrete spirals and shaped bronze of the 70s...it really took me back to my own uni, the ANU, which has a similar 70s vibe.  But most deliciously, it was the tropical rainforest atmosphere the UQ campus had after the recent rain - rich earthy smells, and mushrooms everywhere!

It was my first visit to the UQ gallery and it was a real surprise.  It's a beautiful building, the friendly staff there told me it was formerly the Graduations Hall, now completely remodelled internally.  They directed us upstairs, where the whole floor is currently dedicated to the Margaret Olley exhibition.  I wasn't aware Margaret Olley is a Queensland girl, she now lives in Sydney, and as I myself am a Queenslander I enjoyed her Queensland sketches the most.  Like in the first painting above, perhaps only a Queenslander could appreciate the subtle implication of the crazy marks of green.  I smile to recognise the tropical summer growth that's slowly getting the better of the careful garden caretaker...much like what Brisbane is experiencing now.

Margaret Olley is known mainly for her oils, but these ink sketches reveal the artist's skill. Her brief colour washes have the effortless elegance of a master.  The skies are particularly fine. While her simple lines are generally bold and confident they display equally a curious and charming quality that betrays a fine sense of humour, never mawkish,  for her subjects.  I can feel her enjoying herself in the production of these works - in her abbreviations she squashes the cold distance of the subject while maintaining its fabulousness and beauty, she leads you into its everyday intimacies - a talent I truly appreciate.

The exhibition, Margaret Olley - life's Journey, is on at UQ Art Museum until the 19th April.  Then tours to S H Ervin Gallery, Sydney, 8 May – 28 June and Newcastle Region Art Gallery, 15 August – 26 October.

Images above taken from the catalogue of the exhibition, "Margaret Olley - Life's Journey",  Queensland University Press, 2009.

Image 1: A Queensland Property (Aroo),  c. 1960, pastel and watercolour on paper, private collection.

Images 2: The Tiled Stove, 1956, ink and pastel on paper, private collection.

this evening

The fruit bats fly over our house at dusk each evening. Tonight the clouds are particularly beautiful.

The Secret Blue Lagoon - inspiration

More inspiration for the Sail Away: Holiday on the Island of Flowers and Fruit series.  Dear friend and artist Nadine Sawyer recently spent some time with her mother and aunt in Vanuatu.  She brought back not only some wonderful new paintings inspired by her time on the island but also a wonderful story about a secret blue lagoon.  The hereditary caretaker of the lagoon tells how the magical blue arises from the mixing of sea water from a tiny inlet from the sea and the bubbling up of a natural fresh water spring from underground.   She recounted her experience of swimming there among the tropical fish while nervously wondering about what might be below her in the mysterious blue depths!

You can see the blue lagoon and one of Nadine's stunning painting from her time in Vanuatu above.

Introducing Afternoon Moon

When do you see the moon? At night of course! But is that the only time? Haven't you ever seen an Afternoon Moon? An Afternoon Moon is hard to see but if you look carefully, on just the right days, you'll see a light blue moon in the sky shyly peeping down on the daylight world. When you see an Afternoon Moon it's time to remember your dreams....have you forgotten what they were? Ask the Afternoon Moon to remind you of them.

Afternoon Moon comes in four sizes. Three are hanging ornaments that can be hung by their thread like a mobile. The fourth is a larger Cushion Friend to help you dream.

They are made of very light weight denim in faded indigo. The face is hand stitched using linen thread and sashiko cotton.

Afternoon Moon are the latest edition to the Flying Star Toys collections, more images can be seen on the Afternoon Moon gallery page.  Afternoon Moon are now available in the Flying Star Toys on Etsy shop.

boats..a beginning

Posting the photo of a boat the other day must have hit the right note as yesterday I started the first boat in the Sail Away series "Holiday on the Island of Flowers and Fruit"! very happy :)

and I got in a really good kite fly in the afternoon down on the sand!!

Raven's Head

Raven's Head

Smile, that boogyman behind you is just a jester.  He holds your coloured ball in his hand and after all he's only been trying to return it to you.

Hello old friend.  Have you tried to sneak up on me again? Come around the front and let me look at you in the light.

Ah, but I know you!

Come in the front door next time.  You are no stranger to me - we share the same key.

He has disappeared and in my hand is a small coloured pearl - the Last Treasure and the first of many.

******

"And know that the head of the Art is a raven, who flies without wings in the blackness of the night and the brightness of the day." (alchemical saying)

******

It is true that pirates always have treasure and witches always have powers....something to remember.

******

image: Salvador Dali. This image of Dali is an old favourite. I had this as a huge poster in my dorm room at Uni.