ceramics

Bird Song 14.5cm Ceramic Disk by by Linogirl (sold).

These ceramic pieces by Linogirl are just so lovely! I'm really taken by the ceramic disk pictured above, titled "Bird Song", even though I know that it has just been purchased by another lucky Linogirl admirer... "Down the Garden Path" is an exhibition currently showing at Mad Gallery featuring the work of Kerry Scheen. On display are Kerry's small (8cm) and large (14.5 cm) hand painted ceramic disks which are designed to hang and are double sided. She describes them as "what one might find in a true garden one that hasn't been affected by toxic herbasides and pesticides".

First Bird in Spring Ceramic Pendant by Linogirl, AUD $60.

"Down the Garden Path" is showing until February 24th, and the gallery is located in Lancefield - part of the Macedon Ranges shire and 1 hour from Melbourne heading towards Bendigo. Kerry is lucky enough to work from her home studio in the Macedon Ranges. I have no doubt that her own garden provides plenty of inspiration for her whimsical, cheerful imagery.

Sebastian 8cm Ceramic Disk by Linogirl, AUD $115.

The ceramic disks on display are an extension of Linogirl's range of wearable ceramic objects. The disks, pendants, brooches & rings are all handmade and one-off pieces, each with it's own character and beauty. I'm sure some of you have visited Kerry at the Linogirl stall at the Rose Street Artists Market in Fitzroy, or perhaps spied her pieces in Brunswick Bound (Brunswick, VIC), Louey & Lane Gallery (Glenhuntly, VIC) or Two Birds in the Bush (Woodend, VIC).

Small Bud Ceramic Brooch by Linogirl, AUD $40.

A selection of Kerry's ceramic jewellery is also available to purchase through her web site at www.linogirl.com.au. A Linogirl ceramic object would certainly make a special, unique gift (or gift to self)!

Search 14.5cm Ceramic Disk by Linogirl, AUD $220.

I really love the dual textures of the hand shaped ceramic and the hand painted images used throughout the Linogirl collection. The contrast between the two is shown beautifully in the ceramic disk above, titled "Search". I love the colours too... and the gorgeous surprised expression on the girl's face.

Ping 8cm Ceramic Disk by Linogirl, AUD $115.

If you live near Melbourne, make sure to visit "Down the Garden Path" sometime in the coming week! Mad Gallery is located at 19 High St, Lancefield, VIC. (Ph. 03 5429 1432) Apparently, they serve fantastic coffee, so all the better!

Collecting 14.5cm Ceramic Disk by Linogirl, AUD $220.

For those of you who are yet to discover this wonderful site, Moose: Art for Living is all about creative people. It showcases work by incredible artists from all over Australia and each item sold comes with a small Artist Profile so you can become an expert on the pieces you purchase! The web site itself is a breath of fresh air - the minimalist design allows you to browse the artworks almost in a gallery style fashion. The online store currently stocks art, jewellery, fibre and ceramic works.

Recent additions to the artist lineup include jewellery designers Lola&Bailey (pictured above), and Bowkett Brooches (pictured below). The "Dali Pendant" (above left) and "Broadhurst Pendant" (above right) feature in Lola&Bailey's first collection of dynamic jewellery pieces. Their pendants are precision cut in perspex, and finished with Sterling Silver rivets, silk cord and nifty magnetic clasps. Each pendant displays multiple personalities as the wearer can choose to tie the cord along any part of the piece, transforming it into something completely different. (Pendants are AUD $65 each.)

Sandra Bowkett's range of ceramic jewellery features delicate, detailed images hand-applied to brooches made from Southern Ice Porcelain. She is passionate about creating objects that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also contribute to the user's sense of enjoyment, and Bowkett Brooches do just that. "Butterflies Brooch 1" (AUD $28) and "Red Rose & Cobalt Brooch 1" (AUD $32) are uniquely styled and would make very personal gifts.

These incredibly beautiful porcelain jewellery pieces & vessels are by Melbourne-based Klei - the collaboration of Barbara van Oost and Ben Paola. The Klei aesthetic is defined by a muted palette and abstract forms decorated with recurring, geometric patterns. The subdued colours and shapes void of harsh angles call to mind visions of modern relics. The necklaces pictured are AUD $110 each and the vessels below $55 and $59. The rings are $49 - they are handbuilt in small, medium and large sizes, but the kiln dictates the final outcome! Klei jewellery & homewares are available at Rose Street Market in Fitzroy every Saturday and Esplanade Market. Stockists include Counter @ Craft Victoria, Belki, Clover Clothing, The Jewelled Oasis (all in Victoria), Art Essence (NSW) and Ju Va (WA).

"Water etching is a technique used to reveal a design in layers of different opacity" and Mollie Bosworth (from Kuranda, North Queensland) has used this technique to create a range of beautifully transparent porcelain bowls. The image on the left is a bowl from the "Damask" series, wheel thrown with two porcelain clay bodies, with water etched patterns of tropical growth revealing subtle shifts of white on white evocative of damask cloth, while on the right is "Soft Striations", translucent porcelain wheel thrown with millefiori inclusions and water etching. View her large body of work online at www.molliebosworth.com. Selected bowls are also for sale online through All Hand Made Gallery for around AUD $200 each. (The All Hand Made Gallery is located in Waverley, Sydney.)