Attention: indie art & design is taking a short break until mid-June 2024. During this time orders will not be taken but we look forward to seeing all of our valued and future customers very soon!
indie art & design blog
new job + commission!
14.1.2010
FINDERS KEEPERS INTERNSHIP!
Seeking an online media/marketing intern for 1 day a week...
TOTE BAGS
InterfaceFLOR is looking for a designer to make large tote bags for a product launch...
Full details here!
scorching swimwear edition
The Africa handmade deep-scoop-back one piece swimsuit (AUD $250) by We Are Handsome
I hope you all had a wonderful break over Christmas and are feeling well-rested to begin 2010! Happy New Year to all and may 2010 bring you happiness, good health and exciting new opportunities. Since it's holiday season, we thought we'd start the year with a swimwear edition!
The Arabia handmade deep-scoop-back one piece swimsuit (AUD $250) by We Are Handsome
These scorching summer designs are limited editions and handmade to order from We Are Handsome, a collabration between Indhra Chagoury of Oscar & Elvis Swimwear and Jeremy Somers of People Like Us. By searching through thousands of retro 80s & pop culture images and combining carefully selected elements, We Are Handsome have literally sewn a glossy, larger than life era into contemporary fashion.
Print detail for The Arabia and the Los Angeles handmade deep-scoop-back one piece swimsuits (AUD $250ea) by We Are Handsome
Much effort and patience has obviously gone into the production process! After the initial concept was developed, the designers tested their knowledge, skills and occationally their friendship to create their debut collection. To produce the imagery, high quality polyester lycra was printed with high density inks using a placement sublimation process which "is tedious to say the least". The results speak for themselves, and offer us swimwear which will not go unnoticed!
The Miami handmade deep-scoop-back one piece swimsuit (AUD $250) by We Are Handsome
Each swimsuit is available in Australian sizes 8, 10 and 12 and you can check sizing infomation at www.wearehandsome.com/faq. As each piece is made to order, allow 4-6 weeks for delivery - make sure to place your order before 5th Feb to be looking "handsome" this summer.
Print detail and finished garment - The Delaware handmade deep-scoop-back one piece swimsuit (AUD $250) by We Are Handsome
For more images and info, visit www.wearehandsome.com. My favourite style has to be The Arabia - what's yours?
festive tags + trinkets
Christmas Birds (AUD $14.95ea) by Paper Boat Press
Christmas is almost upon us and as people and places dress up for the occasion, we bring you a selection of handmade pretties to adorn your own living room and the gifts beginning to appear under the tree (or in our case, the resident peace lily)!
5 Pack of Small Stars (AUD $20) and Petite Round with Heart (AUD $12.95ea) - ceramic decorations by paper boat press
I'm really in love with ceramics at the moment, and these sweet pieces are handmade in Brisbane by Kylie Johnson. Her label, paper boat press, began as a boutique greeting card range featuring Kylie's one or two line poems. paper boat press has now grown to include ceramic ornaments, ceramic jewellery, original illustrations and functional ceramic vessels. Many of Kylie's designs incorporate her poetry. Her poetry collection "count me the stars" was published by Murdoch Books in 2008, and she has a second book, "a once courageous heart" due for release in March, 2010. You can see more at www.paperboatpress.com
Handmade Kid Leather Christmas Bauble Decorations (AUD $10ea) by Emerge Shoppe
Look at these leather decorations! They have been handmade by Emma Greenwood, who also exhibited her work in the "Shoe Show" at Craft Victoria last month. Each decoration measures approx. 9cm high, and will certainly catch Santa's attention. The kid leather Trees and Baubles have been top stitched and sparkled-up with Swarovski crystals, while the Owl cuties have been overlaid with additional leather pieces and given good sled-spotting night vision with big round eyelets for eyes!
Handmade Kid Leather Christmas Tree and Owl Decorations (AUD $10ea) by Emerge Shoppe
You'll find Emma's creations in her online store, Emerge Shoppe and you can also follow her blog, aprons & hammers, at www.apronsandhammers.blogspot.com. Emma also makes leather accessories which would make great gifts - especially for people who are hard to buy for... like boys! Choose from keyrings, belts, brooches, pins & cuffs...
Set of 3 Double-Sided Recycled Silkscreen Ornaments in Blue (AUD $22ea) by etsa sketch
etsa sketch divides her time between art & study, and creates really lovely drawings & prints. The printmaking process can be hazardous and unpredictable at times, and she likes to "take any mistakes, imperfections or bad decisions and repurpose them into something beautiful".
These sweet wooden discs feature small glimpses of hand-pulled silkscreen prints. They are double-sided and would make great ornaments for Christmas or any other time of year! You'll find them in etsa sketch's MadeIt store, and you can follow her blog at estasketch.blogspot.com.
Pack of 5 Flora Tags, Letterpress and Lino Cut (AUD $9.50) by RubyVictoria
This post has been a real mix-up of materials - ceramics, leather, silkscreen prints and lastly... letterpress! I love these Christmas tags by Tasmanian printmaker & artist RubyVictoria - in fact I just purchased a dozen of the Naughty/Nice Coaster Tags pictured below! 'Nice' tags will be going to grandparents; siblings will definitely receive 'Naughty' tags, (despite all the help I received at Finders Keepers)... I wonder which of our parents & friends will make the 'Nice' cut?
Pack of 5 Letterpress Christmas Gift Tags (left, AUD $7) and Pack of 6 Letterpress Coaster Tags (right, AUD $12) by RubyVictoria
You'll find lots of loveliness in RubyVictoria's MadeIt store and you can follow her blog at www.rubyvictoria.blogspot.com.
If you're looking for even more Christmas decoration inspiration, we recently featured the Polli Decoration Kit of 30 (AUD $19.95) and edward & lilly's gorgeous lavender birdies (AUD $15).
Wishing a Merry Christmas to all our indie readers!
With love from Carolyn & Martin xx
a finders keepers weekend of winners!
Nikki Catalano and edward & lilly, Australian indie labels participating in the Indie Avalanche of Prizes, a joint project by indie art & design and The Finders Keepers.
We all had a fantastic time this weekend at The Finders Keepers Markets! Thanks to all the indies who came to visit - it was really lovely to meet you in person. We held the prize draw for the Indie Avalanche of Prizes at about 7.30pm on Saturday night. The winning tickets were drawn by Kevin Tran, whose "Finders Keepers" artwork featured on the cover of our "25 reasons to shop indie" booket, Finders Keepers cofounder Sarah and myself. We were so excited to find that two of our winners were in the crowd for the draw!
Bonnie Poplar and Saffron Craig, Australian indie labels participating in the Indie Avalanche of Prizes, a joint project by indie art & design and The Finders Keepers.
A big congratulations to Natalie (ticket B31), Karla (ticket B54) and Kirsty (ticket D79). Both Natalie and Kirsty had come to Sydney especially for the Markets, so the trip was definitely worth it! By the way, Kirsty's dad (who was excited as both Kirsty & me), runs the Star of the Sea apartments in Terrigal. If you're looking for luxury accommodation for a special holiday, look no further!
Duckcloth and Gaye Abandon, Australian indie labels participating in the Indie Avalanche of Prizes, a joint project by indie art & design and The Finders Keepers.
Our three indie gift hampers were incredible, and I want to extend a big thank you to all the labels who contributed their designs to the Indie Avalanche of Prizes. There was a fantastic mix of different products and we've featured images from each label either in this post or the last... If you'd like to order from these designers, you can contact each label directly using the links below. (You'll also find some items in the new indie store which will launch this week - eek!!)
Lark and geritom71, Australian indie labels participating in the Indie Avalanche of Prizes, a joint project by indie art & design and The Finders Keepers.
All the lovely labels...
a skulk of foxes, benconservato, Bonnie Poplar, Chimney House Shoes, Duckcloth, edward & lilly, feedthedog, Gaye Abandon, geritom71, Iggy & Lou Lou, Lark, Little Jane St, little white dish, Made by White, Mainichi, me and amber, Nikki Catalano, Non-Fiction, Saffron Craig, Sarah Rothe, Simone Walsh, South for the Summer, Trove, Umbrella Prints.
Little Jane St and Mainichi, Australian indie labels participating in the Indie Avalanche of Prizes, a joint project by indie art & design and The Finders Keepers.
An extra special thanks to D&O Printing, Artarmon, for printing the Indie Avalanche of Prizes booklet. With D&O's support, we were able to give each entrant something special to keep long after the markets are over. Each label's name and URL are included with the images, and we do have copies left over. If you weren't able to attend the Markets and would like a copy of the booklet for yourself (and friends), email your address to Carolyn at nineteen.toes@indie.com.au and I'd be more than happy to pop some in the post!
little white dish and Trove, Australian indie labels participating in the Indie Avalanche of Prizes, a joint project by indie art & design and The Finders Keepers.
D&O Printing have provided us with excellent quality printing for many years. The business is family-owned and not surprisingly, the service is exceptional. They printed our booklets at very short notice, and worked late into the night last Thursday - delivering the booklets to me personally to make sure everything was ready in time for the Markets!
me and amber & Chimney House Shoes, Australian indie labels participating in the Indie Avalanche of Prizes, a joint project by indie art & design and The Finders Keepers.
If you purchased a ticket in the Indie Avalanche of Prizes, you probably met Kathryn of geritom71. Kathryn and my little sister Melissa were invaluable helpers on both Friday & Saturday and we had lots of fun manning the Non-Fiction / indie art & design stall...
Non-Fiction and Made by White, Australian indie labels participating in the Indie Avalanche of Prizes, a joint project by indie art & design and The Finders Keepers.
We look forward to future collaboration with Sarah & Brooke & The Finders Keepers!
Simone Walsh and Umbrella Prints, Australian indie labels participating in the Indie Avalanche of Prizes, a joint project by indie art & design and The Finders Keepers.
indie avalanche of prizes at finders keepers
Iggy & Lou Lou and benconservato, two of the Australian indie labels participating in the Indie Avalanche of Prizes, a joint project by indie art & design and The Finders Keepers.
The next Sydney Finders Keepers Markets is fast approaching! On Friday & Saturday (4th & 5th December 2009), Carriageworks will once again come alive with a crazy array of art, design & craft products. You'll be able to do all your Christmas shopping at once!
YOUR CHANCE TO WIN INDIE... BIG TIME!
Announcing: indie art & design and The Finders Keepers have joined forces to give you the chance to win the BEST CHRISTMAS PRESENT EVER with the INDIE AVALANCHE OF PRIZES!
Cover art by Kevin Tran, featured on the gorgeous booklet of labels accompanying tickets in the Indie Avalanche of Prizes, a joint project by indie art & design and The Finders Keepers.
In fact, we have assembled 3 different indie gift hampers valued at over AUD $1200 each! The gifts have been provided by 24 of our favourite indie labels, and for $5, a ticket can be yours! $2 from each ticket purchased will be donated to Oxfam, and with every ticket, you'll also receive a very special booklet we've had printed, featuring artwork by Kevin Tran (who created the December Markets flyer) on the front cover, and images from each participating label inside!
Sarah Rothe and feedthedog, two of the Australian indie labels participating in the Indie Avalanche of Prizes, a joint project by indie art & design and The Finders Keepers.
The incredible Indie Avalanche of Prizes will be on display at the event, where you'll be able to meet us in person! Artists & designers have given us some of their favourite pieces, including an original painting by benconservato, a 'PaperCuts Small Fan Pendant' by Sarah Rothe, a very special hand printed and embroidered cusion by feedthedog, gorgeous ceramic pendants by Iggy & Lou Lou, a sterling silver 'lovebirds' pendant by a skulk of foxes, exquisite feathered head bands by South for the Summer and many more gifts from Nikki Catalano, edward & lilly, Bonnie Poplar, little white dish, Trove, Simone Walsh, Umbrella Prints, Little Jane St, Non-Fiction, Mainichi, Made by White, Saffron Craig, Lark, geritom71, Duckcloth, Gaye Abandon, me and amber and Chimney House Shoes.
South for the Summer and a skulk of foxes, two of the Australian indie labels participating in the Indie Avalanche of Prizes, a joint project by indie art & design and The Finders Keepers.
Stay tuned as we'll be revealing more later in the week! To enter in the draw & grab your chance at winning the best Christmas-gift-to-self you could dream of, come and visit us at the Non-Fiction/indie art & design stall! We'd love to say hello, and hope to see you soon...
Our thanks to D&O Printing, Artarmon, for their generous sponsorship!