A trust exercise

I know, I know.

You'd think I'd know better....

Living on Darby Street between two popular pubs I hear the nightly "swap over" at around midnight many nights...violence, loud voices & flagrant disregard for Cooks Hill are witnessed approximately one out four weekends....Nobody apparently polices the drunken behaviour.

Licensing laws?

Huh? What are they?

LOL

So, I understand you'll think me crazy to have bothered spending my Sunday morning wrapping the traffic light pole outside our shop in granny squares? Fair call.

Call me naive. I know I am.

But I'm hoping for some respect for other people's efforts to make an ugly thing into a pretty one.

I live in hope.

xxx

PS While I was doing it a little girl stopped with her Mum to watch & declared that "it looks like a cake!"

PPS Just as I was finishing it off a man yelled "Save The Figs!" out of his car window to me.

Bless them both.

xx

annnnnnnd Liana Kabel has arrived!

Who is Liana Kabel?

"I've been plastic obsessed since 2004. Since then my focus has been on creating original jewellery, although I have made the odd Tupperware dress. My father was a jeweller and my mother was a Tupperware Lady, so I guess this career was inevitable!"

"Liana was born in Sydney and is now based in Brisbane, Australia.

Since moving location Liana's artistic practice has seen a focus on the design and handcrafted production of contemporary Jewellery."

"Liana's background is broad ranging with experience in ceramics, photography, painting, fibre arts, costume design and the performing arts. Liana has completed a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the UNSW majoring in English and Theatre Studies."

I am over the MOON that Blackbird Corner is to be exclusive Newcastle stockists of Liana Kabel's divine range!

I wear my black knitting needle bangle every day and my red & tortoiseshell knitting needle necklace as often as I dare!

I'm doing a happy dance right now!!!!

xxx

Hurrah it's Pannikin!!!!

Who are you & why is your range called what it is called?

My name is Holly Leonardson however my artist moniker is Pannikin, which was taken from the name of the street I grew up in as a little kid.

Where are you located?

Brisbane, QLD.

How long have you been creating your lush wares?

I have been creating under the name Pannikin since 2007 but since then my style has evolved - my new range of wearable art accessories launched late October this year, however I have so many more plans I can't wait to unveil.

Do you currently have a favourite item in your range?

Hard to say, I think the Pup-Pup brooch because he looks so forlorn and perhaps the Scout brooch as she was the first illustration to be turned into a wood cut.

What motivates you to keep crafting/creating?

I would go crazy if I had to stop. I don't feel like myself when I haven't been using my hands to make something, whether it is drawing, painting, sewing, crafting or baking.

Are you someone who generally tends to buy Handmade over mass produced? Why?

Team Handmade! There is just so much more character to handmade pieces, I like knowing that someone sat down and spent some quality time to create the piece and that they enjoyed it. I am a bit of a collector (okay, a huge collector!), so there is no bigger thrill to receive a package in the mail from an artist you admire so much. You can't buy that at Kmart!

Do you have any new items in the pipe line that you'd like to hint to us about?

Ooooh how tempting it is to let the proverbial cat out of the bag! But I'll hold tight for now - you can check my blog for updates: www.pannikin.com.au

Do you also sell online?

Yes of course! You can find me on etsy: www.pannikin.etsy.com and madeit: www.madeit.com.au/pannikin

Would you like for me to link to your store for those poor people not able to get into Blackbird?

Yes please!

Are you sick of answering these silly questions?

Too fun!

PS. I have "known" Holly online since I started this Blog and am so excited to have watched Pannikin evolve to the stage where we are able to stock her label at Blackbird!

If Brian the Courier comes through - a limited range of these gorgeous wares will be on our shelves tomorrow!!

We are exclusive Newcastle Stockists of Pannikin!!!!

So thrilled!!

Baby animals - photos by Doll Eyes

Our very dear friend, Artist/Photographer Shana from Doll Eyes, popped into the shop late last week & left with a big bag full of Anorak Tees + an arm full of animal masks from our sizeable collection. The result was a delightful assortment of photos featuring her Sisters-in-Laws and her lovely hubby Pat.

I simply had to share some with you here!

We are so very blessed to have such lovely, creative, inspiring friends. Friends that we wouldn't have met had it not been for opening Blackbird Corner.

Today I am counting my many blessings.

Have you done that lately?

xxx

BIG kids

BIG kid's magazine is a 60-page ethically produced biannual print publication that inspires creativity. BIG is generously designed by Maree Oaten of Paper Runway so you just know it'll be divine.

We're really excited to be Newcastle's first stockists of this scrumptious publication!

Incidentally the latest issue of Paper Runway is in too!!

Ooops I almost failed to mention it!!

Sean has informed me that it's their best to date & he's rather impressed! I've not had the time to read it yet but he's a tough judge - so we'll take his word for it methinks!

We love introducing you to new Maga/zines as you know.

I could spend more time on here blogging about it but I've got new Magazines to peruse!

xxx

49 days & counting!

SEAM

Guess what?

SEAM Magazine has just arrived!

I cannot wait to read it!

It looks really very impressive - just at first glance!

YAY!!

xxx

Silent Film Festival coming to Newcastle!!!

Australia's Silent Film Festival will be in

Newcastle next weekend!

Eeeeeek!!!

Ticket prices to each session are just $15/$10 concession and there will be a Gold Pass to all sessions at a discount of $48/$34 concession.

It is to be held at

Greater Union 183-185 King Street Newcastle.

Screenings will be:

Charlie Chaplin (from his days at Mutual) Film TBA -

12th November at 2pm

Buster Keaton in The General -

on the 12th November at 4pm

Harold Lloyd Film Grandmas Boy -

13th of November at 2pm

The absolute classic Nosferatu -

13th of November at 4pm

These are digital presentations of restored films!

Tickets are available online at: http://www.ozsilentfilmfestival.com.au/

scroll down to the bottom of the page and you will see a box on the right hand side to purchase tickets.

There may be some sold at the door but this cannot be guaranteed!

Don't risk missing out!

Brought to Newcastle with the help of our dear friend

Artist/Photographer/Silent Film Obsessive -

Shana from Doll Eyes.

xxx