WHATS ON: EverEver Gallery Mi Casa es Su Casa

This weekend, there are lots of delightful and inspiring things happening all over the (not so) sunny Gold Coast, who said that the Coast was a Black Hole for art and creativity?  Well whoever it was they were wrong!
Because...

Tonight, Friday 15th Oct. at EverEver Gallery
Mi Casa es Su Casa will be exhibiting works by Colin Wyatt and Kiel Tillman.  The works have a Mexican/Southern Californian theme to them in a broad range of mediums from wall papers through to sculptures. 

Tonight is opening night, from 6pm til 9pm, but if alas you cannot make it, the exhibition runs until 9th November.

EverEver is located here for those of you (like me) who wander up and down James street wondering WHERE?!?

GIVEAWAY - Onceworn Twiceloved

This weeks Local Creative, Sue from Onceworn has been oh so kind and generous, and has created a very special one-of-a-kind little leather purse which is going to be given away to one lucky reader.

Here it is.....

All handcrafted using re-purposed materials, so not only is it a little stunner, it has an environmental concience too, and it could be all yours!

If you haven't yet read about Sue and all her creative wares, you can do so here and here

For the chance to win, simply comment below, and Random.org will be drawing out the lucky winner next Friday morn. Only one comment per person please, but be sure to share this little gem with all your friends and fam. so that they have the chance to snap up a little piece of Gold Coast creative treasure too.

A great big Thanks to Sue for her wonderful generosity!
Show your support for the Creative Uprising of the Gold Coast, and support handmade, and the local community.

Love Hatch

In their own words: Onceworn Twiceloved

Here my fine feathered friends, you will find some Q&A with the lovely Sue from Onceworn all about what she does, why she does it, and what life for her is like on the (not so sunny of late) Gold Coast

You can find Sue's
Etsy shop here:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/onceworn
Madeit shop here: http://www.madeit.com.au/onceworn

Darling Sue has kindly donated some handcrafted, upcycled, made with love goodness which will be up for grabs to one lucky blog reader tomorrow, so be sure to come back and check it out!

But now, lets see what Sue has to say....

What was the motivation behind starting up onceworn? Onceworn twiceloved is the outlet for my creative side, satisfying a passion for op-shopping, design and sewing.  It all started with needing a new handbag myself, and has just grown from there.  I make one-of-a-kind handbags and accesories from secondhand and vintage leather jackets and fabrics.
 
Who do you invisage as a buyer/wearer/lover of your items?
I design things that I like to use and wear myself.  I see onceworn appealing to women who like something unique and quirky, but still practical, well designed and well-made.  I hope that the fact that I am re-purpposing things that might otherwise be thrown away is also a drawcard from a sustainability point of view.  My bags come with a tag showing the original jacket that they were created from so you can see what they started out life as.
 

How did you learn your craft?
I have sewn on and off for my whole life, making lots of my own clothes and things for our home.  My mum taught me to sew when I was really young.  She's the best seamstress ever, and has way more patience than me.  She tolerated many a tantrum when the sewing machine chewed up the cotton and jammed!  
 
What is the best thing you have found to repurpose?
I recently came across my best find ever, a vintage steel grey-blue full length leather ladies trench coat for $10!!!  It would make the most beautiful bag, and I won't lie, I'm tempted, but there are some things that are perfect just as they are.  I can't bring myself to cut it, so I'm going to wear it in winter! 

 
Describe the art scene of the Gold Coast through your eyes? I've only been on the coast for 10 years, but over that time I have definitely seen the arts, crafts and design scene on the Gold Coast grow, slowly but steadily.  There are new markets showcasing handcrafted items, and arty, different shops and galleries popping up all the time.  There isn't really one spot where these types of shops/galleries and venues are concentrated here though, like in alot of major cities, and that makes it difficult for them to get discovered.  I love it that blogs like The Hatchling Society are able to give these people and places the exposure they deserve, and I'll certainly be checking back in regularly.
 
What do you dream for the future of onceworn?
I would love for onceworn to become a full-time job and have more time to create. I have alot more ideas for things I'd like to make, homewares and other things.  If I could sew full-time it would be great!  

Be sure to show your support for this wonderful Gold Coast lady and her wares, and from The Hatchling Society, a great big THANKS SUE!!

If you, or someone you know would like to be the Showcase seller (or even the one asking the questions) you can contact us on facebook here or by Email contact.hatchling@gmail.com

Don't forget to share and be a part of the creative uprising of the Coast

..xx Hatch

Showcase Wednesday - Onceworn Twiceloved

This weeks local artisan is the lovely Sue from 'Onceworn Twiceloved', a fantastic local crafter, who finds and repurposes vintage and second hand leather items, and gives them a whole new life, and a whole new somebody-to-love. Just like this...

She inherited her love of sewing from her Mama, and her passion for re-purposing began at the tender age of 5 when said Mama unpicked and resized a dress of her own to fit her darling daughter.

Sue never knew quite what she wanted to be, and has dabbled in everything from Zoology to Computer Graphics, but like so many, the call to get creative took over, and this, combined with her lust for all things vintage saw the beginnings of onceworn. 

Her focus on creating beautiful yet sustainable items makes them all the more delightful, and her self-confessed perfectionism means that every item is finished to a superstar quality.





 Sue's gorgeous wares can be found in the Onceworn Etsy Shop, http://www.onceworn.etsy.com/, which is consistently updated with new and delightful treasures, and also on madeit www.madeit.com.au/onceworn

Whats Happening? - 11/10/2010

Tonight there is music and good times to be had at the Cave/Cavern.
Jez Mead, Genevieve Chadwick and Matt Southon will be delighting and exciting ears and hearts with their musical talents.  It is free entry (woop!) and kicks off at 7pm.  On days like these where the rain is a pain, a night at the Cave might heal your brain!

Showcase Wednesday (Even though its Thursday) The Gold Coast Mobile Visual Art Unit

Find out what it is like to be a creative Entreprenuer on the Gold Coast with Jane Whittred from the Gold Coast Mobile Visual Art Unit.....

What do you think makes your business unique?
The combination of my Bachelor of Art and Education Diploma and a life time of experience in the visual arts.

What are you influenced and inspired by when creating?
I love being self employed and to be able to use my mix of qualifications under one hat and make a difference to a group or an individual is all I need to go further. A light bulb flicked on after the 10th parent asked me to do something like this as they wanted their children to use their brains creatively like we did when we were kids. There is too much 'screen' distraction these days. The business just kept growing with new opportunities appearing every week.

Describe who you imagine a Mobile Visual Art participant to be?
They range from kindy age (exploring colour and using fine motor skills) right through to aged care (art therapy) and everyone else in between. I would love to work with different disabilities, both mental and physical as well soon.

Describe a typical day in the life of the Mobile Visual Art Unit?
Hard to describe as no day is the same. At the end of the day there are always smiling faces and a sense of confidence about the person and what they have created.

What do you find to be the most rewarding thing about working within the Arts spectrum on the Gold Coast?
We live in a very fast moving part of the country with some of the most beautiful beaches in the world and yet although the Arts Community is not huge, we are still here and will continue to grow.

What is the most Challenging?
The low dollar value of genuine artwork, the willingness to follow trends rather than creating or purchasing individual pieces and the price parents and the education system is willing to spend on educating our youth through visual art.

Describe the Gold Coast through your eyes?
Although I have grown up on the Gold Coast and love the place I don't like how we have accepted our boring style of architecture which sets a low expectation of our creativity. Saying that, with our fabulous climate up here it will never be dull.

What do you wish for the future of art, creativity, and culture on the Coast?
 I visited St Ives, Cornwall (UK) 6 years ago and adored how they had little artist studios on every corner of every street. Where ever you looked there was talent and although Gold Coast can't be compared (for so many reasons) how lovely it would be to support our talent and have little studios popping up all over the place and the community really getting behind them and buying local quality art.

Thank you so much to Jane for sharing a little bit of magic with us all.
You can find Jane on Facey here or you can send her through an Email at whittred_art@bigpond.com

In their own words: Buttons Dior

Find out what being a creative on the Gold Coast is like for Buttons Dior.
Here you can read an interview with the creator, designer and brain behind it all, the fabulous Nic Dior...

What do you think makes Buttons Dior unique?
Because 99% of my items are made with unique, quirky and one of a kind buttons. Our entire range is one of a kind, you will not find it in other sizes or colours.

What are you influenced and inspired by when creating?
My grandmother had a huge collection of buttons that i spent hours sifting through. I was amazed at the gorgeous little embellishments and with already having a clothing line to cater for children and alternate families, i thought i would expand and involve these Delicious buttons.

Vintage Flowers Singlet

Describe who you imagine a Buttons Dior wearer to be?
Someone who doesn't roll with the crowds. Who is happy to be seen in one off items.

4.) What is the best thing about your job?
I can work at home, surrounded by my 3 little angels. I can also pack my gear up and created from different locations. Expanding my inspiration.

What do you find to be the most rewarding thing about being an Artisan on the Gold Coast, and what is the most Challenging?
The most rewarding would have to be the exposure. The Gold Coast is very tight knit and word of mouth spreads fast. Everyone is always supporting new and upcoming artisans and with alot of boutique stores around, every one is willing to give you a go.

On the flip side, that would also be my challenging, as there as so many devine designers on the gold coast, that you really need to Stop, and think about where you want your business to take you.

 Im not in it for the fame or the money. Im in in to provide alternate clothing, to families on a tight budget like us. And a way of releasing my creativity. Its also a great way to meet new and wonderful people!

Buttons Dior at the Burleigh Farmers Market

Thank you so much to the wonderful Nic for letting us all find out about the workings and inspiration of a very talented woman.

Buttons Dior can be found on Facey here and you can contact Buttons by email: buttonsdior@gmail.com

Show your support for local artisans doing something unique and brilliant on the Gold Coast people.

With love
Hatch ..xx