Gosford Art Residency

A week ago just before catching my bad flue (that is finally gone) I went to buy some groceries with my fiancé’ at Gosford’s (that is where I currently live) shopping  Centre. If you are familiar with the area you can imagine my immense surprise when passing by one of the shop I discovered that an art residency was going on! OMG That was so cool! Plus we were lucky enough to be able to talk with two of the artists in residency : Kylie Rose McLean, Janet Mean who are absolutely fantastic people and great artists.

The residency just finished (I ve just realised that...time does pass too quick), Kylie was recolting pieces of fabric and recording theyr history from people passing by, she will then transform the donated fabric into an installation of textile panels that encapsulate the personal stories, histories and memories of local residents.
And Janet was ironing and folding she will be encouraging people to bring in shirts and sheets that need ironing. They will watch her as she irons their clothes and engage in conversation about the service she is providing. How cool is that?
If you want to read more about Janet and Kylie or discover the other two artist in residence projects click here
If you are from the area and you missed out I invite you to go and see the final result whic  will be exhibited at the Gosford Regional Gallery from 21st July to 16th September, 2012.
I will certanily go!
If not you can follow part of Kylie  project virtually  here.
Have a lovely sunday
xoxo
lesley

Keep it SMART

Hey,
Today I am going to use some of my academic knowledge (yep you may not know that but I have a Master Degree in Economics and Marketing from one of the most prestigious Universities of the World: The Sorbonne) sorry about bragging about It but my EGO wanted some attention :O)

So If you like me are not having much chance with your online business It is maybe time to reconsider things, keep tuned on every Sunday on this Blog and things will be better!
Together we are going to manage to bust our Etsy Shops! Yes we can!!!!

So first rule is BE SMART!

Yes yes I know you are what I mean Is the S.M.A.R.T business Goals,

S.M.A.R.T. is an acronym :

S = specific

M= measurable

A= achievable

R= relevant

T = time-based goals.

SPECIFIC

You goals should be sharp and clear.

“Bring 1000 visitors per week” on your Etsy shop is a much clearer goal than “get more business for my Etsy shop”.

When you focus on something SPECIFIC you became more stronger. If you focus on a specific aim your goal will be a sort of magnet that will draw all your energy toward it.

MESURABLE
Numbers are an essential part of any business. Whitout them you will most likely fail. It would be like following a recepy without mesurements, the result? A catastrophe! Trust me I ve been there!

ACHIEVABLE

Remember just like Rome was not built in a day and you will not be Etsy Featured Seller overnight!
By the way anyone knows how that happens?

RELEVANT

Be realistic consider your competitors: If you find hundreds of other shop sellers that sell the same product of yours but with better pictures ans lower prices Umh It is going to be pretty hard for you to make it in that field!

TIME BASED GOALS

Business goals just don’t get done without it. Whether your business goal is to increase or make it to Etsy First page, it is important you establish a time-frame to realize your goal.

On my side my goal is to manage to sell two paintings per months on Etsy from November 2012.

From now on I am going to re-think my business do you want to join me in this adventure? I would love it!

xoxo

Lesley

What is Postmodernism?

It is a cliché to say that we live in a Postmodern world, yet only few people know what it really means. Untill a few days ago I was one of them. But now days I belive there is no excuse to be ignorant: we have access to information so easlly! Just lazyness can stop us!
So I ve decided that once a week I will make a post about an interesting art aspect that can help us be more cultivated! Last week it was Xu Bing today is going to be about Postmodernism.

The most important figure of Postmodernism is Jean Francois Lyotard.
If we had to describe postmodernism as a philosophical movement we should describe as a form of scepticism. Scepticism about authorities, received wisdom, cultural and political norms,…
In other words Postmodernism is the rejection of most of the western values, were revaluation becames very important.
Postmoderism has of course influenced the work of many artists from the music world to the art world, among all the so called postmodernist artists my favourite would certainly be Anselm Kiefer.

                 Karfunkelfee (2009) by Anselm Kiefer

In his work Kiefer refelcts about the violences, atrocities and paradoxes of human history.
I hope that you enjoyed this article and awakened your curiosity and thristh of knowledge and made you want learn more about the subject.
Remeber what Dante Alighieri wrote:
"you were not made to live as brutes, but to follow virtue and knowledge"
xoxo

Lesley


 

Papercuts - DIY- Imaginary landscapes

It is wonderful what you can do with only a few sheets of colorded papers and a pair of sissors and some glue, isn't it?

Today I ve had fun creating some immaginary landscapes It brought me back to my childhood made me feel so free and happy.
I do strongly recomend this as a cure to a boring rainy day with a flue.
Try it out and let me know what you think! Even If I am not a pro I am more than happy to give you some advice.

 

On the Road Again - the wonderrful treasures of Manly Market

I am a globetrotter that Is no big news, If It was up to me I would just spend my entire life travelling!  But what really excites me when I first visit a city is the general atmosphere, the discovery of small things, the local life, and I could go on a and on…

My general motto could be: “ Be Local think Global”, like try to live as a local in every country, that is my dream !

That is why in this rubric “On the road again” I will try to talk about things that both a local and a tourist could enjoy and describe Sydney trough her liveliness, her Markets and Events.

Today we are going to talk about one of my favorite spots in Sydney: Manly and its markets.

Four years ago I had been accepted to come to Australia to do an intership in a Tour Operator, before caming I asked some of my friends who had already been to Sydney, wich was theyr favourite spot, and most of them all told me: Manly!

So on my firsth week end in Oz still with the jetlag I went to Manly, not only I was not deceived, but ehi how can you resist 18 ocean beaches, greate boutiques, surfers and cool people from all over the world!? The atmosphere is so relaxed, funky , yung and yet classy it is just the perfect place to be.
I love going to Manly on the week ends mainly because of its art and craft market, were I can alwas find some treaures: amazing paintings, handmade jewellery, greate black and white photos, and much more.The markets is on every Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 5pm. And If you go there on a Satyrday morning you can always have a tour at the Farmers Market.

Thank you for reading,


xoxo

Lesley

 

Interview with Tanya and Dimity from Rosemyn Vintage

Tell me about you and your Etsy Shop

If you love it don't let it slip through your fingers and be gone forever...

Rosemyn Vintage is a mother and daughter partnership. Our etsy store opened in September 2011.
We have handmade jewellery, vintage clothing and accessories, vintage homewares and sewing patterns for sale in our store. We are members of a number of Australian and overseas teams. 
We love making treasuries and feel this is fabulous promotion for our store.
Dimity has been making jewellery for the past seven years. She started when she was 13 years old. A vast majority of pieces that she makes are unique and are made of new and recycled materials. All of them involve lots of love and time.
Tanya helps make the jewellery but is the main person behind the shop front, facebook and other technology.

What hand made and vintage mean for you?
Wouldn't you prefer to be the owner of a OOAK piece whether it be a beautiful handmade piece of jewellery or a vintage fashion treasure that no one else will have, than have some mass produced product. Her grandmother scouts op shops and garage sales for any old jewellery that Dimi can pull apart, mix with other components and upcycle into her own creations. She has been asked to make a number of bespoke pieces for people to wear to special occasions.
My husband and I (Tanya) are building a stone cottage on our property "Rosemyne" which is filled with vintage treasures that we have collected over the years. Anything unusual or rustic appeals to us - we love all things eclectic!

What is your recent project/find/creation?
Most recent creation would be the over-the-top beaded choker necklaces.
We have recently entered one of our shank button creations in shades of silver, purple and grey into a local "Waste Art" competion in the Inverell Shire - we will keep you posted on that one! We are starting a weekly "Find of the week ..." on our Facebook page beginning this week.


Whant to find more about Tanya and Dimity? Visit them on madit or twitter !


Thank you!
xoxo
Lesley

Pavlova - Australia 's Yummy Dessert

Here we are again in a our weekly appointment of " Yummy Monday", as you know this month is dedicated to Australia, so today I am going to reveal Australia's number one dessert recipe.
Meringues are known to bee a bit cheeky, not very easy to make, even If the process seems so basic it does need a bit of sovoir faire...

You can Imagine my "stress" about making a Pavlova, which let's face it is nothing else than  a Big Meringue.
My first attempt was a disaster...the meringue was chewy, thin and  too acid but now I ve won!
My secret?  Once completed cooking, let your Pav cool completely in oven If not It will fall down!!!

Ingredients 

• 1 tablespoon cornflour
• 6 egg whites
• 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1 cup of sugar
• 1 teaspoon of white vinegar
• 200ml of  cream
• 250g frozen raspberries or blueberries 

Method

Preheat oven to 200°C.

Make a circle with a pencil on a sheet of baking paper. 

Beat egg whites and  tartar in a big bowl

Add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating constantly. 

Add 3 teaspoons cornflour with the last tablespoon of sugar. 

Fold through the vinegar.

Spoon meringue onto your circle on the baking paper. 

Reduce oven to 100°C. 

Bake for  1  hour and a half or until dry and crisp. 

Turn off oven and open oven door. 

Cool completely in oven If not It will fall down...

Put onto a serving plate. Spread with cream and top with raspberries/blueberries or whatever fruit you love (strawberries and passion fruit also look amazing and taste deliscious!)

Let me know How you go! And If anyone as any tips please feel free to share!

xoxo
Lesley