Trying Not to Fall Apart

I have not wanted to be away from you for this long but my first official week back at work has brought all the stresses associated with working for oneself. Staffing issues, untimely fabric deliveries, frustrating server problems and machinery break downs and waiting for the repair man at 7.00 am are all contributing factors but I certainly won't bore you with the details.

I am excited that my new screens will be ready in the morning (in a few hours really) although with pending orders, we won't be able to print the new fabrics (see previous post) until next week. I am also trying out a new seamstress and have given her two new products to sample so fingers crossed on that one. More exciting still, I am collaborating with another designer on a new product range but alas, I can't reveal anything more at this stage.


Last weekend was my collage workshop and I have to confess that I was a tad disappointed, well more than a tad really. The class was not what I expected and I don't think that I learned anything new. It was very basic and the teacher did not or would not show us any of his work which was quite strange.

It was not a friendly class either as there were no introductions at the beginning. It made me happily realise that the workshops I teach are enjoyable because of the very friendly and social environment.

Day 2 of the workshop was even worse! I'm sorry but weaving strips of paper and creating 3-D pyramids out of cut cardboard seems very Grade 4 to me. Luckily, I found an ally in classmate Narelle Oliver (more about her later) who had the same bad attitude as me. We followed our own agenda after lunch. I can't say that my work here is spectacular as I need time to play around with and evolve my ideas, something I can't do in a class environment.


This is my fish but I like Narelle's fish better (below) so have included a couple of her creations here too.


The picture below is Narelle's Antarctic landscape made of torn strips of magazine paper in gray tones. The beauty of this photo is a little lost in blog translation. The imagery is much clearer if you see it from a distance.

I was so pleased to have met Narelle as she is a brilliant illustrator, author and artist.

The fox is an image from her children's book Fox and Fine Feathers. I am always impressed by the number of talented people we have in our lovely city. Visit Narelle Oliver.

For further inspiration, visit good friend Alarna Zinn and view (and buy) her beautiful Little Jane St. greeting cards designed with gorgeous collage.

Stay tuned as I introduce you to the newest member of the Samios clan and post pictures of my next Screen-Printing workshop on this Saturday.

Big Night Out in Capalaba

As promised, here are images from our Organic Fabrics Launch evening on Tuesday, courtesy of the multi-talented Georgina Lewis. See more pictures over at Curlyhead Design.

I love this shot of our new organic cotton canvases and twills hanging on the rack! Please be patient until I list them onto the new website next week, I promise.

Lovely people, mainly interior designers and some friends who acted as professional party minglers, enjoying the evening over mini-bottles of pink champagne and hors d'oeuvres.

Aforementioned friends, Georgi (no e please) Lewis and Alarna Zinn of Little Jane St. fame.

Appropriately, Alarna and Eleni both wore Thea & Sami printed leggings to the event and showed off lovely legs. How hot are Alarna's heels?

The ever-supportive Voyt Reich, my partner in life and in the studio after hours. He actually has a day job selling commercial real estate. Here he is demonstrating how we print our lovely fabrics - I am on the other side of this screen (see below).

I think this is a ridiculous photo of me (thanks Georgi) but I had some champagne and it was a little weird screen-printing with an audience although we did appreciate the applause that followed.

PS. I apologise if my latest posts are looking weird (especially if you are using Explorer) but Blogger is not cooperating.

Little Jane St. & Friends

The people I meet in my workshops never cease to inspire me. Here are some lovely screen-printed designs from Brisbane illustrator Alarna Zinn of Little Jane St.  I love these pretty tea-pots.

Alarna brought along her group of talented friends to the Thea & Sami Screen-Printing workshop on Saturday and were busy, busy, busy.  This group was mighty fast with the craft knives!

  

Alarna will be selling her range of Little Jane St. stationery at the Brisbane Young Designers Market at South Bank on Sunday, March 8th.



Aidan Bisset vamped up his t-shirts and muscle shirts with his own designs which he will be wearing to the gym next week.  And to show that you can come up with an original angle, check out his 'wet paint' look hibiscus design.