I think this incredible wreath puts my ever-evolving wreath to shame! Isn’t it stunning? It is made by the very talented Claire from fellow fellow, she has posted a step by step guide on how to make it, and I think if you haven’t already attempted to make your own holiday wreath, this would be the perfect DIY project for the coming weekend…
Click here for Claire’s full instructions. Found via frankie, of course, who are always in the know…
xx
For those who have been reading my blog since the beginning (it’s been 5 years this month!), you might recall my early attempts at the ever-evolving wreath back in Amsterdam, using materials I had on hand. Now in Sydney, I started a new wreath this time last year, using an embroidery hoop as a base and adding cut branches and found foliage from my backyard. This is what it looked like in 2011…
Then I let it wither and age, and fell in love with it even more…
It has been resting on top of the piano for most of the year, although I did use it as a prop for a very special shoot a few months back (to be revealed in the next post). For the holiday season this year I have added hydrangeas and seed pods from the back garden, and this is what it looks like now, for 2012…
Do you like it? I’m really happy with it. I’m not sure how well it will age, the hydrangeas may just shrink and brown, but we’ll see, I’ll keep you posted.
xx
PS and I managed to sneak a little blossom behind her ear when she wasn’t looking…
shelf / life, photography by daniel shipp, styling by kam huckins
There is a beautiful store here in Sydney called Shelf / Life, tucked away in the creative enclave of Surry Hills. It’s one of my favourite shops. Owner Jess has incredible taste, but she also takes great care to handpick items that are kind to the Earth. I asked Jess if she would consider creating a holiday gift guide for you, my readers. She has come up with a fabulous guide, separated into three categories: “homebody”, “pamper” and “entertainer”. Most of the items are available online in her store or directly from the artisan themselves. Thank you dear Jess!
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Hello, I’m Jess, owner of Surry Hills store, shelf / life, and today Pia has been kind enough to let me share my festive gift guide with you. The weeks leading up to Christmas are my favourite time in the shop. The weather is warming up, people are happy to be out and about, and every day we receive a new and exciting parcel in the mail filled with fresh products for our shelves. It’s a vibrant and happy time of year and, although busy, it’s really rewarding to see customers excited about giving our products as gifts.
Born from a desire to showcase works from my favourite designers and increase conscious consumerism, shelf / life was established in late 2009 and continues today with an ever-evolving range of home wares, stationery and gifts handpicked for their considered design. The little gift guide below features some of my favourite products from shelf / life as well as my top picks from a few other independent designers that I admire. I hope you enjoy it!
This year, I was asked by Victoria (aka Country Style editor-in-chief) if I’d like to write and style a monthly column in the ever-inspiring Country Style Magazine, along with my regular blog posts for their new blog. The answer of course was YES. Based on my ethos to “enhance the everyday”, the column is about living creatively, with simple projects and ideas that can be incorporated into your every day. My launch article has been featured in the very special Collector’s Christmas edition which is out now, showcasing my flower wall fashioned into a tree using gold washi tape, with piles of presents wrapped in found flora, vintage lace, hessian and raw silk ribbons.
Shooting the story was fun – it was great to be back in the studio. However, it was also pretty intense as Laly was only 6 months old and I didn’t have anyone available to mind her while I went on set. So she came with me, marking her first ever visit to a photographic studio! We were booked in at the studios for 2 hours, and I had visions of her playing quietly on her mat, goo-ing and ga-ing while Craig, Sam, and I worked. But that didn’t happen. She was very unsettled, and lovely Sam tried with the greatest effort to keep Laly calm while I styled but nothing would quieten her. So, as it happens when you’re on a shoot you do whatever you can to make the shot, I tied on the never-fail sleepy wrap, popped Laly inside and styled the shot with her. It was awkard, and exhausting, but we did it, and the photograph of the flower wall came out beautifully. With my hands completely full and my mind completely occupied, I wasn’t able to take behind-the-scenes photos of the set, but before we took all the props to the studio, I grabbed some quick iphone photos of the wrapped presents…
I loved using all the natural materials I could find around my home to adorn the brown paper parcels. I had also sourced beautiful screen-printed gift wrap from two of my favourite stores in Sydney – shelf/life and follow, both in Surry Hills. I used lengths of florence broadhurst printed fabric from signature prints, as well as silk and linen ribbons which came from Paper 2…
As part of my monthly column for Country Style, I will be highlighting a few of my current “link loves”. For this month I suggested the following sweet reads:
All of these beautiful people inspire me so, I hope you’ll take the time to click on their links.
I’m excited to have the opportunity to share my thoughts and ideas with you monthly, in print, in such a gorgeous publication. And, with help, we’ll be sure to include some behind-the-scenes snaps to share too.
xx
PS How is your holiday gift buying coming along? To get us into the holiday spirit, Jess from shelf/life has put together a fabulous gift guide which I can’t wait to share with you, it will be published here tonight, so stay tuned.
Emma is a textile designer, teacher and researcher based in Sydney. Her blog, feeling fuzzy, is a great source of inspiration as Emma features her latest textile creations and exhibited pieces, like you see above. Emma also holds workshops, and last week for Country Style, I interviewed Emma to find out more about her upcoming workshops, her love for felt, and her inspiration. Read the full interview here.
Photographs by Emma’s sweet sister, Hannah, featuring Emma’s work at COFA.
