Monday morning perusing…
Posted in artists, handmade, interiors January 14th, 2008 by piablog

Monday morning procrastination is becoming a very bad habit now that I have a blog. Will you all stop inspiring me!! No don’t, I joke only, I will shrivel up and die if I don’t get my fellow-blogger fix. Here are some of this mornings finds that I simply must share with you…

maditi1.jpg
Maple Syrup Only’s stunner collection of pollys found on the ever-inspiring Maditi Likes.

And then there is this little number:
pic11.jpg
Su Blackwell’s paper creations found via Marie at là.

unicraft1.jpg
found via home rejuvenation.

Must clean house now.

imiso: “work today, change tomorrow”
Posted in africa, artists, handmade, homewares January 13th, 2008 by piablog

imiso.jpg

Imiso means ‘tomorrow’ in the Xhosa language of South Africa, and is the name of this stunning collection of ceramics. Owned by 4 South Africans, Imiso Ceramics vision is to not only be a distinctively unique African brand, but also to inspire and be an example to young artists and entrepreneurs in Africa. They have achieved their goal and are indeed a great example, now exporting pieces to Paris, New York, Austria and also to Anthropology throughout the USA.

ismo7.jpg

The website is beautiful – I highly recommend taking a look and be sure to look out for the ‘imiso’ range in your local homewares boutique, and if they don’t sell it then recommend it! My stylist’s pick are their pieces in the pinch bowl range.

imiso1.jpg

“Whatever you dream of today, you will realize it tomorrow if you are determined and fully committed to that dream” – Imiso Ceramics.

Here here. I will update you on the Kenyan Crisis soon, but looks like peace is being restored although it is only due to mass confusion and fatigue. In the meantime, let’s support African designers. I will continue to put African designers and creatives in the spotlight even after this terrible tragedy, in the hope that equality amongst us all is achieved, oh for it to be in my lifetime would be the greatest gift of all. Here’s to tomorrow.

Oh how I miss you…
Posted in fashion, stylists own January 11th, 2008 by piablog

I hope you are not too upset that I left you.
I didn’t mean to, I didn’t know I’d be gone so long.
But I will come back for you I promise.
If you wait, I will return.
And when I do, I will dance for you.

Just for you.

lg-life-13.jpg

Ode to my beloved 1920’s knitted dress.

Dress modeled and styled by Pia Jane Bijkerk.
Photograph by Michelle Young.

New Finds, I’m such a novice at this…
Posted in artists, fashion, handmade, homewares January 11th, 2008 by piablog

71.jpg
instrumental piano with two leather handles and butterfly

You guys must be realising I am such a baby when it comes to surfing the blogosphere (or it should be ‘flying’ not ‘surfing’ right?) because I am only just discovering what and who is out there! This morning I found a bit of time to put my wings on and fly (umm okay, I actually skipped the household chores I’d assigned myself. Again. and eating breakfast.) and I came across this incredible artist over at Oh Joy!. So that is actually discovering two talented people with the same click, because Oh Joy!’s blog is awesome. She just posted about leather artist Aiko Machida and above Aiko has combined two of my favourite things within her leather creation – butterflies and pianos… oh I can be such a GIRL sometimes it cracks me up! Here are a few more of her beauties that feature another obsession confession, ‘chairs’…

3.jpg

41.jpg

Leather-legged chairs, who would have ever thought?! I don’t know where Aiko lives or where you can find her pieces, so please do fill me in if you know more about this fab designer. Also if her work is displayed and/or sold in Paris.

aiko.jpg

PS. sorry if my posts are lighter than normal lately – I am working on a few projects at the same time which I am looking forward to telling you about as soon as I can, but one of them I am happy to announce involves all of you! I am putting the final touches on it and will reveal all soon, I am very excited about it!

RECENT WORK: Le Forge
Posted in homewares, photographers, recent work January 11th, 2008 by piablog

leforge2.jpg

Styled this for Le Forge in Sydney a few months ago, with photographer Brian Gilkes. I just love this image. We shot it at the end of the day, it was raining, we were tired, but I had seen this fantastic wall in the car park on my way in that morning and I was determined to capture one of the Le Forge pieces against it. I picked this piece from the new range at the Le Forge studio and with poppies under my arm I dragged Brian and his divine wife Trish outside in the rain. They both indulged me but I’m quite sure there was eye rolling going on behind me. But once outside, with lots of passionate arm flailing to explain my idea, they were both hooked on it. In the end, it was I who had to drag them away from the shot!

Another fun day at work, thanks to the Le Forge team and Brian & Trish. I will be posting more on Brian’s work soon.