On a rainy day we went to sea

So think of those evenings that you picked up a book about pirates and adventures of treasure islands and wonderful sea- folly tales. think of mermaids and sea creatures and grab a cup of tea. Now imagine them with you and feel like you are on the greatest adventure ever, how would you keep them with you? Eels by Tenille Evans is the best way to do so.
Our latest addition to the Collect family is a wonderful designer who is a lover of antiques and traditional techniques. She has brought back to life the art of Scrimshawing, which is how sailors would pass their time and use bones of their huntings and expeditions. She works on bone and makes beautiful illustrations of sea inspired images. Very Moby Dick and Treasure island isn't it.

- Is that candy you're wearing? - No it's a necklace

There has been so much talk lately about Spring and sprunging, clashing colours as a major fashion 'in' and just the wonderful warm jasmine smell going on that we just thought it was great to give it a go and be 'hip as hop' with the extremely popular Emily Green 'candy' necklaces. she doesn't really call them candy, we do and by we I actually mean me.

These polymer clay beads are absolutely enchanting and a great quirky way to cheer up any outfit without making you feel that it's a wear once only kind of accesory. It's different and it has a subtle fun feeling about it that actually just made me jump to get one for myself and then just wear it all week just because it was new and because I loved it.

Her presentation of watercolour backgrounds and the fluoro colour beads with an occasional pastel and a little neutral makes them a great twist from your everyday likings.

Come on over and make lovely colour combinations getting ready for the Art and About 2011 and the Happy Talk House project that is officially opening tonight at Sandringham Gardens, Hyde Park North, 7 pm.

A natural world of 'otherworldly' delights

Cecilie Knowles is one of our latest adquisitions in the delightful design and objects world we have going on here at Collect. From the ever traditional technique of crochet she creates these beautiful designs that could make you feel like you were a part of a forest.

Her beautiful range of knitted necklaces inspired by the bracket fungi and crocheted with hand dyed japanese wool, are truly one of a kind. Beautiful and sustainable in every way.

Followed by a wide range of lichens with hand made beads and of course always presented in their very own tin can to keep them safe amongst a beautiful paper background made from vintage nature encyclopaedias, hand crocheted as well, from 100% merino wool.

Pop into Collect and see check them out during one of these amazingly warm and sunny days.

A whole new world

So word on the street is that there is an amazing exhibition going on at Object Gallery and it's totally up to date with the Sydney Design Activities that are going on at the moment, as well as other design events.

This exhibition is Now and When! Australian Urbanism and it is the entry that was submitted to the Venice Architecture Biennial last year. This amazing 3D experience in a 15 min. movie will take you to a hypothetical world in which the australian population has to adapt itself to the geographical reality of an over used territory.

2: Creators of wonders

2 by Lyn and Tony is a project that Australian photographers Lyn Balzer and Tony Perkins have been working on after a collaborative project with designer Konstantina Mittas for Rosemount Sydney Fashion Festival in 2008. As a result these hand made leather, precious stones and cotton thread became alive. They have also worked with prominent names such as Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Georg Jensen and Ksubi, amongst others

Working primarily with Australian materials Lyn and Tony have created a contemporary and exquisite range of unisex body adornment. Inspired by the Australian landscape and the beauty of the human body they look to reinterpret nature and it's textures in their creations.

Spring blossoms

Spring has sprung and with it we wish our two spring girls a very happy birthday, Happy birthday Michele and Kylie.
Have a lovely blossoming season and while you are at it drop by and check out the amazing Amanda Louden glass works we have with us, just as colourful and bright as the season, and of course full of Australia's beautiful blossoming flora.
Check out her work on our online shop