Instore with Patricia form Patricia Fernandes Ceramics 

How many steps or processes does your craft use?  

It's had to say with my art practice how many steps/processes it takes me. On average it takes 20 process steps to create one Functionality piece (my dinnerware collection) as well as a piece of jewellery. Why? The main thing when working with porcelain is preparation and method. Ceramics is a labourious art form but I love it none the same. 

Who is your favourite girl crush? 

Hmmmm.......my femcrush is Beyonce. If I could body snatch her life and career I definitely would!

Do you have any trend forecasts for 2013?

It's all about colour and pattern. Which just quietly I love working in.

What's been your 'best decision' moment

Going back to university to study and ultimately specialise in Ceramics for my final year. I love doing what I do and get a kick out of experimenting and creating.

Name a source of inspiration.

My family are a major source of inspiration. I adore their practical nature (which has rubbed off on me), so when it comes to designing a product I always make sure it's practical and user friendly otherwise..forget about it!

On the beach with the sand between our toes we talk to Alex from Sunday Sunset Images.

If you weren't expressing your creativity via photography how would you express it?
music

Favourite genre and artist you listen to while designing/being creative.
too many to mention, but electronic and dance would be my preference

If you could pick only one prop to take with you into a photo booth, what would it be?
my bike

One thing we MUST know about you.
you really don't want to know that!

Who inspires you?
people who follow their passions

Alex Bell
Creative Director
Sundaysunset.images

An afternoon at home with Amy from Happy as larry designs.

Who would you most like to collaborate with and why? 
Issey Miyake - I love the way he approaches design and uses fabric in ways never thought imaginable. I reckon we could do some felt project together!

Please give us a 'word for the week'
 - Bethought, to think; consider (used reflexively):    eg, "He bethought himself a moment."

What is one tool of the trade you can not do without? 
 Once upon a time my sewing machine, now my laptop :( 

Who gave you your biggest start and/or best advice in business and can you share that with us? 
Believe in your product and people will believe in you. 

Beer or Wine? Wine of course! 

Tamara Harrison creates very unique, beautiful pieces of jewellery. Using her floristry background to enhance her talented jewellery skills, we ask Tamara a few questions on where her ideas come from and how they develope.

What is your creative process

My creative process very often enters the 'Terror Zone' (stress, tears, self doubt, lack of sleep, cant turn my brain off etc, etc -you get the idea! Some of my best work happens in the terror zone). So basically I have a good idea, prototype it, make lots,  freak out, think I may not sell any, sell out, relax, then start it all again.

How does knowing your creative process help? 

When I do hit the 'Terror Zone' I now know its just part of my process so I no longer take it seriously or invest into it. In other words I allow it to happen, accept it then move on to the next stage!

Favourite Design Element or Principle.

I'm torn between choosing Colour or Texture (actual and implied) as my favourite Element as these two are integral to my work. Fav Principle would have to be Contrast (love delicate with rough, shiny with dull etc)

One thing we MUST know about you.

If I'm not fed and watered at regular intervals I get seriously grumpy!

A previous job/career.

Lecturing in Floristry with a fav part being Tamara Harrison

Today we have a virtual cuppa tea with Amber the creator of Mollydag Made. Ambers games have been popular as gifts for children and the young at heart.

What are the benefits of using/buying your handmade games?

Supporting small business & those that hand make is wonderful. Buying something handmade is kind of like voting. When you take out your money and put it into someone else’s hands, you are saying “I support you and this thing you do.

Do you have any trend forecasts for 2013?

Or lord, I'm such a mega-dag, no one looks at me for groovy trends :) 

What's been your 'best decision' moment.

My best decision was to follow my heart & trust that there are plenty of parents, aunts, uncles & grandparents out there who believe, like I do in the worthiness of natural, opened ended toys

How many steps or processes does your craft use?
Depending on the game I'm making, I sew, glue, drill, knot, stamp, paint, print, punch, laminate, hop skip and jump & I'm there!  

Now that I've put you under the spotlight...you can ask me ONE question........that I MUST answer truthfully. Go.....
How do you balance the creative 'making' and your home/domestic duties? I've made a mountain of games this Silly Season, but my mountain of folding & ironing is overwhelming!

Haha, I know the feeling. My secret is to outsource as much as possible. I've been called the queen of delegation before! So ironing, cleaning, book keeping, admin, social media monitoring etc etc all goes to others. I keep all the best stuff just for me! 

http://mollydagmade.com

Everyone loves the sayings, now we ask Amy of Kookery a few questions to find out a little bit more about the person behind the label.

What are the benefits of using your tea towels?
We love bringing humour and conversation into the kitchen.One thing our customers love about Kookery is reactions of their friends.We use high quality 100% linen which works hard in your kitchen and loves drying wine glasses in particular. 

Favourite Design Element or Principle.
I love working with vintage, a true object, every image is either hand drawn or from an actual object. I love the honesty of the image, and finding a new item that matches a quote I have created in the best! 

Name a daily ritual you have/must do?
My motto in the morning is 'In Caffeine We Trust' not just the caffeine hit but the time spent with my hubby and daughter while sipping it! It is nice to make time for this daily ritual. 

Sweet or savoury?
Hard one, I LOVE salt, but I think I will have to say cake, vanilla/lemon are my favourites. Dark chocolate takes over in the afternoon when my coffee is of shift. 

Does your business have a 'how it all started story?' Briefly, what is that story
Kookery started by sitting down and writing down all the things I LOVE, community, food, vintage, textiles. I wanted to create my own product something practical, fun and part of people's daily rituals. I began designing when my daughter now 3 was born and I really wanted to use my creative brain.

Contact:

Amy Palmer-Millin

M 0439667331

W www.kookery.com.au

A few thoughts from Petra Chief Designer of

Name a source of inspiration?

Jacqueline Kennedy

If you weren't expressing your creativity via the beautiful dresses you design, how would you express it? 

Wearing the dresses I design or interesting outfits I put together.


Do you have any trend forecasts for 2013? 
Bountiful colour in light pastels, unique prints in classical styles and Mad Men style going strong.


Name a daily ritual you have/must do?
Running clears my mind so that there's space for new design ideas.


Who would you most like to collaborate with and why?
CUE to create limited edition elegant dresses because their designs and work are what propelled me towards loving dresses and then moving on to designs, so would love to close the circle where the journey first began!


If you would like the opportunity to meet and talk to Petra in Person she will be in store on the following dates:
Saturday 12th Jan 11am - 3pm
Friday 18th Jan 3pm - 7pm
Friday 25th Jan 10am - 2pm

Phone: +61 (0) 439 035 150
Email: petra@petravanessie.com
Web: www.petravanessie.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/petravanessie