Happy Holidays!

image via Craftapalooza.

Hope you all have a wonderful Handmade Christmas!

Vale Market Day Expressions Of Interest

Tuesday Ten :: 15 Dec 09

All handmade. All from WA.

Enjoy!

LINKS

1 :: 2 :: 3 :: 4 :: 5 :: 6 :: 7 :: 8 :: 9 :: 10

*If you'd like to be featured in a Tuesday Ten forward a link and a pic to Lauren, or comment on this blog post with a link and a picture link.

One Month Later...

Hello All,

As a mark of one month since our Christmas market, we've put together a little slideshow of shots from the market as a reminder of how awesome it was!!!





Well, until next time, check out upcoming markets in WA in the run-up to Christmas! Are you finished your gift-buying yet?

The Markets @ Borders - Stallholder Callout

Tuesday Ten :: 1 Dec 09

Hi All, and welcome to one of many new "segments" we will be running on the MOTL blog!

If you'd like to be featured in a Tuesday Ten forward a link and a pic to Lauren, or comment on this blog post with a link and a picture link.

All handmade. All from WA.

Enjoy!

LINKS

1 :: 2 :: 3 :: 4 :: 5 :: 6 :: 7 :: 8 :: 9 :: 10

CORRECTION: It appears I made a boo-boo, sorry! "two" is actually by an artist who works over east and in new zealand. Won't happen again :)

GiftWrapt by The George St Artists Group

Marlene joined us at the last Made on the Left market selling her hand dyed silks and just emailed this invite to view and buy her work and that of many others next week. Just in time for that special Christmas gift!

Dec 5-13

11am - 6pm

Memorial Hall Exhibition Centre

Hamilton Hill

Contact Marlene on 0409 835 506

Artist Opportunity - Vendoring Site

Head on over to ETHIKL for a great online marketplace open to anyone who produces or wants to shop for:

Handmade items

Organic products

Natural products

Products made using recycled material

Ethical & Fair Trade products

Sounds cool eh? It's an Australian based website too!

Head on over here to have a look: ethikl.com.au

TAFE Photo Grad Show 2009

If you love supporting up-and-coming WA student-artists, and have a real hankering for photography, make sure you head on down to Central TAFE for their Grad show this year, its sure to be a ripper!

What to do this Weekend

One of the oldest and biggest traditional Arts&Crafts Fair is on this weekend; The Treasured Craft Creations Fair at Claremont Showgrounds. It also has a great mix of vintage and antique goodies thrown in, and would be a fantastic place to get a Christmas gift for a Mum or a Grandma, and you might be lucky and find something for yourself too, with "cool-crafts" beginning to invade the pavillions, slowly but surely!




Visit their website for more details: www.treasuredcraftcreations.com.au

Joondalup Sunset Markets

Independent Retailer Opportunity

Hi All you Designers,

This week has been NUTS for great opportunities for you all, and soon we'll be starting an extra blog so all the information doesnt crowd our little customer-fans inboxes (hello buyers! how are you?)

A lovely girl named Emma-Lee is starting up a new store in Woolongong, and needs some beautiful handmade items to go in it! Contact her for more details, click on the image!

Exhibition Space Opportunity

$100 GALLERY HIRE IN LEEDERVILLE

YMCA HQ GALLERY provides professional lighting, a hanging rail and a full time Mon-Fri gallery attendant for $100 per week. If you are an emerging, amateur or professional artist wanting to exhibit work, YMCA HQ Gallery wants to hear from you.

Past exhibitions can be seen here. Priority is given to artists under 30.

If interested call Poppy van Oorde-Grainger, Community Art Co-ordinator on

0438 992 465 or email poppy.vog@ymca.org.au. Please include digital images in your email if possible.

Market Opportunity - 29th November 09

Another market on the 29th of November (so far there is the Laneway Market, Perth Upmarket and Town of Vincent, and thats just in the city!)... have a look at the Town of Vincent Website for more details.





Gotta love a festival about coffee!!!

Market Opportunity - 29th November 09

Hello All, Just giving all the west-aussie designers a place to be on Sunday the 29th November... and buyers of handmade and vintage too!

1ST LANEWAY MARKET FOR FREO ON SUNDAY THE 29TH OF NOVEMBER 12-4PM
Products must be either:
VINTAGE
HAND-MADE
LOCALLY DESIGNED
RE-CYCLED
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS
We welcome:
HAND-MADE LOCALLY PRODUCED OR IMPORTED PRODUCTS
ART
DESIGN
PLANTS
HAND-MADE JEWELLERY
VINTAGE OR RE-CYCLED CLOTHING BRIC-A-BRAC OR WARES
CRAFT
GIFTS
TOYS
ACCESSORIES
HOME MADE FOOD/PRODUCTS OR LOCAL PRODUCE
Stall fees are $15-20 each depending on their size.
A Map of the lane has been attatched if you have a preference as to where you would like to be situated for the day.
The market will run between 12-4pm with a 10am set up time.
There is a loading zone on high streeet opposite Retro Vinnies 130-134 High St Femantle Opposite Tropicana cafe and the Old Victoria Hall.

You are asked to provide: ONE 1.8m TRESTLE TABLE AND CHAIR SHOULD YOU WANT TO SIT. ONE UMBRELLA AND STAND IF YOU HAVE AN OPEN-AIR SPOT AND WOULD LIKE A LITTLE SHADE YOUR OWN MONEY WHICH IS YOUR OWN RESPONSIBILITY. YOUR OWN DISPLAY MATERIALS RACKS FOR CLOTHING ITEMS ETC...

If all of this suits you and applies to you then please let Sophie know if you'd like to be part of the First Laneway Market for Femantle!!

You can send Sophie Dunham a short e-mail stating whether or not you would have preference on a stall number and what product you intend to sell on the day at marabou_clothing@hotmail.com


Have fun everyone!

Made It gives Made On The Left some Love

Awwww, how sweet.

We at MOTL had a lovely old chat with the crew at Made It, and a lovely interview came out of it... Check it out HERE.

Perth Markets / Awesome Arts Festival - Stallholder Callout

“What does an urban playground, a miniature film studio inside a sea container, and a City Within a City conjure up for you?"

If you would like to add more detail to the image then go to http://awesomearts.com/festival/.

The Awesome Arts International Festival for Bright Young Things is coming to the Cultural Centre (and other venues) from Sunday 22 November to Sunday 29 November inclusive. The Markets has just had a very very successful weekend with The Northbridge Festival. The program for Awesome Arts truly looks awesome and will attract a huge crowd. The Markets will complement this with bigger range of creative talent stalls, activities which nestle within the theme of the Festival and multicultural food to fill hungry tummies. This is an opportunity for the Creative Talent of WA to be on the same ground as a premier international creative event.

If you would like to be part of The Markets on these two weekends then simply go to www.theperthmarkets.com.au and complete the stallholder application form. Shared stalls will be available at a cost of $35 per day plus $8 public liability insurance.

MOTL @ Darlington Arts Festival

Take a look at the great MOTL "Sneak Peek"marquee at the-weekend-just-gone's Darlington Arts Festival!

The Ginger Fox brings you Jamie Worsley Glass

Hey you creative kids you, its The Ginger Fox again bringing you yet another wonderfully talented WA artist - Jamie Worsley.

Now if you have a great appreciation for superior workmanship and captivating visual delights then Mr Worsley's glass creations are for you!

Jamie's 'eggs', as he refers to them, take inspiration from nature and the influence of light. The egg's colour and design acts to reflect and refract light to spectacular effect resulting in these almost cosmic orbs. You can see some of these amazing creations for yourself at Artspace Gallery - 192 Hampden Rd, Nedlands WA

The Ginger Fox xox

The Ginger Fox digs Luii lush accessories

Hi Made on the Lefters, The Ginger Fox here again,

Not sure if you've come across this before but I just had to share. I am currently in love with Luii accessories! - http://www.luii.com.au/

Janice Chan of Luii is a Perth based designer who creates the cutest jewellery and accessories from darling fabric and treasured items she has found around the globe. I am particularly in love with her casual chic Stephanie tote.

Next additions to my hopelessly long wish list are these oh so sweet clutches.

Now not only does the little lady from Luii make us these delightful items, but her love of all things crafted caused her to start up her own online handmade shopping site Strawberry Jam, I highly recommend you check it out - http://www.strawberryjam.com.au/

Well that's all for now

The Ginger Fox xox

Megan Isabella's Pretty Paper Dolls

Hey guys, The Ginger Fox here. How many of you have fine memories of afternoons spent with scissors painstakingly following the lines to bring your paper dolls and their surrounding collections of clothing and darling accessories to life. Such simple fun as we 'fold here' to cover up our little ladies flower undies with a frilly summer dress. Its comforting to remember that a child doesnt need bells, whistles and batteries, just a hearty imagination and a fabulously drawn and dressed two dimensional dame.



Well now you can celebrate your fine flat females again as local Perth illustrator, Megan Isabella creates her own miriad of vintage inspired paper dolls. Swirly hair, rosy cheeks and toddler like cuteness, these little pieces of art are just too adorable. Take a wander through her blog and check out the inspiring collection of guys and dolls drawn from real people in her Paper Doll Project







Now this is not the only string to Miss Megans bow, just CLICK HERE and you can view her whole portfolio of whimsical, beautifullly rendered designs. If thats not all, Megan will then put on her teaching cap and share with her delighted readers the tips and tricks of life in Lessons with Miss Megan. I cant get enought of this gal!

xox THE GINGER FOX xox

Design Competition! Yay!

Hello all you lovely people who are designers, creative types and appreciators, welcome to our first blog competition!

The Made On The Left Marketing Gurus (SarahG, SarahD, Felicity, and Lauren) are currently expanding our Merch range from art posters and badges to include such lovelies as tote bags for your shopping ease, and... Bumper Stickers, so you can wear your MOTL loyalty on your sleeve (or car, or school file, or design folio... or anywhere really!).

The design for the totes wasn’t much trouble (I (osier) had a go at illustration at it was really fun!), but we decided to let you guys at it for the bumper sticker, and reward you for your efforts with a tote bag and a few other super-duper knick-knacks... what a fab prize!

The guidelines are:
1. Must include the words "Made On The Left"
2. Must be 3 inches by 10 inches @ 300dpi
3. We'd love it to have a super cute slogan like "honk if you're made on the left" or other such nonsense!
4. You may use our text logos for the design, but not our posters.
5. Visibility from a distance will be judged favourably.
6. Must be submitted to Lauren@madeontheleft.com by 5pm Sunday the 8th of November.

Yup, that does mean you have less than a week to come up with a design!
Better get cracking! (We hope to have them for sale at the November Hyde Park Hotel event)

Any questions can be posted in the comments, and please link to this competition on your blog, we want as many entries as possible!

Exciting News!!!

Yes! Finally the vendor list for out market has been released on the website! Lots of new talent, plus the old favourites, make sure you come both days so you dont miss that perfect gift for someone's Chrissy present... or you!

Here's a taste of what to look forward to... click the image to be forwarded to the website.

New Guest Blogger : Tara from The Ginger Fox

Hey there, howdy and hi Made on the Left readers, my name is Tara Fox and I own The Ginger Fox an ever growing collection of delectable vintage clothing and accessories. At some point in my lengthy web travels I stumbled across the Made On The Left website and was so to happy to have found a site that supports and celebrates local creativity and good ole DIY. Now I am tickled pink to have the opportunity to be a guest blogger helping to unearth some of WA's hidden crafty creatures.

A little about me, I began as a Murdoch graduate in Marine Science and Biological science which lead me to a position in the Department of Water as essentially an environmental scientist. Almost three years and one thought provoking jaunt around South America later, I knew the life of science wasn't for me. I hung up my survey khakis and threw myself into a hobby which had always bordered on obsession, the continued and endless search for THE perfect vintage piece. I now have to-die-for vintage apparel coming out of my ears as well as a proud collection of vintage jewellery, handbags, homewares, shoes and menswear.

I stock quality items found locally and an even larger proportion imported from the US and UK. You can find my vintage treasures at the Perth Cultural Centre Markets every Saturday from 10am to 5pm. I also have a range of late 60's jewellery stocked in Wild Lily Empire on Hampden Rd, Nedlands and Oxford Street, Leederville. In addition, I upload photos regularly (some gorgeous ones from TJM Photography and some not so awesome ones taken by me) to my blog and facebook page so if your eyeballing a particular piece just drop me a line.

Well that's about all for now but I will be back soon with a some info on lush local treats. In the meantime I'll leave you with my latest made-in-Perth (in a way haha) find, my ridiculously cute Maltese Shi Tzu puppy called Indiana Jones, known to his friends as Indy. Byeee

Walk Against Warming - Stallholder Callout

Invitation to Exhibit a Stall

Do you create using local, organic, recycled, etc. materials? I, Heidi Hardisty Stalls Coordinator, would like to invite you to exhibit a stall at the upcoming Walk Against Warming (WAW) that is being organised by the Conservation Council of WA.
The Walk Against Warming (WAW) is a national event that brings together thousands of people in cities and towns across Australia for a community day of action on climate change. The 2009 WAW will be held on Saturday December 12^th 2009 to coincide with the Copenhagen Climate Summit and the International Say of Action on Climate Change.
In 2008, close to 100,000 people participated in WAW in 28 locations across Australia. We are expecting to have over 1500 people participating in the event held in Perth this year. The WAW event will be a great opportunity for organisations such as yours to promote your products and services or provide information to the community on climate change and what they can do to contribute to reducing Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions.
This year, the WAW will be held at Russell Square, Northbridge. After initially assembling at the Perth Cultural Centre, people will walk through the streets to Russell Square. From 11:00 – 3:00 pm the community gathering will include children’s activities, speeches by special guests, music and media events. There will be plenty of opportunity for people to visit the stalls.
Since places are limited and priority is given to our sponsors, please let us know as soon as possible if you would like to exhibit a stall and provide an indication of the stall area you would like. Space will be allocated on a ‘first come-first served’ basis. No power is available.
The cost to non-affiliates and businesses is $100.
To register your interest in exhibiting a stall at the WAW or for further information, please contact me on wawperth@gmail.com.
Heidi Hardisty

Stalls Coordinator Walk Against Warming Conservation Council of WA - Commitment to environmental protection since 1967 http://www.walkagainstwarming.org/

Mandjar Twilight Markets

Expressions of interest for Stall-Holders are now being sought for
2009 - 2010 Mandjar Markets.
The Mandjar Markets will be commencing on Thursday 12/11/2009 and will
run until 04/04/2010.

Thursdays 5.00pm - 9.00pm Twilight Markets
Sundays 11.00am - 4.00pm Mandjar Markets

Held on the Eastern Foreshore of Mandurah. All enquiries can be made
through the Mandurah Visitor Centre.
Telephone 08 9550 3222, Email visitor@mandurah.wa.gov.au

City of Fremantle - dancers wanted

The City of Fremantle are looking for keen toe twinklers – no dance experience necessary! - to come participate in this year’s Freo Shuffle brought to you by Fremantle Arts Centre as part of this year’s Fremantle Festival.

The Freo Shuffle is an exciting dance event that will be held at Esplanade Oval on Sunday, November 15 at 5pm (directly after the Fremantle Festival Parade and as a prelude to the Bhangra Dance Party). The project is all about bringing community members together and allowing them to discover the thrill of participation in creative expression rather than just being a spectator.

We are currently looking for people wanting to participate in a dance workshop hosted by local contemporary dancers and choreographers Claudia Alessi, Aimee Smith & Sete Tele throughout October and early November. This session (2-3 hours) can be held either onsite at your organisation if there is a suitable venue or alternatively one can be arranged nearby. We also have 2 public dance workshops, these are:

Saturday, 31^st October 10am – 1pm at Fremantle Arts Centre

Tuesday, 3^rd November 6.30pm – 8.30pm at Fremantle Town Hall

For further information or to register for a public or group workshop simply email me back.

For examples of similar events visit youtube.com – Bal Moderne

Regards

Silvia
Fremantle Arts Centre
City of Fremantle
1 Finnerty Street
PO Box 891
Fremantle WA 6959
silviaf@fremantle.wa.gov.au
www.fac.org.au
+61 8 9432 9555

Opportunity - Fremantle Fringe Festival

An event is being organised for the Hilton Harvest Community Garden, a Lunch in the Park as part of the Fremantle Fringe Festival. It'll be on Sunday 8th November, 11am-2pm at Griffiths Park

As part of the activities, we will be showcasing local artists, who can display and/or sell their art, jewellery, or whatever it is they create. There will be no charge to participate.

Please contact the below person for more information

Helen Whitkin

helenwhitkin@gmail.com

0410 285 469

Spanking New Poster :)

Well, the time has arrived... Poster time!

Here's a first look at our promotional material for the Christmas Market!

Please let us know what you think in the comments!

Joondalup Sunset Markets

Dear Stallholder,

Applications to become a stallholder at the City of Joondalup 2009 Sunset Markets are now open. Stallholder applications must be submitted to Red Tent Events. Please see the Red Tent Events website at Red Tent Events for all stallholders terms and conditions and stallholder fees.

The Sunset Markets will be a 5 week season taking place on Friday evenings in the Joondalup Central Business District between 6pm - 9pm from 20 November to Friday 18 December.

The City of Joondalup looks forward to your involvement in the 2009 Sunset Markets.

Kind regards

Adam Cousins
Special Events Officer
City of Joondalup

East Fremantle Festival

The East Fremantle Festival is on again this year on Sunday, 6 December from 1:00pm until 7:00pm. George Street will come alive with an artisan market of handmade products, three stages of non-stop entertainment, free rides and amusements for the kids and much more!

The artisan market, the main feature of the festival, is a maker’s market, where all stall holders are required to have had substantial involvement in the design and production of the arts, crafts, body products and local produce. Your stall products must be handmade by you - the artisan.

Market Criteria: This is not a market for imported goods (even if you designed them), bric-a-brac, 2^nd hand goods etc. Local people hand making their products cannot compete with the prices of imported goods, so if you have some imported goods in your range you will not be allowed to sell them at this market. You can be refused entry to the market on the day or asked to leave if you are selling imported goods at the festival. If you are unsure about whether your goods fulfil this handmade criteria, please call me direct to discuss it. Sorry to ‘harp on’ about it, but it is really important that all goods are handmade by you and not imported, to keep my intention of the original artisan market (launched at the 2007 festival).

Please note, I do have to limit the amount of jewellery stalls and other product lines, otherwise it affects the uniqueness and range of products in the artisan market.

Market details are as follows:

Date: Sunday 6 December 2009
Time: 1:00pm – 7:00pm
Venue: George Street, East Fremantle
Stall cost: $55. No commission payable.
Insurance fee: $27.50 (if you don’t have your own public liability insurance, this fee is payable)
Standard stall space: 3mx3m
Stall equipment: stall holders to provide their own shade shelter and to be responsible for securing it to the hard road surface (sand bags etc)
Table hire: you can hire a table through me for $16.50 per 1.8m table (or supply your own)

I will need your expression of interest by next Friday October 9 to guarantee you a place in the artisan market.

If you would like to take part, simply email Cynthia Williamson Cynthia@ccequipment.com.au or call and ask for the artisan market info and application form.

If you have any questions about the festival, especially the artisan market, please call me on 0415 649 265.

Warm regards,

Cynthia Williamson
East Fremantle Festival Coordinator
0415 649 265

Reminder - Made on the Left Christmas Market Filling Fast

Although you officially have until next Friday 9 October to apply for Made on the Left's sensational Christmas market, spaces are filling fast. Head on over to the Made on the Left site and enjoy the shiny streamlined convenience of our new online application form!

Last year's participants will be able to tell you that the Christmas market was a winner for stallholders and visitors alike, and this year we are building on the success of the July market to offer two days of different stallholders for *extra* handmade goodness.

In coming weeks look out for the unveiling of the Christmas market poster art, plus the coordination of our Christmas Charity raffle for Charitylink.

Clever Colour Workshop

Upcoming Clever Colour Workshop perfect for designers/ graphic designers/ artists/ crafters and anyone interested in branding. Click the images for more information.

Clever Colour

Learn how the astute use of colour can improve your results

Wednesday 14 October, 2009

8:30am registration for 9:00am start. 4:00pm finish

Theatrette, Technology Park Function Centre, 2 Brodie Hall Drive, Bentley

Free parking available at venue.

Erich Buxbaum is an expert in branding and colour. Eric has held senior positions in Unilever Europe, the US and worldwide for 30 years including Regional Director in Europe and Senior Vice President

Home & Personal Care Worldwide with responsibilities for strategy, R&D, branding and innovation. Erich has worked on more than 20 years of colour studies and applied research presented in

seminars and workshops in Europe. He is currently Vice President and World Board Member of the International Advertising Association.

Erich is presenting this workshop in Sydney, Perth, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.

Please see the flyer (below) for more information.

Swap O Rama coming to Perth!! Artist Open Call

Swap-O-Rama-Rama - Artist Open Call

DATE: 5th December 2009
TIME: 10:00 -4:00
LOCATION: City Farm, East Perth
CONTACT: Sandra Bryans
sewanista@iprimus.com.au
0437 176 629

"There is no beauty in the finest cloth if it makes hunger and unhappiness." Gandhi

Join in the communal process of reuse and celebrate our collective creativity! You are invited to participate in Swap-O-Rama-Rama as staff. Swap-O-Rama-Rama is a giant clothing swap and series of do-it-yourself workshops in which a community explores reuse and creativity through the recycling of used clothing. At Swap-ORama-Rama consumers are taught to be creators and this transformation takes place through the local talent in the community. Swap-O-Rama-Rama is seeking artists of all calibers, recyclers and creatives of all kinds for the following roles:
publicity, artist taught DIY workshops, designer run sewing stations, silk screening, fashion show production, reuse designers for a recycled fashion show, sorters (get first dibs on clothes) and general help.

Publicity: If you can help with print and other media publicity, we'd love your help promoting this exciting event.

DIY Workshops: If you have a unique skill that transforms would be trash into a wearable item (clothing/jewelry/handbag etc.) please consider bringing this to Swap-O-Rama-Rama in the form of a DIY workshop.

Sewing Station/Fashion Show: If you're a whiz behind a sewing machine and work with reuse, consider being a Swap-O-Rama-Rama designer helping people learn how to mod the used clothing they find at the swap. And join the Swap-O-Rama-Rama fashion show and show off your creations.

Fashion Show production: If you can co-ordinate and manage a dynamic, freestyle fashion show, we'd love your ideas and input.

Silk Screen Crew: If you're a silk screener and would like to join the silk screening crew, offering your fresh designs to bring used clothes back to life, please get in touch!

Music: What's a party without music? If you are a DJ or have a band, we'd love to hear from you.

Example: Previous workshops - http://gaiatreehouse.com/makerfaire07.htm
Previous Swap Images: http://gaiatreehouse.com/makerfaire/luizaleite/luizaleite.html
Previous Fashion Show Images: http://gaiatreehouse.com/makerfaire/luizaleitefs/luizaleitefs.html
About Swap-O-Rama-Rama: http://swaporamarama.org
Swap-O-Rama-Rama is a Creative Commons Project: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/
Treehugger Pod Cast: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/03/treehugger_tv_t_1.php

"This Swap-O-Rama-Rama event is part of an international network of non-profit events created by Wendy Tremayne and protected under a Creative Commons License."

Bridgetown Christmas at Home Fair & Market - Stallholder Callout

Christmas at Home Fair

Bridgetown Town Hall

Bridgetown

Saturday December 5, 2009

9am-4pm

The Christmas at Home Fair is a free community event that will bring together local exhibitors in a day that celebrates quality and craftsmanship. Set in Bridgetown’s historic Town Hall, the fair will feature quality contemporary arts and crafts from the Blackwood River region. From woodcarvers and weavers to patchwork quilters and toy makers, this is your chance to meet some of our talented crafts people and designers.

Children will have the opportunity to create their own Christmas decorations as well as other workshops including Christmas Peg Dolls, Hand Made Christmas Cards and Old Fashioned Christmas Crackers.

Take a visit to the Tea Rooms and sample Christmas Pudding served with fresh preserves from our local orchards, home made shortbread and freshly baked mince pies.

Some of our finest producers will be on display so bring your Christmas list and you may just find an extra special gift. Highlights of the day will include classical music from local musicians and the drawing of our Christmas raffle. This will be a day of traditional and contemporary art and craft for all the family.

Applications for Stall Holders are available from the Bridgetown/Greenbushes Tourism Centre or through the committee at bacf@westnet.com.au

Infinite delights unleashed by local illustrator

Billions, Zillions and Trillions, the first solo exhibition of self-taught Perth artist Alexandra Lekias, is a romp through a vivid universe populated by doll-like mannequins captured in situations beyond their control and the disembodied hands that pull the strings.

Lekias’s chic but hollow characters are caught in actions that belie their stylish presentation. Streams of sugar gliders burst from pimples, party girls vomit a technicolour variety of whale breeds and hundreds of fainting couches trickle from a bleeding nose.

A strong sense of the ridiculous and bizarre pervades the black and white ink illustrations, which are illuminated with vivid splashes of watercolour in lolly-like hues. Rich in symbolism, the works draw on dreams, memories and the artist’s personal narrative to explore themes including childhood and an innocent fascination with bodily functions.

Lekias describes the main theme of the exhibition as the expression of a total loss of control.

“The characters I draw have no real will or power of their own, but act as narrative vehicles inhabiting a surreal, dream-like world”.

“They are subject to the normal bodily functions that we don't usually talk about and keep hidden behind the scenes, but with strange but beautiful twists.”

Lekias’ work also adorns album covers and promotional pieces for local band Sugar Army.

Billions, Zillions and Trillions, opens at 6.30pm Wednesday October 7 at the Cracked Gallery, Behind the Monkey and continues until Wednesday October 21.

November Market Artist Preview Applications Open

Exciting News!

We at Made on the Left are pleased as punch to announce the:

This special preview will enable people to have a sneek peek at what some of our artists will have to offer the following weekend at the November MOTL Market, as well as see all the other amasing stalls and activities of the Darlington Arts Festival, held over two days annually in the hills artist villiage Darlington, less than an hour from Perths CBD.

Applications to be part of our artist preview are now open, preference will be given to stallholders who will have a table at the November market, but past Made on the Left sellers are also encouraged to apply.

Please visit our website for the application form, and contact Lauren with any questions.

Perth Integrated Health Clinic Cycling Festival - Stallholder Callout

The Perth Integrated Health Clinic Cycling Festival is in its first year, and promises to be a spectacular event supporting 3000 people coming to view the Tour de Perth national road cycling event. The cycling racing is supported by international teams, SBS TV coverage, the Perth cycling community and Perth Cycling Clubs.

The aim of the Perth Integrated Health Clinic Cycling Festival is to attract a diversity of spectators to the race on Sunday November 15^th, at Perry Lakes near the BMX skate park.

With an anticipated audience of 3000 people, national television coverage, a sunny day and top quality cycling, it promises to be a perfect promotion and selling opportunity.

We have 36 spaces available for stall holders and we want you to register your interest before 15.10.09.

Perth Integrated Health Clinic Cycling Festival Event Details:

Date: 15^th November 2009

Location: Start/Finish area and Event Village will be at Perry Lakes Park, Perry Lakes Drive, Floreat

Time: Festival– 9.00am to 5pm, Stall setup 7am -9am

Contact details for enquiries:

Toby Hodgson

Cycling WA, Development and Participation Officer

skype: tobyhodgsoncyclingwa ph: (08) 9328 3422 e: mailto:toby.hodgson@cycling.org.au

PO Box 481 Leederville, WA, 6903

Striking a Balance

'Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.'

Albert Schweitzer

Striking a balance (and finding happiness on the way)

I am often asked how I balance working, running a (very) small business, raise a family and find time to create. The answer? I don’t. But I try my best and sometimes, and only sometimes it just all comes together. And life rocks.

We each have different backgrounds, different responsibilities and different passions. Some of us may be studying, working, raising a family, running a business, caring for someone or looking to make changes in our life (or all of the above – don’t laugh - I did this last year).

So........ How does this relate to craft? It appears from attending markets, selling online and chatting on various craft forums that crafters are predominantly female. I hesitate to quote but many (myself included) are utilising their creative skills as a self funding hobby/ separate source of personal income. There are broader reasons but I want to stay personal - I thought I would share my own experiences in finding the right mix.

I am a mother to two sweet boys aged 4, and 8. In 2008, I ran into difficulty securing stable ongoing childcare for my sons and decided to return to shiftwork. I am fortunate my employer has been supportive of my priorities.

Around the same time I discovered the whole handmade scene on etsy and a whole range of possibilities opened up. I began creating simple pieces for myself, and then decided to open up a store. Since then, my jewellery has been thrust into the work-life balance as it has become a little business generating a self supporting income. Here are the things I feel are important when searching for the right balance.

*** Establish a basic routine ***

I use Flylady as a tool – establishing routines that allow things to run efficiently when I am on shift. This means everyone in the household (children included) have a role to play – the boys have tasks allocated to them, my husband steps in when I go to work and takes over the homework/dinner/mad evening rush… whatever works for you. I also created a 100 Day Action Plan for myself (based on Empire of Delight founder Jacquie's idea to implement structured change to her life and business venture)

Jot down a quick mudmap of your life – are you happy with the direction your life is taking? What do you wish to change? Are these changes realistic? Achieveable? What will it take to improve or re-direct yourself? And more importantly, what are you willing to do? Kate James Director of the Total Balance Group writes in her recent newsletter that even today, many young people are steered towards career decisions that are the wrong fit. Though it’s never too late, why not lay the foundations now for the life you want to lead?

*** Find a support network ***

I have a strong supportive family who respect and encourage me to continue my dreams. My husband is my number one support, my mother my number one fan. I have friends who accept I am often late, miss get togethers or get completely overwhelmed by it all and become a hermit. They are also great at being honest and realistic when they think I am going too hard. Surround yourself with likeminded people, or with people you know will help and not hinder you.

*** Make Downtime ***

There are always times when present circumstances require a different mix. Leading up to the birth of a new child, final exams, sudden unemployment..... life just happens. Accept this and you are halfway there. Sometimes you may lose your mojo. Perfect break time. Do something different! I picked up my papercrafting this week after a two year break and it was so much fun!

*** Give ***

Now you may think I am crazy for adding this to the mix, but I strongly believe that by giving back to your community, you are strengthening the bonds that keep society together and enriching your life in the process. Giving should be encouraged from early on, supported in schools, and widely implemented in workplaces. I want my children to see this as part of their social obligations. How? Money isn’t always the answer. Perhaps you have a skill that a local school group or nursing home would love you to share. You could donate your handmade pieces for a fundraiser at your local school. Donate blood, volunteer on a committee with similar interests to you…..you are limited only by your creative imaginations.

Happy Crafting!