REGINALD – The CAE Portrait Prize for Softies

It's the craft world's version of the Archibalds - the Reginalds!

You are invited to make a Softie Portrait of someone you admire/appreciate and send a photo of it together with a photo of the person that the portrait represents.

A Softie Portrait (soft toy) is a handmade soft sculpture/toy made from fabric or yarn, incorporating hand and/or machine stitching, knitting or crochet, which emulates a specific person or pet. Your Softie Portrait MUST be your own original work.

Judges Pip Lincoln (left) and CatRabbit (right) with their Reginalds

The judges are Cat Rabbit, nationally and internationally revered soft sculpture/textile artist, and Pip Lincolne, Melbourne crafter, author and Meet me at Mikes blogger. They will select 10 finalists who will then send in their actual softie portraits for a fabulous exhibition, to be held in the CAE (Centre for Adult Education) info shop in central Melbourne.

The Reginald winner, selected by Cat Rabbit and Pip Lincolne, will receive:

• A Brother NS55 Sewing Machine, valued at $699
• A commissioned soft sculpture by Cat Rabbit
• Inclusion on Pip Lincolne’s ‘Meet me at Mikes’ blog
• Inclusion on frankie magazine’s blog
• Subscription to frankie magazine

In addition, there will be a People’s Prize awarded, as voted by the general public. Chosen from the ten finalists, People’s Prize voting will be online and in person.

Photographic entries must be received by 7 March 2014. DON’T SEND ACTUAL SOFTIE PORTRAITS!

To enter the Reginald competition follow the instructions and fill out the entry form which you will find here.

Look up @reginald_cae, #Reginald and #makingareggie on Instagram to see other people’s entries.

Great Market Stall Design

I was lucky enough to be in Melbourne for the recent Markit @ Fed Square and was astounded at the amazing and creative stall displays (not to mention the wonderful products)! Here are some of the best.
Note the use of colour, unusual and unique props, custom built displays, having height in the display, simplicity of materials, and most importantly having a stall design that works with your products. 

Little Lamb

Lavallier

Rabbit & the Duck

Herbert & Friends

Pigeonhole

Corky Saint Clair

Ask Alice

The Gently Unfurling Sneak

Write to me stationery

Pleaty Bunny

Jen Booth

So Little Time

LabThreeOFive

bRainbow

Stämpel Studio

Limedrop

Sandra Bowkett

Twisted Terrariums

I design things

And O Design

Bonnie Poplar

A Skulk of Foxes

Melbourne Design Market applications open

Do you have a product, idea, or something savvy that should be in front of the people who matter? Do you feel like taking your products on an interstate trip (and hopefully not bringing them back)?

Well, applications for "THE Melbourne Design Market" are now open!

The market is on Sunday 29th July from 10am – 5pm at Federation Square undercover carpark for the eighth year.

The Melbourne Design Market's selection process for prospective stallholders is highly curated to ensure the quality and diversity of products on offer to shoppers maintains the highest standard.

If you have high quality design products or a design-led business, then go to www.melbournedesignmarket.com.au to apply by 30th April.


Please note that all traders are required to have credit card/eftpos facilities and stall costs start at $550. This is big time, people!