Friday Friends - Australian Artists - Georgia Morgan Designs

Hello there! Welcome to a new edition of Friday Friends lovely readers. How was your week? I am so looking forward to a long weekend :) Today I introduce to you a new Friday Friend and an exceptionally talented designer and maker, meet Georgia of Georgia Morgan Designs. 

I find Georgia's designs to be strikingly beautiful and these pieces will resonate with anyone that has visited the Kimberley region. 

Let me share with you the Georgia Morgan Pyramid Style Resin Ring, which features Australian Red Desert "Pindan" Sand and a 7mm highest quality Australian Saltwater Keshi Pearl.

I also want to share these two stunning bangles. On the left is the Georgia Morgan Resin Thick Wave Bangle with real Australian pristine beach sand and 4 highest quality 7mm Australian Saltwater Keshi Pearls. On the right is the Georgia Morgan Resin bangle with real Australian Red Desert "Pindan" sand - Thin with Ellipse inlay. They have such a WOW! factor - love!

And for those fond of bubbles, how about this stunning Lily White Resin Ice Bucket Featuring Leaf Silver Raised Designs and 6 X Australian Mabe Pearls? Keep those bubbles cold in real style!

Dear readers, I will now hand the blogging reigns over to Georgia so she can share The Georgia Morgan Designs Diary with you all. Have a fantastic weekend everyone xo ♥

 

The Georgia Morgan Designs Diary

Tell us a little about yourself

I am a 3^rd Generation pearler; my Grandfather Alfred Morgan originally started pearling in Broome in the early 1900’s. Pearling and pearls has always been in my blood and I am very proud of that fact and very passionate and creative when it comes to designing pearl jewellery. In 2000 I opened my first Gallery here in Broome on Dampier Terrace, which mainly focused on Mother of Pearl shell carved jewellery. 

I also had a second shop in the Cable beach area years later. In 2006 I won a JAA (Jewellers Association of Australia) Award for Computer Aided Design, and was also a finalist in the Pearl category. After pulling out of retail I moved over east to learn new elements and broaden my field by exploring new ideas, mediums and technology. I moved back to Broome last September as I have always felt Broome was my true home and have been very happy since and now as well as being a Jewellery Designer I also am a Graphic Designer, CAD Jewellery Designer, Fashion Designer, Welder / Metal sculpture and photographer. All these fields interlock to allow me to be as creative as I can be which is very exciting!

How would you describe your designs?

I try to Design things that haven’t been done before or have that WOW factor. Making the customer who is wearing my design feel enhanced and beautiful. Using different materials is also a favourite of mine. Pushing the boundaries of what’s conventional, exploring new technologies whilst still encompassing the pearls raw beauty.

What inspires your work?

Broome and the Australian Outback has been a favourite source of inspiration for me for as long as I can remember and I’m sure will continue on. I live in such a unique special environment, with such passionate colours, raw textures and the salt of the earth feeling that for me enlightens my spirit and makes me feel alive. An excellent awe-inspiring muse!

What success have you had as designer?

Opening my first shop at the age of 22

2006 JAA (Jewellers Association of Australia) Computer Aided Design Award

2006 JAA (Jewellers Association of Australia) Finalist Pearl category

Di Morrissey novel The Kimberley Sun – there is a Jewellery Designer character in the book Di based on me.

Numerous Newspaper and Magazine articles and a feature on Postcards WA TV show.

What is special about Broome to you?

Apart from its raw beauty that captivates me I have a lot of Pearling Family History in Broome. A legacy that only few have ever been apart of in the world makes me very proud. Proud to be apart of Broome and the amazing history that has shaped this rustic town and to know the legacy will continue on and forever keep me inspired.

What is up and coming in the future for Georgia Morgan?

Currently working with a new CAD (Computer Aided Design) Software that allows me to do custom jewellery and designs for customers and enables me to push the boundaries of my up and coming jewellery collections. As Fashion design interests me as well I am working on a range of Crocodile / Stingray leather and Mabe Pearl Corsets, belts and jewellery fashion.  I also love welding and metal work, so have been busy designing and making amazing Candelabra’s, chandeliers, lamps and sculptures using rusting steel, Mother of Pearl shell and lights.

Dreams for the future?

I definitely want to design and make striking fashion and jewellery using different materials and technology to do some amazing photo shoots around Broome. 

To also have one of my Steel / Mother of Pearl Shell custom chandeliers featured in Vogue living and to bring Sculptures by the sea to Cable Beach, to name a few.

Where can people buy your work?
To view/buy from the complete range in person; including up and coming Jewellery, Custom CAD designing, sculptures and Crocodile / Stingray leather fashion visit: 
Artissimo Gallery @ 15 Dampier Terrace Broome *next to Streeters Jetty. 

You can view/buy Resin Jewellery and Home Wares in person at:
Willie Creek Pearls or
The Broome Visitor Centre 
For a full list of current stockists visit this link: 
http://georgiamorgan.com.au/stockists
You can also view galleries, buy online and read history on Georgia Morgan Designs on the Georgia Morgan website here: 

www.georgiamorgan.com.au
or on Etsy here: 
http://www.etsy.com/au/shop/GeorgiaMorganDesigns

Radiant Orchid - Wednesday Wishes

the pantone colour of the year for 2014 is radiant orchid. 

"Radiant Orchid blooms with confidence and magical warmth that intrigues the eye and sparks the imagination. It is an expressive, creative and embracing purple—one that draws you in with its beguiling charm. A captivating harmony of fuchsia, purple and pink undertones Radiant Orchid emanates great joy, love and health"

Wednesday Wishes today has been created by using items found under the search term "radiant orchid" on etsy. enjoy xo♥

Plush bunny rabbit stuffed toy, purple, radiant orchid from MySofties

Purple pink soutache Plum Radiant Orchid Beaded hand embroidery necklace from ShoShanaArt

Lingerie Peplum Tank Top Silk Camisole,Radiant Orchid Purple Corset Ruffle, MARIAN Deco Camisole from HoneyCoolerHandmade

Leather Wrap Bracelet Radiant Orchid Mountain Jade with Elephant from RopesofPearls 

Radiant Orchid Purple Rose Crown from BloomDesignStudio

On the Craft Table, How to Pot a Water Lily and Fully Loaded Banana Bread

Hi lovely readers, I hope you had a wonderful weekend, and a not too hectic start to the working week. Tonight I share with you On the Craft Table, How to Pot a Water Lily and Fully Loaded Banana Bread. Happy Reading :) 
On the Craft Table
Late last year I discovered the joys of a tool that makes bead loops - the same size every time. I made gorgeous Czech glass bracelets for some of the girls in my family and find the creating process just so rewarding. I wish that I had discovered these tools when I first started experimenting with beading. 

This is a bracelet that I am resizing for my niece - it was two beads too small, so she posted it back to me with a lovely handwritten letter. That is the beauty of handmade - you can adjust, re-size and modify as you need to :)

How to Pot a Water Lily
Have you ever wondered how to pot a water lily? Or how to re-pot for that matter? I did. I searched and this is what I found. Our re-potted water lily is doing so much better now and has produced a flower for the first time in years. Just follow these simple steps: 

You will need:
"A Squat plastic pot, 20-25cm in diameter; newspaper; garden soil mix; coarse sand; medium pebbles; aquatic-fertiliser tablets
Here's How:
Step 1 Line plastic pot with newspaper. 
Step 2 Add soil mix to the bottom of the pot. Place a fertiliser tablet into centre of the pot and cover with more soil.
Step 3 Trim the roots of the water lily and place it on top of the soil. Ensure the plant sits vertically. 

Step 4 Fan out the roots of the plant, then place more soil on top, so the roots are just covered. It's important to make sure the crown of the plant is just above the surface of the soil. 
Step 5 Place a layer of coarse sand over the soil and pat down firmly. Finish this with a layer of medium-sized pebbles to hold down the soil mix and also to prevent it from escaping into the pond. Step 6 Now you should thoroughly soak the pot to settle the mix, before placing it in the pond. Position the potted plant in the pond so the leaves sit just on the water's surface. If the water is too deep, place a few bricks underneath the pot to elevate it. If it's too shallow, you can add more water or find a deeper vessel."
You can read more here: how-to-pot-a-water-lily
Fully Loaded Banana Bread
I found a recipe for Banana Bread and modified it to create this Fully Loaded Banana Bread. Packed with lots of goodness, this is quite chew worthy,very flavoursome and absolutely delish with some butter and raw unprocessed local honey. Yummy! 

Ingredients:
2 ripe bananas, mashed
185g Fat Free Natural Yoghurt
2 Eggs lightly beaten
3 tablespoons of raw unprocessed Honey
1 1/2 cups SR Wholemeal Flour
100g Whole Sliced Almonds (almond slivers with skin on) 
1/4 cup chopped dried apricots
3-4 teaspoons Pepita and Sunflower seed mix
1 tablespoon linseed's (soaked in cold water for 15-30 minutes)
1 teaspoon white chia seed
1 teaspoon powdered nutmeg
1 teaspoon powdered cinnamon
Method:
1. Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius
2. Combine banana, yoghurt, eggs and honey in a large mixing bowl. 
3. Add flour, almonds, apricots, pepita and sunflower seed mix, linseeds, chia      seed, nutmeg and cinnamon. Mix to combine. 
4. Pour into a greased and paper lined 12cm 27cm loaf tin. 
5. Bake for 45 minutes or until cooked through and golden. 
6. Rest in baking tin for ten minutes then place on wire rack to cool.

Dear readers, I hope you enjoyed On the Craft Table, How to Pot a Water Lily and Fully Loaded Banana Bread. See you all on Wednesday for a new Wednesday Wishes blog post xo♥

Friday Friends - Australian Makers - ConchyGemDolls

Welcome lovely Maddabling readers to Friday, and a new edition of Friday Friends. What have you planned for the weekend? I have a bracelet on my workbench that I need to finish for my niece and a Craft Swap project to start for the latest round of DUST Team Craft Swaps. The project I will be making is one that is a new direction for me and I am hoping it will all come together beautifully. 

Today I want to introduce to you a very clever Australian Maker, meet sweet Sherrie of ConchyGemDolls. 

I am absolutely in awe of this clever artists creations. I love handmade art dolls, as those who have followed this blog for a while will know. These art dolls are certainly no exception! Let me introduce you to "Night Lily" the steampunk art doll.  Isn't she just perfect? 

For something little different, this gorgeous Shadow box set "Flight" which features clay art dolls and birds, would be a sweet folk art wall hanging addition for your home.

Some of you may also recall that I have a real soft spot for Mermaids and Selkies - I simply adore this Mermaid art doll cloth who comes with her very own coral reef shell. 

Time now dear readers for you to read the truly inspirational The ConchyGemDolls Storybook. I hope you enjoy reading this story as much as I did. Have a fabulous weekend everyone xo♥ 
P.s. Remember to stop and take a few deep breaths, it's such a busy busy world that we live in ♥

The ConchyGemDolls Storybook

Who is ConchyGemDolls?

ConchyGemDolls represents my evolving journey of creative discovery born out of love and loss. The shop itself is located in a small craft room wrestled ever so gently from grown up children leaving the nest and guarded warily from an envious husband… The home this little shop lives in is nestled among rainforest and mountain views overlooking a lovely river leading into the north Coral Sea.

How and When did your handmade/artistic journey begin ?
I have always loved creating with cloth – anything from clothes and furnishings to puppets and dolls. Craft was a merely a relaxing outlet for me right up until the time it literally became my lifeline. That was when I lost my oldest son and my wonderful world crashed. With 5 small children depending on mum for their own emotional recovery I knew I had to force myself back into some semblance of living - and quickly. I thank my lucky stars that a wonderful little doll allowed herself to be shaped by my very shaky hands and ConchyGemDolls came to be. Each one of the dolls and soft creations in my shop have given me tremendous strength on my own road to recovery.

What inspires you ?
Learning...
Children (and their beautiful spirit) who I am so blessed to work with as an expressive therapist.
My amazing family who forever keeps me exploring, laughing and loving.
The oceans and forests and all their inhabitants and of course any otherworldly creatures who make themselves known…

What mediums do you work with - do you have a favourite ?

I work mainly with cotton and vintage cloths, wool and natural felting fibres. I also love the many different clays – natural and man made. I often use papier mache, paints and handmade paper in my creations too. I love colour, texture and quirky combinations of thread work. 

What kind of things do you create ?

I make cloth art dolls and wet and needle felt soft fantasy creations. I also draw and paint a bit for my own pleasure.

Do you have a favourite piece that you have made?
My very first CGD doll. She still lives with us and commands a primo spot in our lounge room. She reminds me daily of how far I have come creatively and the wonderful life I have been given. Most of all she gives in me hope...
What are your future plans, dreams and aspirations?
I plan to begin connecting my professional world with my creative world by enhancing my art therapy process with art doll-making. 

I believe in the strength and magic of creating art in supporting emotional health and well being. I am excited to share this process.
Dear readers, would you like to see more? Here is how you can connect. 

Follow the Conchy Gem Dolls Facebook page here: 

http://www.facebook.com/ConchyGemDolls

Buy gorgeous things on Etsy here: 

http://www.etsy.com/au/shop/ConchyGemDolls

and keep up to date with all the Conchy Gem Dolls news on the blog here:

http://conchygemdolls.blogspot.com.au/

It's only natural - Wednesday Wishes

Items found by searching organic and natural on etsy. 

It's only natural - the inspiraton for Wednesday Wishes today ♥xo 

Long linen asymmetrical, short sleeve origami decoration art to wear blouse by ZOJKA 

One Seed Hope natural perfume 50ml / 1.7 fl oz from ONESEED

Naturel Cotton ORGANIC BedSpread Throw from loovee

Snow Flowers Bath Salts - Organic Flowers, Botanical, Herbal Bath Salts. Natural, Vegan, Healing and Rejuvenate Your Soul from Mnaturalz 

Linen Necklace - Ivory Linen, Gold Wooden Ball, Antique Bronze Beads from BeadedCoffeeTree

Love is all you Need, Rock Pools + Horizontal Waterfalls and Baked Camembert

Hello readers, welcome to a new weekend blog post. I hope your collective weeks have started well. Tonight I share with you Love is all you Need, Rock Pools + Horizontal Waterfalls and Baked Camembert. 
Happy Reading xo♥
Love is all you Need
Valentines Day isn't for everyone. We decided this year to have a nice dinner at home instead of buying into the hype. No flowers or gifts we said, just the company of each other. A single red rose given to me at the dinner table was a special surprise for me, such a simple and unexpected gesture ♥  Who said romance was dead? ♥

Rock Pools + Horizontal Waterfalls

We got up super early on Sunday morning, packed a thermos of coffee and fresh baked banana bread and set off for Anvil Beach to see it at low tide. When we arrived, we spotted a large pod of dolphins surfing the waves and working their way along the outer reef. We walked around through the rocks to the second part of the beach and what we found was simply amazing.

Rock Pools and Horizontal Waterfalls on the exposed reef as far as the eye could see. A myriad of seaweeds in all shapes and colours and so many birds, tiny fish and rock crabs!  

I could watch the horizontal waterfalls of water flowing in over the exposed reef for hours on end, there is something quite hypnotic about the ebb and flow of the tides. 

I think these seabirds may agree with me there, they seem to enjoy it too.

Baked Camembert 

"prepared and ready to bake in the oven"

I tried a new recipe, something a little decadent, to have as part of our Valentines Day dinner. Baked Camembert with Honey and Thyme. It was so delicious. I used a good quality local Camembert and local raw unprocessed honey. We found the Thyme sprigs caramelised beautifully. 
You can find the original recipe here: http://www.aww.com.au/food/recipes/2007/8/baked-camembert-cheese/
Baked Camembert
Serving size: Serves 4-6
INGREDIENTS 
200g whole camembert or brie 
1 garlic clove sliced thinly 
½ bunch fresh thyme leaves 
1 tablespoon honey 
crusty French bread to serve 

METHOD 
Preheat oven to 220°C (200°C fan-forced) and remove wrapping from cheese. 
Score cheese all over with a small sharp knife.
Place whole cheese in a lightly greased baking dish or on baking paper in a small baking dish.
Push garlic slivers into cheese. 
Scatter thyme and honey over top of cheese.
Bake in pre-heated oven for 10 minutes or until cheese has softened and honey has caramelised slightly. Serve immediately with fingers of crusty bread.
*cooks tip - if you use baking paper method, you can slide the camembert and melted honey onto the serving plate, the warmed honey adds a whole new dimension to the dish. 

Lovely readers, that concludes Love is all you Need, Rock Pools + Horizontal Waterfalls and Baked Camembert. Thank you for stopping by to read my blog, it is so nice to hear from my readers - see you on Wednesday for a new Wednesday Wishes blog post xo♥