Self-Preservation

I've taken the whole 'Diamond 'n Rust' range, as well as the 'Lemurian' pieces into Self-Preservation in the city. At present this is really the only place where people can see current work, unless they visit me in my studio. This display is what was there before the current stock arrived today. Its such a beautiful place, the coffee is delicious, and Anitsa and Lina are wonderful. I am happy to have my work there...

diamonds 'n rust series continues

Ok, I still haven't got this series out of my system. I just love the old brass chain, which is quite dull and grungy, with those glimmers of the vintage fire-polished coppery glass beads shining through. This piece is big big and wild. It is nearly jumping off my bench at the moment, it'll either wear somebody, or end up abseiling the Rialto. Anyway..its great to be making things on this level again. I will also make some smaller sort of ones, for those who love this, but say things like: "I love it, but don't have anywhere to wear it to...." (happens all the time! My answer is usually: "build it and they will come")

inspiration from a fifties clasp

Above is the clasp that I inherited from my mother, one part of a fabulous necklace she used to wear in the early sixties when we were on vacation. Its full of crystal and big costume pearl drops.
The image at the top is the necklace I made, which is being worn by my mannequin who is called 'Cruella'. (she always looks so good in everything, even though she's so cruel...) She's also wearing a mid nineteenth century cami, probably from a glory box (its in flawless condition, never been worn) a piece from my mother (Sophie van Rood, The Banana Room, Adelaide 1974-1998) vast antique and vintage fashion and costume collection. So the necklace which I have named 'Dusk Devi', is part of my 'Devi' series, which I began showing at the 'Sentience' exhibition. (with Zlatka, the wondrous knitwear artist, at fortyfivedownstairs, in Flinders Lane, Melbourne, March 2008 - part of L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival)

aviary-face

I've wanted to see all my old bird pieces together in a situation for awhile now. They each have history and stories..the blue bird necklace is one I wore as a child. I don't know how old some of the others are, but they could be over 100 years old. Here they are in a new face, together...

The pier

This sparkling criss-cross, in the late afternoon Autumnal light..my eyes close slightly as the inner light finds the resonant beat, the internal structures containing the pathways, or are they just an idea...

rose light

I want the scent of this pink pink rose to be captured. As I walked past, its scented tendrils, seductively allowed me to zoom in close. I have taken the license to digitally augment it..Autumn in Melbourne is so wonderful, the roses are like great fecund juicy cabbage heads, sweetly and deeply scented...mmmmmmmm....

Art Deco box

Yes, I think this is an appropriate place to start. I inherited a very large collection of costume and design items from my mother. And not only many of the objects from it in life; but I realize more and more that I absorbed everything she gathered and hunted and inherited herself from her rich cultural life, by osmosis and I imagine: DNA. So I'm very very lucky. And I have a big responsibility, not only to my family, but to all interested in, or passionate about beautiful things, to pass on this extraordinary legacy. And that's why I'm inbetween things. I have been making jewellery for years and years. I still love to make jewellery. But I also paint and draw. And I also design and create logos, design styles and images for other people, including my own 'house'.
So here we are. I've finally started this blog, and hope it brings you as much inspiration and creativity as it brings me.