5.6.13 BLUE JEAN BABY

Images Tamara Maynes

Back in February I had the most outrageously busy month ever. The project that stood out amongst the madness and had me completely loving what I do was this one. My blue jean baby was commissioned by the prolific stylist Jane Frosh of Cool Edies for her second concept installation in Sydney's incredible QT Hotel. After sourcing 50 pairs of second hand jeans in varying shades of indigo I set about cutting and weaving the denim into braids of graduating thickness. 140 meters and 60 hours later I had one amazing dress to deliver. Ahhh the fulfillment, not to mention very blue hands...

27.5.13 GIVING CRAFTSMANSHIP A CHANCE

All images via Pinterest

Sometimes, just sometimes, I wonder how my life might be different if this was the way I lived. You see I am a 'collector', which in unfavourable terms could be called hoarding. Not a day goes by when I'm not bringing something into my space that just had to come live with us. Mostly nature and side-the-road finds, it's not about spending money it's about connections and the thrill of the find. These connections fill me with joy but as a result my space is cluttered with half completed projects in every nook and cranny... hence I have a cluttered mind. There is something to be said for a space where materials and craftsmanship are given the chance to shine. Where form and light are incredibly present, the soft leather of your Martin Margiela shoes and minor detail of colour on your dinnerware are all the connections you need. Hmmm...

20.5.13 WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE

Image - Mask by Tamara Maynes photographed by Tomasz Machnik for He Made She Made

Guten Morgen peoples! There's no particular reason for the German greeting this morning other than the fact that it's 3º here in Sohi this morning and that is possibly encouraging the only cold climate language I can converse in (very badly mind you). Anyhow, to the point... while I was out of action recently I was invited to make a mask for inclusion in He Made She Made Gallery's next exhibition Masked Intentions. My mask above constructed from fusible beads is titled Welcome To The Jungle. Fierce yet friendly it is designed to accompany you into the jungle that is the 21st Century. Opening night is this Wednesday 22nd May at 6pm in Darlinghurst and the other artists/designers include Benja Harney and Kitiya Palakas. You're all invited!

14.5.13 BACK ON THE HORSE

Image Julian Wolkenstein

Hello modern craft lovers! My absence was much longer than anticipated I know... but it really was what I needed after too many years of non-stop work and a build up of way too much stress. So, one health scare followed by a BIG wake up call followed by a couple of months of taking care of myself and re-evaluating and here I am... back on the horse. But things will be a little different from now on. Blogging will be on a more casual basis as I focus on my amazing new online store ( which is very close!) and the launch of two incredible new services that I'm SO excited about. You will absolutely love it all I promise!

In the meantime check out my super clever friend and award winning photographer Julian Wolkensteins' pin-up horse series. Real horses with real hairdo's shot in the English countryside, Julian and his team created these images with no manipulation... just a lot of patience! Florence hangs in my space, but today the lovely Misty (above) in all her hot-rollered-mane glory is stealing the show.

22.3.13 LAST SHOUT OUT!

Image Tamara Maynes

Morning all! A super quick shout out to any and all in Sydney tomorrow. Some of you may remember the embroidery workshop pictured above I held as part of the Powerhouse Museum's bi-annual Craft Punk weekend two years ago? Well Craft Punk is on again tomorrow and I am holding four x two hour workshops where I will guide you through the construction of your very own Quilt Light using cardboard and cool wallpaper designs below! It get's better... the cost is only $45! Places are limited, more details and bookings here!

26.2.13 DIY PARADISE MOTEL

Images Tamara Maynes

Hello!!!! I am making a super quick stop in today to say hi. Things have been quite crazy in the studio, I had my first day off a couple of days ago after four weeks of 15hr days and one 20hr day... yes that's right I went to bed for a whole four hours! So you see you must forgive me for deserting my daily posts. I will be back very very soon but wanted to tell you about my new DIY modern lighting project - the Paradise Motel, which is now available as a template download at The Six Week Boutique!! I designed, made and photographed it well over a year ago and it's been waiting super patiently in the wings to make it's debut. It's super simple, involves some timber, a drill, a string of fairy lights and my template...

30.1.13 A RUSSIAN HOLIDAY

Image Studio WM

Today is going to be my last post for the next week or so lovely people. Sorry, I know we just got started again after the holiday period but one of the perks of working for yourself is making the rules! After a work related experience yesterday that was incredibly upsetting I am going to take some time to focus on and thoroughly enjoy throwing myself into the two wonderful installation jobs I am coming up to deadline for. My making headspace is super meditative and I long to be be in it... there is lots to think about. Plus my laptop could do with the break. So although I will actually be cutting, knotting, stitching and up to my ears in a glorious messy studio my thoughts will be sitting in this calming salmon pink room at the Oranienbaum Palace in Russia, musing on what's ahead, and all perfectly lit thanks to Studio WM's Gradient Lamp! Back soon...

29.1.13 THE MATERIAL CO-LAB OF CO-LABS

All images Pia Wüstenberg

With designers so conscious of the materials they use these days it was no surprise their work would begin to  merge materials in the most cleverest of ways. Pia Wüstenberg's India Stacking Vessels are, to me, the epitome of this inter-material co-lab. Timber, glass and metal all sitting together as one big happy family, they remind me of a much more homespun DIY project I did previously for a reno/deco issue of Inside Out Magazine. I'm seeing a grouping of Pia's vessels on an otherwise empty sideboard, mmmm....  

28.1.13 I HEART ART

Image Nick Knight

Since stumbling across an old nude painting in a second hand store last year and it fast becoming one of my favourite things to sit and stare at, I have become more aware of hanging traditional framed art, i.e. paintings and photographs. Having never really been in my scope, I blame this oversight on two things. Firstly, until my discovery of 3M removable hooks hanging art in a rental remained in the too hard basket and secondly I have until now focused on decorating my available wall space with craft work. With another house move on the horizon and my new found appreciation of art I am becoming somewhat obsessed. This quirky floral number by London photographer Nick Knight is seriously on my radar but only if I can frame it in one of Caroline Olsson's incredible Epaulette frames whose copper corners would rock that lovely lone peachy rose...

Image Caroline Olsson

25.1.13 NATURAL BLONDES

Image Modernity

It's Friday and what a super productive week I've had though I'm starting to feel nervous about the Emerging Designer Award I'm up for now as voting ends tomorrow. If you don't have your vote in yet please hurry, it only take a few seconds! And so to today's post... I can only assume those of you who are regular readers of my blog have the chair addiction that I too have. Where we might differ is that although I can truly see how incredibly beautiful it is I just can't seem  to extend that addiction to blonde timber. Don't get me wrong, I love it, I own it, I use it in my work but I'm just not naturally drawn to it. There is no question however that some chairs are just natural blondes, the Zig Zag by Gerrit Rietveld and the Artistic Tension Bentwood Chair by Dohoon are two of these...

Image Luxe Home

24.1.13 NEW KNOTTING GOODNESS

Images Tamara Maynes

I made it. Yes it took six months longer than anticipated but let's focus on the positives here... the new and second piece in my To John Denver With Love macrame collection is here! Comprising giant hand-knotted tassels, a whole lot of twisted texture and dip-dyed punchy colour all hung from the most beautiful polished copper rod, I guarantee this baby will look incredible in your space... it does in mine! Now available to order at The Six Week Boutique it is also available for a short time only as part of the Temple & Webster Emerging Designer Sale. Want more tempting? There is nude pink and ice blue on offer too...

23.1.13 PAINT BY ERA

Image Fired Earth

Today is tuning out to be crazy busy. I am working on two big installation jobs and the pre-production for one in particular has taken on a life of it's own! Google is the most incredible sourcing tool, I don't know what we did without it... but it seems I am in the early stages of going cross eyed. Taking a moment away from all that scrolling I wanted to focus on the new paint range by Kevin McCloud of Grand Designs fame. Simply titled Mid-Century Colours, the range has been inspired by, you guessed it - Mid-Century colours. Six all up they really do capture the essence of the era. A super idea which leaves me wondering why there aren't more paint ranges based on era's...

22.1.13 OMG

Image Theresa Himmer

If New York based artist Theresa Himmer tagged my house with her sequined graffiti I would hunt her down and thank her profusely. Made using sequins, plastic and plywood, this installation titled Glacier is my favourite. Her other work in this amazing series includes sequins dripping from the top of buildings. Incredible...

21.1.13 UPTOWN BOY + DOWNTOWN GIRL

Image Mattiazzi

When I was a kid and one pronounced their love of something be it a toy, food or otherwise we would mock "Why don't you marry it?!". A ridiculous remark that at a tender age left you wishing you could un-declare your feelings, though if someone were to throw this at me today I would begin preparations for a shotgun wedding. Upon discovering the Osso Chair by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec it was love at first sight. Masterfully designed, the smooth flowing timber grain lightly stained in grey ash is my idea of the perfect man made manifest as a piece of modern furniture. He also has brothers - a low stool, high stool, and armchair, but unfortunately in this case I won't be marrying into this family. At a cost of $1350 it's a case of uptown boy and downtown girl...

18.1.13 SUPERHERO GREY

Image via Yvonne Koné

Technically grey isn't a colour. Sitting in-between black and white it is achromatic which literally means a colour without colour. Historically seen as a symbol of poverty, uniformity and dullness, I see grey as a super hero that comes in to save the day when 'real colour' just ain't cutting it. Grey with all it's variations from warm through to cool can speak volumes about style, grace and daring. Move over Superman...

Images > Above left Still Inspiration, above right West Elm

17.1.13 BROOKLYN BLING

Image MQuan

Check out this piece of seriously good Brooklyn bling. I have travelled all over the States from LA to the east coast and back again stopping to dance in an incredible Indian Badlands sunset, pay my respects to The King in Memphis, drink far too much in Chicago, scare off wild animals with my lily white legs in Yosemite, feel complete awe at the sheer size of the Grand Canyon, buy my now husband a harmonica on Beale St, and get a tan cruising the Venus Beach boardwalk in LA. The fact that I did so in a broken down old bus full of hippies are details we will bypass. However I have yet to get to New York, I mean really get to New York. I grasped it's enormity and energy but unfortunately driving over the Brooklyn Bridge and stopping for an hour at the Greyhound bus depot on the other side doesn't count so I consider myself a NYC virgin. Now that my amazing friend and stylist Glen Proebstel lives there I have decided I will get there, properly, if I have to starve to do so! Design Sponge posted about spotting Michele Quan's glazed ceramic jewels all over Brooklyn some time ago and I have only just discovered them. I have gotta get me to that city...

16.1.13 GET YOUR MACRAME ON

Image Tamara Maynes

If the thought of mastering macrame has ever tickled your fancy it's time to get excited. On Saturday 16th February I am holding a new workshop at stylist Megan Morton's The School in Sydney titled Modern Macrame 101! One of my earliest memories is of playing with macrame bits at my mother's craft supplies store in the 70's, fast forward to 2013 and there's no sign of hippy jute rope or wooden beads as we focus on the use of modern coloured cord and bright copper rings. During this four hour workshop you will master basic knots, work them into your own modern hanger complete with cascading greenery and leave with enough knowledge to delve into other modern macrame projects. As usual there will be delicious food served to you throughout by MM herself and endless inspiration supplied by her light filled studio. Spaces are limited for this intimate class and bookings can be made here...

15.1.13 SHAGADELIC

Images New Friends + Colour Shift Yarn

Alexandra and Kelly aka New Friends just keep making the coolest woven pieces for me to wish I owned. We all know I'm drawn to 70's inspired craft but the organic nature of these new woolly numbers coupled with their colour combo's rock. So much so that you'll need to forgive me because I'm about to use the word shagadelic...

14.1.13 IF YOU LOVE ME LET ME KNOW

Image via Temple & Webster blog

Happy Monday everyone... exciting news, voting has started for the Temple & Webster + inside Out Magazine Emerging Designer Award! I am super thrilled to have been nominated and pretty intoxicated by the idea of actually winning. The incredible prize of $5000 and a feature in Inside Out Magazine is something dreams are made of and would allow me to finally make a start on my new collection of wholesale DIY interior pieces! There are nine other amazing nominees but if it's me you love please let me know by voting here now!! Also check out the little video below where I chat with Temple & Webster about this very subject and remember voting ends Australia Day January 26th...

11.1.13 TWO WRONGS MAKE A RIGHT

Image Anthropologie

From time to time I stop in at the ever fab Anthropologie.com to check out any new pieces they have available for me to drool over. Recently I noticed the 'Unlikely Symmetry' range of dinner wear which reminds me of one of the favourite DIY projects I did for Inside Out Magazine last year. I love the concept of mismatched plates and this takes the idea to a whole other level. I say grab all your plates that don't do it for you as they are, arm yourself with a tile cutter and porcelain glue and get to work making things right...

10.1.13 LIGHTING GOES TREK-ING

Images Leanie van der Vyver

All the best ideas are simple ones born of necessity... enter Leanie van der Vyver and her amazing 'Trek' light. Trek is an adaptable light that comes with a super long power cord that is secured from low-lying powerpoint to wherever you want it hung with button screws. The flattened side of the shade enables it to become a ceiling, floor or table lamp. A frustrated Leanie came up with this corker whilst constantly moving around her small apartment in the search for optimal space for different activities. Are you as in love with this as I am...

 

9.1.13 THE MUSE THAT IS AUSTRALIA

Image Suzie Stanford

Suzie Stanford's Australiana tea towel upholstered chairs have been around for many years now but I am feeling like celebrating all things Australian today after the state of NSW got through it's most dangerous bushfire day in recorded history yesterday. As I regularly checked in online to update myself on the fires burning closest to us and their rating of 'in control' or 'out of control' I felt a sense of pride for the surviving stuff we are made of. Our country really does rock and I for one am super inspired by where we live. The flora and fauna, so well documented on the humble retro tea towel, is particularly incredible. Pure inspiration as Suzie can vouch for...

Images above left via Pinterest, above right via Pinterest

8.1.13 BACK TO BASICS

Image Mint Afternoon

There's a lot at risk today here in Australia as temperatures and winds soar... a lethal combination that finds me focused on the simple things like this uncomplicated pretty paper garland. After receiving a pre-recorded telephone message from the rural bushfire service last night at 10.30pm SoHi is on emergency alert for catastrophic fire danger. With bushland all around us it's unnerving to say the least and although I'm not panicking I do find myself paying more attention to the basics and where our closest safe place is should we have to leave quickly. Anyway looks like work is out the window today it's already a whopping 30° at 8.30am. Oh how handy air conditioning would come in right about now...

7.1.13 IT'S A NEW YEAR!

Image via Pinterest

Happy New Year everyone! I've a lovely warm fuzzy feeling about this year with some exciting changes and growth in the pipelines. For the first time ever I took a two full weeks off work over the Christmas and New Year period and spent it hanging around, eating and nursing my frozen shoulder... ouch. Keeping cool was a big priority here in Australia and loose dresses like the mint green Tommy Hilfiger above were an essential... they also came in handy after all the eating, if you know what I mean. Quite odd not having created or made anything for a couple of weeks but I did find a creative outlet in the devouring of both Sartorialist books which I received as a gift. Sometimes I forget how dearly I loved fashion and what a muse it was to me in the early days. Twas really very refreshing to spend some time with it again. So onward and upward for 2013, here's to exciting things to come...

21.12.12 SIGNING OFF FOR 2012

Image via Pinterest

So here we are people! Today's post, my 104th is also my last post for 2012 and I am feeling super proud of myself for remaining dedicated to this week-daily routine. I am also in love with you all for sticking with me, enjoying the posts and giving me such wonderful feedback via email and my facebook page. Like the image says I reckon we have moved past friendship and into our own little gang! I will be back posting on January 7th bursting with inspiration to share I would think! In the meantime don't forget my online store The Six Week Boutique is open for business as usual and that many of your favourite products like The Saturday Night Girls cross stitch kits, To John Denver With Love macrame owls, and SoHi Magazine are all leaving the store on the 11th January so don't miss the last chance to purchase these, and with free postage* to boot! Here's to an excellent Christmas and New Year everyone, you do rock! Speak to you in 2013...

20.12.12 PAINT FILLED MOLESKIN

Images Inga Dalrymple

I don't know what is going on this morning but it feels like the attack of the lawn mower! Being the 'garden proud' community it is, I can only imagine everyone in SoHi seems to have decided Thursday morning is the time to prepare their lawns for Christmas visitors. I can barely hear myself type and my poor little orange boy Eric the cat has requested I put him up high, tucked safe of the depths of our bedroom's built in wardrobe. So tomorrow I am signing off for the year, blog wise that is, to have a break from my work and spend some time just being. I started looking around for a new Moleskin notebook the other day in anticipation of the thoughts I will want to put on paper in that optimistic first week of the new year and remembered Inga Dalrymple. An Australian painter, I love her work but it's her paint filled Moleskins in which she 'throws paint around in an attempt to find new forms and relationships' that I find so incredibly inspiring... 

19.12.12 CHRISTMAS DIY REVISIT

Image Tamara Maynes

I'm getting around with my arm in a sling, can you believe it? My trusty tendonitis has reared it's ugly head which means forced rest. This is what it takes, it's shocking and my need for balance is going on the list of new year resolutions... again. Anyway to the matter at hand - back to Christmas deco's today and I wanted to revisit one of the DIY's I designed for Inside Out Magazine's Christmas 2011 issue. A five page project spread styled by Vanessa Colyer Tay and photographed by Craig Wall, this was my first contribution to the mag. My favourite of the group was this really cool little set of stencilled slip covers for random timber stools that once made can be stored and used again year after year. My trick was to use super fab, modern looking fonts that gave the finished product an edge...

 Images above left Tamara Maynes, above right Inside Out Magazine