Treasury worth a Promo

Another treasury is up and running. Its a painters' theme - which is close to home. This is an experimental majority Aussie collection.

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTE1Mjg2NzV8MjcyMzU3ODAzMA/painters-fuel-artist-collection-2?ref=pr_treasury

I wish my studio had the feel of this treasury. A nice & warm supportive clean space that lets your creativity flow like a hot chocolate fountain.

Alas it doesn't.

Infact, each day it begins to look a little more like this... 

Studio of Francis Bacon. Suddenly, I stop feeling guilty.

Thanks to the image of a studio belonging to the great Francis Bacon, I feel much better. Its good to be in fabulous company

Adventure packed Evening

Last night I watched awesome films at the Banff Festival. Heart pumping, adrenalin cursing, hair raising stuff that make us comparative mortals look like earth worms.

I coursed my way with a crazed friend through thick Sydney traffic on a commuter bike to get there. This bike was grueling and heavy compared to my roadie. My legs got me there and back in one piece albeit with some sweat and pain. Note to self: Do not wear makeup knowing that a lot of riding effort lies before me. I arrived home wearing panda eyes good enough for the hospital scene in a mid-day tv melodrama.

But I digress, this is a preview of the films..

Painter's Fuel

Its raining outside. Im so snuggly in here and its a good day to get my business in order. Including a bit of advertising for other etsy-ers.

Etsy treasuries are such an entertaining way to organise favorite listings on a palette. Ive started an artist series which collects images reminding me of certain artistic careers.

The first I did was a writers workspace..

Writers Fuel - Artist Series 1

I did another which I will post next. But Im happy to let this float independently for now.

Hope you enjoy! (You can visit the original plus more if you tap on the image)

Woodwork Scarf Holders - A lovely Invention

Cool Banana's. My little studio has born some lovely things lately. I've made a few scarf holders the last week and am more than happy. These beauties are such a great invention for keeping your favorites displayed.

Scarf Holder with Shelf by Ayliss on Etsy

Scarf or Teatowel Holder Shelf by Ayliss on Etsy

There are so many things I want to design and make its difficult to begin. I guess the difference between a success and a failure is having the motivation and vision to start and complete a project. Taking care of business has never been the strongest part of my personality, instead I love the making. However, if you want to get your work out there you can't afford to be complacent when it comes to the hard stuff...marketing, finance, managing time and all that jazz.

I'm now finished my big cycling adventures for the year, and with christmas coming Ive got loads of projects to polish off. Next installment coming soon..

Coordinating Success

This weeks tick of approval goes to... ME!

I took 5 girls out for a Sydney spin and all in all I think they enjoyed it. Its difficult to keep a new cycling group together when they're at disparate levels in fitness and experience. But it all contributes to our learning process.

Meanwhile, my elbow is healing (after my little collision with some rocks) and I'm feeling quite positive about two things. One: My cycling fitness is slowly increasing. And two, I'm getting better at organising my own arty projects & job. Soon I'll co-ordinate my painting in there, somewhere.

So here is my little item contribution for the week...we all love pictures. Alice makes really adorable ceramic wears. Definitely worth the look.

cycle badge on etsy by AliceShieldsceramics

Serious Cycling Lessons Learnt

Up again before the crack of dawn and the weather has turned for the worse. Thank goodness my 120km cycling adventure with the boys finished 16 hours ago, when the sun was shining.

Yesterday's weather had been perfect. The proposed 6am start was somewhat hampered by the Running Event of the City. After diverting through the onslaught of huffers, puffers & shufflers, the first hill climb out of the City Center had me struggling a little for breath. I was already concerned about my recent spate of asthma. The chesty thing I cant shake came from under its rock and was already sapping my energy. I hadn't anticipated this.

We rode a good pace to get away from the city. The extra weight of food in my jersey pockets was comforting. I need to eat a lot and I was prepared for the long haul. Electrolytes, gels and water were in arms reach. The three boys and I rode in formation up the Pacific Highway, and as we passed other cyclists we knew our progress was positive.

One of the boys was having back issues so we pulled up for a combined seat adjustment, snack and pit stop.  With all in order we got back to business and around 40km's veered onto a lesser worn road. It seemed a consistent up and down track, with a few more ups than downs.. ;)

The air thinned as we climbed, my breathing was noticeably more hampered but I still felt good. Passing larger groups of cyclists we became aware of an event which ran the main vein of our planned route. The extra company around us had the road buzzing. At around 60km's I was feeling some mild leg issues, probably a consequence of hammering out a 60km effort two days before.

My husband broke away as we reached a summit, and he flew the descent. Some wet roads and sudden corners had the three of us pulling at our breaks. The fog became an apparent problem. We three stuck together. Our glasses were wet and the surroundings became increasingly difficult to navigate. I confidently followed Kev's wheels. He knew how to ride so I felt safe cornering his tracks. However, this theory came unstuck when the hand that held his glasses prevented his brakes from catching. His wheels slipped under him. This tight corner was both his and my undoing - I watched him slide over gravel and then a good meter over hard rock and dirt. It was the embankment that finally stopped him. What could I do to prevent the same fate? Braking hard would have me loose it over the handlebars. But light braking would have me smashing my front wheel into the rockface. So I simply and gently pulled the brakes, slid over rock, de-cleting one foot and fell on my side. A little undignified but effective nevertheless. Our third rider behind was unscathed. Sometimes watching an incident is enough to spook the daylights out of you. Having seen Kev loose it gave me more to think about than the slight scratches Id then and there gained. His knuckles were bad. The rocks had ripped a good section of seat from his butt. He didn't have much to begin with! And he had a gaping hole in his arm. I put pressure on the skin either side of the hole, it seamed up beautifully and as I released it I suggested he needed some stitches to seal the mess. He was in shock, but in relatively good spirits. We needed a medical center but how to get there? 'I can ride' he said.

By the time my husband wound his way up the hill (he knew trouble had happened when we didn't meet him at base), we had decided to keep riding. Not 3 km's down I asked a fisherman for a band aids. Beautiful! - they had a medical kit worthy of our emergency. He also showed us the massive salmon he'd caught. Bandaged up and ready to ride we began the 60km return to Sydney.

The hills became my downfall. I had an asthma attack and urged my husband to catch the boys and convince them to ride ahead. I didn't want to be a burden and Kev should see a doctor. 5km Ben returned. Brendan had broken away and when Kev was told my plan he explained that he had no intention of moving on. Later he told me, 'You're stronger when you work as a team'. I stopped with Ben. I had to eat. All that food in my jersey and I hadn't eaten. I felt better. We met with the boys a few more km's up the road, I ate again. Another 10km's into it and I repeated the refuel. This was better.

I knew Kev was in pain and each kilometer was a pain on his ass (pun intended). I kept my breathing and heart rate as low as I could, which meant some terribly slow 9k an hour ascents. But we got back on the highway in better spirits. I was energised after food.

Sydney was jammed with traffic, and after our adventure I felt we'd spent a few days away. Noise, pollution, impatience and competition for road space had me alert. With 2 km's to home Kev broke away with promises to see a doctor. Brendan, Ben and I stopped not far off. We needed a meal, a beer and a pretzel.

Yesterday was a hard ride. It also provided many revelations. Kev showed me courage and kindness. Ben is as patient as a saint. No matter how badly I feel for having him hang back he always assures me its about the company not the competition. I also learnt I need to continually eat on my rides. I cant go an hour without fueling. Though I argue its mostly mental over the physical, my mental state depletes without food.

With each ride I become better prepared and I can't wait till the next one. I need to do this ride as soon as possible, to act on my new learnt knowledge and be a better rider - which may be sooner than I think.

On My Bike to CRAZY TOWN!

Last week I moved to 'crazy town'. The crux of my crazy? Starting a new job with little knowledge. I'm still reeling from the fact I did it.

crazy bike

Gaining a new job sealed leaving an old one - where Id been for 6 yrs, and where I new every particle. I originally got this job as a student and was meant to leave for better prospects. But I'd gotten stuck, then bored, and finally grumpy. I literally dreamt of ways to get fired. This was a cowards tactic to procrastinate against making a decision. Last week, when a new manager with a penchant for barking me orders chose to treat me like a child, I chose to leave. I decided there and then to carve a new job in the bike industry. Within one day...BAM! I got one.

Now here I am, with a little bit of experience but a great amount of passion, selling bikes & bike paraphernalia. Ive so many ideas as to where I want the business to go. For One. I want a female oriented store that takes women and their bike-love seriously. Somewhere to buy funky & practical bike gear and also to come have a warm chat and get some friendly advice.

This week showed me a tremendous learning curve and was nerve racking to boot. But I'm loving the challenge and totally excited about the prospect of assisting women on and off the bike. It really is all about, as Nike says, just doing it.

Soviet soldier thinks he can take a German woman's bike?..Think again soldier boy

On another fabulous note that took my week to another level, I sold my rustic bike shelf to a lovely customer in the United States. The feedback will be anticipated because I dearly love this shelf. Here it is.. and YES, I will make another similar to it.

Sold bicycle shelf is packed up and destined for the US.

Sharing the Love

Today I had a wonderful experience worth more than sharing.

I sent a few purchases last week. One was destined for Tasmania (a beautiful place I plan to ride).  When looking in my messagebox this afternoon I found a lovely note with a beautiful image of my mini garden planter. Placed at the window, nestled against a burning candle and beside a gorgeous vase of flowers, were some beautiful planted succulents. The note wrote: 'I thought you might like to use this photo! ... You do an amazing job sweetie : ) x'

Well, I VERY much want to use the photos (she kindly sent me two). I'm totally in love with the thought that someone is excited to open, and joyed to see, something I have designed and made. For a creative personality, this is the most rewarding and satisfying feeling.

Thank you so much to my Tasmanian Zen customer. I can't tell you enough how you made my day!

 

Photo's of new garden planter by my lovely customer

Scarf Holders Tooboot!

Well, Ive been a mad hatter the last few days. And with my half eaten breakfast in front of me, today is going to be no different. I thought I would squeeze this blog in to update my workshop activities..

Scarf and key holders have been on my agenda and they've turned out super! I love this custom made I completed yesterday.

Scarf or Tea Towel holder by Ayliss

Key Holders by Ayliss

And my key holders turned a lovely treat. So now I get on my bike and make off to my other job. not as fulfilling but it to brings home the bacon. At least I get to swing by the bike shop on the way home to pick up some goodies.. I will have more images on that tonight.

Dream Big - Its Free

The day is long and the night is black. Who doesn't love a good lyric or quote?

Ive seen so many super sayings lately and I want to try and remember. So, Ive been chopping some wood, making plaques and temporally recording fabulous advices. My current favorite, which I shortened, is now listed on etsy.

Chalkboard on Etsy by Ayliss

And for something a little more random ...

In love with the Print

Spending the day on the computer is not always good. But today there were many gorgeous sites to see and I struggled over which two to share. The following were simply too lovely to pass.
Let me introduce lindaketelhut 

Sesimic by lindaketelhut on etsy

 The work by this self taught illustrator draws on the loves for color, space and design. Linda's work features on books and magazines, but I think the works look so beautiful in simple frames like shown in the home below..

Print by Linda Ketelhut

Lindaketelhuts prints are a steal on the etsy site. I always ramble about the benefits of supporting small business. So if you're looking for a sophisticated and unique work, Linda's prints are perfect.

There are so many current vintage shops out there. As much as I adore the style, my respect remains reserved for artists who use their hands to make intriguing stuff. So my second feature of the day is another printer who uses textiles rather than paper.

Jason and Cara Hibbs are the brain children of ohlittlerabbit. Both are dedicated to bringing you high quality, handmade, eco friendly, useful art that can be used in your home time and time again. I am always so inspired by art with a practical application! And these tea towels feel & look stunning. I know because I bought a handful of them as christmas gifts last year. This was one of them...

Tea Towel by ohlittlerabbit on etsy

How can you not adore this strongman? Quite simply, he rocks. I also purchased a bike print towel but kept this all to myself. If you can bear to wipe their faces over your dishes you will find them very absorbent. But I mostly have mine in the kitchen for aesthetic purpose.

Well that's a wrap I'm afraid. I have been enjoying everyone else's work I haven't time to write about my own! Lets say that I should admit to a postal stuff up yesterday. I sent a package by seamail in error and then, after the horror of realizing my mistake, I needed to remake, pay and resend the item overseas. My lovely customer will receive two.. We live and learn!

The week Predicted..

After working for the man over the weekend Im totally engrossed in a heavy productive week. Im saying this like I'm signing a contract. Here, in black & white, is my plan..

Workshop production is high on my list. With customer orders to fill I'm about to transform some timber planks into key holders and shelves. My neighbors will be delighted to hear that sweet sound of my drop-saw in action. Oh sweet music of creative production how delightful you are!

Ive been up since the wee hours. I often wake so early that its a shock to look up from the computer and see sunlight from my windows. And what a gorgeous day it is. I've spent a while researching eye candy and this is what I found..

Gorgeous Canisters by Daily General on Etsy

Another lovely 'Cream' Canister by Daily General on Etsy

 Liz Daily is the creator of Daily General. Its no wonder that her eye for beautiful design is so good, Liz is an industrial designer with a deep appreciation for the detail, beauty and function of vintage items. Daily General is filled to the brim with wonderful curiosities.

Another fabulous find for all things labelled is...

A Beautiful Pillow by Jennifer Lyons on Etsy

the beautiful linen by Jennifer Lyons, a self confessed collector with a strong maternal history of craft makers. She continues the creative lineage of her family with exquisite sewing skills. I definitely recommend Jennifer's gorgeous home-wares which constitute a wide range of covers for baskets, cushion and tissue boxes. I particularly love these his & her bathroom holders... just tap on the text to navigate her lovely site.

Divine Mr & Mrs Baskets by Jennifer Lyons on Etsy

Riding the Storm

How inspiring to wave a fist in the air and defy the weather.

Its cold outside. I'm forced to wear a puffy jacket, tights & uggs. But, the sun has poked herself out from a cloud and while Im inside my comfie little abode I'm determined to think about beach cottages. Furthermore, Im planning to inject a beach theme into my workshop. 

So far Ive made a rather quaint key holder. As you see below... 

Beach House Key Holder

 Its not easy to think of the beach when its so cold. Lovely weather when you're snuggled warm in bed, but not so pleasant when a pair of bike shorts are staring you in the face with plans to be worn in 30 minutes.

Cold is one thing, being blown off your bike by gusty wind is another.. I have a few minutes to contemplate my dream of a sunny beach before that cold hard wind slaps me back to reality. lucky my love for bikes gets me going.

Now, back to my main subject - here is a lovely home I will consider when designing my new beachy bits and bobs, niks & naks.

That rug is so perfect. Looks like soft coral and makes me want to jump on it with bare feet. Now I can think on more beachy things during my windy ride! If they can do it in France, I can do it here

tonights big date with the tour de france !

Who isn't in love with David Attenborough? Thats why, when I was caught in torrential rain riding home a night ago, I thought of this quote:

If I can bicycle, I bicycle. ~ David Attenborough

I often find myself laughing loud when riding in terrible weather. Its totally acceptable to do so when drenched in lycra avoiding potholes & pedaling like I'm possessed.

Beside these crazy times, Ive been productive in the workshop and made these door tags with french maps in readiness for tonight's TOUR DE FRANCE! Im so super excited and I'll be in the city to enjoy the atmosphere.

'On Tour', Bicycle Door-Tag by Ayliss

Bike Stack & Doorstops

I fell off my bike yesterday. in peak hour. in a major city. at a red light at a very popular bus stop... My performative air-dynamic dance against a pavement highlights a necessity to gain some street cred, ie. ability to bunny hop gutters. I will endeavor to learn today..

Meanwhile, how nice are these Doorstops?

Rabbit Door Stop By MonkeyandSquirrel on Etsy

Rope Door Stop by salongruen on Etsy

Geo Wood Door Stop by Studioliscious

My Two Loves: Creation and Cycling

 

Riding my bike in the heart of the City during early morning hours is one of the top loves on my list. With no cars & rarely a pedestrian, 1am is best for getting on the bike and taking over the streets.

I'm preparing for a big ride in a few months. With so much of my time being spent in my workshop, its hard to get the k's in. This week I plan to coordinate both.

This morning I woke with a super idea for necklace designs. I promptly made a prototype & wore it today. It got a few complements - always a good start... Will try to post some early tomorrow morning.

Beautiful Worlds

I've been looking at the Beautiful Worlds created around me, and I need to blog a few.

I adore peonies. I saw the biggest in Germany - the size of my head!

peonies by katesaidyes

I just love this sprightly fowl keeping those eggs safe. Made by Polish Textile Artist BozenaWojtaszek.

Not for the faint hearted - chandelier by Queendecor

Call me decadent but this must go above the bath. I want drink cool champagne in hot bubbles and look at this all day long. Good job Queendecor !

Photography by Rachel Whiting

For the last post, I leave the heart-breakingly beautiful. I get so moved by these images... Just imagine having the cup of tea in your slippers under that high ceiling.

The Power of Ideas and the logic of recycling

No matter how productive I am, it NEVER seems enough.

The week is rapidly chuffing along and my compulsion to make stuff is scary. 

I'll temporarily pause my blabbing now and add a few pictures. They're always prettier than text..

Finally, a scarf holder that organizes your Favorites

BRILLIANT! Finally a decent looking and functional Scarf Holder

Set of Four Containers to house your Nik Naks

Lovely dovely collection to hold those little iddy biddy bits of whatever..

I have so many of them!

Lovely Key Holders - This Hopefully Stops you from Loosing Them

I cant tell you how many times Ive lost keys in my home.

I've desperately needed this little number for years.

There is more. But have a browse in the Ayliss store if you like.

Im excited about the wall mounted scarf hanger. There isn't much out there to help my fabric from becoming a hopeless bundled mess. So this unit really was made from necessity.

The timbers are recycled. Ive said this before but it gives me so much pleasure knowing that, before i came along with an idea, it was destined for waste. I tell you, rarely anything gets my goat more than seeing good stuff on the ready for the tip. ESPECIALLY beautiful hardwood from eras gone. Im talking chairs and tables made with oak and walnut. They just don't grow that stuff for chopping anymore.

Having said that, there is so much work involved in recycling. Its not just getting the timber in a reasonable state. The labor is in having the concept to begin - imagining an old dried up piece of board marred with nails and clogged with paint turning into something grand. And ideas are always about making something grand. If it weren't, you wouldn't do it. If you didn't have the tendency to believe you could turn water into wine, you seriously wouldn't get out of your car in front of a busy intersection and be watched by dozens as you bury yourself in a waste pile of muck to resurface with what you think is pure gold and others see as a broken off chair leg. Would you? Now that makes you look at my images a little differently hu?

Lavender Sachets and scones for dinner

some more things to add in my repertoire of goodies...

Lavender Sachet on Etsy with Ayliss

With a little Craftiness

Things I made today: Earring Holder, Key Holder and Container for Nik Naks

Its remarkable what one can do with some old bits of wood, a folded piece of chicken wire, some knobs, a door frame and a lick of white paint...

I'm burning a hole in my workshop bench and have so many ideas i need to expel from this crazy head of mine.

Dangling Earrings and Cabinet Fever

Bamboo Earrings

White Earrings

My postings on etsy are up to 37.  63 to go! Earrings are my latest venture... Ive also made a few trays which are planned for markets. Will post them up soon..

The latest on my conveyerbelt of reconstruction!

floral key holder

a quick product update...

this is another small shelf made from recycled materials. Im aiming for 100 items on etsy in 4 weeks. Only 66 to go!

Other info.. I finally got on the saddle today. How fantastic to get the legs spinning after a week of pure laziness and over consumption. That 250km ride which seemed such a fabulous idea 3 months ago is fast becoming a cold slap of terror. It's happening in october and promises to kill me if I persistently avoid training. This week I'll visit the house of pain (gym) with my master of torture (pt). Oh my puny muscles are cramping.

Cookin in the Kitchen & the Workshop

I cant believe the rubbish people leave on the street!

Last night, after dinner, I convinced my husband and flatmate to check a pile of industrial waste. I then convinced them the wood would be great for my workshop. We walked home with bits of timber in hand. It joined the bits that I had taken and reworked the day before..
Want to see the results of the day?

Broken wood from a scrap heap

Bike key holder

And after...

Resourceful hu? I absolutely love turning something out of nothing. I read on a blog that a fellow was complaining prices were too high for up-cycled items. Well if the bloke had ever done reno jobs from wood like this he wouldn't complain. The nails in this timber were unbelievable. I needed to buy pincers and a small hammer to rid the wood of hundreds of nails. Putty, cutting, sanding, gluing, screwing...wholly smoke that's a lot of work. Its much easier to go to the hardware and buy it new and clean, but there's no where near the satisfaction. Ive a bit more left for a few more holders....coming soon!

Finders Keepers...

Its very true that one man's rubbish is another woman's shelf! I stumbled upon some fabulous rickety pieces of ply today and immediately started thinking of all things cabinet related. Im truly nuts.

The wood was not in a great state - lots of nails and desperate for a sand. But after some work and repair here is the result

Key or Jewelry Display in Wood by Ayliss

Key holder in Wooden Ply - Wall Mounted by Ayliss

The following addition was made out of wood but not the kind you find on the street..

Unusual Ring in Wood by Ayliss

There are a few more listed today. Otherwise went for a great walk along the coast this avo. Im about to eat at a fabulous Japanese Restaurant that I love - nothing beats fresh sashimi for a birthday bash.

The Madness of Running

The weekend was absolutely insane for so many reasons. For one, running 100km is not normal and seeing over 1000 people doing it proves the world is mad. Two, my husband is incredibly good at this and wants to do more. And three, Im happy about his commitment because I want to live in the mountains.

Since getting off that mountain and back to the hustle of Sydney Ive been remarkably productive. More listings as follows...

Bike Container

I haven't ridden for a few days and Im feeling pretty crushed about that.

Wall Mounted Key Holder

Tomorrow however, is another day and I think an expedition is in order...