Textile Art Necklace No.2

I am so happy with the way this necklace worked out! I have been playing around with techniques recently, including layering offcuts of felt and fabric. The fabrics i use are just so beautiful and i hate to waste any! While most of my designs use reclaimed elements, this is my first peice to be 100% reclaimed, right down to the vintage buttons! More pics and info available in my etsy shop where this necklace is available for purchase.

Textile Art Necklace No.1

Made this funky textile necklace yesterday. I love the vibrant colours. So bright and bold! It's available now in my etsy shop.

Grrr... Stupid Computer Stuff! :(

Just a quick note to apologise that no-one can leave comments on my blog at the moment. I tried to be all fancy and move my blog across to my website and have obviously messed it up. I should have it either fixed or back on blogger again in the next few days.

If you would like to leave a comment about the post below you can do so here.

Thanks!

Artists I Love! Petr Frolov

Hello! I just wanted to share with everyone this amazing artist i came across in the Moscow modern art gallery. His name is Petr Frolov and i have struggled to find much information about him however there is a short bio and a few more of his works located at arina gallery. His works are beautifully detailed and depict the most amazing, whimsical, fairytale like creatures and scenes. This is a detail from one of his works... translated as 'Let's rate on Red Goose'... but somehow that doesn't sound quite right. :) Be sure to click here to see more of his stunning work.

New Stock - Ruby Pear

New designs (including textile necklaces and pendants) are now available at The Ruby Pear in Launceston! If you are in the area, pop in and visit Rachael and check out her all the fabulous eco friendly products she has in store.

The Ruby Pear
102 Wellington Rd
Launceston
Tasmania

Sweet Matryoshka!

Who wasn’t fascinated by a Matryoshka aka Russian nesting or stacking doll as a child? Whilst I never owned one, I remember the first time I came across one at a friends house and the joy of opening it time and time and time again to reveal yet another sweetly painted, rounded doll inside.

On a recent visit to Moscow I refound that joy and did some research about the history of the Matryoshka Doll. I also discovered lots of modern designers using the dolls for inspiration.

Semionovo style doll (the largest made had 72 pieces!)

So it seems the history of the Matryoshka (coming from a popular peasant girls name) is not as long as I would have imagined. The first Matryoshka was created in 1890. Whilst a similar concept had been applied to wooden eggs in Russia it is thought the Matryoshka may have been inspired by Japanese dolls of a similar style.

The Matryoshka, with it’s rounded belly and extended family has come to be a symbol of fertility. Perhaps this is why it is often referred to as a Babushka doll, meaning Grandmother, with her children, grandchildren and theirs to follow.

Traditional style Matryoshka in peasant dress.

Over the past 120 years, the Matryoshka has been developed and changed to suit the times. The original Matryoska depicted a traditional peasant family, though today Matryoshkas in the style of Bart Simpson, Barrack Obama and Batman characters are found in all the souvenir shops in Moscow. Whilst the making of the dolls was outlawed during Soviet times, thankfully the tradition has continued. Beautiful, finely detailed dolls, as well as the sweet yet simple can still easily be found today.

It is certainly easy to understand why many modern designers have taken inspiration from these Russian Dolls. They are colorful and have their own personality created by the designer or artist. Today you can find anything from cutesy Japanese fabric and trims to fun wall decals depicting the Matryoshka. I’ve included some of my personal favorites below. Enjoy! And please feel free to add your own favorites in the comments section!

Gorgeous collaged Matryoshkas by Munieca.

A quirky take on the traditional Matryoshka by Hally Mc Gehean of Belleslettres. Check out her shop for everything from cologne bottles to celebrities in the same style.

Iron on applique patches by onceuponabutton. Check out her shop for other cute Matryoshka items including sew on buttons and ponytail holders.