Arggh the Squelching!

It rains and rains and rains.

I recently visited my parents, who live in the Hunter Valley. They live in a dust bowl, but even outside the village of Broke, it's been raining (a bit). While there I made two yarn girls (one of whom looks very cranky and shall be called Gretel), bothered the cat (Luna, who flicks her tail whenever you say her name) and caught a cold (and didn't manage to release it again).

I'm working on a radical mental health zine, reading "Mansfield Park" and huddling under blankets.

Galaxy Bookshop had their annual preview to their big sale and I bought some fantastic books, massively discounted. Now "Anansi Boys" and Charles de Lint's "Dingo" are on my "to read" pile. Galaxy is a fantastic bookshop - for science fiction, fantasy and horror. The staff are friendly and know what they're talking about. Check out the website to find out more - they have an online catalogue and are happy to order out of stock books.

While I was on York St I popped into Eckersley's for some blank notebooks. All to encourage me to start writing again. Feel free to pelt me with rotten fruit if I don't get back to work on the novel.

Sneak Peek

Here is a crocheted wire bracelet I'll be adding soon to my store. Sydney's weather has been awful for photo taking (rain, cloud, rain), so here's a peek and I'll be taking better ones shortly.

Crocheting with wire is different to crocheting with thread: it's harder on the hands, takes longer, and the wire doesn't stretch like wool when you pull the hook through the loop. But if you can crochet, you should have no problem working with wire. It gives jewellery a pleasant open weave and is surprisingly sturdy.

Goodies at Spotcat

Crocheted hats in luscious colours, using high quality wool.
Crocheted purses, some in acrylic yarn for vegans and some using wool.
Crocheted dolls.
Queer themed quirky creatures.
Art dolls.
Zines.

COMING SOON:
Crocheted brooches.
Jewellery using agate and jade.
More purses and zines.

You Know, Taking Photos in Natural Light Really Does Work

I've finally figured it out! The first natural light photos I took were too bright (grrr, Australian sun) and I've experimented with indoor photos with and without flash for my etsy items. However, the best light is in the afternoon, when the sun isn't directly overhead and it's reaching the end of its time - the light is diffused but clear in my back yard.

If you have a look at my photos on my etsy site you can probably tell which ones have been taken at this time and I haven't even have to adjust the saturation or colour levels - it's just amazing. This saves time: no fiddling around with brightness / contrast on the image program or trying to get the colours to look "right".

Of course, now I've discovered the fabulous natural light of afternoon, it's been raining. I have some very cool crocheted brooches to photograph and add to etsy. So if you're into that kind of thing, cross your fingers for a brief halt to the rain.