New press
Hey all, I've just added a few new links to the Press page... some new reviews of the book and interview-style information with me about self-publishing in general. Online you can visit Kaleidoscope and Beautiful Curio, and in print check out the most recent issue of Extra Curricular (it's an issue all about self- publishing and features Ebony Bizys of Hello Sandwich amongst many great others!). If you're up for some audio you can listen to me talk about my self-publishing journey on Radio Adelaide Arts Breakfast, but I warn you that it was early in the morning, so I might sound a bit all over the place :) And a quick reminder about the upcoming Meet the Maker night at Shelley Panton's studio on Sept 12... where I'll share my thoughts on work+creativity+small business+wrangling a small human boy at the same time, in between mouthfuls of cheese & crackers. Hooray!
Complete our survey and win!
Hello there! Today I have a special request for you all, but it comes with a special reward. In order to bring you more exciting events and initiatives we'd like to know a little more about you. So if you'd be so kind as to fill out this survey, then you'll go into the draw to win a $50 gift voucher from Shelley Panton!
Many of you will know Shelley - she was our guest speaker in September last year. Her shop and ceramics studio in Middle Park is packed full of carefully curated home wares, accessories, books and foodstuffs from a huge range of local and international artisans (such as the ones pictured above). Shelley is passionate about sourcing and stocking only the very best designed and crafted products to complement her beautiful handmade stoneware.
Recently Shelley added the option to purchase many of the shop's products via her website's online store, so you don't need to be located in Melbourne to peruse or purchase from her range (or reap the rewards of winning the survey draw!). You could even use your voucher to buy a ticket to one of her upcoming Meet The Maker wine & cheese evenings! Ooh la la.
The survey will take only a few minutes, and we'd really appreciate your help. Thank you (and thank you Shelley Panton!).
Update: The survey/competition is now closed. Thanks for your participation!
Event invitation: The women of NorthCity4!
Today we announce the details of our next speaker event!
This event is a co-presentation with Craft Victoria as part of their annual Craft Cubed festival! So if you are a current Craft Victoria member, for this event only you can purchase a ticket at the discounted member rate (please bring your membership card with you to the event).
We're also pleased to be supported by the Victorian Small Business Festival which also runs throughout August.
..................................................................................................... Date: Saturday 4 August, 2012 Time: 2-4pm (1.45pm for 2pm start) Location: NorthCity4, 61 Weston Street, Brunswick, Victoria. Please note, weekend traffic can be difficult along Lygon St & Sydney Road. We recommend public transport as there are a number of train & tram stops near Weston Street. Cost: $11.00 CWC Full Members & Craft Victoria Members / $16.50 Subscribers & Non-members Tickets available here, limit one per person. Ticket sales are final. A portion of all ticket sales will go to support the Inner North Community Foundation. .....................................................................................................
Earlier this year, contemporary jewellers/artists Katherine Bowman, Anna Davern, Caz Guiney, Ali Limb, and Romani Benjamin launched a unique shared studio space in the heart of Brunswick called NorthCity4, envisioned as a place to work, to learn, and to discuss, critique and debate. Drawn together as artists, teachers and business owners, these five hardworking creative women are community minded, sustainability focussed and driven by the desire to educate and be educated.
Much can be said about this space and the creative works that go on between its walls - you'd be well advised to check out their excellent blog to find out more!
So join us on Saturday 4 August to be inspired as Katherine, Anna, Caz, Ali and Romani discuss their individual career paths and creative work, and the events that led them to set up NorthCity4. This CWC event will be held at their studio space, in order to fully appreciate their exciting setup and learn more about its philosophy.
Hope to see you there!
Our next event... a quick tip!
Hey everyone. This is just a little note about our next CWC event which will be held on Saturday 4 August... Excitingly, this event is going to be presented as part of Craft Victoria's annual Craft Cubed festival, and is also going to be promoted via the Victorian Small Business Festival (happens every Winter, Melbourne gets festival FEVER!).
Because of this (and because our guest speakers are really rad!) we can expect the event to sell out quickly. So I'm here to let you know that tickets will be available to purchase for Full Members from Thursday 5 July, and for Subscribers/Non-members a week later.
If you want to get advance tickets (and a whole lot of other benefits) I highly suggest joining as a Full Member before 4 July 2012. Hell, do it before this Sunday and write it off as a taxable business expense this financial year if you like that kind of thing!
As you were.
The 'Don't Judge A Book By Its Cover' SALE
As I've mentioned before, we're running low on copies of Conversations with Creative Women. In fact, we're technically sold out. That's because we're sold out of the individually numbered, in-mint-condition copies of the book (though our Melbourne stockists still have a few of these!).
What is left at the CWC online store are a few dozen un-numbered slightly-imperfect copies.
See, when the book was printed, we opted to order slightly more than 600 copies to account for those where maybe the covers were a bit scuffed from being at the bottom of the box during delivery, or their edges were battered. This meant the 600 numbered versions were the best ones.
But we don't want to throw these few dozen books with slightly imperfect covers away - they're still perfectly readable! So we're have a 'fire sale' of sorts... and offering these copies at 50% the original price!
In the interest of full disclosure, here's some examples of the worst affected copies of the book (note, these are all different copies!):
But most of them just have a scuff mark or two, like this:
Note that any 'damage' is to the cover only - all the internals of the book are still in excellent condition!
The damaged copy sale price is $22.00 AUD plus shipping. That's 50% off the original RRP!
CWC event Sunday 3 June - you're invited!
Today we announce the details of our next speaker event!
..................................................................................................... Date: Sunday 3 June, 2012 Time: 2-4pm (1.45pm for 2pm start) Location: Frankie & Swiss, Ground floor, 199 Toorak Road South Yarra (enter via Claremont St laneway). Please note, there are paid parking options around South Yarra, however weekend traffic can be difficult along Toorak Road & Chapel Streets. We recommend public transport as there are a number of train & tram stops right near the studio. Cost: $11.00 Full Members / $16.50 Subscribers & Non-members Tickets available here A portion of all ticket sales will go to support the Chamber Made Opera. .....................................................................................................
Our speaker for this event will be creative director Fiona Sweet.
Fiona is the founder of well-known brand agency, Sweet Creative. Staying true to her original vision of a small studio with big ideas, Fiona has created a niche for Sweet Creative that has not only set her apart, but made the creative world sit up and take notice. With highly creative design solutions and smart strategic branding, Sweet has attracted a client base eager to take risks
Fiona’s sharp understanding of branding comes from over 30 years experience as a graphic designer, 17 of those running her own company. Fiona is a major supporter of the arts and has created many of Melbourne’s most loved festivals with their recognisable identities, including the Big West festival, Malthouse Theatre, and Orchestra Victoria. In addition she has two teenage children with artist husband Paul Newcombe, and serves on the board of the Chamber Made Opera.
At this CWC event, hear about how Fiona built Sweet Creative, how they attract their enviable client base, the ups and downs that come with running a graphic design & PR studio for almost two decades, and more. After the talk, join us for afternoon tea.
Seating is strictly limited so please book tickets early to avoid missing out.
Hello + update
Hi everyone, Tess here to say hello and to share the good news... my little boy Miles was born last week happy and healthy. If you're keen for chubby-cheeked baby pics, pop over to my blog.
In the meantime, please welcome the lovely Kirsty Eckard who will be assisting me with blog stuff (including bringing our fabulous regular columns to you every week!), while I take a little time off. Kirsty is one busy lass but full of creative gusto! Not only is she a talented graphic designer, but her accessories business So Little Time Co has been going from strength to strength over the last year, and this weekend she'll be joining many great designers at the Finders Keepers market in Melbourne (yay, it's back!). Do pop by and say hello if you find yourself there this Friday/Saturday.
The next CWC speaker event will be held in early June and details will be emailed/posted soon.
Until then, thanks as usual for reading the blog and for your support of the CWC!
tess
P.S. Hello to our new Circle Database members! Find out how to get your own gallery page on the Database here :)
Image above from So Little Time Co's earring collection