Monthly Notes : May
Oof, it's been a busy month. Reflecting on what I wrote for April's notes ~ I sounded so tired! I'm feeling more energised lately, which I think is due to looming deadlines and the call to get things done!
CURRENTLY MAKING
Have you heard of cane toad leather?
It's a pretty interesting prospect ~ turning a damaging pest into something purposeful, and maybe even beautiful? Along with Lia Tabrah of VERMIN and Kirk Ireland, we are hosting an exhibition as part of Melbourne Design Week, Toad Takeover: From Pest to Purpose, where we're showcasing what's possible with cane toad leather.
I am making three pieces ~ a rounded top handle bag, patchworked with a curved zip [sneak peek below!], a small oval-shaped wallet, and a decorative toad idol, also patchworked in toad leather. The hides are small, so there's no option but to patchwork them to make larger designs.
If you want to know more about cane toad leather, here's a journal piece we wrote a few years ago.
A preview of what I am working on for Melbourne Design Week, Toad Takeover: From pest to Purpose,
BEHIND THE PROCESS
A few weeks ago, Joycelyn McCarthy visited my atelier in Brunswick. Joycelyn is the woman behind Marninjarra ~ a fashion brand based in Fitzroy Crossing in the Kimberley, Western Australia, where she creates clothing and accessories with prints derived from her paintings. I met her a few years ago when I travelled out there to host fashion workshops with the local high school ~ with the aim of engaging young people in craft and creative expression.
When she came to the atelier, I was showing her how I make a paper pattern for the backpack we were making ~ the step where we make a cardboard blueprint for the fabric to be cut out later. She kept getting interrupted by messages and phone calls. She apologised, ignored the first few, then had to finally answer her phone. At some point earlier I’d asked her if she liked coming to Melbourne. She came back to it after she took the call and said ~ “this is the one reason why I do. I get to have a break from this.”
I didn’t ask her to clarify what she meant. But I sensed that her presence is heavily relied upon at home by her family ~ and that her creative work gives her an outlet from that. A place to just be herself.
Craft is a place you go to be truly you. We’re so connected these days, by our phones and the internet, but so disconnected at the same time. The same devices make us feel like we’re wrong or don’t belong. With craft, you’re offline, alone with your thoughts and ideas ~ in a space that welcomes you to be yourself. Joycelyn reminded me of that with what she said.
That moment is part of why I have started with simétrie ~ a new video podcast series on YouTube where I sit down with makers, artists, and creatives to talk about their origins, values and process. It’s driven by my own curiosity, but I’m sure others want to learn these perspectives too. It’s another way to build community ~ to connect with likeminded people who share the same principles around how we engage with the earth and the materials we use.
The first episode is already live. My dear friend Lois Hazel ~ who ran her own Melbourne-made clothing label for seven years and was my studio neighbour ~ interviewed me on my beginnings and my values. She pushed me on things I hadn’t fully articulated before, including what community really means inside my practice.
Watch the first episode here ~ and I’d love to hear your thoughts. Who would you want to see featured next? Comment below to let me know!
ON THE HORIZON
In partnership with Earthed Foundation, Joycelyn and I are working on a collaboration. Here’s a sneak peek of that backpack we made whilst she was in Melbourne recently. We’re hoping to launch in the next few months, likely after Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair where the design will debut.
The shape I’ve made for Toad Takeover ~ the Rotondo Bag ~ is an idea I am exploring for my new collection to launch in September later this year. I plan to make it in my staple bovine leather. I am excited to be exploring three new colours too! I would love to hear your thoughts so let me know below or get in touch via email.
GATHERINGS
Come and visit Toad Takeover : From Pest to Purpose, as part of Melbourne Design Week.
Opening night ~ Friday 15th May 6pm - 9pm / Le Space, 1 Mater Street, Collingwood
Arrive early for Léonie Bouchet’s [of racine] toad-inspired canapés!
SIMÉTRIE SCHOOL
There are still places available for 3 x students in the final Make a Baguette Course for the year [the rest of the courses are all sold out!]
June 6th and June 13th [both Saturdays]
9am - 5:30pm in my Brunswick atelier.
FROM MY BENCH
Here are a few of my favourite pieces at the moment. If something here catches your eye, I’d love to make it for you. Current lead times reflect the reality of one person making everything by hand ~ smaller pieces take 2-4 weeks, bags 4-6 weeks, and totes 8-10 weeks. A few pieces are ready to ship now if you’d prefer not to wait.
I told you it was a busy month!
Thanks for being here and supporting this work,
Simone xx
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