Shannon Garson presents a SALE:

Wanting to find that special Christmas gift for that special somebody? Don’t we all!? These days with 1 million copies of 1 million different options that cost near 1 million dollars, finding a one-off special something on a budget isn’t exactly a smooth-sailing process. So Shannon Garson thought she would play Father Christmas this year and make all our lives a little easier this festive season. This Friday 2 December, this talented little lady is opening her space for a Studio Sale. Between 2 and 8pm, if you are lucky enough to live in the sunny part of our country, you can stroll along to 23 Cedar Street Meleny Queensland to source some deliciously delicate porcelain treasures.

Capital City Carnival

Robyn Hosking, Capital City Carnival, 2011

Pre-fair shenanigans usually go something like this: Plan which rides you’ll go on, work out your favourite showbag and make sure you’re not wearing anything that won’t disturb other fair-goers as you turn topsy-turvy upside-down. This time, we recommend something a little different. Try packing a helmet, oxygen tank and making sure you’re up-to-date on your worldly affairs because we’re heading to the political carnival of our future. A place that exists some years down the track, when enough time has passed that we can laugh at our past. Together we shall say farewell to gravity as we float away with wonder, into space, into the Capital City Carnival. The delicate porcelain figures glisten against the shiny metal surfaces of accessories, the way the full moon pops against the black sky. Playful, yet meticulously crafted, Robyn Hosking teaches us that there is not only one way to view things in this crazy world of politics and that there is plenty of fun to be had.

We certainly had a lot of fun with her as our Fresh! 2010 Winner last year and now she’s here again, hopped on, gone round and come back again on the merry-go-round of art Melbourne. Now it’s your chance to come for a ride. The park opens today and will be open all summer long.
Sofitel Melbourne, 29 November 2011 – 1 March 2012.

Conversations with Creative Women

Women love to talk. Talking can be inspiring. Inspired people are creative people. And now a bundle of conversing women of the creative world have formed a circle and this circle has created a book. No need to read between the lines, Conversations with Creative Women is exactly that. You will open up to find pages of words and pictures with work, ideas and stories from a diverse range of women that carry one thing in common – creativity. With a limited number of copies available, we feel touched to have some making their way onto our shelves this week. Pop by to 31 Flinders Lane if you like to have a squiz.

Slow Decline

Dayne Trower, Slow Decline, 2011

It’s a slow decline as the weekend slowly slips away from us and the working week draws near. Hence, we thought you might need something to look forward to; something to break up those mid-week blues. Intricate is an understatement if we fancy discussing the work of Dayne Trower. These works will take you out of your own space, inviting you to theirs. Precise, intricate and understated, Slow Decline explores architectural planning in a contemporary yet traditional form, whilst delving into building versus landscape notions. The unveiling will be occuring on Tuesday, whilst open for inspection will continue until 10 December at fortyfivedownstairs, 45 Flinders Lane, 12 – 4pm.

Markit@FedSquare

Third Drawer Down, Craig Damrauer, Modern Art X

Nothing quite goes together like wine and cheese, except for... Craft and markets of course.

This Sunday a craft epidemic will be filling the Atrium of Federation Square. Bring that green bag and tie up those comfy flats nice and tight, as this will be one full day for inspiration, mingling with the makers themselves and maybe even some Christmas gift buying. We’re pretty impressed with the line-up for Markit@FedSquare, with over 15 of our very own Craft Victoria Shop suppliers.

Dear Ask Alice, Betty Jo, Bonny Lad, Cottage Industry, Dear Mingus, Dick and Dora, Emily Green, Golden Ink, Harvest Textiles, InSync, Kitty Came Home, Lightly, Peter McLisky, Sandra Bowkett, So Little Time, Sunday Morning  and The Gently Unfurling Sneak... We hope Sunday is a swell day for you all.

Dear the rest of the world. You might need these details... Where: The Atrium & BMW Edge Theatre, Federation Square. When: Tomorrow, Sunday 27 November, 10am – 5pm. Don't forget to "mark it" in you calendar. Wink, wink.

Get square

Tara Shackell, Ceramics, 2011

Déjà vu? Feel like you’ve seen this before? That’s because you probably have. Where, you ask?  At our shop, that is where. Tara Shackell’s ceramics are just some of the many little beauties that we stock here at Craft Victoria and she is just one of the many little beauties who has decided to be a market-goer this Saturday. Market here, market there, markets everywhere. Yes, yes, we know, but what can we say, it’s summer and markets are the new place to be for us nerdy hard-to-get-out-of-the-house dedicated makers. This is the time that we start mentioning names. Design Mini Market will feature Jewellery by Anna Varendorff, ceramics by Tara Shackell, clothing and footwear by Kuwaii, flora by Cecilia Fox, knitted accessories by Lani Sommer, cakes and edibles by Trotski & Ash and leather bags by Imogen Pullar. Join the social affair tomorrow, Saturday 26 November from 10am – 6pm at Kuwaii, 37-39 Glenlyon Road, Brunswick. Be there and be square.

ART AUCTION: Bid for change

Shaun Tan, The Good Parrot

Buying art feels so good... seeing it on that white wall in a gallery, coughing up your hard-earned dollars to pop it in that perfect spot. But do we have fantastic news for you...it can feel even better. Imagine you’re not just spoiling yourself or your mother or your lover, whilst supporting the artist of course, but you are simultaneously advocating for something you believe in and proactively creating change. Sounding like the perfect trio!? Then head to the International Women’s Development Agency’s Art Auction on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. There will be works by Shaun Tan, Kaz Cooke, Barry Dickins, and Judy Horacek. Proceeds will move along to projects that tackle poverty, oppression and gender inequality.

Option A: Bid in the flesh
46 River St, South Yarra,
25 November 6 - 8.30pm
Reservations essential, click here
to RSVP or call 1300 661 812.

Option B: Bid online