New jewellery - earrings

Here are some slightly fancy, slightly everyday earrings.
These will be around $35AU....

New jewellery - pendants

I have been working on more jewellery designs.  There was a call for more pendants from a friend so here is a selection from the latest crop.

These are pendants on necklaces made from tiny gemstone beads: coral (deep red), turquoise (greeny-blue), agate (brown, fluoro green), serpentine (dark green), and onyx (black). 

The focal beads are Indian cut stones mostly bought in Bangkok, Kathmandu and some odd flea market finds: turquoise nuggets,  carnelian (orange), coral, vintage cilver filigree, rose quartz, ancient Syrian glass, pearls and agate.

These are made with the autumn season in mind - they are to wear over a shirt or polo/turtle neck.
Although the colours and design make them very unique and eye catching, I have made a stand against those big, bulky resin pendants you now see everywhere.

These are one offs and made from sterling silver and gemstones.

Prices around $70.  They aren't on a website yet.

Sarah's seeds

My lovely friend, Sarah Ryan of Hillandale Gardens and Nursery in Yetholme, country NSW has been bringing me flowers from her garden to paint for the last year or so.  Yetholme has a cooler climate so the old fashioned favourites thrive there. 

We are currently working on a series of seed packets for her nursery.  Here are the first three offerings: Calendula (marigolds), Penstemon and Granny bonnets.

There will be more throughout the year and Sarah will be selling these on her open days and plant markets - or you could ask me here.

The designs have been executed by my extremely talented niece and Gabby Malpas brand manager: Emma Harris.  Pretty huh?

Valentine's Day blog hop

I'm not usually a fan of Valentine's Day but the following idea is such a lovely one from my very, very talented friend Chris Chun that I wanted to particpate.  Chris invited a number of artist friends to share an image signifying love and romance.  Not being the romantic sort, Chris took one of my images and added the poem above  - and voila!  A Valentine's Day picture that could be included.

The other participants of this idea are as follows - please click on them to view their beautiful artworks.  I am so excited to be included.

...and Happy Valentine's Day.

Chris Chun 
Sharon Himes
Allison Langton
Peggy Jo Ackley
Patrica Shea
Skye Rogers
Phyllis Dobbs
Barbara Johansen Newman
Natalie Ryan
Bee Strong

Gabby Malpas article in Lifestyle Asia 200

My interview with Mingyue Zhou, from Lifestyle Asia was published in January 2012 and was glorious!

For those of you who missed the publication, the article can be downloaded from here in PDF format (NB: the article is in Chinese):

Page 1
Page 2
Page 3
Page 4.

I have uploaded my original, raw text and images, in english - here

New work for 2012: landscape format

New pictures for January 2012 in landscape format.  Something new....

Gabby Malpas Ceramics from 1986

I rediscovered these photos.
Majolica glaze on thrown earthenware made by yours truly as part of her degree show 1986.

I wish I'd kept them.  Sigh.

Older work

Looking through old photographs yesterday I found photos of work circa 1988/1989.
My work has certainly changed over the years - I think I will reintroduce some of these elements.  I love the inky dark backgrounds and bright bright colours.

RIP Yvonne Therese Marie Malpas: 25 Jan 1920 - 12 Dec 2011

 Bonnie Malpas: Dec 2009, at Mission Bay

 Yours truly on the far left

Some of the grandchildren and great-grandchildren

Our dear mother passed away last week about a month shy of her 92nd birthday.

Although the preceeding days were a little fraught and emotional, the funeral and farewell were lovely.

It was the first time in 42 years that all 10 of us siblings were in the same place at the same time!



The kindness of strangers

While at the PYD design markets, a woman bought one of my bags made from recycled barkcloth curtains. She took a card and said she would get in touch as she had been collecting barkcloth fabric over the years and would I like some....

Fast forward to yesterday.  I picked up a parcel from the post office.  Imagine my surprise and delight to unwrap these beautiful fabrics.

Over the years I have been the lucky recipient of kindness from complete strangers but yesterday's gift was just outstanding.

Thank you Janette Morris from Hornsby, Sydney.