sarah-jane down the lane: Lark

Saturday, 3 October 2009

Crafty Victorians

Ok, so I mean Victorians from Victoria, Australia.

Although I imagine the Victorians were very crafty what with all that needlework and decoupage!

Sorry I digress already!

Anyway the the thing is that as you may know there is a wonderful community of creative clever people in Fitzroy, Melbourne.

Clustered around Brunswick, Gertrude, Smith and George Streets are many wonderful independant artists and crafts people and I just had to take a stroll around with my Design Guide in hand (check it out here: http://www.melbournedesignguide.com/ )

Top of my list was here on Brunswick Street, Meet Me at Mikes ( http://www.meetmeatmikes.blogspot.com/ )

Behind the Babushka you can see the window!

The Babushkas are in a park opposite the shop and so it follows that it has become a shop symbol

I was delighted to meet Pip Lincolne the famed owner of Meet me at Mikes, giant granny square crocheter, writer of the craft book and woman who knows a thing or two about clogs.

I urge you to check out her book which is now available from Amazon here in the UK, hooray.

"From Melbourne's best loved crafty store comes Meet Me at Mikes, a cornucopia of crafty fun and inspiration. Queen of Crafters Pip Lincolne has gathered 26 of the best projects from the country's most creative cleverbods"

I could wax on all day but suffice to say the shop is full of unique vintage books, wallpapers, prints, toys and ephemera. I especially liked the Fitting Room wallpapered in Vintage Ladybird book images.

Not actually in Melbourne but up the road in Daylesford is LARK ( http://www.the-lark.blogspot.com/ ) I have been a fan of Lark for some time and was really chuffed that Allison (owner and lovely English girl Down Under ) was due to open her new shop whilst I was there!

In proper Calamity Jane style I rocked up a day early, silly billy!

Allison has kindly allowed me to show these images of the shop, isn't it great?

You can read all about it on Allison's blog.

When I was at the airport waiting to fly home I bought a copy of an Australian magazine called Country Style. Lo and behold there was a lovely article featuring Allison and her family! Which was nearly as nice as meeting her in person!

Back on Gertrude Street I stumble across the most divine tree, covered in lace doilies! Heavenly. Created by the fabulous Miss PenPen ( http://www.misspenpen.blogspot.com/ )

You know I have a penchant for guerilla knitting, this looks so good and turning around I see......

...this delightful shop front

Oh girls, it is so fab, I could move in!

Cottage Industry ( http://www.cottageindustry.bogspot.com/ ) is the brainchild of Penelope Durston Queen of salvaged fabric and fabulous pom pom hats.

I honestly could have bought everything in the shop!

Penelope is fabulous too it was a treat to meet her.

And so you are wondering what did come home with me, well I carried this treasure home with me and had a marvelous trying out ceremony to decide where it would live.

Gorgeous cushion made from this fabilous vintage fabric,