Pretty Birdies

Last week I was browsing in the uber cool store "Husk" in Collins St. Melbourne, when I noticed a selection of these gorgeous birdy brooches by British jeweller, Tamsin Howells.
As I'm totally enamoured with birdy jewellry, I had a look on her website, and sent her a message of appreciation. Tamsin lives in a town outside Oxford called Thame, and creates really unique and quirky pieces. For the birdy range, she sandwiches jewel coloured foil (chocolate and lolly wrappers?) between plastic. She will also customize a brooch using the fallen feathers of your pet bird. If only Bindi ( the budgie, not the Irwin ) was still alive.

Pip the Pony

As a girl I loved ponies, gymkhanas, pony stories like the Follyfoot books (does anyone remember the T.V. show?) and all things horsey. This Betty Jo Pony brooch is my ode to all Equestrian lovers . I've called it Pip, the name of my terrific sales agent Pip Carroll from Ambiguous Horse. No offence Pip!

An Udder Owl!

The talented Fliss from Udder stepping out with her yellowy Betty Jo owl. Looking Good.
Its always a buzz to see your jewellery on people. Something akin to meeting the adoptive parent.

Check out her gorgeous Luna softie. I love the colours and the innocent expression.

Flashback Friday 2

Ah,the 70's, those were the days... dinking your little brother on a pony with out a helmet. No bike helmets either.
Kids in the back seat of the family car jumping around with out seat belts, and your dad smoking at the brekky table while you ate your weetbix. It's a wonder we all survived

Happy Bunnies !

Some cute bunny stuff from around my place, and "Little Barry" circa 1965 who was originally my husbands squeaky baby toy. Grandpa found it to give to my son Charlie as a baby, but I didn't like the look of the paint flaking off, so he stays on the shelf, out of reach!

Some Betty Jo bunnies went off to London the other week, along with some other animal brooches. They arrived safely at the Paul Smith headquarters and will be for sale in a selection of his eclectic boutiques. Paul Smith loves rabbits.

Clocks at "Pussycat Black"

Just wanted to say a BIG thank you to Bettina at "Pussycat Black"- 3 Edwards St. Brunswick, for selling my Betty Jo clocks.
Her beautiful shop has many delicious things-clothes, jewellery and accessories, all created by local designers.

The clocks look great on the wall, but they never last long, as they always find lovely homes.

Last November I created a window installation to celebrate the shops first B,day.
Stay tuned for the 2nd Birthday window in Nov. 2007!

7 Things about Me

As blogging is a brand new activity for me, and I'm sure I wouldn't be able to tag any one who hasn't already been tagged........I'll just make a little list! Thanks to daydream lily for taggin me!

1. I'm a crazy multi-tasker. Often I have 6 or more things on the go at once:- including cooking the dinner, running into the studio and making something, dealing with kids, pets etc. ,checking emails, businessy things, houseworky things. But every thing gets done somehow!

2. Even though I own dozens of rings, I cannot wear anything on my fingers. Same with wrists.So I have a box full of rings, bangles and watches I never wear.

3. Similar to 2. I cant wear rubber gloves, or any protective hand coverings. I have to be able to feel and touch things (even if it is messy ink or dirt). Although my nails would make a manicurist shudder, my hands are my tools and I'm glad they work well.

4. Deciding to work in my home studio has been excellent, but I do miss the interaction with other creative people.

5. For many years I made bridal jewellery and tiaras. I now have an aversion to this type of adornment!

6. Even though I lived in Sydney for six years , I still felt like a tourist and got excited crossing the Harbour Bridge and seeing the Opera House.

7. Back in Melbourne, I love how the city has evolved with all the arcades and alley ways coming to life. Melbourne is interesting and eclectic and a creative place to be.

Post card

This image was created by Shane at Substance Media The tree was from a wood block print by Gwen Frostic and the
animals are by Betty Jo! The cards can be found at my stockists or if you'd like one, drop me a line.

Plastic Girl

What with 2 sick children, tradesmen taking ages, and the miserable Melbourne weather, it has been hard to get into my draughty studio and fill orders.
So it was lovely to read a piece about Betty Jo designs, by the brilliant Liana Kabel on her colourful blog Plastic Girl.
Liana is famous for her Knitwit bangles, fashioned from retro knitting needles, but I love this necklace, featuring little nursery rhyme figures.
Some times, this is all the antidote you need for the winter doldrums. Thanks Liana!

Flashback Friday

"The older sister"

The Great Lino Hunt

As I've mentioned, I'm always on the look out for gorgeous vintage lino.If anyone comes across some, sees it being disposed of in a renovation, or finds an old kitchen dresser with the draws and cupboards lined with it... please let me know.
Send me a message and you will be rewarded with a Betty Jo brooch or pendant of your choice. (or reimbursment of another kind if you prefer!)

Scotty Love

This little piece in Tuesdays Herald Sun generated a lot of interest in my Scotty dog brooches and pendants. Most people cant seem to resist a Scotty dog's stocky little body and their cheeky personalities.

 I love all dogs, but the scotty image lends its self so well to many things.

Little Sparrow

This sparrow is off to Geelong today. The lovely Wendy saw one at the Melbourne Design Market, but in all the mayhem, missed out. So a special order was briskly filled!
As much as I appreciated being at the Market, and did really well I may add, the frenzy of shoppers(150,000 people) almost did my head in.

My Main Obsession!

I'm always on the hunt for more vintage lino.... luckily I often get contacted by people who have found some in a skip or are ripping it up.
But I would love to have some of this from an amazing shop in New York called Second Hand Rose.

Buttons and Books -2 Obsessions

Buttons in Jars, colour coded of course. Lovely!
I only wish I had time to sort all my tins of buttons into jars. This photo appeared in the Autumn 07 edition of Attitude magazine with a little piece about Betty Jo designs.

Just after I took the photo, I found a wonderful picture book called

"Lizzies List" by Nadine Walter and Quentin Greban.

It was meant to be a present for my niece, but after reading it I decided to keep it...... the old keep the gift for yourself routine. Well being a Lizzie, how could I not?

Lizzie the mouse makes crafty things for all her friends-rabbits, squirrels, woodpeckers, and even Ollie owl. And she has all her buttons in jars!

The Enchanted Lino Forest

Betty Jo's Lino Forest

This Blog will give you a peek into Betty Jo's Lino forest.
Well, just a bit of this and that , things I'm up to, new designs, stockists and things I'm luvin'