Florence and the Peacock

I had made a few little special market sets to sell at my first market this Friday afternoon, but since I had such a positive response from the friends who saw them (and quickly bought them!) I thought I'd make a few pieces for my Etsy store from this gorgeous new fabric.

Quoting from the Liberty of London website,

Critically acclaimed singer Florence Welch of 'Florence and the Machine' visited the Liberty archives to select two of her favorite designs for this season's collection. Dancing Ladies Liberty Print was one such design,a wonderful traditional Liberty floral containing 'Dancing Ladies' reminiscent of Indian miniatures. It has been a very popular style withing the past Liberty collections, especially in the 1920s and 30s. 

Though to me and my horridly inaccurate historical knowledge, it reminds me of this beautiful painting by Botticelli:

Anyhoo! Here are the hair ties I've made thus far, unfortunately the ladies are too large to incorporate into a hair tie although I have a couple of new ideas which may take shape during the second half of the year so you may see them yet in the Dusty Plum store!

What a beautiful choice by Florence, and who doesn't love Florence? With her almighty voice, amazing stage presence and stunning milk-skinned 'Botticellian' beauty!

and last but not least a song. Because I always like you to have something to listen to while you read your blogs. XXX 

Florence and the Machine "DOG DAYS ARE OVER" Music Video from LEGS MEDIA on Vimeo.

This little piggy ..

went to market.*

Yes I'm having my first stall at a handmade market at the end of this month. Let me be honest, I'm very nervous! It's easy to hide behind a computer screen and put my little handmade goodies up on a website but to stand behind a table while people walk past, pick up, then walk on by will be nerve wracking to say the least!  I have a few weeks now to think about ways to display my items, to decorate the table, to get together everything I need.

Here is the flyer for this market, please if you are local, lock it into your diaries and come on by, say hello, have a chat, offer me words of encouragement!

I love that this market is so local to me, it is at the end of our street (of the home we are renovating), it is run by the Thornbury Women's Neighbourhood House which as been a huge support to me over the years, the little kinder at the back has been wonderful for all three children over the years, I took classes, and made friends through the centre. 

I decided to make some special little sets for the market alongside the items which you can find in my Dusty Plum Etsy store. These sets will include a single large (29mm) hair tie and a medium pair (23mm each) in matching fabrics, for the special price of $10 per set. I would like to offer them first to my blog and facebook readers HERE. Postage for one set will be $1.60 and for two or more sets will be free. A great chance to nab a special deal, and to add to your gift drawer for the upcoming birthday party season! 

Fabrics include:

Just Dandy - in Chocolate and Turquoise - Dandelion Starburst!

Dotty Spots including Glistening Gold!

Alice in Wonderland Set in Lime and Chocolate, Keys and Pocket Watch. 

and the sweet Sherbet Pips, Hedgehogs, Toadstools and Cherry Trees. Too cute. 

* I refer to myself as a piggy only in the context that I was born in the Chinese Year of the Pig. 

Liberty Rocks!

The exciting new range from Liberty of London AW11 was released on July 1, and what an eclectic, bizarre, beautiful and .. weird range it is.

Unfortunately there are not a great deal of fabrics in the range which suit the small scale of my hair ties, but still fascinating to see the new designs and to read about the inspiration of their creation.

The digital range above is a first for Liberty, how INCREDIBLE is the one on the far right!

(click to see it larger)

The above were chosen or designed by musicians, from left the Renaissance style print was chosen by Florence Welch from Florence and the Machine, the far right which I ADORE was created by Swedish super pop star Emilia de Poret, inspired by microphones!

The image above features the two fabrics I have used so far for my hair ties, the magical starry Adelajda which represents the 1940's with it's dazzling 'All that Jazz' pattern ...

... and 'Mike' the Pop Art stripe which was inspired by Bridget Riley's paintings and the Op Art Movement. Vibrant in a geometric style, I love it!  

Available in my Etsy store.