the grand opening of the grumpy star studio etsy shop!

After many nights abusing my coffee-machine and then having snatches of sleep as Daisy proceeds to jump on my head and chew on my hair, I declare that the Grumpy Star Studio Etsy Shop is open for business! Here's a few snippets until the SEO functions kick in properly:

And, as a thank-you to all of my wonderful friends, patrons, likers and admirers in Darwin and abroad, each and every one of you will pay the same price to call one of the treasures featured on my Etsy Shop your own. That's right, no matter where you are in the world, your shipping bill is 100% FREE!

The phrase 'thank-you' is too often forgotten. Being a sincere artist and a good person are very much one and the same to me and I will spend my whole life striving to be the best of both. Being gracious costs absolutely nothing and makes both the giver and reciver the happier for it. So once again, thank-you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who has supported me in every small or big way to make the past year such a wonderful reality. I love you all ♥

And so, without further ado, click on that 'shop' button on your right to let the celebrations begin!

Mel x

sweet treats - goes with the territory craft fair

Hullo everyone! I have not, contrary to appearances, discovered that explorers have been wrong all these years, that the world is indeed flat and I was the unfortunate victim to fall off it. My intentions are much more sedentary and perhaps less noble, but I've been just as busy all the same!

With the countdown on for 'Strange Creatures, Sweet Allsorts' in less than two weeks' time, I've been wallpapering our good town of Darwin with posters, tying up loose ends with framing, and sending invitations among a million other little things.

Dave and I have also been busily preparing for the various Christmas Craft Markets about town. Here were just a few of the lovely things we had on display at Yesterday's Territory Christmas Craft Fair, as well as our usual movable feast of framed prints and original paintings and drawings.

Imagine how chuffed we were this morning to find our local paper 'The NT News' had chosen our stall to celebrate the event!

On the table in front of me were no less than 36 gorgeous necklaces; mostly made by Dave these days with my illustration workload, and strung together by me. You can also just make out a framed 'Nariko' and 'The Wondrous Cycling Piggy' resting on the bench in the background.

It was a fantastic day and mostly so enjoyable for us I think because of the wonderful sense of camaraderie amongst the other local craftspeople and artists like us, doing what we love best. Of course, Craft Fairs like this depend on the local attitudes toward the handmade things we sell, and I am so glad to live in a place where people can appreciate the time and love we put into our work. Like so many friends in the game, we've made- and still make- a lot of sacrifices to be here. I'm so grateful for every person that gives us a kind word for our work, and I don't for a second take for granted the many people who have supported us, and especially me, in making happen what was once a little pipe-dream.

So thank-you, lovely readers.

Mel x

hullo nariko!

Happy Friday everybody! I'd like to introduce you to Nariko, my sweet little working-class panda. Here she is, waiting for the 7.15 am train into town, already thinking about the lovely milky chai she'll be sharing with her friends after work. She has taken particular care to kohl her eyes just right today; if you can't tell by her Mona Lisa smile, she's secretly hoping her friends will bring along a certain boy panda who she has a rather largish secret crush on! Wish her luck!

Meanwhile, the Grumpy Star stall at Mindil, Parap and Palmerston markets continues to chortle along more than merrily, and I am always reminded, with everybody's lovely comments, of how lucky and fortunate I am to do the job I do. A huge thanks to everyone for your love and support, and panda-hugs all round!

Mel x