Interview with our Kimberley Artist : Penny’s Prints

1. Tell us briefly about the person behind the business? Who are you? Where did you come from and how did you end up being based in the Kimberley?

I am extremely driven person who strives for perfection but a big softy at heart.  My whole world is seen though a camera lens and I sometimes think that my world is actually a rectangle shape.  Everywhere I look is a potential picture.  Before I arrived in Kununurra I lived a nomadic life and was looking for somewhere in Australia that reminded me of one of my favourite places in the world – Egypt.  Think HOT !

2. Why Penney’s Prints? What does it give you?

Over a glass of wine a very dear friend of mine, Jodie you know who you are, and I came up with an idea and by the end of the bottle Penney’s Prints was born.  Simple in name but says what is and what it does.

3. Penney’s Prints is a well-established business. If you could 3 important pieces of advice to others in small business what would they be?

Pay your accounts when you receive them, this keeps everyone with a cash flow, belief in you product and provide customers with service beyond their expectations.

4. A real Kimberley adventure is…. Anytime I have a camera with me is an adventure.

Sunset on Ivanhoe Crossing

5. You favourite piece of work is? 

6. Have you ever had a memorable funny moment during your work…are you able to share? Yes – No

7. If you were stranded in the Kimberley for a week with your camera and you could pick your location…where would you wish to be stranded and why?

The Drysdale National Park – the most amazing galleries of Bradshaw Art is contained within this park and still the world does not know who painted them.

Bradshaw Rock Art - Drysdale National Park, Kimberley Region of WA.

8. If you had to sum up the Kimberley with 3 words what would they be? Photographic master piece

 

To view and purchase from Penny’s range visit our website here.

The Boab Tree

If there is one plant that really represents the Kimberley’s, it’s the Boab tree.  They are totally different from any other tree.  Their bulbous trunk and short limbs make it look as though someone has pulled it from the ground, tipped it upside down and planted it again.

Image Boabs in the Kimberley - Visit this site to purchase boab products!

Australian aboriginals used them for food and shelter, the tree producing fruit and nuts but even the roots of the tree are edible.  In fact, boab roots are now produced commercially here in Kununurra.

 They are quite a versatile food in much the same way as a carrot.  Soups, salads, raw cooked – any way you like it.

The Boab tree can live to be 1500 years old which is the apparent age of one located just outside of Derby.  This tree really knows history.  If only it could talk.  In fact, this tree has been used as  a prison cell .  It has a circumference of 14 metres and a hollow inside, just right for parking those pesky criminals.

Boab Prison - image from 'Broome and the Kimberley'

The tree is such an iconic part of The Kimberley’s that it often features in art and crafts from the area.  The large nuts are carved decoratively and the tree is featured in some of the local artworks.  Just take a look at the ‘Wall of Boabs” at the Artlandish Gallery.

Image from Artlandish Aboriginal Art Gallery, based in Kununurra WA

If you are quick enough you’ll see a stunning handmade dichroic glass pendant in our store that has a superb silhouette of a boab tree against a shimmering gold background. We have just refreshed our range of pendants from Caren’s Collection so pop over and check them out.

New in stock Dichroic Jewellery from Caren's Collection

The Boab is a special tree.  You can tell that just by looking at it.  It’s no wonder it is the symbol of The Kimberley region.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from the Kimberley

We hope you all have a safe and relaxing festive season, with delicious food and fantastic friends & family.

We will be taking a short break to relax and catch-up on life.  It has been a crazy year balancing teaching, 3 beautiful kids and Moo Woo BUT we have had an absolute hoot! We are looking forward to an even bigger and better year in 2012!

See you then  xx

Kellie Jackson

Wildflowers of the Kimberleys

After the rains, the wildflowers come. The rusty Kimberley soil almost transforms; the contrast stark – from sandy desolation to a carpet of colour.

Western Australia is home to around 12,000 species of wildflowers, many of them native. Nearly all year round, except for the wet season, an amazing variety of around 2,000 of these species sprinkle the Kimberley Region’s landscapes. It’s not hard to see why WA is known as the wildflower state.

Many of the wildflowers in this region are unique.

The spectacular Ondinea Purpurea which are found in creek beds mostly in North Western Kimberley, and look a little like water lilies.

Borrowed from www.keys.lucidcentral.org 

The Kimberley Rose is not actually related to the rose at all.  It’s striking star shape and vivid colour catches the eye as they bloom during the dry mid-year.  They flower in clusters and glow against the blue skies.

photo borrowed from www.plantbroome.com.au

A number of acacias are native to the area. For example, the Acacia Maconochieana which is usually found on sandy shores e.g. Lake Gregory, and the Acacia Paula, a low shrub from the Mitchell Plateau.

Another type of acacia is the Acacia Argyrea, or the Silver Wattle, usually found in Central and East Kimberley:

borrowed from www.plantbroome.com.au

The Kimberley region is the home of several species of rare grevillea including the Grevillea Cunninghamii.  The delicate red blooms nestle in behind leaves with prickly, pointy edges like teeth.

borrowed from www.plantbroome.com.au

And don’t forget the Bush Tomato. It is part of the tomato family, but just look at the colour of its flowers.  Only 6 species of the bush tomato produce edible fruit.

borrowed from www.plantbroome.com.au

Other wildflowers dotted around the Kimberley region include mulla mulla, capparis-umbonata, cleome and the wild hibiscus just to name a few. Visit Plant Broome to see some stunning photos of these wildflowers.

As if there wasn’t already a lot to see and do here, spotting some of the wildflowers is another item to add to the Kimberley ‘must see’ list.

ROCKFORD RED HEEL Sock Monkeys

Sometimes you just can’t help yourself.  You see something and have to have it.

That’s what happened to me when I saw the Rockford Red Heel Sock Monkeys.  One look and I was in love.  The only problem is that other people love them too, so their stays with me are short.

Sock monkeys have been made and loved for generations.  The sock monkey was invented somewhere towards the end of the 19^th century.  They were popular not only because they looked so cute but also because they were easy to make during war times and the Great Depression when money was tight and materials scarce.  An old pair of socks took on a whole new life with a little shaping and stuffing. By the 1950’s the sock monkey was a regular part of childhood play.

Rockford Red Heel socks were the favourite sock for the creation of sock monkeys.  The brand was born in 1890 and by the 1930’s they had added a red heel to make their socks look very different to the others on the market.  I don’t know who noticed it first, but the red heel looks very much like a set of lips.  No wonder they were in such demand!  To this day they include a pattern for making a sock monkey with every pair sold as they did way back in the 1950’s.

Our sock monkeys are made right here in Kununurra by ‘The Monkey Empire of Socktopia,’ a very talented and creative mum of 3.  Some of the sock monkeys are made of regular socks but most use the traditional ROCKFORD RED HEEL sock.  Of course, all are made with brand new socks.

 

Made by hand, each sock monkey has its own unique look and personality.  Their faces are really lovable and you’d swear the button eyes are watching you, waiting to play.

Soft, cuddly and stuffed with green corn derived fibre fill, these are perfect for anyone over 3 to play with.  Wouldn’t you like one for yourself?

You forgot what?

Image credits - Blog: The Closest Fatman

Christmas is only six weeks away, and the pre-Christmas-chaos is closer than that. You’ve got a choice. You can go into it unprepared and spend the day before Christmas running around, trying to find the perfect gift for the one person you’ve forgotten about.

Or you can be organised and avoid the chaos altogether; even the inevitable lead up chaos that seems to be part of the general feel of the season.

Lists are your new best friend.   I know, you’re not a list person.  That’s exactly the reason that you need one at this time of year.  There’s no way that you’ll be able to keep everything crammed into your head at once and that’s how you forget someone or something…..  Like you did last year.

Image credits - greentrashcan.com.au

This year you’ll need to make two lists.  Make one listing the people you need to buy for, and another listing people you should send Christmas cards to.  Those two lists should keep you out of post-Christmas trouble.

Your first list will make shopping much easier if you also add a column for the age of the recipient, or, better still, a more specific idea of what you’d like to get them. In fact, the earlier you make your list, the longer you have to snoop out their likes and dislikes.

Christmas shopping doesn’t do itself, unfortunately. Grab your diary or planner and schedule in some Christmas shopping time, whether you’re doing it on or offline. Set aside some hours at night for online shopping, or a day or two for hitting the shopping centres.

Make sure that list is with you at all times!

And to make sure you don’t forget anyone.  Having some extra cards and generic presents on hand will save you a heap of trouble with either running around at the last minute, or being remembered forever as the “One who forgot to buy a present”.

Planning bulk shopping online at Moo Woo can also help – combine freight costs will save you money OR even better have Moo Woo wrap and ship the parcel for you.  They can include a message recorded on a basic Christmas Card or select a unique handmade Christmas Card from their Kimberley Red selection!

Good luck and have fun!!

Jellystone Designs

With 3 fabulous ranges Jellystone Designs has a jewellery product for all ages and stages.

Their Tuggable and Suckable range is jewellery designed for mums to wear with babies and children in mind with the Chewable range (yet to be released) being specifically designed for the active child 3 years +.

Jellystone Designs silicone jewellery not only looks great but is a non toxic alternative to regular costume jewellery.  Jellystone Designs Jewellery has been tested free from BPA, PVC, Cadmium and lead.  It has a fabulous feel and texture that Mums and bubs love and can be easily cleaned with soapy water, a wet wipe or in the dishwasher.

Suckables - Suitable for 0 – 36 months
Theses funky teething jewellery pieces are safe for bubs with BPA, PVC, Cadmium and lead Free silicone.  They are also a fashionable and functional teether for modish mums on the go.

Tuggables
Tuggables is Jellystone Design’s “mums-only” range of silicone jewellery. These silicone jewellery pieces not only look great but are a non-toxic alternative to regular costume jewellery.  The Tuggables range includes large chunky pendants secured with a practical break-away clasp.  The custom-designed clasp is designed to separate easily when tugged so mums can wear them with confidence around inquisitive babies and toddlers.

 

Chewables 3years +

Looking for a tug proof non toxic jewellery for your toddler ?  Cords that break apart not fall apart.  Silicone that is non toxic and soft on emerging teeth. The chewable range is ideal for active children, with a breakaway clasp parents can feel safe knowing that necklaces won’t break apart and can reduce the risk of choking for children when snagged.

This range is coming in 2012.

Rainy Season in the Kimberley

The Kimberly region is simply gorgeous; a rugged, all natural landscape, pristine rock pools and beaches, beautiful weather complete with clear blue skies and a warming sun. It’s the almost perfect way to give your mind and body a break.

It’s also located along the Tropic of Capricorn, and highly influenced by the seasons: more specifically, the Dry and Wet seasons.

As we move into the year that brings in the wet, it brings with it tropical monsoons, hot and humid days and nights, and unpredictable weather patterns.

But that’s not all it brings. The soaking rains and damp natural surroundings are the perfect breeding ground for insects, including those that like to bite and sting.

Avoiding them is not all that simple, particularly if you need to leave the house. Repelling them, however, is easier done, with the aid of an insect repellent.

Like our natural surrounding wonderland, Totally Scentual; based in Kununurra, creates a range of insect repellents made entirely from natural ingredients.

Creams can be rubbed into exposed areas of the body (and they’re safe for babies and infants who like to suck on fingers and toes) or you can spritz  your  face and body to enjoy some pest free time outdoors.

On the off chance you do receive a bit or sting, some bite soothing gel is an essential

Whilst the weather may not be all that appealing at this time of year, you can make it a little more bearable by keeping the bugs at bay. Available online through Moo Woo.

Interview with Shop Funke Designs – Gorgeous Ruffled Pants for Little Princesses!

1. Tell us briefly about the person behind the scenes at Shop Funke Designs  e.g. who are you? Where are you based? How did you arrive where you are now? What is most important to you in your life?

My name is Leslea, I live in outer Melbourne with my hubby who has been in the Royal Australian Air Force for 34 years, so we have moved around a bit and lived in many cities and towns. I have two wonderful children – my daughter Jamie still lives at home and has her own business; Jamie Beloved Photography & Design, and my son Ben and his girlfriend live and work in Foster N.S.W.

Sewing was second nature to me.  It was a wonderful hobby to keep me occupied whilst constantly settling into new communities.  I loved sewing for my children and I my work would grab the interest of family and friends who would ask me to make or design for them.  I got hooked!! I had found a hobby that I could work with no matter where we were posted. Markets became a great place to meet people in our new locations, and the extra financial assistance was a great help when paying for the myriad of hobbies and sports our children loved!

So after twenty years of trudging off to the markets early, encountering wet days, hot days, windy days, you name it…my daughter told me it was time to get on the World Wide Web. With her help I jump in, and that’s when it all change. I now receive emails from all over the world requesting my products. I send Funke Pants, fairy and flower girl dresses all over Australia on a regular basis.

I feel like I have my second wind at life and I love it, all thanks to my beautiful daughter.   Markets are still the place I come back to as that’s where it all started!

2. Shop Funke Designs is…

a place for Mum’s and Grandma’s to purchase that something special for their little princess.

3. Do you have a personal mantra that you love…that gets you through the day?

Coffee and Chocolate must have…

4. What is one of the most challenging aspects facing you as a working mum? How do you try to overcome this?

When the kids were little it was finding ‘me time’ as I am at my best when my brain is designing something new. With my hubby away a lot you learn to run the house hold as if you are a single mum so time management was important.  It was also important to teach the kids that helping out was not a chore but being part of a family – everyone helps out, things get down, and then there is more time for fun. But now they’re grown up its easier to balance family, part time work at the local boarding cattery and my home business. I have always put family first and always will – life is to short not to.

5. Finish this sentence – I’m at my creative best when…

I have coffee and chocolate in my hand – this is so me!

6. Time out and relaxation is rare for working mums.  If you can steal time to have break what are your ultimate forms of relaxation?

My hubby and I love to go antique shopping – finding that something special is priceless.

7. What are your dreams…where would you LOVE to see YOUR BUSINESS in 5 years’ time?

I hope I will still be bringing delight and joy to little girls as they put on one of my outfits.

8. OK – your work travels to Kununurra, in the remote Kimberley region of WA…where it is loved!!  WITHOUT Google or any other assistance give us 5 things you know about Kununurra or the East Kimberley!!

Let’s see, it’s too hot for me, big croc’s, a big lake…I visited there when I was about 13 years old, I wish I could remember more about that trip. It’s near the border (as the crow flies) and red dust (lots of it).

9. If you were able to hand deliver a delightful parcel of your products to Kununurra – what 3 places would you like to visit (OK now you can Google)?

I think 3 places is too hard to decide – I would like to see it all again if that’s OK!

What is dichroic glass?

You might have seen our stunning dichroic glass pendants which have been handcrafted in Kununurra by Caren Burns of Caren’s Creations.  Each piece is an original and because it is handmade, cannot be reproduced exactly.   That means no one else will ever be wearing the same piece of jewellery as you.

I know you have been amazed by the colour and design of Caren’s dichroic glass pieces but you might not know much about what dichroic glass is and how these pendants are made.   There really is a lot of technique involved in the process.

So what is dichroic glass?

Wikipedia says “Dichroic glass is glass containing multiple micro-layers of metals or oxides which give the glass dichroic optical properties”.  Dichroic means that the glass actually splits the light into different rays which affects the colour you actually see.  It looks like one colour until you move it and see it in a different light and then it changes completely.  The word ‘dichroic’ comes from the Greek word di-chroos or (di) two  and (chroos) colour. 

Image credits – www.creativeglassguild.co.uk/

Dichroic glass has been in use since at least the Roman times but more recently NASA refined it for use in their space program.

Lycurgus Cup and Ancient Rome – photo credits www.frogheart.ca/

Dichroic jewellery is made with layers or hand cut glass.  First a base layer is cut.  That is often a black or dark colour so that the dichroic colours will shine out clearly.  Then the artist needs to cut the pieces of dichroic glass into shapes to use in the pendant and lay them out into the final design. They are stuck into place so they don’t shift.  When the artist is happy with the design, they place the clear sheet on top and it’s ready to be kiln fired.

Of course, there is a lot more to it than that but now you know a little bit about the jewellery that you love so much.  If you’d like to see some being made have a look at this clip.

(http://youtu.be/OFB2Ls6tZ0I )