Puka Puka unique mobiles

so, its the end of the holidays

2012-01-23T21:11:00.000-08:00

Boat Beach, Seal Rocks, NSW

The school holidays have almost finished here in Australia, its time to get back to more of a routine of school and work. We have spent some time up the coast enjoying the waves and clear water, with the only decision being which beach to walk to. My kids have been learning to boogy board on the gentle waves.

On the few days it was overcast we wandered about exploring the sand dunes and finding mysterious animal tracks. I love all the small grasses and vines growing in the sand which seems such a hostile environment for anything to thrive in. The dunes are very peaceful, just the sounds of birds and wind.

Well its back to the city for now, but we might have to squeeze in a few more weekends by the coast while the water is still warm and the surf rolling.

Eda

2012-01-12T13:33:00.000-08:00

this system takes my breath away!

eda by Emmanuelle Moureaux

"Beauty shown by plants in the natural world. Spreads of trees, colors of flowers, flows of leaf veins, linkages of cells. Everything is in a systematic harmony.
In eda, forms are determined according to the natural system. eda is assemblages of fine lines. Each line exists straight, and large complexities contain small simplicities.
Biological forms overlap rhythmically, link air with another and create new space orders."

eda, meaning "branch" in Japanese,
is a modular product that combines (interlocking to each other / you link to each other) to create spaces. For its 1st presentation at DESIGNTIDE TOKYO 2010, emmanuelle designed an installation consisted of 2000 eda, suspending 900 coloured one and creating a free-standing structure on the floor with 1100 white one.

Material : carbon
Weight : 2.5g/eda
Size : 250mm
Colors : 17 colors

leaf wall hang all

2012-01-05T14:31:00.000-08:00

How cool are these Leaf wall hangers? I love design that can function as many things. These are designed by LagströmWiktorsson. I was thinking of getting an Eames Hang All for our hall but these are now on my list. Photographer Kristofer Johnsson Leaf The Leaf hanger set consists of five steel rings in different size. They are separately anchored to the wall on one side, via screws. Depending on what you want to use them for, they can be attached to the wall in different angles. Position one ring with the screws down side and use it for magazines, or the other way around for your coat. Or somewhere in between to store whatever you find suitable. The Leaf hangers are just as versatile and utilitarian, as they are simple and beautiful. The shape of the hangers create cast shadows and turn walls into abstract works of art. They sell for $85 from LagströmWiktorsson

happy year of the dragon

2012-01-01T15:22:00.000-08:00

2012 Year of the Dragon - "A Year of Good Weather"- that's what the dragon dance is for.
cute card from Etsy seller Shichijiro
What is 'good' weather these days? For me it is when it is below 30 degrees! Luckily this summer in Sydney is supposed to be wet and relatively mild.

Happy New Year and safe traveling

2011-12-22T23:56:00.000-08:00

I hope you have a lovely Christmas and enjoy some peace in the New Year.
I am planning to hang out in the cool of my garden which is particularly bright at this time of the year, spend some time up the coast and then be back refreshed in January. Safe traveling to you all!

pics from my garden

Modern Times

2011-12-11T14:37:00.000-08:00

I sent down some of my mobiles for this the Modern Times pop-up shop in Melbourne. Modern Times stocks beautiful mid century furniture and one of a kind wonders. 260 Smith Street Collingwood VIC - only until 31st Decmeber.

Press: Inside Out magazine

2011-10-30T22:24:00.000-07:00

I was super happy to have my new Bird mobile included in the Inside Out Christmas guide!

Puka Puka Bird mobile

beautiful work: Bubbling up

2011-10-24T02:46:00.000-07:00

I wish I could have seen this amazing exhibition ...

'Using highly innovative materials such as NASA's dichroic glass, Bubbling Up examines the fragility of the Earth's atmosphere and ecosystems that appear like a bubble, on the constant verge of collapse. Sometimes fickle and ever elusive, Bubbling Up highlights the ongoing need to quantify ecological concerns. Every day there are thousands of toxic gases bubbling up in the atmosphere. In the age of heightened ecological awareness Bubbling Up poses the question, is it possible to view a beautiful sunset and not wonder if the sky is set ablaze with such unique colours because of the toxic pollutants in the air reacting with the atmosphere? In the space that surrounds us, what is bubbling up?'

Jasmine Targett from the exhibition 'Bubbling Up', Dianne Tanzer Gallery. All Images Jasmine Targett.

Atmosphere: and your troubles, like bubbles will disappear
Handblown, silvered, mirrored and dichroic glass on perspex sphere

'Atmosphere: and your troubles, like bubbles will disappear, discusses the alarming number of toxic gases ‘bubbling up’ in the Earth’s atmosphere.work examines the fragility of the Earth’s atmosphere that in the current ecological climate appears constantly on the verge of collapse. Underlying tension in the title of the work highlights the need to quantify ecological concerns.' Jasmine Targett.

All Images Jasmine Targett.

visit her Blog

Artabase Jasmine Targett.

Jasmine also makes dichroic glass jewellery here

ready for flight

2011-10-20T16:21:00.000-07:00

I am really happy with my new packaging - so now the Bird Mobile is ready for flight!

visit my New Bird Mobile

New Bird mobile coming soon

2011-10-17T14:09:00.000-07:00

It has been a while coming but here is a peek at my new Bird mobile. Made from luxurious coated card and in a spectrum of fun colours. Hope you like it!

available for pre-order, shipping after 24th October here

underwater

2011-10-16T17:13:00.000-07:00

These make me feel like going for a swim! Beautiful underwater painting by Sarah Harvey.

See some of her current exhibition here

"My paintings of figures floating are predominantly self portraits. I aim to create paintings that arouse both a sense of well being and pleasure, whilst simultaneously suggesting notions of insecurity, fantasy and sexuality. Entirely suspended by the water, the human forms are fragmented by the ripples and swirls created by the water, abstracting them, and often with implausible results such as the appearance of disfiguration or distortion. I have become increasingly excited about the abstract elements in these works, and the interplay between light, colour and water. The emerging patterns are becoming more apparent and dominant, drawing the eye not only towards the main focal point of the human form, but also to the surrounding areas, which are of equal significance.'

From Sarah Harvey - http://www.sarahharvey.co.uk

New work

2011-09-28T17:16:00.000-07:00

I finished a commission of marine inspired mobiles for some apartments in Melbourne- here's a pic of one hanging.
They look like glorious apartments for a spring break by the sea - Aquabelle Apartments.

crystals and clouds

2011-09-12T17:31:00.000-07:00

I love the work of designer Tokujin Yoshioka, I was thinking about images from his exhibition 'Second Nature' (2008) last night - such genius! Crystals, clouds, mesmerising....

Tokujin Yoshioka created an installation called Clouds for the exhibition, made of thousands of overlapping transparent fibres. “I have tried to create a space, which will be retained in one’s memory like natural phenomenon that they had experienced before,” says T Yoshioka.

'Destiny' 2008 - Crystals growing on mesh screen

“Everything born of nature has a life”.

Tokujin Yoshioka talking, Second Nature, 2008

'These two-dimensional pieces in crystals incorporate a method of changing the shapes of crystals by playing music during the crystallization process. Completed by the laws of nature and embodying a beauty born of coincidence, the crystals in “Destiny” ...

...... it emerges out of nothing by the wondrous power of nature. At the same time, it reminds us of the boundary between the real and the imaginary world...... an appearance born of nature, a beauty that is beyond the reach of our imagination, and its glittering aura. ' Tokujin Yoshioka

I was lucky enough to hear his talk at the Sherman galleries - very inspiring!

new work

2011-08-18T16:53:00.000-07:00

This is my latest mobile - its called Confetti mobile - a celebratory mobile, soft translucent rainbow colours .
Exclusive to my Puka Puka site.

Bali sketches

2011-08-14T17:47:00.000-07:00

When I was in Amed, Bali it was so relaxing I actually sketched everyday. Our days consisted of a morning swim on the reef, then delicious breakfast of pancakes and tropical fruit, then swimming and snorkelling on the reef, another delightful lunch, playing in the black sand, snorkelling, reading, playing, maybe a sketch, more eating and swimming, and maybe some kite flying.
So here are some of my sketches from the trip... I would definitely recommend a trip there!

Coral, Vienna Beach

Fern in her goggles and me

Vienna Beach, Amed, Bali

View from our room...

Afternoon kite action

Jungle theme room

2011-07-31T17:23:00.000-07:00

I love seeing where people hang their mobiles. A customer sent me in her pictures of a jungle themed room - This room is fabulous! It is fun and has some fresh colours, it looks like it has a real personality. Hanging is the Sprout mobile which is cheekily placed near the sloth, love it.
Makes me wonder at my kids room which is generally a sea of playmobil and lego!

Check out more pictures of Jaspers Room here on Kates Blog : urbankaleidoscope
If you are looking for a sprout mobile - you can buy one here

eat any greens lately?

2011-07-26T17:23:00.000-07:00

When we were in Indonesia we enjoyed many meals made from wild ferns - the locals would just nip out and collect some, and make a delicious stirfry.

I wonder if they are different from our fern's growing wild here? Here is a picture of one of our lunches in Sibetan, Bali - wild fern, tofu satay, choko soup, chicken satay - absolutely delicious!!

lunch, Sibetan, Bali

Sibetan green fence with ferns growing - I love these fences - made from cuttings from the snake fruit palms, and sprouting with greenery. Oh to live in a climate where everything just sprouts up and grows like crazy.

Phil and the kids checking out the vegetation, Sibetan, Bali

I seem to be foraging alot in our own garden lately - looking for dandelion leaves and four leaf clovers to feed our guinea pigs - but perhaps I should be popping them in our own salad, and finding out about those edible ferns! Anyone tried them in Australia?

And here is a great post I found about eating your lawn: http://honest-food.net/2010/02/19/eat-your-lawn/

Sprout in Zurich

2011-07-13T04:22:00.000-07:00

Here is my sprout mobile in its new shopfront, it has a great view! If you are in Zurich, the shop is Le Boudoir Wohnaccessories, Universitatstr. 17.
I also have a new stockist in Sydney - Aero Plus in Chatswood Chase.

on holidays..soon

2011-06-23T17:18:00.000-07:00

It has been a very busy few months but finally we are packing to go on holidays - leaving cold Sydney and heading to Amed in Bali. I am hoping for lots of snorkeling and delicious fresh lime and banana juice!
If you are desperate to order a mobile while I am away, feel free and I will contact you when I get back and let you know when to expect it.

whats going on

2011-06-19T17:50:00.000-07:00

I have been flat out these last few weeks/months, finishing off lots of orders. I'm just packing up some mobiles going to Zurich, and lots of mobiles going to shops in Australia too.
I had fun making this little architectural facade model using some mother of pearl shell and balsa wood and plastic. I have been doing some architectural work for a change lately, and I am quite enjoying drawing again. This however means I am flat chat making stuff all the time......but its all good.

Here is a new version of my sprout mobile that is running out the door, I quite like the size of it - its 1m long. I love using my new shapes that have just arrived.

a tiny leaf

2011-06-07T16:43:00.000-07:00

I saw these on etsy the other day - have you seen such cute handmade stickers? Made by Omin in Seoul, Korea.
Omin Etsy shop

may pools

2011-05-23T15:59:00.000-07:00

I love the days at the moment - a little crisp, the sun has less kick and the water is still clear and warm for a swim. I could look at a pool like this for hours, the water moving back and forth.

Seal rocks - may

Press: design files feature

2011-05-22T22:01:00.000-07:00

I had surprise feature on the design files today!
http://thedesignfiles.net/

Press:: Inside Out Renovating guide

2011-05-10T15:16:00.000-07:00

Hooray, My new spiral mobile was featured in the Inside Out Renovating guide this month. Its a great issue, I am still reading through it, lots of nice colours.

My Spiral mobile is available here http://www.pukapuka.com.au/products/spiral-polka-dot-mobile

rainbow facade

2011-05-08T17:09:00.000-07:00

I love the use of colour here by japanese practice emmanuelle moureaux architecture + design . Sugamo Shinkin Bank. Imagine if your local bank branch looked as joyful as this....

polka dot earrings

2011-05-08T15:57:00.000-07:00

Polka dots :: pick a colour :: these are very cute, by Daehoon Kang and available at e.g.etal
Made from hand dyed plastic, and sterling silver.

this is my kind of house

2011-04-26T16:49:00.000-07:00

If I had a spiral stair this would a perfect for me, a full spectrum colour on every tread! Awesome to see some crazy bold colours in a house, be sure to check out the slippery slide to the kitchen table. From the Rainbow House by AB Rogers, London.

'The Rainbow House, London

February 2009

The Rainbow House is a magical oasis on a busy road filled with people and noise. When you step through its front door, you enter a parallel universe of fun, colour, movement and sensuality, leaving the ordinary world far behind.

The house is a living artwork in which every corner offers a unique and magical discovery. In the master bedroom, a circular bed rotates into position so that you can look out any window. A trap door in the floor pops open to reveal a slide that zips you down to the living room below, where an over-sized sofa creates a 12 x 8 metre soft piazza for playing, sleeping and living.

These surprising and disparate elements unite into one composition around a central spiral staircase. This bespoke fibreglass and steel fabrication passes through the full spectrum of the rainbow as it rises through the house. At each storey, its hue spreads out and influences the colour of that floor, creating a visual rhythm on a vertical axis. Sun pours down through skylights at the very top of the house, drenching the staircase in light and bringing it to life.' from AB Rogers design

images from AB Rogers Design

The Rainbow House, London from Ab Rogers Design on Vimeo.

my favourite trees

2011-04-17T15:29:00.000-07:00

These are my favourite trees, Angophoras. Sometimes they seem to just grow out of rocks, their tree roots twisting over the stone, feeding off the dew. I planted some in my garden, one of them grew 4m in a year and I had to chop it down before it took over, I felt a little sad but I still have some others growing strong.

greens and mountain air

2011-04-06T03:14:00.000-07:00

we were camping and walking in the Blue Mountains again last weekend. It was more peaceful than usual as we had no children with us, an unusual treat! It was perfect weather and yet again the campsite was empty - and it is only an hour out of Sydney?

I love these vertical walls of moss and ferns.

Birthday party

2011-03-27T16:41:00.000-07:00

My daughter Fern, had her 4th birthday, and decided she wanted a rainbow star wars party (?). I strung up lots of rainbow crepe paper. The crepe looked gorgeous in the sunlight.

this was the cake- a rainbow cake but the treat was inside .... multi coloured marble cake. Easy to make - you just need to divide up the cake batter , add colours - I added 4 , then pour it in the cake tin.

And this was her birthday present- 2 guinea pigs. I didn't think I would like guinea pigs but they are very sweet!

spikes

2011-03-27T16:11:00.000-07:00

young Banksia spike, beautiful geometry.

flora

2011-03-23T17:11:00.000-07:00

I found this tree while walking in the Blue Mountains. I love these delicate little leaves with their heart shaped profile.

patterns

2011-03-23T17:04:00.000-07:00

I was playing around with some patterns for a new mobile, nice to get out my much loved crayons again. It seems I work so much on the computer these days and less sketching....

10% 0ff PukaPuka Etsy shop

2011-03-10T15:45:00.000-08:00

I am having a 10% discount on all my mobiles this week. Just visit my Etsy shop and type in the discount code at checkout.

New Mobile - polka dot in retro colours

2011-03-08T16:55:00.000-08:00

By request a polka dot mobile with no baby colours - a rich spectrum of retro inspired colours. No white I promise! visit it here in my shop

Free Shipping :: All Pukapuka Mobiles

2011-03-08T16:26:00.000-08:00

Free shipping on all mobiles* - visit my Puka Puka shop

* Australia wide free shipping

New mobile - spiral polka dot mobile

2011-03-02T18:17:00.000-08:00

Just listed - my new Polka Dot Spiral Mobile. It can be hung on a wall or from the ceiling, visit it at my shop.
Retro organic shape covered in polka dots ::::: Spiral Polka dot mobile

On the home front

2011-03-02T16:03:00.000-08:00

We have been busy putting in a new set of french doors and re-building a wall, for some reason this was done on a day that was 42 degrees! So it was a little hot! These are the before pics:

Before shots - all the old weatherboards were removed and a new doorway cut in.

After, I am loving the white walls, they are lined with timber panelling. It is almost too white but once we get some plants hung on the wall, it will settle in. We put some shelving under the dining table which keeps the clutter below eye level!

Next job is a screen on the veranda. I have found some beautiful sail cloth I am getting sown up at a local sailmakers. And of course more painting........

Press : My Child

2011-02-22T23:21:00.000-08:00

My Marine Art Mobile was featured in My Child Magazine Autumn Issue 2011.

The featured mobile - Marine in Seaweed greens is available in my Puka Puka shop

My new Puka Puka website!

2011-02-22T15:05:00.000-08:00

Hooray, my new website is up and running , you can visit it here.

nursery dots and inspiration

2011-02-16T15:21:00.000-08:00

I was really touched when a customer chose a mobile for a valentines day gift, what a lovely partner!!! Jesse got the hint from by wishlist mockup on her blog, Cozy little cave.
I am also super impressed with Tess's mockup for a nursery - what a great idea to help plan out how it will look and feel. Best of luck with the nursery Tess, and have a look at Cozy little cave.

Here are some of other polka dot ideas for decorating:

Blik wall decals - I wouldnt mind some of these down my hallway. Blik
Charles and Ray Eames 'Hang it all'

ancient textures

2011-02-14T15:06:00.000-08:00

I love this stand of grass trees, with their charred trunks and rough needle like leaves, they are very old and have survived quite a few bushfires.

my banana leaf fish

2011-01-30T17:38:00.000-08:00

I trimmed some of my banana tree on the weekend and couldn't resist doing something with the beautiful green glossy leaves. This one was a fresh unfurled leaf, and luckily we had a pretty looking fish in our fridge. I made a Malaysian marinade and then baked it in the oven, super easy and no washing up!

last swim

2011-01-23T21:47:00.000-08:00

my last swim before the storm.

Puka Puka Shop is reopen

2010-12-28T14:35:00.000-08:00

After lots of requests and a refreshing holiday up at Seal Rocks, my shop is reopen...
Hope you are enjoying this relaxing time of the year!
Puka Puka Shop

Christmas around the corner

2010-12-23T14:58:00.000-08:00

Hope you have a peaceful Christmas! I am taking a break and enjoying some sunshine over Christmas, my Shop will reopen after the 4th January.

We will be enjoying our new deck - its almost finished but having drilled in over 3,000 screws we are totally over building anything for a while. I am looking forward to not making any mobiles for the next few weeks and eating some super fresh corn from our garden - thats if the caterpillars dont get there first! Hope you can take a break also over Christmas and enjoy your friends and family.

Press:: House and Garden

2010-12-09T15:05:00.000-08:00

Lovely edition of H&G this month - lots of realistic inspiration for your home and quite a few outdoor showers featured in it. Must find a spot in our garden for one......
I was very happy to get my Sea Sponge Mobile featured in this January issue.
We are off to the Blue Mountains this weekend, so hopefully we can do some walking and enjoy the fresh mountain air. Have a good weekend!

James Turrell in Canberra!

2010-12-05T23:21:00.000-08:00

I just found out there is a permanent James Turrell installation at the NGA Canberra - has anyone seen it? I am a huge fan of his work and am really looking forward to experiencing it! I have alot of orders to finish/start at the moment but as soon as I do I'm off to the gallery...

here is a description from the NGA:

'Within without is a major new Skyspace by American artist James Turrell, one of his largest and most complex to date. Light is Turrell’s medium, and his Skyspace is a viewing chamber that affects the way we perceive the sky...
We enter the work via a long sloping walkway. Inside is a large square-based pyramid with soft red ochre interior walls. A stupa made of Victorian basalt rises at the centre, highlighted by turquoise water. The stupa contains the viewing chamber—a simple domed space, open to the sky. A moonstone, set into the centre of the floor, echoes the oculus above.
Within the Skyspace, light seems more painterly. Movement and sound are intensified, the sky shimmers and pulsates. Within without is at its most dramatic and complex at dawn and dusk, marking the transition between night and day.

In asking us to take the time to notice these subtleties, Turrell reveals the immensity of the natural world and the beauty of celestial architecture. Within without offers artlessness, simplicity, unhurried perception. Within without has been constructed as part of the Gallery’s Stage 1 building project.' http://nga.gov.au/turrell/

this bedroom wants a mobile

2010-12-01T17:55:00.000-08:00

It is a delight to lie in bed and watch a mobile peacefully moving above you....

Puka Puka Citron polka dot mobile

small for big giveaway

2010-12-01T15:10:00.000-08:00

Pop over to Small for Big , you might spot a polka dot mobile giveaway!

'Nina first hit the scene with her gorgeous amorphic sea-inspired shapes which I still love in a nursery (so light and airy). These felt mobiles are equally luscious, and the color palettes are perfect.'
visit Small for Big

underwater worlds

2010-11-25T16:25:00.000-08:00

This is a sketch and some photos from our lasting camping trip. I love the shadows from the sea grapes in this rockpool, not to mention the delicate colours, and deep shadows under the rocks. I have a few sketches of it that I want to keep working on, maybe on a bigger scale, or some monoprints....

Cyber monday coming round again

2010-11-25T15:33:00.000-08:00

It is Black Friday / Cyber Monday time of the year. Check out the Sydney Etsy Team for special deals this weekend and you can search Etsy using the tags Black friday Etsy and Cyber Monday Etsy for specials and free shipping.

2 of my Polka Dot mobiles are discounted until Monday on Etsy.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/45792253/polka-dot-modern-felt-baby-mobile-spring
http://www.etsy.com/listing/54802010/polka-dot-modern-felt-baby-mobile-bright

happy shopping!

Blog Press: Bondville

2010-11-16T17:29:00.000-08:00

Puka Puka was featured on Bondville today, thanks Steph!

Visit Steph's inspiring Blog to get your fill of Australian Art and Design for Mum, Kids and Home.
Bondville - showcasing Australian Art and Design.

gift guides at Bloesem

2010-11-15T13:07:00.000-08:00

Pop over to Bloesem and have a look at Irene's inspired Christmas gift guides http://bloesem.blogs.com/bloesemgifts_2010/

beautiful things

2010-11-14T14:25:00.000-08:00

I just spied these amazing paper bowl/vases by Torafu Architects .
Genius - see how you can play with it here. The colors on each side of the paper create a different impression depending on the various angles from which you look at it.
Someone is getting one of these for Christmas! You can buy them from uponafold.

I was impressed by this office fitout by Torafu in Shanghai:

'Looking through the screen, you can see the pieces of the view through the glass and the pieces of reflections lining alternately on one plane surface. Your reflections in the mirrors shade in the view through the glass and give you an illusion that your other self is talking with other people in the room across the mirrors. The back of the mirrors are painted in the same white color as the wall, and you can see people moving in and around the conference space through the glass between those white stripes of the back of the mirrors which blend with the wall.' by Torafu Architects .

Our deck progress

2010-11-11T15:14:00.000-08:00

Well here are some pictures of our deck we have been rebuilding/demolishing. Phil is demolishing the old decking, using the trusty boot through the timber technique.

With the window finally gone and new verandah posts. It feels so much larger now and when the banana tree grows we will be harvesting bananas and paw paws from the deck!

The section of deck we finished last weekend, and lots of new garden beds to plant up. So this weekend it is new joists and maybe start putting more decking down.......

New Christmas garlands now in store

2010-11-09T15:17:00.000-08:00

I just made some lovely Christmas garlands, reds, green and a crisp white Puka Puka shape.
Modern Christmas Garland

New jewellery

2010-10-31T16:40:00.000-07:00

Just listed in my shop - some more porcelain necklaces and pendants :::::: Puka Puka Jewels

Crowdy Bay

2010-10-28T23:57:00.000-07:00

Here are some photos I retrieved from my camera, of our trip to Crowdy Head National Park. Definately worth a visit but it must get extremely busy over summer. We only had to share our campsite with some kangaroos and some hungry goannas, so we were rather spoilt. Although I must confess I am scared of kangaroos - well the male ones, I was growled at by a large one once, and when they stand up they look rather powerful! But here is a photo of a very cute joey.

It was a bit of a wildlife trip as we also saw tons of whales, it seems everytime we are by the coast I see whales cruising and splashing about. Our days were spent waking up nice and early, taking my son fishing, then playing down by the rockpools, and sometimes a walk through the heathland behind our camp in the afternoon. I think the best thing about camping is being outside all the time (well not when its raining of course), seeing the sun rise and set. The worst thing that happened to me was I forgot to bring my book and had to fall asleep reading my son's fishing encyclopedia.....zzzz, and we still didn't catch any fish!

Inspiring rocks and cliffs along his part of the coast and I even got to do some sketching.

I think we might be going back here, maybe in winter next time....

Zen Habits : what is sucess

2010-10-27T14:53:00.000-07:00

I stumbled across this blog today Zen Habits, you may have read it already....I really liked this quote:

"Success isn’t about achieving something in the future, but about doing something right now that you love."

http://zenhabits.net/smaller-living/
http://zenhabits.net/anti-success/

I mostly love what I do, making mobiles. It might be a jump from my previous work as an architect , but it is much more fulfilling, and at least I dont have to stay up until 4am working on drawings for some client. I love it when my customers are so grateful I have made something for them, I think in all my years as an architect no one ever said thank you in a heartfelt way.
Do you mostly love what you do?

rock pools

2010-10-25T19:32:00.000-07:00

I sat next to some really beautiful rockpools on our camping trip up the coast, most of the rocks were an amazing yellow/orange colour. I did a few sketches then dropped my sketchpad in a deep rockpool, and I use aquarelle crayons so now there are some interesting effects!

Here is one sketch of a rockpool, I like drawing the patterns the shell tracks leave behind. It was an startling yellow and grey rockpool. My underwater camera bit the dust so it was nice to just do some sketching instead.

I feel refreshed after our break and my shop is open again! http://pukapuka.bigcartel.com/

shop closed

2010-10-14T20:32:00.000-07:00

This is where I am heading next week! I cant wait, I have never been there before but it looks like paradise.

My shop will be closed but if you wish to place an order for a mobile just send me an email and I will put you on my waiting list as soon as we return.

Have a nice weekend!

underwater

2010-10-11T15:00:00.000-07:00

I went to the aquarium the other day for some inspiration. Turquoise is such an uplifting colour, I could stand all day in front of some of the tanks!

On Sale:::Pukapuka Blossom Baby mobile

2010-10-10T15:05:00.000-07:00

Just this week - a sale on my Blossom baby mobiles.............

Blossom Baby mobile in Rainbow colours - visit it here
and PukaPuka Marine Art Mobile in White - here now

swimming pools: David Hockney

2010-10-06T16:46:00.000-07:00

Sun on the pool , 1982 David Hockney

I would love to have a swimming pool - just to look at as much as swimming in. I love swimming, being underwater, and watching the reflections.
This is an iconic pool for me - David Hockney's pool in California with its painted lines.

Robert Littman Floating in a Pool ,1982 David Hockney

David Hockey photo collages from http://www.hockneypictures.com

And here is one of my mobiles inspired by water:

jewellery

2010-10-06T16:31:00.000-07:00

Brooch by Warwick Freeman

I was inspired by this quote from Warwick Freeman:
‘Jewellery should: confer dignity, bestow beauty, arouse an erotic response, signal intent, protect the wearer, evoke anger, insult the intelligence, say something, lack ambition, offer certainty, fulfill desire, confront apathy, convey spirituality, make the wearer look foolish, reflect the spirit of the age, provide status, provoke annoyance, communicate willingness, emancipate the wearer, make a stand, show a zest for life, be indifferent to what others think, claim national significance, encourage daring, be geometric, be floppy…’
Warwick Freeman, 2003.
I found it while looking at the Gallery Funaki site, which holds exhibitions of spectacular jewellery. I used to live in Melbourne and always enjoyed dropping by the gallery and looking into their drawers of beautiful objects. If you ever visit Melbourne its well worth finding.

PukaPuka featured in Inside Out

2010-09-30T23:46:00.000-07:00

Have a peek inside the gorgeous Nov/ December issue of Inside Out magazine - several of my Polka Dot mobiles are hanging in there!

The Polka Dot mobiles that were featured are available to buy online : Puka Puka Shop

New mobile - modern christmas garland

2010-09-30T17:10:00.000-07:00

Here is a new mobile I just made - perfect for Christmas decorating. Greens, reds and some natural plywood. I will be hanging a few of these around my house with some fairy lights this year. It might be a little early to be thinking of Christmas - I am just getting super organised for my shop this year as I have a busy few months ahead. I have some exciting large custom orders to get my creative juices flowing.
visit my new garland here in my PukaPuka shop

happy weekend!

2010-09-23T22:00:00.000-07:00

I hope you all have a nice weekend. I have just been for a lovely swim in my favourite outdoor pool, so I got my dose of vitmain D, and hopefully shake this flu I have had. Life always seems better after a swim.
I also am really happy to have almost finished this custom mobile I am making, here is a little peak:

We are starting to build a new deck on our house this weekend which is exciting but I can see it will take us a long long time to finish. Well we are actually replacing an old deck which kind of means rebuilding the whole thing from the ground up thanks to some termite handiwork, it will be awesome when its finished though, all 65 sq m of it.

citron

2010-09-22T22:41:00.000-07:00

I was playing with some lovely colours today - yellow, white, soft grey and orange. These colours will lift anyone's spirit.
I might call it citron - what do you think?
It will pop up in my shop very soon.....

On Sale:::Pukapuka Marine mobile in greens

2010-09-20T18:05:00.000-07:00

My Marine mobile in seaweed greens in on sale this week in my PukaPuka shop - visit it here
This is one of my favourite mobiles, I have one hanging in my living room, the greens and black are enlivening.

Alexander Calder

2010-09-12T16:04:00.000-07:00

Alexander Calder , Untitled 1938, 51" x 85"

Alexander Calder, Untitled 1942, 47" x 61"

Alexander Calder, Black Clouds c 1939, 72" x 97"

I love the ease of these mobiles by Alexander Calder. So inventive, when I get stuck looking for ideas for suspending shapes I go through my Calder books and find some truly ingenious way he has worked a mobile.

golden days

2010-09-09T17:42:00.000-07:00

I finally got around to making a treasury list, its been a while.......
Here are some of the golden items I have featured in my Etsy treasury.

front page

2010-09-05T23:11:00.000-07:00

I was wondering why I had such a spike in traffic and it was thanks to being featured on the Etsy front page, the wedding season must be heating up in the US. I think mobiles make a pretty original wedding gift, but I might be little biased!

new white mobile

2010-09-02T16:45:00.000-07:00

I have a few new marine mobiles, one is a white and silver grey. This is my favourite mobile at the moment, the grey colour is beautiful. It sways very gently, I hung one up at Seal rocks and it is so peaceful to watch it moving in the distance.

And lots of people have been asking me to make a rainbow and white version, so here is one that is available in my shop. And I still have free shipping throughout Australia!

cloche hats

2010-09-01T16:29:00.000-07:00

Are these cute hats or what? I have fallen for these cloche hats from Bonnies Knitting - check out her etsy shop for more styles. perfect for that bad hair day....

scribbly bark

2010-09-01T15:13:00.000-07:00

I love the writing on these scribbly bark trees, some insect has been very busy.

New things in my shop

2010-08-24T16:57:00.000-07:00

I have just upgraded my Pukapuka shop so it now stocks my jewellery - and I will be adding more pieces to it as I make them. So now you can buy my mobiles and jewellery in Australian dollars! I still have lots of work to do on it so stay tuned.

pink pool

2010-08-23T16:21:00.000-07:00

Pink is one of my favourite colours, so I get very excited when I see a pink rockpool.

underwater

2010-08-23T04:15:00.000-07:00

I found this while I was editing some pictures, I like the subtle colours

Faberuna

2010-08-22T16:33:00.000-07:00

Thanks Faberuna for the Blog post on my mobiles, visit it here !

rock

2010-08-19T16:39:00.000-07:00

What harmonious colours on this cliff up at Seal Rocks. I am thinking about making a felt mobile in these colours - dusky browns, orange, yellow, greys.........

seal rocks baby whale

2010-08-16T16:26:00.000-07:00

We just had a very relaxing weekend away up the coast up at Seal Rocks. The big news up there was that a baby whale had been washed up on the rocks in the last storm. We think it might be a baby humpback? It was getting rather whiffy and within a few days someone had managed to cut the tail off, why, I dont quite fathom.

I had a black eye courtesy of a middle of the night collision with my daughter so it was nice be be in an isolated place where no-one asked what happened to my face! We spent time mucking around with the sand skis and swimming.

These look almost like lollies hidden amongst the dunes, they are so bright and translucent.

I love the shadow of this tiny succulent in the dunes, it was sitting in a field of little rocks.

Shop Special: Free Shipping

2010-08-08T16:07:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday!
Spring is almost here and I am offering free shipping on all my mobiles until 13th August through my Etsy shop.
Visit my PUKA PUKA ETSY SHOP

stitching

2010-08-05T16:32:00.000-07:00

pretty sweet embroidery from moxiedoll.

Those are the glasses frames I want next!

New necklaces

2010-08-04T22:13:00.000-07:00

3 new necklaces just listed in my Etsy shop : http://www.etsy.com/shop/NinaStillStudio

mangroves

2010-08-03T15:52:00.000-07:00

We went for a walk close to our house on the weekend to get some fresh air. Its a great walk alongside a mangrove forest, I am really into mangroves at the moment - I love the filtered light and water reflecting amongst the tree roots. It is winter so there aren't any mosquitoes so you can walk slowly without being bitten!

It reminded me of our last camping trip down the South coast - We walked along a beautiful lagoon that ended in a low mangrove swamp. It was almost like a Japanese garden (with mud and crabs) with the dense low mangrove trees which looked like they had been shaped carefully.

I also love where the forest ends and the mangrove begins - lots of delicate grasses and groundcovers.

And here was our campsite at Mimosa rocks.

Supermarket finds

2010-08-02T17:00:00.000-07:00

I was checking out supermarket today and I saw these key holders by CUCAMPRE
a design group in Brazil.

And this delightfully light and simple bookshelf by Ana Linares Design .

forest greens

2010-07-29T19:20:00.000-07:00

I had to make a green one too - in woodland colours of green, forest green, blue, brown and charcoal. I really like this colour combination.
I have been waiting for a sunny day to take some photos and it finally came today, so now I am off for a swim before the sun disappears again for a few days.

You can visit this Polka Dot mobile at my Puka Puka Shop

pink pink and more pink

2010-07-29T19:10:00.000-07:00

Just listed in my etsy shop - a very pink mobile - perfect for a princess.

Puka Puka Etsy Shop

on an island

2010-07-25T15:23:00.000-07:00

We finally made it to Cockatoo island to visit the Biennale of Sydney. It was so great to see the place buzzing with all kinds of people, as sometimes its a little creepy when there is no-one about.

I loved this installation by Kate McMillan, I loved the ephemeral forest fabric and shadows from the slatted walls. The fabric is printed with an image of a forest in WA where there was a massacre of Aboriginal people. So there is a feeling of unease of the image coupled with the slatted floor, it seems to work on many levels for me.
Also I really liked the building which had timber slats in every which way! This slatted floor is on a second storey so the slatted floor looks down a far way. It was a little disconcerting for some people to walk on this floor, my daughter Fern enjoyed dancing in it!

This bio is from the BOS website where there is also an artists talk 'Kate McMillan’s photographs, videos and multimedia installations explore personal memory and the ability of landscape both to evoke and to represent history and trauma. Her works often start from personal experience, building up layers of meaning, to result in an immersive experiential installation that favours emotional responses over factual storytelling. '

And I enjoyed this lead shot installation by Serge Spitzer in the armoury building high up on Cockatoo Island.

visit Biennale of Sydney for more info. It finishes very soon........

to all corners of the globe and work in progress

2010-07-22T16:57:00.000-07:00

I have had a very busy few weeks and have managed to finish some big orders. It has been great making mobiles most days, but today I have to catch up on my bookkeeping....
A tall stack of mobiles have been sent over to a school for special needs in Oklahoma, I feel very privileged they chose my mobiles for the classrooms! My other mobiles will be airborne making their way to all corners of the globe - this week it is Spain, New Zealand and USA.

Work in Progress::::::And here is some new work I am working on with Szilverworks, its a global mobile made from porcelain. We made a really tiny one and it makes me smile everytime I look at it, it is very cute. We are working on some larger ones too and trying to get the scale just right! Hopefully they will be ready soon.

rockpools & beachcombing

2010-07-14T17:20:00.000-07:00

This is one of my favourite places in the world - and for someone like me who is passionate about rockpools it is heaven.
I haven't been there for 25 years and it was just the same, isolated and pristine! We used to go camping here every year for 2 weeks, swimming fishing and drawing. You cant camp here anymore though, only hike in.
The rocks are amazing rainbow colours and you can actually find tropical fish in the rockpools as the warm ocean current swings by this part of the south coast. I even went for a swim despite the 13 degree temperature outside. I could spend ages there but we had to get back to Sydney, but maybe next winter we can go again and hang about in the rockpools.

beautiful skies

2010-07-12T00:53:00.000-07:00

We had a GREAT camping trip! Here is a picture from our last morning, I was going down to collect some salt water for washing up and the sunrise was pretty spectacular so had to grab the camera. Nothing like a sunrise over water?

And this picture is from our last day, I was sitting down watching the rainbow out at sea when I saw about 5 whales puffing by. Maybe they were traveling past us everyday but I just wasn't looking, amazing all those creatures hiding under the waves!
More pictures coming, its nice to be home having a kitchen again and a real bed. I sure feel warmer after our cold nights under the stars.

Kodama: return to me

2010-07-11T21:50:00.000-07:00

My friend Yuko Fujita is having an exhibition in Melbourne this week at eg etal gallery. I am going to see it this weekend and can't wait, she is a very talented jeweller! The exhibition is part of the State of Design Festival Look.Stop.Shop program. In the exhibition she recycles collected op shop wooden bowls into jewellery. The title, ‘Kodama’, has two meanings – echo or spirit of a tree - each piece containing an echo from the tree that once was.

I will miss the opening but it is this Thursday and runs until the 31st July. She sells her work through eg etal and some of her gorgeous works are available mail order through eg etal if you cant make it to Melbourne.

Melbourne I miss you and am looking forward to a weekend there enjoying the design festival. I think I might have to order some of these earrings by Yuko - the gold ones look amazing.

on holiday ...soon

2010-07-01T15:57:00.000-07:00

Sorry I haven't been posting for a while but it has been super busy here. It has been renovation central - and I have had alot of mobiles to send out. The end is near as we are heading off for a camping holiday down the south coast. Well it will be freezing, but the water will be clear, beaches empty and you can have campfires! I am looking forward to some beachcombing, sketching and sitting down catching up with old friends around the fire.
My shop will be closed but do come back after the 13th July and I will have some fresh mobiles to list, and generally feeling more energised!

Marine mobile: Ohdeedoh

2010-06-17T16:48:00.000-07:00

I enjoy seeing where my mobiles end up - here is one featured on ohdeedoh , it is a marine in coral colours. This is one of my early mobiles and I'm happy to see the mobile graduated from the nursery to the toddler room.
http://www.ohdeedoh.com

long weekends, colds and knitting

2010-06-16T16:48:00.000-07:00

We went up to seal rocks on the long weekend, I took these photos early in the morning on the dunes. There was heavy rain in the night so the sand had a lovely pattern which looked even better with the sun shining on it. teh surf was huge so lots of sea mist too.
My son was quite ill when we were away, and convinced me to knit him a scarf (well he cried until I started one). I have never knitted before - he said it had to be green, orange and red. I am pretty slow and my mother said some of my stitches were a little 'unusual'! Will I ever finish it?????
It is kind of relaxing knitting - until you realise you have dropped one too many stitches (and that is when I am concentrating god help me if I was watching TV or something). Do you knit and enjoy it?

Pret a Voyager

2010-06-15T15:13:00.000-07:00

I woke up this morning and found this link in my email - a interview I did for Anne at pret a voyager. Pret a Voyager - Ready to Travel is an inspiring blog about people who travel and Anne's explorations in Paris. I love her title quote ' travel is not about where you go but how you see the world'.
I feel honoured to be included in the Bording passes, Thanks Anne.

heres the link::: Boarding Pass :::: and be sure to visit the other interesting Boarding Pass interviews with designers who travel.

Ice wave: a collaboration with szilverworks

2010-06-10T20:33:00.000-07:00

Well its freezing today here in Sydney, can't seem to get warm. Making this mobile kept me busy, its is a collaborative piece and we called it 'Ice Wave'. They could be moon slivers, waves curling over or whatever takes your imagination.

The ice pieces were thrown in porcelain by my lovely friend Szilvia : www.szilverworks.com , then sliced and high fired and then I assembled them. I love the curling shapes.

Say hello to it here