Friday, May 23, 2008

Feature Artist: Ali from jellygnite


I only have my genes to blame for this making addiction of mine.

It comes from a childhood of watching Grandma and Mum knit, sew and bake (my dollies were always so well-dressed!). I remember always having my own little projects on the go to mirror whatever the grown-ups were doing.



I come from line women who were always doing something. My hands are always doing, and so is my mind – there are so many yet-to-be-realized creations in there, that I will have to live three lifetimes in order to fulfill them all!

I am inspired by paper ephemera (postage, tickets, old magazines and books...), vintage designs, memories, thriftiness and simplicity. I have always been fascinated with ephemera: collecting ‘rubbish’ to the shock of school friends, hoarding tickets and gathering old treasures. Using these things in my work, as well as vintage and rescued fabrics and buttons, I love imaging the past and trying to recreate some sense of nostalgia in the things I make. Although the things I make are quite varied – bibs, books, brooches, they all have this ‘looking back’ quality to them.


With my making addiction, the things that warm my heart the most are making books and bringing together different materials (whether they be fabric, paper or buttons) to make a wonderful new ‘whole’.


My etsy shop has been a brilliant force – fuelling my addiction and my creativity! Like the women in my family before me, I hope to pass this desire and compulsion to make things on to my own children and perpetuate this wonderful making addiction!

Stop by my etsy shop to see the fruits of my making:
www.jellygnite.etsy.com

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