Posts Tagged ‘Arts’

It’s time to officially introduce Lorraine McNeair!  We’ve already explained how Lorraine first contacted Think Tasmania about Reliquaire and other places of interest in Latrobe.  Since then, she’s written guest articles for us, and has now decided to join our great team of regular contributors.

Lorraine McNeair wrote to Think Tasmania about Reliquaire in Latrobe

Who is Lorraine McNeair?

I am an older woman, a poet, short story writer, photographer, artist and I live on the beautiful, fertile, north west coast of Tasmania.  I was born in Victoria but we moved to Tasmania when I was about four years old.  I am married to Dale, and we have four grown-up daughters, ten grandchildren and one great-grandson.

Lorraine McNeair joins the team of regular contributors at Think Tasmania

My husband and I spend our spare time driving around Tasmania, enjoying finding little gems which have been previously unknown to us.  And we are still finding them!  I am absolutely passionate about Tasmania.  It is such a beautiful place to live and work.  As a photographer and artist I am always “snapping” wonderful views for later use, whether they be landscapes or even what is under my feet.  I enjoy writing these articles because it helps me to remember the wonders I have seen, and it stops me from becoming complacent about what is right under my nose.

 

As a volunteer with the Latrobe Information Centre it gives me great pleasure to talk with visitors to our wonderful island and to hear them exclaim about their wonderful visit to Tasmania.  Once upon a time visitors would stay only for a week or so, but now some of them stay for months, and return each year to experience more of Tasmania’s natural beauty.

Latrobe Visitor Information Centre (Photo by Dan Fellow)

Lorraine is full of good ideas, and promises to promote her immediate region, as well as the broader Tasmanian community.  As a tourist information volunteer, she is well-placed to write about the Axeman’s Hall of Fame; Bell’s Parade, Warrawee and the two Sunday markets held in Latrobe. There’s also a plan in place for Lorraine to visit the Deloraine Folk Museum and Yarns Artwork in Silk exhibition.

Plans in place: Lorraine McNeair will visit Yarns Artwork in Silk in Deloraine

It’s obvious from our experience so far, that she’ll make a fabulous contributor and will be another essential member of our great team.  Welcome aboard Lorraine, and thanks for joining us!  We feel so blessed to have a network of clever, creative people around us.  All have their own individual passions, while also being great advocates for Tasmania.

Articles by Lorraine McNeair

• Reliquaire
• Middleton
• Latrobe Federal Band
• Latrobe Fine Art Gallery
• June Wilson Studio Gallery

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Teddies on the Green is a cute place to shop.  It’s a cottage filled with teddy bears and golliwogs on the village green in the historic township of Richmond in the Coal River Valley region of Tasmania.

Gorgeous golliwogs at Teddies on the Green in Richmond Tasmania

Teddies on the Green: Ready, Set, Go!

Toni, the owner of Teddies on the Green, follows Think Tasmania on Facebook.  In the past, she’s offered a special deal to readers looking to buy their own fluffy bear.  So we thought it was only right that we call in to visit during a day trip to Richmond.  And of course, we were pretty keen to see some of the gorgeous creatures she has in her store.

Toni, the owner of Teddies on the Green in Richmond, with one of the Charlie Bears

Signs point the way to the aptly named Teddies on the Green in the centre of the Richmond village.  From the outside, you can’t imagine the delights hidden inside Millers Cottage, the bears’ tiny home.  Several rooms, with low ceilings like a cubby house, stacked with cuddly teddy bears and supplies for bear-makers.

Teddies on the Green attracts the tourists that visit Richmond in Tasmania

Millers Cottage is in the centre of the village green in Richmond, Tasmania

Charlie Bears, Paddington Bears, Hand-made Bears…

According to Toni, the most popular of all her teddies are the Charlie Bears.  And when you see them, you’ll understand why.  They have such lifelike little faces, with expressions that plead for a cuddle.  They all have their own names, and the panda called Xena was my favourite.

The adorable Charlie Bears are sold at Teddies on the Green in Richmond

Teddies on the Green have something for everyone in a range of prices.  From rabbits poised to hold chocolate eggs at Easter, through to colourful monsters, baby presents and Paddington Bears.  There’s also a selection of collectible teddy bears handmade in Tasmania.

Little monsters for the little monster in your life! From Teddies on the Green, Richmond

Paddington Bear, an all-time favourite, is also sold at Teddies on the Green

Millers Cottage: Business for Sale

Toni handles the bears as if they were babies, gently fluffing their fur and arranging them in position on the shelves.  Teddies on the Green is for sale, and it’s clearly going to be a sad day when the keys are handed over to the new owner.

The shop was opened over 16 years ago, and Toni has been caring for the bears for the last few years.  The sale is only due to ill-health, and Toni hopes someone with a passion equal to her own takes her place in the gorgeous Millers Cottage.

We hope so too!

For more information about Teddies on the Green, visit their website
or follow Teddies on the Green on Facebook.  Toni usually opens Millers
Cottage seven days, but to confirm opening times, phone 0406 311 035.

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Map: Teddies on the Green, Richmond Tasmania…

Tasmanian artist Sarah Woodward resides in the beautiful southern beaches
area and creates sought-after ceramic jewellery and one-off mosaics for the
home and garden.  Working from her aptly named Sea Soul Studio at the
bottom of the garden, Sarah produces pieces which are always beautiful and
occasionally surprising.  Possessing a perfectionist’s eye for detail,
married with a bohemian spirit, Sarah’s artworks are truly unique.

Some of the unique clay art made by Sarah Woodward at Sea Soul Studio

Sarah creates jewellery in fine porcelain clay, including the renowned Southern
Ice Porcelain.  Each piece is hand rolled, cut, textured, fired, sanded, glazed and
fired again.  Due to the handmade nature of each piece, no two are ever the
same, which makes them all the more special to her devoted customers.

Sarah Woodward… Mostly Thinks in Clay!

I have always been the creative sort.  Throughout my entire life, the debris from my latest creation has been pushed around the dinner table at meal times! I have (and continue to) dabble in many mediums, but when I took my first course in ceramics a little over two years ago… I knew I’d found my “thing”.

My sources of inspiration are many and varied.  It could be a texture on a piece of driftwood; or some eclectic find at a trash and treasure market that sparks a new idea.  One of my first (and still favourite) designs is that of the flower necklace and brooch.  They are entirely hand-formed in porcelain, then they undergo the normal two firings, sanding, and glazing procedure.  Then I like to apply a liquid gold or platinum lustre, and fire them a third time to create glistening treasures.

A favourite design of Sarah Woodward is one of her originals, the flower necklace

When I first started to experiment in Southern Ice Porcelain (a crisp, crystalline, pure white clay developed in Tasmania) I found it challenging.  But like anyone who has ventured this way, it was also totally entrancing.  I was intrigued by the idea of a contrast to it’s beautiful texture, which led me to develop my “stitched clouds” brooches.  I pierced small holes in the clay when it was still wet, and after firing, embellished with a blanket-stitch in bright embroidery thread.

Combining textures and techniques, Sarah Woodward designs unique jewellery art

My art is sometimes influenced by “people watching” and paying attention to what is happening in the “alternative” art and fashion scene.  I recently developed the “pedal power” brooches in response to the fact that you can hire a bike to cruise around the galleries of Hobart and the Salamanca Arts precinct!  I have several different bike designs, including a tricycle (but I think the one with the tassels on the handlebars is my favourite!).

Inspired by hiring bikes to ride around Hobart and the Salamanca Arts Precinct

Moving into Mosaics at Sea Soul Studio

The mosaics began after I spent time working with friends on a large-scale community project.  It satisfies my desire to recycle and justifies my compulsion to scour markets, tip shops and garage sales.  Not to mention that smashing things is rather therapeutic and, I think, a perfect balance to my fine, concentrated detail in ceramic work.

The large, decorative bowl pictured contains a stunning Wedgewood dinner plate as its main feature, which I can assure you was already chipped before I got to it!

Sarah Woodward is now making mosaics from her Sea Soul Studio workshop

Being a maker in Tasmania at this time is wonderful.  There are so many supportive people and events and so much talent to be inspired by.  My work can be found in Spacebar Gallery, Salamanca and I welcome commissions or special requests.

Contact Sarah Woodward via email or join her Sea Soul Studio Facebook page.

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Last night I was invited to view and listen to a rehearsal for the Latrobe Federal Band.  This year they celebrate 140 years, and I was overwhelmed firstly with the quality of the music, and secondly with the family history embedded in this band.

The Latrobe Federal Band is celebrating 140 years in 2012

Latrobe Federal Band

by Lorraine McNeair

The Latrobe Federal Band was formed in 1872 by Captain McNee with twelve players, and the money for the instruments and uniforms was raised by bazaars and various other money-raising functions.  There are still connections in the present band which go back to that original twelve musicians.  Some of the surnames mentioned being involved are Coventrys, Perkins, Clarkes and Hicks.

I talked last night to a young school girl who is the fourth generation to play with the brass band. The president (Kem Perkins) is the third generation to serve in this position and has been president continuously for forty-five years. The Latrobe Band is the oldest, continuously functioning brass band in Australia. It continued to function, with great dedication, throughout the Depression and two world wars, though dwindling to only nine musicians.

On Easter Sunday of this year the brass band will play at St. Luke’s Church Service, beginning at 10.30pm before the service begins, and again during the service.  Later in the year, on the 9th and 10th November, there will be a band reunion, concert and dinner, at which Vivien Martin, a past Musical Director, will be Guest Conductor.

Xiao Xia Jiang: Musical Director

The present Musical Director is Xiao Xia Jiang, and last night I was highly impressed with her high expertise and energy.  She is also a very accomplished opera singer, and I look forward to an opportunity to hear her perform.  In 1979 the Latrobe Federal Band toured the United Kingdom, and was asked by the BBC to play a moving rendition of Amazing Grace in honour of Lord Louis Mountbatten who was assassinated whilst the brass band was there.

Xiao Xia Jiang, Muscial Director of the Latrobe Federal Band in Tasmania

Of special mention should be that of the late Lou Coventry, who was heavily involved with the Latrobe Federal Band from 1899 when he joined as a boy.  He was Bandmaster from 1919 until 1965 when he retired at 76 years of age because of ill-health.  He is so revered that the bandrooms, which were developed in the late 1970′s with a grant from the local council, are named after him.  What a fantastic memorial to a great man and musician.  It is said that he conducted the band with one hand whilst playing an instrument with the other!

The beat goes on... and on and on! The Latrobe Federal Band has a bright future.

Latrobe Federal Band: A Bright Future

The future looks bright too, with the best Junior Band program in the State.  They have a wonderful Junior Band Room, which was developed with generous sponsorship from various organisations.

If you are near the north west coast of Tasmania at Easter (or at any time), and see that the Latrobe Federal Band is playing, be sure to go along and listen to wonderful renditions of music to delight any heart.

Lorraine McNeair is a volunteer with the Latrobe Information Centre.
She is a writer, photographer and artist, and is passionate about
sharing all the interesting things she knows about Tasmania.

If you like this article about Tasmania, and you’d like to read more, just subscribe to our newsletter or join us on Facebook.  If you really like this article, and you want others to see it, you can choose one of the “share” options below.  We’d love that!

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Map: Latrobe Tasmania…

Adore U was founded by Tasmanian designer Jasmine Shepherd.
Her resin jewellery is sold in upmarket retail outlets around the state
and online.  We think her work is stunning, and would make a fabulous
Tasmanian holiday souvenir (just the right size for hand-luggage!).
After a little gentle persuasion, Jasmine agreed to share her story with us!

Jasmine Shepherd: We Adore U!

I have lived in Tasmania since I was six, but it wasn’t until I lived in London for 18 months that I truly appreciated how lucky we are. Tasmania is without a doubt one of the most beautiful places to live in the world.  My name is Jasmine Shepherd; I am a loving mum of two-year-old Ollie, a wife and a business owner.

Jasmine Shepherd combines beautiful colours and patterns in her Adore U resin range

Tasmania is where I met my husband, purchased our house, had our baby, and it has always felt like home.  I remember travelling as a child and the excitement I used to feel as the flight came over this green, plush homeland.  Even back then I used to love the beauty!

Adore U is my business and as a designer I take great pride in promoting my products as “Handmade in Tasmania”.  There is something about saying “handmade in Tasmania” that says quality.  When we lived in London there were Tasmanian-made products in the local supermarket we went to, and I felt a huge amount of pride.  I didn’t know that one day it would be my products with the same quality label.

I started Adore U in April 2010 when my adorable son Ollie was just four months old.  The intention was never to start a business, but I love to keep busy and like to have a project on the go.  So when my little man was sleeping I would be busy starting what has turned out to be a really rewarding and successful business.

Adore U silver petal resin ring handmade in Tasmania by Jasmine Shepherd

Adore U was launched on a Facebook page; I had no expectations.  Friends started to like my page and then people I didn’t know.  When I look back now I have to giggle; it was so amateur, the photos were poor quality, the prices ridiculous.  There was so much to learn!  To be honest before I set up my page, I didn’t even know businesses were on Facebook but I soon fell into the swing of things and could not believe the power of networking online.  It was so exciting and before I knew it, orders were coming through from people I didn’t know… yay!

Handmade in Tasmania and Sold…

12 months ago we built a website for Adore U which has given us great exposure, including an online store.  People can now purchase our range worldwide.  Given the quality of our beautiful range we have been approached by some of Tasmania’s most exclusive boutiques and galleries.

•  Gallery Salamanca ~ 65 Salamanca Place, Hobart, Tasmania
  A beautiful gallery showcasing Australian, notably Tasmanian,
  artistic talent.  Located in the historical Salamanca, well worth
  a visit next time you are in the area.
• Aspect Design ~ 79 Salamanca Place, Hobart
  Featuring unique jewellery designs
• Lime Gifts ~ 145 Hobart Road, Launceston, Tasmania
  A fantastic place to shop when looking for something unique,
  or an exclusive gift for a friend and of course yourself.  Lime
  has that perfect gift or item for all areas of the home, including
  kitchen, garden, bathroom, general homewares as well as unique
  gifts. Located in Kings Meodows, Launceston Lime is loved by all.
• Saffire Freycinet ~ Coles Bay, Tasmania
  Saffire has just been named Top Luxury Accommadation at the
  Australian Tourism Awards.  It’s a premium boutique property
  that is truly in touch with the beauty and depth of nature.
  Staying at Saffire is an experience designed to enrich and uplift,
  giving a new perspective in this unique environment.
  A must visit for anyone travelling.
• Rosehip & Co Homeware and Gifts ~ Shop 8/50 Birdge Street,
  Richmond, Tasmania
  Tucked away in historical Richmond, this delightful boutique
  gift shop is a must see
• Scottsdale Arts and Framing ~ King Street, Scottsdale
  Welcomes patrons with the works of celebrated and emerging
  artists in warm, contemplative and contemporary surroundings
• Under the Oak ~ Ulverstone
  This new boutique is full of amazing Tasmanian handmade items,
  the range is extensive and the quality if fabulous.
  Take a peek if you’re in the area.

New to the Adore U range, Zero Degrees, remarkable jewellery handmade in Tasmania

Resin: Challenging but Beautiful

My husband is an amazing support.  He might regret it now but he introduced me to resin as a Christmas gift (he knows me well).  I was not really sure about it (and a little reluctant at first) but then I used it and quickly fell in love.  I’ve now included a large range of beautiful resin.  Resin is challenging to work with, the end results can be effected by so many things including temperature and humidity, not to mention a sneaky bit of dust or fibre from clothing.  But when you can perfect it, the outcomes are amazing.  Adore U resin pendants and rings are set in quality silver plated bezel settings and take approximately three days to complete.  We have recently started making personalised pendants which have been really popular for Christmas gifts and I am sure I will be kept very busy leading up to Mother’s Day.

I am always looking at ways to keep things fresh and new and when ideas keep coming back to me, I know I need to take action.  After falling in love with the tactile nature of sea glass, I have released our new Zero Degrees range.  These romantic hand strung glass beads have been tumbled with water and sand to re-create the actions of waves and to produce a beautiful frosty texture, similar to that of sea glass.  Our Zero Degrees range is finished using quality sterling silver, making these a gorgeous new addition to any jewellery collection.

A stunning set of Adore U jewellery: necklace and earrings, perfect as a gift or souvenir

Before Christmas, I lost a loved one.  Since then, I have taken some time to re-evaluate the direction of Adore U and I’m now (more than ever) committed to producing the highest quality items I can.  I am using sterling silver at every opportunity for earrings and necklaces.  In the past I have hit road blocks, not being able to find the items I need.  But now I have enrolled to study and further my skills and I look forward to working with silver and precious metals in the very near future.

When people think Adore U, they should think beauty, quality
and most importantly: handmade in Tasmania.

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I recently bought a new camera.  Well, when I say that, what I mean is this:  my husband stood smiling and nodding while the very nice man at Harvey Norman sold us a Canon E0S 60D for a price similar to the resale value of our car.  That being the case, you’ll understand that I viewed the overcast sky with some trepidation, on the afternoon of my Shutterbug dusk to dark tour.

Shutterbug Walkabouts in Tasmania will help you discover, experience AND photograph

Shutterbug Walkabout

by Cassandra Wunsch

Roy, my Shutterbug walking-tour guide, was very understanding of my timidity and assured me that my brand new baby could take it.  Being a complete amateur (even more so when compared to his 35+ years of experience) I deferred to his superior knowledge.  Which turned out to be quite right, by the way.

For this article, I won’t try to reproduce the help and advice Roy and Coreena gave me on our three hour tour around the Hobart waterfront and up to Franklin Square (as I’d probably butcher it).  From the Shutterbug class, one of the main things I’ve gained is the confidence to fiddle.  I can’t break my camera by playing with the settings!  And once they’re explained to you, the majority of a camera’s options are just ‘more’ or ‘less’ of each function.  There’s nothing scary in there after all!

Dusk to Dark: Different Light Compensation

Walkabout: Stunning Hobart, Nibbles & Fairy Lights

After the first ten or fifteen minutes, the weather did calm down.  We were rewarded for our perseverance with a landscape covered in delicate water droplets.  I’d never done any kind of artistic shooting before, and it was also my first time using a tripod, but Roy kept everything comfortable and simple so I didn’t feel like a bumbler.

Experimenting with Light Filters

Half way through the evening, Coreena set up a lovely spread of nibbles to keep us going!  Supper under the stars and fairy lights on the Salamanca lawns was lovely, and it gave me the opportunity to put some of my recent low light instruction to practical use.

A delightful supper under the fairy lights of Salamanca in Hobart

Shutterbug: Taking Photography to a New Level

It should probably be known that I begged our commander-in-chief, the lovely Tania, for this assignment.  I love photography.  It’s an area where I have always felt like an impassioned but hopelessly inexperienced amateur.  I’d highly recommend the Shutterbug experience for anyone with a bit of passion, who has maybe let their inexperience keep them from really grabbing their camera by the horns and making it give you the shots you want!

Roy and Coreena offer a very friendly, low pressure environment to stretch yourself, and all the guidance you need to take your photography to the next level!

Using a Tripod for Evening Photography

For more information visit the Shutterbug Walkabouts website or join Shutterbug Walkabouts Tasmania on Facebook. Contact Roy and Coreena on 6267 2952 or 0418 745 427. Cassandra was a guest on the dusk to dark photography tour in Hobart.

Cassandra Wunsch is a third-year journalism student at Open Universities
Australia.  She lives in Hobart with her husband Florian and daughter Taliesin,
and would like to continue to write full-time when she graduates.
Her personal blog is www.10percentinspired.com

If you like this article about Tasmania, and you’d like to read more, just subscribe to our newsletter or join us on Facebook.  If you really like this article, and you want others to see it, you can choose one of the “share” options below.  We’d love that!

Comments relevant to this article are also very welcome, just leave a reply below.

Map: Shutterbug Dusk to Dark Tour, Hobart Tasmania…

Under The Oak

by Michelle Kneipp Pegler

Under The Oak is located in Reibey Street Ulverstone.  They opened their doors in December 2011 and sell an extensive array of beautiful, 100% Tasmanian handmade products.  There are over 45 designers in store with products ranging from jewellery, art, handbags, home-wares, clothing, children’s items and much more.

Under the Oak features work by Tasmanian designers in their Ulverstone gallery ~ gift shop

Owner Prue Dent is always on the lookout for variety and new designers.  Her mission is to support developed and emerging Tasmanian designers in their craft.  Under The Oak don’t take any commission from sales, giving 100% of income back to the relevant designers each month.

A Full-Time Market Place in Ulverstone

Under The Oak provides another opportunity (other than markets) for designers to retail and display their work.  When you buy something from Under The Oak you know you have a quality handmade article and you are also supporting local designers and artists.

Under The Oak offers designers the chance to display and retail their work in a well-located shop five days a week.  Designers hire a space in the shop rather than pay a commission on sales.  Since opening last year, the store has been very popular with locals and tourists alike.  Prue is also considering an online store.

Designer jewellery and stationery supplies stocked by Prue Dent in Ulverstone

Designers: Contact Prue Dent

If you’re an artist or hand-crafter, living in Tasmania and you’re looking to retail your wares, you may like to get in touch with Prue Dent.  She supports anyone from hobbyists to full-time designers.  Prior to launching Under the Oak, Prue shopped at many local markets.  She admired the quality of the work and could appreciate the time that went into making each piece.  She thought it would be great if there was somewhere people could go to purchase the items on a regular basis instead of waiting for market days.  And so Under The Oak was born.

Under The Oak is an ideal place to buy a unique Tasmanian handmade item for yourself or someone special.  Next time you’re in Ulverstone take a look at all the talent on display.

Some of the shelves at Under the Oak are stocked with designer children's items

Michelle Kneipp Pegler writes a blog called Leven River Farm
as well as articles like this about the north west coast of Tasmania.
If you’d like Michelle to visit you, please contact Think Tasmania.

If you like this article about Tasmania, and you’d like to read more, just subscribe to our newsletter or join us on Facebook.  If you really like this article, and you want others to see it, you can choose one of the “share” options below.  We’d love that!

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Map: Under the Oak, Ulverstone Tasmania…