August Wrap Up!

Ok, so August isn’t quite over yet and we’re not wishing it away but we have so many exciting things to talk about that we thought we’d do a little wrap up of all the goings-on over the past month.

It’s been incredibly busy in the Frankie and Swiss world; Florence (the printing machine) has been busy producing lovely prints as always, there have been events, competitions, an open studio and an art fair – the weeks have flown by!

We recently held our inaugural textile design competition as part of our involvement in the 2014 Craft Cubed Festival. It was such a refreshing and exciting time for us receiving all the amazing designs! We received 94 entries in all which totally blew us away.  Thank you to everyone who submitted a design (thanks also to those who persisted when our inbox got a little full! We really appreciate it).  The judging panel was made up of special guests Rowena Martinich, Carla Fletcher, Gemma Jones (Craft Cubed organiser) as well as Frankie and Swiss co-owner Jacqui. The judges carefully shortlisted their favourite designs that would print beautifully onto our natural fibre fabrics.  After many hours deliberating they chose Alisha Baker and Jessica Buckley’s 'Melbourne Pojagi' design (for the OK Computer category), 'Cycling' by Liza Freddi (‘With My Own Two Hands’ category) and Caitlin Shearer’s design ‘Posie Palette’ (Best in Show). The winners receive cash prizes and their design printed onto our 100% Linen fabric. Thanks to everyone who got involved and cast their votes for the People’s Choice Award via Facebook. With a total of 370 ‘likes’ Chloe Caday won with her beautiful painted design – you can view all the beautiful entries on our Frankie and Swiss Facebook page.

The winning designs printed onto our 100% Linen.

The judges in the studio.

We opened our doors on Saturday the 23^rd and invited people to see how it all works here in the studio.  We had Florence in action for printing demonstrations, fabric swatches and samples, a fabric lucky dip and of course lots of sweets, treats and gluhwein to share around! It’s always lovely to see lots of new faces and get a chance to talk about new projects and ideas for printing. Thanks to all who popped in to say hello. 

We were proud to support local artist and lovely lady Minna Gilligan in the recent Melbourne Art Fair.  We printed her amazing artworks on our Cotton Canvas which adorned the walls of her creative space at the fair in the beautiful Royal Exhibition Building. Minna’s works are amazing explosions of colour and collage and so much fun to see come off the printer! Her space was a place for both kids and adults to create their own collage and was a lovely little pit stop in between all the art viewing. 

Minna Gilligan's space at the 2014 Melbourne Art Fair

Minna's beautiful artworks printed on our Cotton Canvas.

Open Studio and Winners announced this Saturday!

As part of Craft Cubed 2014, Craft’s annual festival, we invite you to come visit our studio this Saturday in South Yarra and meet ‘Florence” the two tonne digital textile printing machine. 

We will be throwing open our studio doors for an afternoon of learning, making, printing and fun! Watch Florence in action with a digital textile printing demonstration and hear about the fundamentals of digital textile printing and design. 

We will also be announcing the WINNERS of the F&S design competition!  Head over to Facebook  now and have a look at (and vote for) your favourite entries! What a challenge it's going to be to judge! ....so many amazing and talented designers! Thank you to all who entered:)

We'll have the finalists work on display on Saturday and we can't wait to announce with the judges who the winners will be. What fun:) Think we might do something like this every year, what do you think?! 

Hope to see you:)

This Saturday!

August 23 

2:00 pm - 5:00 pm 

Entries close in 5 days! The F&S/Craft Victoria design comp!

If you don’t already know, we are running a fabric design competition in conjunction with our Open Studio event for the Craft Cubed Festival 2014.

Whatever medium you create art with, whatever technique you use, from abstract art and traditional drawing to sketching, painting, or doodling—we’re looking for it all! There’s not much time left, so send on through your work!

JUDGES ANNOUNCED!!!
We are privileged to have the following amazing ladies as judges for the competition. Hand claps for Gemma Jones from Craft Victoria, artist Rowena Martinich and current Archibald Prize nominee Carla Fletcher.

A bit about Rowena:
She’s is an abstract expressionist with a difference. While her work is sometimes displayed within the white pristine space of the art gallery, it is more likely to be found in the spaces of the everyday – the shop, the train, the school, the office, the café. We’ve known Rowena since the very beginning of our little business now, and can honestly say she is one of the wisest, nicest and savvy ladies going around!

A bit about Carla:
“Carla studied fine art at RMIT and is a talented drawer, painter and stylist. She has been a finalist in many of Australia’s most prestigious Art Prizes including The Archibald Prize, The Sulman Prize, The Black Swan Prize and the Portia Geach Memorial Award for Women painters.  After many requests, she recently she released her very first limited edition print run of works from her sell out exhibition ‘Grey‘ at Tinning Street Gallery earlier this year” . words by Lucy from The Design Files June 2014

A bit about Gemma:
“ My work revolves around a play with the mass produced image – reviving and focusing in on a fragment or a moment that is easily dismissed, discarded or forgotten within the bombardment of commercial culture.  I like the idea of emptying the image of its original purpose or intent.  An image or a face can suddenly be re-born just like that.” Gemma is a Melbourne craft institution all unto herself! An artist, writer, teacher, and the organiser extraordinaire of the Craft Cubed Festival 2014!

All the details here: http://blog.frankieandswiss.com.au/2014/07/2014designcomp.html

2 posts in a day! First up: Brown Owls this Thursday

Here are some photos of July’s Southside Brown Owls meet at the studio – newcomers and regular ladies, it was such a fun night. As I’m (Michelle) based out of the States for a little while, my Brown Owls partner in crime Shannon is going to be flying the Brown Owls flag! She’ll be switching between venues, F&S and Miss Jackson cafe. All good!

We love new faces, so don’t be shy, email florence[at]frankieandswiss.com.au or rsvp via facebook, here, or twitter and do come along!

Date: THURSDAY 14th August 2014
Time: 7:30pm onwards

Venue: Frankie and Swiss, Ground Floor, 199 Toorak Road, South Yarra. It’s the building on the corner of Toorak and Claremont Street. Right on the #8 tram or a 2 second walk from South Yarra station. I’ll also have parking available underneath the building. You’ll need to call me (9826 4261) to buzz you under:)

Craft: BYO a project
Goodies: I think we have to have Gluhwein again! And the usuals, tea and biscuits – Feel free to bring something along as well.

RSVP: You can leave a comment here or email florence[at]frankieandswiss.com.au, facebook, or twitter.

Have fun!!
xx Michelle

 

 

 

Angie Rehe Drawing Workshop

The amazingly talented Angie Rehe of the Patsyfox Drawing Salon is running a great workshop here at the Frankie and Swiss studio next weekend! 

   Email the Patsyfox Drawing Salon to book your spot.  salon@patsyfox.com