thegoodroom.co.nz

Yup, the one and only Mr Mark Alsweiler is at it again. This time he has a show at the fabulous Nine Lives gallery in Brisbane. His work for it is looking pruuuuty amazing so if you happen to be in the right postcode, head along and check it out!!

Lately I’ve been getting into Parra and his work. This clever fellow resides in Amsterdam from what I can tell. His fingers are busy in many many pies- a lot of colabs, his clothing label Rockwell Clothing and whatever else tickles his fancy. As I type this It just so happens I’m wearing his Vans colab shoes and sitting on one of his pillows! Parra has a unique and quirky  style, its recognisable at a glance and it kinda just grows on you. I found this studio visit on Fecal Face and thought you might just enjoy it too, click here to go wander! Also if you are an iphone fiend like me, you might enjoy his app that you can download here

I have had the absolute pleasure of helping the talented lady behind Julian Danger by shooting this seasons lookbook and campaign images. We travelled to the stunning and sunny Hawkes Bay, and spent a few days in a creative swirl that produced this range. This range is STUNNING and a must have for your wardrobe, my list of loves from it is long. She has just revamped her website so go spy the goodies for yourself here,.

If you are searching for something to fill some kind of void in your life ( or even if you dont have a void, you just love shoes) Head on over and check out Chaos & Harmony’s new range. These clever ladies have been making shoes for sometime now, and each season has been an enjoyable progression from the last. I just got myself a pair of Heroine boots, and they are amazing, they look fabulous on and oh so comfy. So if you fancy an online shop check out the Chaos and Harmony site and also their online shopping destination, you will find a dash of the ever fantastic Blak Basics on there too!

I found this site whilst on the hunt for the perfect birthday present for my boyfriend, who as it happens is quite the Geoff Mc Fetridge fan.  As you will see , its now possible to buy his amazing wallpaper designs. These designs have always popped up in his exhibitions but now Pottok is bringing them to the people! The wallpapers are hand silk-screened in Los Angeles,  with recyclable paper and water based inks which means no harsh chemicals and there is no chemical waterproofing of any kind resulting in a healthier more environmental product that is both beautiful and durable.  These are the goods so before you skip down to Freedom Furniture, pop on over to pottok and drool a little.

We have some exciting new additions in the online store,  Some Limited Edition prints from the lovely Laura Shallcrass. These are stunning works, that only exist in print form as the originals are owned by her biggest Fan, collector and husband! Click on the link to the right to see more……..

I know as I type this that there is no way this will be my last mention of Semi Permanent. The thing is- Its just that good. Semi Permanent is a creative/design based conference that is held in five Australasian destinations (Auckland/Sydney/Perth/Melbourne/Brisbane). The tricky part is you could in fact attend ALL of them as each conference is held at different times throughout the year and with a whole new range of speakers. I dream of being able to do the SP tour and attend them all, become the mega groupie and even get a tattoo to prove it.

So the next one will be held in Sydney on the 19th & 20th of March, and this my friends is one not to miss. The speakers that make me consider maxing out the credit card and hopping a plane for are Mel Kadel & Travis Millard, Fecal Face ( or the guy that started it all) Frankie Magazine, T Magazine, and Jill Greenburg. The thing is all the other speakers are capable of wowing you too so I shouldnt really play favourites, all I can say is if you can find the means to be there, please do.

Our friend Drus over at Sensitive Boyfriend has some rather unique ideas for this Valentines day.  Ideal for those who find it a little hard to muster up enthusiasm for the day, we have “The Heart break Care Package” a unique package that appeases almost all the mixed feelings you are overthinking…..

Care packages are custom-made to their recipients but may contain the following:

“I am going to shit on your ex’s lawn” commiseration card.

A picture book of STDs to make you not want to sleep with anyone anyway.

Break up songs mixtape.

A big block of chocky.

The number of someone juicy and new.

A Sb silk handkerchief, to wipe.

Or if you find yourself slightly more optimistic and experiencing some form of adoration, you could find yourself stamping the following declarations every where you turn, go on , thats right, rub it in, PDA isn’t enough and why don’t you just stamp it on your foreheads………..

You can find some of these goodies here and then more ( with some new additions and a dash of portfolio goodness) here.

Either way you go, you cant go wrong really. All your V day problems SOLVED>

It occurred to me not long ago that I’ve never met at least half of the suppliers I dealt with in the shop. There were many people that were doing awesome things ( hence why I supported them) and all we ever had to go on was emails. In this day and age i’m sure this type of thing is deemed normal by most, I even had a converstaion with an early childhood teacher who was being trained in I.T and Blogging so that she could teach the kids ( 3-4 year olds!) how to blog. That kind of thing leaves me a little lost for words.

Anyway, on the flipside, the internet can bring wonderful things, and wonderful chance meetings. I recently was hunting for the worlds perfect birthday present and found it here at Solitary Arts. The tee was a Geoff McFetridge specialty and by the by I got to talking ( now called emailing ) with them. They have some amazing original product to offer and i also followed a link or two to find more goodies with equaldist. So in closing, id just like to add that although Ive never met them, Solitary Arts and Yong Ki Chang are awesome, so off you go and see for yourself!

As if I needed any more reasons to be in Sydney in a months time. I was about to write a whingy post about how badly I want to go to Semi Permanent in Sydney this March, and then me old mate Mark Alsweiler emails this flyer through. Geeeez man, now I REALLY REALLY want to go. I wont harp on as tomorrows post will most likely the whinger. This looks to be an epic exhibition and you know what, its even worth a trip across the Tasman for it. I’m off to pine over webjet.

If you are in Wellington this week, then pop on down to the latest exhibition opening at Manky Chops Gallery. It times in with the annual bowlarama which should also be on your “things to do this week” list. Anyway there are some big names at this wee exy and I suspect you might find some our talented kiwi’s thrown in the mix too, so dont miss out!

Here’s the blurb that the important people wrote about the exhibition….

This dvd has been a long time coming. I even thought I bought it about 6 months ago but when I got the package it was a cuban cigar box and a beautiful losers tee shirt.  Little bit gutted. So. If you have never heard of the “Beautiful Losers” I think its really one of those names that stuck . The name pertains to a group of amazingly talented people that all came together during the days of the Alleged Gallery in NYC. Since then they have all paved incredible careers accross the Graphic Design/ Filmmaking/Artist/Brand genres. Originally an exhibition, then a fantastic book and now a DVD. Yes you want to own them all. Once you sit down to watch you will begin to recognise the work and the names that follow it,  Steve Powers,Barry Mc Gee, Ed Templeton, Geoff Mc Fetridge, Chris Johanson, Margaret Kilgallen, Shepard Fairey and many more.

This is the most inspiring way to waste two hours- gaurenteed to get the creative juices flowing heartily. You can purchase your own copy here. Go do it.

So if you are wondering where my attention, commitment and all around energy has dissapeared too, this is it. We have set up a bargain bonanza sale store in the wonderful Mount Maunganui. We open on boxing day, and there are defo some goodies to be had! See you at 10 am…….. oh and MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!XXXxxxxxxxx.

Yep. I am a bit crap. The days no longer match the numbers that I was supposed to be counting down with. I’m throwing the whole system out now that life got in the way. Have you ever noticed how life has a habit of getting in the way of well, everything??

Anyway, a lot has happened in the last few days and it appears to have robbed me off the ability to write witty and inspiring things.  Also my timing is so far out that I am about to send you on a wild goose taste to an amazing site filled with goodies,that you cant actually buy in time for Xmas. Silly I know. For this I apologise. But in the meantime enjoy the last of my ceramic fetishes at this lovely website.

Have you met Miss Jones?

I have lovely friends. One of these lovely friends sent me an email today that simply said “I think you will like this www.thirddrawerdown.com XOXOXO”. I had seen third drawn down tea towels before, but I didnt realise they had an online store with so many other goodies in there too. The concept of the company itself rings very true to my heart- supporting artists with limited edition ranges of good things. There is a myriad of goodies Id like from this shop.

Emma Magenta, David Shrigley, Barry McGee -this company has some fabulous associates. Of course there isn’t room for me to post about all the things I want so Ill focus in on three- The Emma Magenta plate- If you haven’t read her books, you are missing out. The David Shrigley ‘Heroin and Cocaine’ salt and pepper shakers- I mean seriously, amazing. And of course the Barry Mc Gee wall art, I am a HUGE fan of his work and this is a nice and easy way of acquiring a version of it. So thanks Abbie- you were right I DO love that site and I think a few other friendly folk just might too!

I am singing Christmas carols in my head and I just spent the last hour driving around looking at peoples Christmas decorations on their houses. The most entertaining one has a Whale and a Train- both of which have left me rather perplexed when it comes to their Christmas relevance- did I miss something at Religous Education?Did I daze off and miss the major twist in the plot when a whale rode in on a train maybe? No?

I doubt I will get to the bottom of that one, heck maybe they were just on sale at the oversized novelty lighting department store. In the meantime I have been drooling over the new Lomography Xmas releases at their Australian site.

There are some fantastic new colours in the Diana, the Deluxe Diana kit contains more than you or I can handle and the LCA re-release, argh it doesnt matter which way you turn- there is goodness to be had in the Lomographic Camera world!

If you would like to know more about Lomography and how it started click here, its an interesting story that has turned into somewhat of a cult type obsession for millions of people. Also if you are in NZ and dont know where to get your film developed go to www.photo.co.nz and print off a form. This is a lab and shop based in Christchurch that offer a huge variety of services including 120 D and P via mail order so it doesnt matter what town you live in!! Lomo on.

Okay. I’ll admit it. I am lacking in enthusiasm on the posting thing. We both knew this would happen, I even wrote about it at the beginning, but I predicted I would be off by post 16. Im two days early.

So, whats it gunna be today then folks? Well, I know I have mentioned the Pommier’s before. But this time Its about Andrew Pommier. He has some work for sale in the Monster Children shop. Ive long been coveting this book ( I suspect this is because its within my budget) but also there are some original works in there at the moment too. His website is packed full of goodies and inspiration too…. go have a looky.

I just ate ribs. Yes the entire plate. Almost half an animal (Sorry Vegetarians). It has rendered me useless. Thinking hurts. I’ll cut straight to the point then shall I. I want this print.

Jarad Bryant has a few treasures scattered about the place, this one is avail in either tee shirt or print form from Good As Gold. I see he has  also designed tee shirts for ALC- I love the peacock one and I think he has a work in the Tauranga Art Gallery at the moment- do correct me If Im wrong. Does anyone know if he has a website, I tried googling but I think the ribs have hindered all google skills I once had?

My mum helped me discover this talented lady. She had her poetry book “Count me the stars” and very kindly leant it to me, where after devouring every page I found a web address that took me to Kylie Johnson’s site- Paper boat press. Kylie has a magical way of letting her words spill out of her and beyond the pages of her books onto a myriad of things.  As you will see in her online shop, she has mixed her love for prose with a love of ceramics ( Yes- I know, more ceramics) and a myriad of delicate and lovely things.

I know I have a tendency toward shits and giggles and at times I can get a little bit “waylaid” particularly with the last few posts, but these really are ideal Christmas presents, she even has Christmas ornaments available. I believe it tis the season to be jolly!   

I know I have said it before and I’ll say it again, but when will they invent a totally reliable sophisticated teleportation system? I can think of at least 79.5 places I would like to be instantly beamed to right now, and with all the technological advances going on how is this not on the top of Nasa’s or even Apple’s “To DoList” ?

Anyway, whilst I ponder that over a red wine, Id like to show you some google image results for the teleporter. Ill try to forget the fact I just googled teleporter on a Saturday night and you go see if you can wack a teleporter together from some popsicle sticks and blue tack.

Okay, so for the past few weeks I have been getting magical messages in my inbox about a pop up shop in Auckland known as “Sensitive Boyfriend”. I had a few giggles at the emails – particularly the one that featured the competition to win a date with a “Nice Guy”. I’ll just pack my cynicism in a suitcase for now.

Anyway, I am now rather upset I didn’t pay more attention not just because I missed out on a nice guy, but because I just discovered their online store and Oh my there are some goodies in there. Its a hard decision between the “Teamwork” plates or the  “Joke teacup” but I think the “Non smoking Gloves” really just take the cake, pure genius right there. I think we would like to see more from this talented fellow. Go buy your Christmas presents from them now.

By now I am starting to see a bit of a pattern in the things I seem to want for. It appears to be Art, Books, Magazines or Ceramics- Go figure. Today’s post is no different. I know nothing about this fellow, I’ve never met him and I probably never will but I am in absolute awe of his talent and am forever curious about the contents of his mind.

His name is Josh Keyes and he produces beautiful work. I have just discovered he sells limited edition prints of some of his work and well, in the words of a toddler stamping her foot and having a tantrum, I WANT ONE!! See below for an example of his work or follow the magical links in this article to see more for yourself. Im off to practise my temper tantrums in the hope they may just pay off one day.

I swear im going to lose count soon. Thats pretty shocking when its only post number 8 ( i think). Anyhoo, I just went on a wee mission and got the last two Monster Children magazines that were missing from my collection. Number 23 is the photo issue and I got the one with Scott Pommier on the cover. He’s a talented fellow, which I assume is  in is blood as his brother is the one and only Andrew Pommier whose drawings I covet. Well done Mr and Mrs Pommier.

Issue 24  features a Where the Wild Things cover and yes I have seen the movie and yes you should stop mucking about on facebook and go watch it at the movies- its a treat. If you havent met a Monster Children magazine yet, you may discover it is the only thig that can fill that tiny little void in your heart. Or not. Either way pop over here to get a subscription aye?

Dear Santa,

Id like some tickets please. Tickets for a jet plane. Im not fussy on the air line, as long as the doors seal properly and all the mechanics are in order. Ill need to fly to Sydney  please and in a matter of days, because on Thursday it is the opening for the Monster Children Gallery Group show for 2009!

Not only is there an amazing line up AND everything is under $500 but its extra special this time as our fantastic friend, Mark Alsweiler has a spot in the show. Bit proud. Ill let you know if Santa comes through in time.

I already own a couple of these awesome plates, but I feel I need one more to top off the collection. Its toughh trying to figure out which word im after though- I think Im leaning toward “dumb ass” or “wanker” They are hand made by a clever lass and as far as I know this site toggle and etsy are the best sites to get them from. Once your on toggle, have a bit of a wander around as you will find numerous goodies and its a New Zealand based site, you can do the same on etsy but I warn you- you may never return.