Saturday, November 29, 2014

When craft fairs got cool

0 comments Posted by Katina at 8:23 PM

It was a good day for food and shopping today.




First there was the cruffin. Yeah, that's right, cruffin. Blueberries and white chocolate consumed by a croissant pastry more shaped like a muffin. Awesomeness in a dessert, right there. That one's thanks to the cool cats at AlleyCats Patisserie.

Then I went along to the annual Marrara Christmas Craft Fair, which I'd heard was a big deal in the scheme of craft fairs around these parts.

And wasn't I given the biggest surprise of my life?

My eventual purchases excluding gifts
WOW.

I walked in thinking I'd be done in maybe half an hour. I was there about two hours, looking at nearly every stand - what was so great was that these people weren't on the usual market scene, so it was all new to me.

I bought a bag from a woman who makes different styles and sources fabrics nationwide all herself, after having to painstakingly pick just one (because money doesn't grow on trees). Then there was chocolate tasting, admiring bowls and artworks, and also getting started on a bit of Christmas shopping. Handy.

I had fun going through bags of polymer clay beads at one stall after seeing necklaces of the sort on sale next door. I got excited (and felt pressured by some others who'd spotted my secret finds at the same time), so I decided to buy a whole bunch of them. They were only $1 per bag! I will eventually get creative to make some of my own easy jewellery, which is exciting.

Then there was Serena Kuhl's stall.

I was nearly done. Just a little section yet to be traversed. She had these beaded necklaces everyone wears too, having seen them across the way earlier. But getting to the table was something else.



I'm still gobsmacked by how amazingly expressive her jewellry is! It's bright, no, uber bright, and so funky - there's crystals, moon-surface stuff, all made of resin. I didn't know what NOT to buy.

After more umming and aahing (which people saw me do quite obviously throughout this time, I have the tendency to think rather visibly if there's such a thing), I decided on one of the chunky crystal rings and a blue glittery bangle. But it will not be the end. She has a Facebook and Instagram. And I see myself splurging a lot more than I can probably afford.

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Thursday, November 06, 2014

Gough Whitlam. Noel Pearson. A speech.

0 comments Posted by Katina at 1:30 PM

I wasn't able to watch much of Gough Whitlam's memorial, but from news reports I understand how heartfelt and genuine it was. To hear his former speechwriter say what an honour it was working for him, and Cate Blanchett to even pop in and thank him for her free education was touching.


Then there was Noel Pearson. Through my job I met the indigenous activist earlier this year, who truly believes in what he fights for (in my circumstance, education through his Cape York schools). Many disagree with his views of various social and political matters, but today I don't think anyone could have had a differing opinion to his expression of gratitude for Whitlam.


While I have not yet watched his full speech, I took a look at the snippet highlighting the world of Monty Python - and it's a great two minutes of viewing. It's enough to see the conviction in which he expresses solid appreciation for Whitlam's work. If this is all you watch then still make the time for it. It's been touted as one of Australia's great modern political speeches already - which is a big statement in its own right.

On a personal note, as a Generation Yer it upsets me that I did not get to experience the period of change which Whitlam had such an influence over. I touched on his input into Australian culture on my entertainment blog, but overall to have been part of the forefront of such change would have been exciting to look back on at a time like this. We can only hope that one day someone in Australia will push forward with strong ideas once again.

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