the Piccadilly Market, and why I look forward to it every time

Even before I started being a smallholder at markets, I loved going to markets.  I loved seeing the handmade things that clever people created, often knowing that they couldn't be found anywhere else.
I loved buying bags of fresh produce, cutesy little kitsch that was a 'must' by then and there, and often little gifts and presents for loved ones that they couldn't find anywhere else.

Now that I get to play on the other side of the stall table, I still love going to markets as a shopper and a maker.

The Piccadilly market has at least 80 stalls each time - sometimes more - and whilst there are the old favourites and returners, there are always new things to see on their stands or with the brand new businesses who are represented.

The advantage of early set up and organisation, is that you get a chance to have a sneaky walk around and admire your neighbour's work.  I try and go for a wander further afield before we open, as I'm often at a stand by myself and a quick trip to bathroom/coffee is all I want to do - there's never time for wandering and shopping unless I have relief stall assistance from someone!  However, it's entirely a different matter when you find yourself admiring your neighbouring tables for hours at a time.  It's quite easy to talk yourself into something that you have been admiring for hours... I may or may not have made some late afternoon impulse purchases from fellow stallholders that way ;)

I have been playing around with display ideas, and created a replacement for my swing tags that use individually typed information on my Mum's vintage typewriter.  Two fingered typing at its best, on an old reel of tape - definitely a unique feature to the books!

Hope to see you on Sunday :)

Christmas Bunting and Card Sets

After the weekend's market adventure, I have listed in etsy the remaining Christmas bunting and card packs.

Black ribbon, printed onto vintage book pages

Packs of 4 cards

Red ribbon option, printed onto parchment paper

There are four different options with the bunting - following any of the links above to the individual listings.  I also have multiple card packs available, with an option for a custom print job.  I only ask that you are mindful of delivery times and options.

Have fun with your December preparations everyone, it's a big part of the fun of the festive season!

Warrnambool & District Market on Sunday

Hi everyone, it's coming up for a busy few months ahead with markets galore.
Kicking off on Sunday is my first stall at the Warrnambool & District Market, which is usually held on the town green in the centre of Warrnambool city.  For the Winter months of more chilled and unpredictable weather, they've moved indoors to the Wannon Rooms (Greyhound track).  I'm excited to be joining the very talented stallholders - especially the delicious treats on offer!

After the fun of Sunday, I next head over to Torquay for the inaugural Surf Coast Art & Design market, which looks like it's going to be amazing.  Stay tuned for news as that comes closer, as well as some sneaky peeks of some of my new products still on the production table.

farewell MADE

On Easter Saturday we say goodbye to the MADE artists' market in Port Fairy.
This was the market that got me into the whole market gig and convinced me that it was actually possible to load the car up for a weekend away, set up shop, meet lots of link-minded stallholders and customers alike, and come home feeling hugely inspired and motivated.

The first market, back in April 2011

I missed the original advertisement, but a friend put me onto the call out for stallholders and in that first year, I went to all four of their seasonally themed markets.  We're located in a small Church hall, just off one of the busy main streets.  Port Fairy is a tourist haven and is very busy each weekend, but especially so when one of their regular festivals are on.

The market is focused on the promotion of local artists and makers, so last year when I successfully applied for two events, and got the call in for a third, I was especially proud of my involvement in the 'local scene'.

October, 2012

This time around we'll be celebrating what everyone has achieved over the last two years and look forward to future opportunities for us all.  I'm looking forward to seeing familiar faces again, saying thank you and importantly - staying connected in many of the wonderful ways that make a craftisan feel like it's not such an isolated life after all.

Thanks MADE market - it's been a brilliant couple of years  :)

back online and up and running

Have you been in the situation recently where you've lost electronic communications for any period of time?  Perhaps an hour whilst your phone went flat?  Or two hours when you were inside a cinema?  How about a long weekend away when you promised yourself that you wouldn't check email?
Well, how about a whole week?

It certainly makes a difference when the choice is not yours too.  A fire in the region's telco exchange essentially shut the whole region down.  I had one day without any mobile services, about 3 days with patchy 3G coverage, a few more without a landline, and a week without ADSL internet.  I was certainly not one of the worst affected, and I was so lucky to have other options available to me, but it really affected my week.  I was frustrated that I couldn't just jump online to check things like I was used to, and I felt completely hog-tied when I couldn't properly check and respond to emails either.  This was especially frustrating for work, but only mildly worried about 'my' connections and access.  First-world problem I know, but it was certainly an eye-opener.

So the wrap up for this week of shut down is that now I'm back online I have about 10 safari tabs open, a hundred things to follow up, lots of great feedback and conversations to follow up and a frenzied effort to remind everyone about this coming Saturday's MADE Artists' market in Port Fairy.  More about that in an upcoming post...  exciting specials and one-off bargains are guaranteed.

A bonus for readers in cyberland is also that I'm extending my giveaway!
I wasn't able to get online and put a few reminders out, so I'm closing it midnight on Monday 10th December now.  That's a whole extra ten days to click like for us on facebook, or leave a comment on the giveaway blog post - or really, any post since then if you prefer.
So if you'd like to be in the running for one or both of the prize packs, follow your links above.

Also, I've opened some messages today to let me know of our inclusion in some esty Treasury Lists.
An inspiring list entitled 'Bon Voyage' just makes me want to pack my bags now.  This list was featured on a blog post by The Chilly Dog.

And directly hitting one of my passions, Bec has collated this treasury of Upcycled Christmas, also featuring one of my upcycled books.

Phew, that's it for now.  I had a few things to say since I've been quiet offline for a few days!

All set up, ready to go

With parking and too many unknown factors, I arrived at The Design Exchange market to set up with PLENTY of time to spare!
The good thing about this is the relaxation that brings.
The bad thing about this is the browsing time I've already had whilst my fellow stallholders are setting up: very dangerous!!

The market is in the amazing mining exchange building in Lydiard St, Ballarat, 10-3 today.

new market for us - The Design Exchange, Ballarat

I was so very excited to learn last week that luciandjoe bookbinding will be appearing at The Design Exchange market in Ballarat.
This amazing market is held in the equally amazing Mining Exchange building in the centre of the city.

The local newspaper, the Ballarat Courier did a story on their first market which you can read here.

The Design Exchange Market
Sunday 4th March, 10am to 4pm
The Mining Exchange, Lydiard Street, Ballarat

Perhaps I'll see you there?

Etsy shop launch

Exciting news from luciandjoe - we have launched our Etsy shop this week.

It's all brand spanking new, with some of our stock already up and getting some interest.
Over the next few weeks I'll be listing more stock, especially as we develop new products.
Drop by the shop when you get a chance and take a poke around.
Hope to see you soon  :)

thanks for a great year :)

Thanks to everyone who has supported luciandjoe bookbinding this year.
I've been able to meet a lot of amazing and talented artists at the markets, and some super friendly and supportive customers.

I have some stock still available at in.cube8r in Geelong (Moorabool St) until Christmas Eve, as well as a permanent presence in the little bookshop in Portland (Percy St).

As for 2012 - look out for an announcement about the launch of our etsy store and what market plans are in store.  It's going to be another exciting year for us.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of my supporters, x

goodies at the little bookshop tomorrow

Sorry for the late post, but you've got a last minute/last week of shopping opportunity to snatch an exclusive luciandjoe bookbinding goodie in time for Christmas...
I'll be in the little bookshop in Portland tomorrow, with a stall of journals, books, cards and xmas decorations.
Come in and say g'day and get some of your list ticked off :)

last market opportunity for some quality Christmas shopping

The final Made Artist's Market for the year is on this coming Saturday in Port Fairy.
I've got a range of Christmas goodies, including bunting and trees (shown in the photo below) and sets of Christmas cards.

On the present front (for loved ones or yourself!), I'll have my usual range of fabric covered journals which make great diaries, travel journals or photo albums; and an ever-changing range of upcycled books.  If you haven't seen my upcycled books yet, imagine beautiful hardcover books which have been remade into blank paper journals.  Each has a surprise inside - the paper itself, hidden pockets and very special papers.
There is a large pile of garlands on sale, as well as some very special framed Parisian photographs which would made beautiful presents.

This is our last Made market for the year and they've been a fantastic success, so we hope to see you again on Saturday, both new and returning customers.

Made Artist's Market, Port Fairy
Saturday 10th December,  9am - 2pm
(Anglican Church Hall, down the lane beside Bella Claire's on Bank Street).

Piccadilly Market - Sunday 20th November

It's a fantastic opportunity to get some Christmas shopping (and some most important personal buying) at the upcoming Piccadilly Market.

I've got a lot of fully handmade books using quality fabrics like these shown, and every book is unique.

This an example of some of the garlands on sale, that would make great Christmas decorations.

I've also got a great range of Christmas bunting and cards available for the first time.

Finer details:  Sunday 20th November
Times: 10am to 4pm
Where: Deakin Uni's waterfront campus in Geelong (I'm upstairs)

Made market in Port Fairy

It seems like so long ago since we had a market, so I'm especially excited that there's a Made Artist's Market in Port Fairy this coming Saturday.
9am - 2pm at the Church Hall.  It's up the lane beside Bella Claire in Bank St.  Easy to find and some great handmade work to peruse.

In.cube8r opening this week

I set up my stock today at in.cube8r in Geelong - 127 Moorabool Street.
It opens on Wednesday, so if you are nearby in upcoming weeks, go and check it out!
All artists take 100% of their pricing so it's a great way to support local and emerging artists.

The video below takes you inside the already established store in Melbourne:

exciting announcement - featuring a shop in Geelong

I think that it's very exciting news - luciandjoe bookbinding are going to be stocked in a new store opening in Geelong on Wednesday 12th October!!!
The shop is a new location for in.cube8r, a gallery-style retail concept that nurtures emerging artists and allows their work to be accessed by the public every day.
It's located at 127 Moorabool Street and I'll post some photos later in the week after I head over to set up shop.

I'm also madly preparing for next weekend's Made Artist's market in Port Fairy and am getting ready to unveil some new products.

Port Fairy market - Saturday 15th October

Spring has finally come around and it's time for another Made Artist's market in Port Fairy.
It's from 9am to 2pm, at the St John's Anglican Church Hall (just off Bank St).
You can see more details at their facebook page, and 'like' it for updates.

Come and see what I've been doing lately...

PS - I haven't forgotten the big announcement.  I'll fill you in in a few days ;)

upcoming Markets

Just getting in ahead of time, but I'm able to confirm that luciandjoe bookbinding will be at the following upcoming markets:
- Saturday 15th October, Made Artists Market in Port Fairy
- Sunday 20th November, Piccadilly Christmas Market in Geelong
- Saturday 10th December, Made Artists Market in Port Fairy
Mark those dates for your Christmas shopping  ;)

Festival of Words Booksellers Market - Saturday 10th September

The Festival of Words (formerly known as Ex Libris) is being held in Port Fairy next weekend, and luciandjoe bookbinding will be there on Saturday in amongst the booksellers in the Reardon Theatre.  We'll be nestled in amongst the sellers of real books, with words in them.  I might have to hide the upcycled books towards the back of the stall so that the other secondhand books on sale don't get nervous!

Some fabric-covered journals that you can pick up from my market stall.

Piccadilly's Winter Market, July 2011

If you didn't make it to come and visit luciandjoe bookbinding in person in Geelong on the weekend just gone, here are some of the products that you missed.

Here you can see both the fully handmade fabric covered journals on the left,

as well as an example of the upcycled books to the right of them (green cover).  It made a beautiful and truly unique [new] book.

six words produce these stunning felt and jewel necklaces.

The old schoolcase is a great way to display this mix of books, from upcycled covers,

fully new journals and some with a mixture of both.

You can get an idea here of the other products in stock at markets as well: cards, little notebooks and at the back you can spy the beautiful paper flowers and globes made by Suzanne.

Another line up of upcycled and new journals

And that's what it's all about: books.

a few samples of work

handmade books, luciandjoe-style

beautiful six words felt necklaces

previous market stall

concertina artist's book

some of the great upcycled books that will be available at

the Piccadilly market - there are many, many more to see!