Introducing Monday.....artysmarty!

Hola! Angela from artysmarty with you this week to give you a bit of a spiel about some of my own crafty stuff. I have been living and working in Dublin on and off for about 10 years but am originally from Tasmania in Australia where I studied ceramics. My work has taken a bit of a side step from my original training but I can't help it...I love everything crafty and it's easy to get side tracked. My current special subjects are wood-cut badges, bags and pendants.

You may have seen some of these about Dublin town, I am selling in MayFly (next to the Cake Cafe off Camden Street), Irish Design Shop, Se Si and Om Diva and also at the Dublin Flea Market which happens in the Co-Op in New Market Square the last Sunday of each month.

Lots of my bits and pieces are badges that are made from wood that are laser cut. The material is so flexible, you can cut it, glue it, pierce it and re-cycle it (if things go horribly wrong!). My current favourite is this lady that I use for a badge. She is cool in her nanna underwear.

I am currently working on some lovely bags, phone and business accessories. You know, the kind of stuff that girls love and boys often scratch their heads and say 'But, why do you need it?'

My only concession to my ceramics background is some of the pendants that I produce, made with a clay backing, image transfer and top glaze. I love that they are a fun, non-precious piece of jewelery that's affordable.

Anyhoo, that's about it really. If you like the stuff or just wnat check out my web site for a bit of a nosey, take a look at www.artysmartyshop.com!

Howdy!

Thought that I would drop a line about my handmade whats-it's and what-nots that I sell under the name, artysmarty. Based in Dublin city centre, I squirrel away in my studio in Broadstone, making women's purses, passport holders, earrings, neckalces, pins and badges as well as some other baby items with funky fabrics. I really love the fabrics that I use, mostly they are Japanese designers, but some are designers in the UK making original, handmade prints, as here for this i-pod cover.

All of the items I make are 100% handmade and I love looking on other blogs and web sites to see what other crafty types are making and what techniques they are using. I trained in ceramics at university in Tasmania and also at post grad level in Sydney which has been a great basis but I also get great inspiration from customers, who often have great ideas and love to chat about their own crafts and interests.

If you want to come and have a look at some of my items in the flesh, come to May Fly (next to the Cake Cafe), The Dublin Flea Market or the Bernard Shaw Car Boot Sale. Love to have a chat to you there!

Angela a.k.a. artysmarty!