MoB Workspace Christmas Sale!!!

Next Thursday and Friday 29th & 30th November.
Come and visit us at our jewellery workspace, and purchase unique Christmas gifts direct from the makers!
Exciting new designs and Special sale bargains!

Jewellery Party!

Thursday 15th November 5-7pm

QUT Art Museum Foyer
U Block, QUT Gardens Point Campus
2 George St, Brisbane

Just starting to think about unique Christmas gifts? Come along to the Arc Biennial Christmas Jewellery Party to score a bargain and buy works direct from the makers. Local jewellers Liana Kabel, Bibi Locke and Rebecca Ward will all be there. Drop by after work and get some Christmas shopping done while supporting local artists.

(click on invite to view full size version)

MoB Store Summer Collection Launch

New jewellery from the MoB Workspace Jewellers will be included in MoB Store's Summer Collection, along with a diverse selection of work from a range of talented Brisbane artists.

The launch event takes place Wednesday 3rd October - 5:30pm for a 6pm start.

Young Designers Market

MoB Workspace Graduate Jeweller, Eleisha Nylund, has been selected to be a stall holder at the very first Young Designers Market coming up on Sunday the 9th of September from 10am to 4pm.

It's being held on Ernest Street at Brisbane's South Bank, and is situated between Grey and Little Stanley Street (near where the main South Bank Markets are held).

Eleisha tells us, "There will be lots of new designs alongside a few classics. I have created ranges for both women and men that include rings, necklaces and cufflinks."

- Hope to see you there!

Curio

Curio is a contemporary jewellery exhibition featuring 3 MoB jewellers. The show has now opened and will continue until 23 September. Click on the invite for a closer look!

We all went along to the exhibition opening on Sunday and I must say the jewellery all looked fabulous. Many of the pieces were featured on the wall as well as in cabinets, which also made a nice change. I'll be popping up to the gallery tomorrow so I'll take some pics and post them here shortly.

Bibi Locke neckpiece (centre top), Elisha Nylund ring (top right) and Liana Kabel neckpiece (bottom centre)

Changes At MoB Workspace

It really has been a long time since this blog has been updated. A Reaaally long time! I guess that happens when you are part of a group and everyone is busy and some members aren't sure how to blog or don't know what to say or one member gets jack of doing of all the work (not me)!

Anyway there is lots of news to tell and since I'll be taking over blogging duties for now I'm not going to tell you it all at once. I plan to update this blog at least once a week and hopefully I'll get a few other MoBies to blog too.

A glimpse of our last studio sale - pictured above.

MoB Mother's Day Sale - ONE DAY ONLY!!

The MoB Mother's Day sale is happening this Friday. If you are in Brisbane please feel free to come along and see what the MoB jewellers have been up to. There will be a range of jewellery for sale and ON SALE for one day only.


Friday 11th May
11- 4pm

MoB Workspace (via MoB store)
Museum of Brisbane
Ground Floor, City Hall
King George Square, Brisbane
PH: 3403 5518

cash/cheque only

We hope to see you then.

FABULOUS FOAM

MoB Workspace has 3 people in this upcoming show up the street and across the road from our studio: Bibi Locke, Elizabeth Gray and Rebecca Ward. The jewellery/objects in the show have to consist of 80% foam. Come along if you are able!

JMGQ presents:

FABULOUS FOAM

May 4th - May 30th 2007

Brisbane Square Library
Brisbane Square
(Opposite the Treasury Casino)

Opening: Friday 4th May 5pm - 6:30pm
phone: 07 3403 4166 email: info@jmgq.com.au
www.jmgq.com.au

ARTISTS
Miriam Carter Dan Cox Renee Dillon Branka Doncevska
Clare Dyer Kylie Gartside Elizabeth Gray Hannah Kelly
Kath Kerswell Bibi Locke Sue Preston Elizabeth Shaw
Joan Teo Rebecca Ward Patsie Wishart Susie Woodhouse

Mark Vaarwerk's new website

Fellow Brisbane jeweller and MoBStore stockist, Mark Vaarwerk has revamped his website with lots of gorgeous images of recycled plastic and precious metal jewellery. There is also an active news page about his current travels in London and Europe where is on an Australia Council grant promoting his work.

Suzie Rodgers at MoB Store

This delightul range of hats, bags and jewellery has been created by the talented Suzie Rodgers (pictured at right), for the Museum of Brisbane Admit One exhibiton about the history of cinema in BrisVegas. All are for sale and displayed in the front window of MoB Store. They conjure up days of yore when Brisbanians used to dress up to go to the pictures and be seated by lovely usherettes such as MoB Workspacer Bibi Locke.

Virgin postscript

Newsflash: there are actually 3 MoB Workspacers in the Virgin mag! Our new casual jeweller, Susannah Dwyer is on the same page as Rebecca and Liana with her groovy "Fire Escape" pendants made from recycled curcuit boards. She sells them at MAD and Reverse Garbage in Brissy. Susannah is in the studio on fri arvos. Close up 'fire escape':

20 20 Exhibition at MoB

Mel Robson, fabulous ceramicist friend of MoB Workspace is in a group show called 20/20 at the Museum of Brisbane.

The opening event isn't until April 19th but the show is open to the public as of now! It's on until July 15th.

Richard Branson Hearts MoB Workspace

The current April Voyeur in flight magazine for Virgin Blue features fab work from 2 MoB Workspace designers in a feature on green design. Pick one up on your easter holiday! And check out our work in Pomme (Vic) and Object Collect (Syd).

Liana Kabel Knitwit bangle (recycled knitting needle)

Rebecca Ward Sea Jewels Crossroads Earrings (recycled window and bombay sapphire glass)

New Graduates Announced

Renata Fojtikova's work explores the relationship between human and machine

Eleisha Nylund: technical sophistication

We are pleased to announce that we have selected 2 new graduates from a pool of excellent applicants for the MoB Workspace Graduate Jeweller position.

Congratulations to Renata Fojtikova and Eleisha Nylund who both come from the Jewellery and Small Object programme at Queensland College of Art, Griffith University. We are very impressed by their enthusiasm for jewellery as well as the excellent project plans they have for their time in MoB Workspace. As you can see above, both Eleisha and Renata create very beautiful and original work and we look forward to working with them in a sharing environment. Renata will be coming in on Thursdays starting next week and Eleisha will be commencing in June.

We were initially only searching for one graduate, but as Jesika Hanford has left her residency for a position at Flying Arts, and we have more of a vacancy, we have decided to take both Eleisha and Renata. Congratulations to Jesika and though we are sad she has left us as a resident, she will be back occasionally on weekends to use the workshop.

We also wish to welcome Bibi Locke, our graduate who started in MoBWorkspace last year and who is now a full resident in the space, having moved into the spot vacated by Jesika.

And we also wish to thank Anna Meredith from MoB Store at the Museum of Brisbane (Brisbane City Council), who assisted us with the application process and has always been a great support.

Ipswich Excursion

Patricia Harper, Beaded Vessel

As Brisbanians often like to smugly remember, Ipswich was once in fierce competition with Brisbane to be the state capital. With its rich mineral deposits and churning river, Ipswich may well have been chosen. To think we might have been MoI Workspace instead of MoB Workspace! However it was not to be, and Brisbane was chosen for its deeper river/bay port, its IKEA outlet and some might say, more moderate climate.

Last week we took time out of the studio for a long train trip out to Ipswich to see if a terrible mistake had been made all those years ago. Well not really - we went to see Quadrant, an exhibition in the Ipswich Art Gallery as Friend of MoB (FoM) , Patricia Harper was exhibiting her gorgeous beaded vessels, bracelet (pictured) and wall works with 3 other artist/teachers: Lorraine Kitching, Marcelle Little and Dennis Magee. Patricia's stunning vessels enchanted us with their intricate and fantastical construction and brilliant colour. They contrasted with several upscaled works in the show including a neon necklace wall piece that lit up the space with an eerie glow.

We rather liked the gallery which incorporated the old town hall into a modern very spacious new gallery. I was attracted by the walls which were made out of coal from the local mines sandwiched in between glass. Very environmentally sound.

Another FoM , the blue-headed art critic, Florence Forrest, came along for the ride and we lingered over a leisurely brunch before hitting the thrift stores, Liana mining a rich vein of her own: plastic knitting needles. Believe me she has quite the needle fetish as she dragged us from one store to the next. When we eventually made it back to Brisbane we were a bit wilted after our outback adventure but full of tales to tell .

Quadrant ends 23 March 2007 and is at Ipswich Art Gallery d'Arcy Doyle Place, Nicholas st, Ipswich CBD.

Looking for a Graduate Jeweller

Bibi Locke, now an associate was our grad jeweller in 2006

MoB Workspace is looking for a Graduate Jeweller for 2007.
The applicant should be a self-motivated graduate of the past 2 yrs from a tertiary jewellery program and the position is for 1 day a week studio access for a 6 month period between 1 April and 31 October (start/end date must fall between these dates).

Ph 3403 5518
mobworkspace@yahoo.com.au

Current residents: Liana Kabel, Jesika Hanford, Rebecca Ward.
Current associate: Bibi Locke.

1. Term: 6mths term for a recent graduate of a tertiary jewellery program
- reviewed after 2 months, then confirmed. The term is for 6months total falling between 1 April and 31 October – starting and end date can be negotiated.

2. Fee: There is a daily access fee ($10) due in cash on the day of access.

3. Access: 1 day per week in consultation with residents. A regular day each week (a Monday or a Friday) when a bench is available. There will be certain weeks during the year (eg school holidays) when benches are available for more days in the week and the graduate may be asked if they would like to come in for these extra days. As a casual, graduates will not be able to be in the workshop alone- a supervising resident must also be present.

4. Space: Workspace is small with 3 jewellers benches and basic equipment – mini torches, polisher, flexi drives, rolling mill, tumbler, ultrasonic, drill press. Casuals must bring their own handtools and ‘hot desk’.

5. Opportunities: As the graduate jeweller, you will be working with established practitioners in a supportive, friendly and motivated environment with good public exposure. You may be invited to take part in workspace activities- exhibitions, sales, training, promotions etc and at the end of the period a presentation of your work will be organised by MoB Workspace and MoB Store.

We are looking for someone who:

· can fit in with our schedule of available benchspace
· is self motivated and can work on their own individual projects
· has competency with workshop equipment and knowledge of health and safety procedures
· has good organisational skills and is tidy and considerate when using studio equipment
· is reliable, has good interpersonal skills - able to communicate well with the other workshop members and follow the reasonable instructions of the resident on duty in relation to health and safety and other workshop rules
· does not mind being on public view
· intends to do work that is compatible with the limited space, equipment and noise, chemical and fume restrictions – ie no etching, pitch burning, heavy forging etc.
· wants to build their practice to a profession (ie not a hobbyist)


To apply:

1. Contact MoB Workspace 3403 5518 mobworkspace@yahoo.com

Firstly, if you are unfamiliar with the MoBWorkspace, please make an appointment and come in and meet us and see the space. Then you will know if it might be suitable for your needs or not.

2. Then we will ask you to provide some more details about yourself –
· 1 page cv
· 1 page (or less) artist statement and description of what you would like to do with a MoBWorkspace placement, what you plan to make in the space, what projects you might have in mind, what your available days would be, when you are able to start doing the residency.
· 3 references (just names and contact details)

Deadline: 28 February. The selection will be made in consultation with MoB Store management in early March 2007.

Swapalicious 2006

Photo: Mel Robson

MoB Workspace ended the year with our annual xmas art & craft swap. This year we had a great line-up and lots of fun though there were a few tense moments with certain highly desirable items!!

The plan was to get lots of Xmas presents for our friends and families but it did not really work out that way. I think we are all finding it hard to part with ANYTHING much from our wonderful hauls!!
The Swapalicious lineup:

shannon garson (ceramics, strange fragments)

liana kabel (jewellery, plastic girl )
mel robson (ceramics)
simon degroot (painting)
darren o'brien (ceramics)
marisa molin (jewellery/cards)
florence forrest (fabric, toys)
deb mansfield (photography)
jesika hanford (jewellery)
justine austen (jewellery)
tracey milne (jewellery, cool stuff)
ky curran (ceramics, cool stuff)
rebecca ward (jewellery, rebecca-the-wrecker)

Here is my haul (minus deb's gorgeous photo from anticipating the islands series):

Thanks Guys

Thank you to resident MoB members Rebecca Ward and Jesika Hanford for designing our Xmas sale invite. They did a top job!

All of us at MoB Workspace would also like to especially thank Rebecca for all the extra work she put into MoB this year. She spent many long hours designing invites, organising events, writing press releases and countless other things that helped make this year such a success.

pictured above Tracey Milne, Jesika Hanford and Rebecca Ward at Glam-r-Us

Studio Sale!!!

come along to the
2006 mobworkspace jewellery sale
buy direct from the makers- cash or cheque only

Thurs 14th Dec 11:00 - 4:00
Fri 15th Dec 11:00 - 4:00
Sat 16th Dec 10.00-12.00

MoBWorkspace (via MoB Store)
Museum of Brisbane
Ground Floor, City Hall
King George Square, Brisbane
Ph 3403 5518

Glam-r-Us Press Release

Glam-r-Us Opens 30 November 2006– download images here
Museum of Brisbane Store launches the exquisite jewellery of Jesika Hanford and Bibi Locke in an exhibition entitled Glam-r-Us on 30 November 2006. Also showcased is jewellery from MoB Workspace residents past and present: Liana Kabel, Tracey Milne, Marisa Molin and Rebecca Ward. The six jewellers from the collective studio in City Hall each take a different perspective on the theme ‘Glam-r-Us’ in conversation with the current Miss Australia exhibition at the Museum of Brisbane. All jewellery is for sale and there are Christmas gifts of earrings, necklaces, bracelets and brooches catering to a diverse range of tastes and starting at $50.

Jesika Hanford, the newest resident has recently returned to Brisbane from New York where she worked as a jeweller. She has focused on the "Glam" aspect of the exhibition title drawing on the 70's era of lurex and glam-rock. Jesika says “As well as enjoying revisiting the glam rock era of my childhood, I wanted to explore the tactile and visual tension created by combining the hardness of metal with the softness of different fabrics.” To this end Jesika has used various “glam-rock” fabrics with titanium, silver, chain and lightning bolts as motifs to create street jewellery with class.

Bibi Locke, only 21 years old, is a recent graduate of Queensland College of Art and has created a stylistically glamorous body of work exploring the flowing lines that compliment the female form. Bibi says, "Working at MoB Workspace, the elegance of the new Miss Australia exhibition acts as daily stimulation. My debut range is all about timeless beauty, the designs extend from the natural contours of the body." Bibi’s intricate designs are finely saw pierced to allow light to pass through, enhancing the delicacy of the work. Her Miss Australia inspired jewellery is infused with classic feminine elegance.

Entitled Zen Glamour, Marisa Molin has created a series of randomly structured twig inspired sterling silver brooches, stickpins and pendants. Marisa has lived in Tasmania for the past 2 years completing her Masters of Fine Arts and Design. The dramatic climate change from Queensland has significantly inspired her work. This series is a reflection of the fallen deciduous branches that scatter on the forest floor.

Tracey Milne is coy about her Glam-r-Us jewellery, stating, “I am glamour.” She has an established history of creating works from recycled items or reinvigorating existing pieces. She has a reputation for producing unusual and imaginative pieces with a superior finish that are not only very wearable but also become cherished items – the new ‘heirloom’.

Liana Kabel’s recycled plastic jewellery is fully tuned into the 1950’s - when glamour was plastic. Liana says, “If it looks like a lolly, I like it” and this certainly holds true for her Glam-r-Us work. A recipient of a Brisbane City Council/Arts Queensland Creative Sparks Grant and noted blogger, Liana cuts her own creative pathways.

The Lucy Goes to Manhattan series of necklaces, earrings and bracelets by Rebecca Ward imagines the dreams of a small town girl as she astral travels to the other-worldly metropolis of New York City. The sparkling lights and art deco skyscrapers of New York are evoked in sterling silver and Swarovski crystal. Rebecca recently won an acquisitive award from the Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery for her use of recycled materials in a range of jewellery based on the records of Nana Mouskouri.

Glam-r-Us will be opened by Jeweller, Patricia Harper
6pm – 8pmThursday 30 November 2006

Glam-r-Us continues until 31 January 2007
King George Square Foyer and MoB Store
Museum of Brisbane, Ground Floor, City HallKing George Square, Brisbane
RSVP Wednesday 22 November 2006
Phone 3403 4355 Email mob@brisbane.qld.gov.au

MoB Workspace – further information

MoB Workspace is an artist-run collaborative jewellery studio in the heart of Brisbane’s historic City Hall. Nestled inside the Museum of Brisbane’s MoBStore, it gives the public a glimpse into the dynamic world of contemporary jewellery design and production. The current jewellers in residence are Jesika Hanford, Liana Kabel and Rebecca Ward with Bibi Locke an associate resident.

MoB Workspace was established in October, 2003, by Tracey Milne, Marisa Molin and Rebecca Ward with the support of Museum of Brisbane and the Brilliant Brisbane Jewellery Cluster, Brisbane City Council. MoBWorkspace artists showcase their cutting edge designs in MoBStore as well as other galleries and venues locally, nationally and internationally.

For more information, drop in to MoB Workspace 10am-5pm weekdays or contact:Jesika, Rebecca, Liana or Bibi
Tel: 3403 5518
Email: mobworkspace@yahoo.com.au