kitsch

more maps on stools …

I bought these stools at least a month ago, maybe two. From the Salvos in Abbotsford.  Someone had done – really and truly – the worst job EVER in recovering them.  They used blockout curtain material?  And just folded the corners.  When I saw these stools in the op shop they were crying out for reupholstering.  They looked so dreadful I just couldn’t pass them by.

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this is what they looked like when I bought them … somehow I don’t think they were upholstered by a professional

So I brought them home and re-covered one of them prety much straight away.  And cut out the fabric for the second one.  But just didn’t get around to finishing it off (suprise, surprise). Instead I left it and the associated paraphernalia all spread out on the table out under the verandah, and then, when the weather was bad a couple of weeks ago I bundled it all up and put it in the studio.  And I haven’t got around to it again.

But as you know, this week I am feeling inspired to spring clean, and this unfinished stool project was on my mind.  Because then I can put away the upholstery tools and the box of tea towels that is inevitably strewn around the place as I search for exactly the right fabric with the right pattern.

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So … yesterday I finally finished the second one.  Hooray!

As you can see they feature a tea towel of Flinders Island.

I am planning to sell these bar stools.  Because I don’t need them.  I just enjoy making them.  Upholstering is so satisfying.

I chose this tea towel because I like the colours, but I hope I haven’t limited my market too much … I just looked up the population of Flinders Island, and it was only 897 in 2005…. yikes.

Hopefully somone in the market for quirky bar stools has been there for a nice holiday.  Or comes from Tasmania and so feels somewhat connected.  Or just like maps of Australia, even if they haven’t visited that exact island ….

oink, oink salt and pepper

Oink Oink Salt and PepperMy sister and I recently ran the trash and treasure stall at the Fairfield Primary School’s annual ‘A Fair To Remember’, and my most favourite purchase of the day were these super kitsch salt and pepper shakers.

I bought them in the clearing sale at the end of the event … I can’t believe they weren’t snaffled by someone straight away!  I like the colours, I love the eyebrows and eyelashes,and I particularly enjoy how one pig is reclining.  And they remind me of my youth.  When I was at uni the kitchen at the Newry hotel in North Fitzroy had a memorable collection of kitsch salt and pepper shakers.  Perhaps with these I will start one myself …