NEW stock arriving soon....

The trade fair has been and gone and what a week! 100's of stands and so much to see.In the coming months you will see new pieces arriving at MOSS GROTTO that I hope you love as much as I do!

I always say, "If your eyes like it then your heart will love it!"

In my 20's I worked in the buying office at Sportsgirl.We were taught to buy for the customer.I did listen and learn alot in those years but I can honestly say that I have always gone against their motto.I simply buy what I love and hope that my customer will love as much!

Little handmade pottery pots & brass jugs.

           NEW wood Marron glace boxes. Small:$18.50ea     Large: $25.50ea

French vintage glove Moulds $95ea

Large wood sieves $42ea

Amigo has some news.....'NEW Mexican Milagros folk charm crosses coming soon......

Leather fringe necklaces $60

Large wood sieves $42ea

I love this fabulous shot of my girlfriend.The sepia sits well with my latest post.I met Anne-Maree in the early 90's when I worked in TV & radio.After so many years as her friend, she is warmly known to me as simply A.M.

If it wasn't for her I wouldn't have survived my single days and vice versa.Everyone knows her for hosting 'The Agro Cartoon show' for years, later moving onto 'The Great Outdoors', The Bert Newton Show' and many more fabulous things.She's now a proud Mum residing in Melbourne with partner and 2 beautiful children. Luckily for me, she holidays at her home in Bells Beach over Summer.

Silver Birch branches with large wood sieves.

Handmade ceramic tureen. 

Afghani pendant fish $85 (one off piece)

Amigo and donkey boy look forward to seeing handmade ceramic beads in blue,mustard and terracotta at MOSS GROTTO.

Alpaca pendant strung on macrame thread of red silk with coin detail.$69

 Nomadic tribal round pendant on red silk macrame thread $69.

Handmade ceramic jug & indian printers stencils from India.

(price to be posted)

Indian one off framed prints $35-130ea

The Milagros Cross.
Milagros are religious folk charms that are traditionally used for healing purposes and as votive offerings in Mexico.In Spanish, the word Milagro literally means miracle or suprise.
As part of a religious ritual or an act of devotion, Milagros can be offered to a symbol of a saint as a reminder of a petitioner's particular need, or gratitude for a prayer answered. A Milagro of a body part, such as a leg,might be used as part of a prayer or vow for the improvement of a leg. A heart might represent ideas as diverse as a heart condition,or a romance. Milagros are also carried for protection and good luck. 

AUGUST windows and more at MOSS GROTTO Barwon Heads

AUGUST at MOSS GROTTO.

Last months windows were elegant in black for Winter -

AUGUST says "Hello Colour!"

Bulbs in the garden are starting to pop up and our jasmine on the balcony is out in full bloom! I love that smell as it flows through the house.It tells me that Summer is not so far away!

So a splash of colour was needed this month. I'll be honest in saying that I did have the odd sleepless night trying to work out this months window.....but it came together and I'm happy! If you're in Barwon Heads - walk past and take a look.

This is my new piece.Painted in acrylic's.It's my portrait of 'Twiggy'

I love the candy pink and lime green combination.It reminds me of a gelati ice-cream in Summer.

Just like an ice-cream  - this painting even has it's own drips!

New Crochet throw.$160 Handmade in India.Leather satchel from Nepal.$75

NEW August window at

 MOSS GROTTO

Twiggy - $700 (SOLD) Sunday 7/8/11

Twiggy will be sadly missed, but I'm thrilled to know that the new owner from Melbourne will be loving her as she sits pretty on their wall.

After a day in the garden on Sunday I noticed my husbands old sand mats on our back decking.Perfect for a prop.

Hanging metal mussel baskets.$85ea

Mexican eco pencils in various colours $8.95ea

Crochet cushions in a combination of orange,stone and green. $70ea (Handmade in India)

Crochet throw $160 (Handmade in India)

Pretty print from India $70(one off)

This image is part of my collage collection on the back wall at MOSS GROTTO.

Lab bottles,coloured glass vessels and industrial spools 

I love this photo!! Hot pink donkeys! I hit the lane ways of Melbourne 2 weeks ago and snapped this! I never leave home without my camera.

Look out for it in the Echo Newspaper when it advertises MOSS GROTTO.

Coloured striped throw in crochet finish. $160 (Handmade in India)

Mexican Virgin of Guadalupe candles from $7.50 sm, Medium $20,Large $25 

NEVER too late to learn NEW TRICKS!

Since the change over from Flowers and gifts of Moss Industry to the NEW  'MOSS GROTTO' I've been overwhelmed by the interest in my paintings instore.

With a fresh re-launch of interiors and homewares I've been inspired to paint again!

Some pieces sit at home unfinished or on hold....but the paint is out and the canvases are ready to go.

My Mother Libby who works at Moss Grotto on Sundays has a shy hidden talent for oils and has been off the brushes for too long! Amazingly talented in any creative venture she takes on I decided to bite the bullet and enroll us in a painting course.Starting Monday in Geelong at the Arts Society we both hope to be brave and build our confidence in all things involving paint and brushes.Should be fun!
The pieces below are some I still have and some sold long ago.When I look at them it's nice to remember where I was at in my life.All of them hold a memory for me which is always so nice....
Enjoy!

 This portrait above is my Mum.(1999)

 This paint colour of the girls changed so many times.The pink and red came together after many layers of paint. (SOLD) Started(2002) Completed (2006)

Mother and Daughter.(2002)$500

 60's Sun Hat (2007) One of my favourites and sadly not for sale.She sits in our lounge at home and often gets moved around.

 Old Neighbour/Friend of mine Krista Vendy.Photo Shoot in St.Kilda for New Weekly Magazine(2000)
Painting above her is called Lovers.Not for sale.

This painting is nameless and not finished.She sits in our hall.I promise myself everytime I walk up our stairs - that I WILL finish it soon.

'Sun Kissed' $650 (2002)

(2002)Sold.Owner Andrea Orchard of Barwon Heads.

Sketch from home.

Aboriginal Cowgirl from Western Australia.Sketched in Charcoal.

Keep an eye out for new works that will slowly work their way into Moss Grotto over the coming months.

Some of my works here are still around and some sold.I like to look at them sometimes because I remember where I was at when I did them.

Late SPRING window and threads at MOSS GROTTO

 Magic windows make you stop!

I once read that your store window is your "silent sales person"!

A store window is your tool to draw people in.Without it being fabulous and eye catching, people will simply walk past and not stop!

 I want people to stop,look and enjoy.

Coming up with something new each month - keeps me on my "creative toes"!

This is my Spring window which I loved.I used the same teal blue as my background wall in the shop.I thought painting up an image of a giant peacock would go perfectly together with the use of such a dramatic colour!

Threads of teal blue wool was used to add detail to the window.Wrapped around each yellow mossed branch the colours together looked fantastic.

 I thought a giant peacock would really draw attention.

I love these silk threads inside the chemist bottles.I collect these now and put them inside a jar next to my desk.The colours make me feel good.Maybe down the track I'll do something else with them?

Silk threads.................

Red threads................

Collection of threads.............

Blue threads..............

Silk threads with silver detail $15 - $20ea Perfect to for hanging off a decorative key from a draw set.Available in a variety of colours.

Giant balls of apple green jute.$28ea.

Painting named - 'Swept'.

Medium used is acrylic paint in 2 tones of soft apple green, white paints in chalk and vivid white.

Sold to my good friend and Barwon Heads local -  Claire Greig.She found the perfect spot for it in her daughters room.

The gorgeous little blue eyed "Sophia".

Paper mache hand painted bowls from Mexico($70) sit next to these porcelain white birds $59.95.

 

Mildura grape dipping buckets $50ea.They still have remains of the Mildura orange dust.I love that!

 Glass bud bottles with wire to hang - come in 3 sizes from $9.50ea.

Threads in green tones..................

And..........

On your next visit to Melbourne,take the time to "look up"!

Take your eyes away from the store windows for a minute or two and enjoy what's above them.

You'll be amazed by the wonderful building fascades that gracefully sit on top.Take a photo and send them to me at my blog.

All entries will be posted on my blog!