45-year-old carpenter, Dalton J. Paul Getty has been turning ordinary pencils into incredible miniature sculptures for 25 years....without using a magnifying glass.

“When I was a schoolboy,' says Dalton, 'I made gifts for my friends, carving out their names on pencils. Later, I decided to try sculpture, and after a long search the choice fell on a pencil lead.” Dalton uses blades, sewing needles and special knives for the sculptures. However, the material is extremely fragile and there are many mistakes: at home Mr. Getty has more than 100 unfinished or broken sculptures. “At first I had a few broken figures, later I decided to keep them all in memory. I call this my “cemetery collection”: they are all dear to me, because I spent a few months alone with them.”

The artist could spend many months working on one sculpture. For the creation miniature alphabet Dalton spent 2.5 years. “My patience is simply amazing to people, because nowadays everyone wants to be quicker, faster and faster.”

It's a beautiful thing.

An astounding living library built from 40,000 reclaimed books has sprouted in the middle of the forest as part of the 11th International Garden Festival in Métis, Quebec. Designed by Thilo Folkerts and Rodney Latourelle, Jardin de la Connaisance, or the Garden of Knowledge, is a unique outdoor library that features living books sown with several varieties of mushrooms. Playing off the theme of paradise and the Tree of Knowledge, the temporary garden brings the books back to their roots in a natural setting.

The colourful discarded books were stacked to create garden walls, benches and carpets that are integrated within the site and structure of the forest. In an amazing example of book architecture, the books are stacked like bricks, while open volumes form cushioned carpets on the forest floor. Latourelle worked in collaboration with Folkerts of 100Landschaftarchitecktur to design the ‘utopian’ garden as a compelling new way to experience the forest — as an information platform as well as a return to nature.

For those of you who didn’t see the recent SBS doco, The 1000 Journals Project is an ongoing collaborative experiment attempting to follow 1000 journals throughout their travels. The goal is to provide a method for interaction and shared creativity among friends and strangers.

The project officially launched in August of 2000, with the release of the first 100 journals in San Francisco. It was started by ‘some guy’ who gave them to friends, and left them at bars, cafes, and on park benches. Shortly thereafter, people began emailing him, asking if they could participate. So he started sending journals to folks, allowing them to share with friends, or strangers.

Those who find the journals add something to them. A story, drawing, photograph, anything really. Then they pass the journal along, to a friend or stranger, and the adventure continues.

How's this for a wicked idea.

Object Gallery, and the guys who brought us the Sydney and Melbourne Design Guides, have got together to create the Audio Design Museum.

The theory is, no gallery space could ever be big enough to capture the creativity of an entire city. So, they’ve done away with the concept of a conventional design museum, and made the city the exhibition space.....with tours that guide towards hotspots of design and the stories and people behind it.

You can download the audio tours and accompanying maps, for free, direct from the Audio Design Museum website straight to your mp3 player or iphone and hear designers tell there story as you pound the pavement.

Bring it on.

Here’s five favourite highlights that we’re looking forward to the most......but for a full programme please go to www.sydneydesign.com.au

Young Blood Designer Markets   Way back in 2005, Bird featured in the very first Young Blood Designer Market. Offering an opportunity to buy direct from the best new design talent in the country, Young Blood features fashion, furniture, jewellery, graphics, industrial design and more. This curated market is a glimpse into the future, a critical launch pad for Australia’s talented young designers, as well as a vibrant market for the design-savvy shopper.

Sustainable design was given a big thumbs up in Brisbane last week at the inaugural Queensland Premier’s Design Awards.

Queensland Premier and Arts Minister Anna Bligh announced Alexander Loterzstain and Kent Gration as the winners of the inaugural awards.

Loterzstain was presented with the $40,000 Smart State Design Fellow, while Gration received the $10,000 Emerging Design Leader award.

Nice one boys. Great to see Queensland recognising its champions.

Come and check it out.....Sydneys coolest festival – Winterland.

...and guess what?....Bird will be there as part of the Winterland Markets, curated by Finders Keepers. You’ll find handmade art and craft pieces, winter fashion, and traditional seasonal food to munch on while you skate the ice rink and kick back to live music. So come on down, on the 22, 23 and 24 July.

Experience all the magic of a glittering European winter in the heart of Sydney’s inner west.  Come to CarriageWorks for the first ever Winterland festival!

Throughout the festival, the beautiful foyer will transform for a winter festival boasting an dazzling indoor ice rink, live music and hot new bands, a design, arts and craft market, fabulous food stalls serving alpine cuisine, dancing, karaoke and activities for everyone to get involved in.

Danish designer Annemette Beck takes a creative new approach to textile design by utilizing an extremely inventive array of recycled materials.

Famous for her experiments with new combinations of structures and materials, her line of woven products include rugs, upholstery, fabrics, runners, blinds and even room dividers made from materials such as rubber, paper and metal.

Beck’s experimental textiles showcase materials that can be salvaged and re-used.

The C word is misunderstood.
The C word is a work of art.
The C word is cutting edge.
The C word is passed down from generation to generation.
The C word is desireable
The C word is unique.

Brilliantly talented, highly creative, ambitious for their futures..... crafts people have hung their heads in shame in the past when using the C word.

But the popular resurgence of craft over the last few years, supported by reputable organisations like Object Gallery, Craft Victoria and commercial indie craft ventures like the Finders Keepers markets have impacted on the perception of craft in Australia.

On the other side of the world, Craftscotlands progressive CEO, Emma Walker, was fresh in the job, when she had a C word epiphany.  ‘Craft, contrary to popular belief or the tired and lacklustre marketing campaigns that so often surround it, is one of the most urgent of art forms’, said Emma. ‘It demands attention. We wanted to inject confidence into the sector.’ And so ‘The C Word’ media campaign was born.

Its been a bit chilly lately so we thought we'd send a ray of sunshine to brighten your day.......some special bird winter warmers to make you smile. :)

Until the end of June, on a first come first served basis, check out our sale catalogue or come into the Sydney Emporium for:

- up to 60% off selected sling and hoop bags!
- up to 75% off selected fashion garments!
- handprinted fabric for only $25 a metre!
- nothing over $100!