For now, checkout some awesome creative works at this link…

www.wearableartblog.com

Merry Christmas!

Sewing Lessons Manly wishes to thank everyone for making 2010 such a successful year! Each and everyone of you is super talented and very creative; it has been such a pleasure to teach you all and seeing all the rapid improvements and amazing ideas come to life. I hope you have all enjoyed the lessons as much as I have loved teaching!

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a safe holiday season, can’t wait to see you all again in 2011!!!!

From Kristie x

‘All of the lessons are taught by me and my mother (Wendy) and with a maximum of 6 in the class our students are knitting and loving it in no time at all.

We run a three class Beginner program that ensures our students are confident enough to create a simple, yet unique hand knitted item and are well on the way to developing a hobby they can do anywhere.

We also offer Intermediate and Refresher Classes where our students learn to work from more difficult patterns for instance, a knitted handbag or clutch, a cardigan or vest, even knitted toys.

We’re really excited about the article coming out in The Manly Daily on Tuesday 24th as the majority of the business is either repeat or word of mouth so it should give us a bit of a kickstart.’

For more info, contact Lucy on learntoknit@hotmail.com

Here’s some websites to look over:

• Claire Waring – craftschmaft.com
• Alison Brookbanks – sixandahalfstitches.typepad.com
• Kristen Doran – kristendorandesign.blogspot.com
• etsy.com
• bigcartel.com
• madeit.com.au
• ravelry.com
• the-craftroom.blogspot.com
• thefinderskeepers.com

Checkout the rest of the collection: www.akira.com.au/

Paul Smith’s introduction into fashion was completely accidental.

At the age of 16, with no career plans or qualifications, Paul Smith was propelled by his father into a menial job at the local clothing warehouse in his native Nottingham. However his real passion was sport and his ambition was to become a professional racing cyclist, until aged 17 years when cycling-mad Paul was in a terrible accident.

Six months in hospital followed and during this time Paul made some new friends. After leaving hospital he arranged to meet them again and by chance the meeting place was a local pub that was popular with the students from the local art college.

They talked of Mondrian, Warhol, Kokoshka, David Bailey and listened to the Rolling Stones, Miles Davis and much more. It was then Paul knew he wanted to be a part of this colourful world of ideas and excitement.

Within two years, Paul Smith was managing his first boutique in Nottingham and with the encouragement of his girlfriend Pauline Denyer (now wife) and a small amount of savings, opened a tiny shop in 1970. Paul started to take evening classes for tailoring and with the help of Pauline (an RCA fashion graduate), Paul was able to create what he wanted. By 1976 Paul showed his first menswear collection in Paris under the Paul Smith label.

To read more visit: http://www.paulsmith.co.uk/paul-smith-world/history/

UK Designer Paul Smith

You’ve got to hand it to these entrepreneurs who have combined a love of sewing with a great latte – please someone open one in Sydney!

http://springwise.com/lifestyle_leisure/sweatshopparis