I'm in the middle of doing three writing classes at once. And organising a book launch for my second collection of poetry. Madness, I know! Two of my classes are online through Writing NSW. Online Poetry with Pip Smith is a 6 week course about writing poetry. Sense of Place... Read more →

A couple of weekends ago I was back at the Village Continuum Festival, teaching a lovely and keen group of people the basics of leather craft. It's my third year of teaching at the festival and the second time I've run the Introduction to Leather Craft workshop. At my first... Read more →

Last weekend I attended my third Village Continuum Festival. It's an amazing three days of community, craft and collaboration held on an organic farm just north of Melbourne in the foothills of the Macedon Ranges. Coming back for my third year felt like coming home - there were so many... Read more →

I take notes. I keep records. I make patterns. Most of the time. I made this wallet last year when I was in Canberra visiting my folks. I like to take some craft with me when I'm travelling. Having something I can do with my hands grounds and centres me... Read more →

It's always fun to try something new. When I was in the middle of my spoon carving mania last year, I invested in a Mora 106 - the spoon carving knife. It came with a handy little black plastic sheath complete with belt loop and embossed design but I just... Read more →

At the heart of everything I do is connection. Connection to myself through my making, to others through my writing and to nature by using natural materials. I have met so many lovely people and made so many wonderful connections along the way and feel really blessed by all the... Read more →

{shoes made at The Village Continuum festival 2015 workshop} Sorry about the terrible pun, I just couldn’t resist! I’ve loved puns ever since I was a teenager and met the step dad of a good friend. He was a softly spoken man who would let loose with a quiet grin... Read more →

Although I was crazy busy in the lead up to the Village Continuum festival, I did manage to squeeze in making a new pair of boots to wear to the event. After all, a girl's gotta have the right shoes! I lurve these new boots of mine. Like most things,... Read more →

{Basket woven by my ten year old daughter, Airlie, at The Village Continuum festival. Photo styling: Airlie} We're wired to create. It's in our DNA. I just know it. It's why there are cities and spoons, buildings and blankets, stained glass window and shoes. We just can't help ourselves, we... Read more →

Hello? … Hello! Oh good. You’re still there. And I’m still here! Although it may have looked like I was doing a disappearing act, I’m still here at the other end of this keyboard. Being part of the crew organising the Village Continuum festival was huge and it kind of... Read more →