follow us over yonder

The Con Artists Market has undergone a transformation to the Lismore Makers Market.  You can follow us over to our new blog at the The Lismore Makers Market.  The market continues on the first Saturday of the month from 10am til 2pm, featuring a great range of local, handmade art and craft and joined by the Conservatorium's live cushion concert.

so, spring already!

it feels like the market is growing organically, with new makers joining us each market and some people returning who've been away for the winter months...

this month's market will feature a fine sortie of handmade:

leather shoes, bags & wallets

functional ceramics

refashioned, upcycled clothing

beeswax candles

upcycled silverware jewelry 

sculpture

handblown glassware

origami 

giftcards

knitted & crocheted things

facepainting

homewares, toys & treasures

and other handmade oddments

we're looking forward to seeing you at the market and concert on saturday.  

our new time of 10-2 worked well at the last market so we will continue kicking off at 10.  

see you there x

august marketeering

we're back for the august market on the first saturday of the month, which makes it august 4, at a new time from 10-2. 

the market promises to be full of fantastic stalls brimming with handmade goodness, as well as be surrounded by great live music.  

the conservatorium is hosting their annual open day alongside the monthly cushion concert, and the pulse cafe will be pumping out some great food & coffee.  

don't forget that we're going to be starting the market a bit earlier, so come check us out from 10am.

and - if you haven't already joined us on our facebook page, you can find the link down on the right hand side of this page - we'd love to see you over there.

x

no july market for us

just a wee community announcement: the con artists market will be taking a break for july and back with everyone for our august market on saturday the 4th.  

we have a new start time in response to requests from our stallholders and market goers, so we'll be there from 10am to 2pm.  see you then x

june market...

the con artists mother's day market!

 

It's that time of the month again! The Con Artists Market is here this coming Saturday, and it'll be a great opportunity to fetch a gift for the lovely mothers in your life!  Live music from the Conservatorium's cushion ConCerts, our fabulous handmade market stalls and great food from the Pulse Cafe - a great way to spend a bit of your Saturday.  Hope to see you there x

early april market - in march ♥

the con artists april market is on early! 11-3 on saturday march 31 you'll be able to find a fine sortie of handmade goodness by local makers, and it's always a special blend of new makers & familiar faces. this month we're hoping to have a weaving stall/workshop, and there'll be some great makers to get an early mother's day gift from for your favourite mama's, or an easter treasure if that's your bag. either way, there'll be lots of great handmade stuff, local music from the conservatorium's cushion concert, fab food from the pulse cafe and a bunch of lovely folk. hope to see you there ♥

late summer craftiness

get yr craft on, the markets are here!  saturday march 3 from 11-3 is the first of our march markets,  the second being our april market that is actually going to be on march 31st, but i'll post more about that another time.  for now, we're coming up to another market of handmade crafty goodness, hopefully some lovely bits of sun and summer breezes, live music from the conservatoriums cushion concert and bunches of fabulous folk - what a way to kick off yr weekend... 

if you're new to the con artists market, it's a community market that focuses on local handmade products with an eco-friendly, DIY bent, and sold to you by the maker themselves.  we've been doing since september 2010 and have some of the best makers showcasing their wares.  if you're a maker and keen to participate in the con artists market please send us an email and we'll give you all the info you need to get started.

we're back!

it's been a lovely few weeks that we've had off over the summer, but it's gone ever so quickly...  

and so we're back again already for another season of con artists markets, and word from some of our fantastic stallholders is that there are some great new projects in the pipeline, which means more exciting treasures for one and all.  

our first market for the year again coincides with the conservatorium's cushion concert, the pulse cafe will no doubt be open again and we welcome our diverse range of stallholders back to bring you another lovely year of local handmade goodness!

see you at the northern rivers conservatorium on saturday february 4 for the first con artists market of 2012 x

eco-friendly christmas markets & local handmade goodness!

well... we could go on about how fast the year has travelled, but it's all been said before.  something much more exciting is how far the whole handmade, local, eco-friendly christmas consumerism message is branching out.  evidently it's very in vogue right now, and those of us who have been making handmade our way of life for ages might be rolling our eyes just a little bit, but it's fantastic to see nonetheless.  ideally each community would be able to support and sustain an endeavour such as the con artists markets, and hopefully this is what we will be seeing into the future.  it's a tiny and great pleasure to know that our community is able to support our makers to create for them, to be an important part of creating and maintaining a sustainable local economy.  because what's even more exciting than people coming to shop at the con artists markets is the idea that our market existing is encouraging people to think about what and how they do, and the ripples from that circle can have the most profound effects.  we're getting a bit philosophical over here at the con artists markets.  perhaps this is equivalent to the way people start thinking about the whole religious side of christmas...  we like to think of it transformed - craft being the religion and the way through to a whole new enriched way of living. and so on that note... two more markets to finish the year, and an ode to crafting we're sure they'll be.  lots of handmade eco-friendly locally made crafty things for the people you love most & some more x

november movember...

join us for the con artists november market - there'll be live music from the conservatorium's cushion concert, a moustache making workshop for those who feel a bit left behind in movember and of course our fine array of handmade makers.

come see what our stallholders are doing with old vinyl records, discarded bottle tops, vintage and retro linen, seatbelt offcuts, silverware, old books and a sortie of other bits and pieces... recycling and upcycling in action. we're keen to promote thoughtful consumerism, especially in the lead up to the climax of consumerism that is christmas, so if you're looking for something original, quirky, inventive with an eco-bent and ethically produced you'll probably be able to find it at the con artists market ♥

♥ the moustache making workshop is just a gold coin donation to participate in. materials supplied, though feel free to BYO if you've got some ideas brewing

♥ we'll also be running our raffle - just $2 gets you in the draw to win a $50 voucher to spend at any of our stalls.  tres fantastic!

october and the con artists market ♥

springly summeryness, crafty folk and live music.  we're looking forward to a lovely day in the sun on saturday october 1st for the market and cushion CONcert. 

it's getting on in the year and if you're a celebrator of christmas and the new year now is a good time to get in and start collecting a few treasures for your nearest and dearest so you don't have to be part of that mad rush of consumer mayhem in a few months time.  we're loving the variety of wares we're seeing at the con artists market these days and are always happy to have new makers on board - if you're keen, be it as an established or new maker send us an email and we'll let you know how it goes.

next blog post we'll let you know all about our exciting new minishop in cultiver ♥

first birthday market party

It's hard to believe, but this September marks one whole year of the Con Artists markets in Lismore.  We've done 13 markets over the year and reckon we have seen some of the best handmade art and craft that there is on offer in the region, while creating a unique space for makers to collaborate in and market goers to connect with.  

To celebrate turning one we're launching our new series of creative workshops, starting with hula hoop making which will be run by us Con Artists co-ordinators and assisted with skillsharing by the lovely Louise Moriarty.  We'll also be running our raffle, listening to live music from the Conservatorium's cushion concert and checking out all the fabulous stalls.  It's father's day on Sunday too, so if you've got a dad in your life to celebrate the market will be sure to have a fine sortie of treasures... 

After the market, the folk from RealArtWorks will be finalising their fundraising art auction over at SeeSpace at CBlock (just behind where the markets are) til 9pm.

markets, music, community artspace - it's all going on x

This month's market is full of all sorts of fabulous things...  The Conservatorium is having their annual open day, including the live concert.  The markets are on, of course, and we're excited to let you know that there are some fabulous new stallholders who will be joining us.   And new stuff by our regular stallholders too.  The spring vibes have been going a long way in the assorted studios we inhabit.  We will also be revealing our plans for our 1st birthday celebrations in September,  so you'll definitely want to be there for that! And finally, after the markets you can make your way over to SeeSpace at C Block where there'll be an early opening of their new creative venture.  A lovely Saturday indeed.  See you there x

a snippet of news & ramblings

we're getting ready for our next market on saturday august 6, which coincidentally falls on the same day as the conservatorium's open day - hopefully a lovely sunny one for us all with great music, crafty folk and plenty of treasures.  we'll be running our raffle, where you can win a fabulous $50 voucher to spend at any of the con artists market stalls.  there are also a few new and exciting makers who'll be joining us in august, as well as old favourites and  fresh creations from our regulars, so stay tuned for more details closer to the time. 

there are a few rumours flying around that you'll soon be able to pick up some con artists market postcards - even some suggesting that our favourite bum poster might be in the running -  but you'll have to wait for our 1st year birthday celebrations to find out for sure.  in there meantime, here's a snapshot from some of our makers at our july market - a very crafty bunch of folk indeed...

Featured above: Pip Rose, Jesse Mackintosh, Decadent Decoupage, Dash Robin, Marika Bryant, Nityama Martin, Natasha Stafford, Rekindled. Alan Ussher, Pygmy Possum, Pirates Dreaming and Taunia Brayshaw...

midwintery market warmth

Bring on the markety goodness! Some months it's so good to know that the Con Artists Market swings back around so fast, and it being the Winter Solstice it's been a very busy month in the world of out and about, art, craft and making.  We're looking forward to another lovely day in the sun, live music from the Conservatorium's cushion ConCert and lots of Lismore folk and friends out and about.

We're excited to have a few new stallholders on board for the next market on July 2nd - it's always great to see a couple of new faces and fresh products.  That said, many of our existing stallholders have been working on new treasures, so there will be all sorts of new and lovely to check out.  If you're a keen crafter and have been wanting to get involved with the markets do get in touch - the Con Artists Markets are a lot about providing a platform for new and emerging makers as well as those who are already established.  We'd love to hear from you  - our email address is on the right hand margin, or you can come and see one of the organisers at the next market.

While you're here you might want to scroll down and read our last post - we did an interview with the uber talented Alan Ussher.  Al is super inspiring because he relies on his making to survive - definitely great impetous to keep making and continually refine your crafting. We'll be doing more interviews with our makers as time goes, so keep an eye out for more of the in the future.

The line-up for the cushion concert on Saturday July 2nd is:

11.00am: Mr Speaker (Hip hop/Funk)

11.55am: Thrillbilly Stomp (Bluegrass/folk duo)

12.50pm: Andrea Soler Band (Pop/Folk singer songwriter

It's gonna be good - see you there xxx

in the studio with alan ussher - a bit of an interview...

It’s been a while between interviews with us here at the Con Artists Markets, so we thought it was high time to get back in the swing of delving a bit deeper into what it is that our makers do and what motivates and inspires them.  We hope to bring you more of these interviews throughout the year.



Alan Ussher has been part of the Con Artists Markets from the beginning, or thereabouts, and you can see him each month set up with his display of intricately pattern glass pendants, beautiful perfume vials and various other hand blown glass creations.  Earlier this month he brought his mobile glass blowing studio to the market – we were able to see him in real live action, which was a treat for us all.  Al has been receiving a bit of press in the local region lately, and we thought it’d be a great time for us to hear about how he got into glass blowing and his journey to becoming Lismore’s very own flaming star… (appropriate puns being a bit thin on the ground, we thought we’d borrow this gem from Al’s recent brush with the local paper).  Anyhow, here’s how the story goes:

I recall you telling me some time ago that you got into glass blowing almost by default.  Can you tell us about this? 

I was sharing a house with a late friend of mine – Marcel Le Bars, and he had a very small studio set up on the front verandah at a house out at Barkersvale.  One day he asked me if I’d like to have a go at it, and so that’s how I got started.  That was in 2000.  It was Marcel's generosity that was the catalyst for me to begin.  We decided to apply for the NEIS program as partners, though we were involved in a head-on collision the day we were to mail in the application.  I wasn't injured badly, and a few weeks later I decided to continue with our idea of making and selling glass.  I did the NEIS scheme alone and that helped me to invest time and money into a small business.  I then had a fairly intensive 5 years or so doing a lot of practice and research.

Can you tell us how you’ve gained your skills in the area – have you studied, worked closely with a mentor, learnt on the job?  

After a couple of years of glass blowing I flew to Canberra and travelled out to a little town called Binalong to do a six day 'one-on-one' intensive tuition with Peter Minson.  Peter is third generation from a family of glassblowers and has followed a path of scientific glassblowing through to functional and art glass.  Peter put me on the right track with hand skills that formed a solid foundation of skills.  We covered a lot of techniques and Peter gave me demonstrations of everything from sculpture through to wine glasses, teapots and a myriad of tricks and properties of borosilicate glass.

 Has your journey as a crafter always been with glass, or have there been other mediums you’ve worked with?  

I've always had an interest in art and craft – my father Bruce is a rigger and very knowledgeable when it comes to fixing, modifying or building things, so I guess I come from a hands-on kinda family. I did 3 Unit art for my HSC, and my Nanna taught me how to crochet when I was a boy, so I used to make hemp bags and hats.  It wasn't until I got hooked on glass that I became a professional craftsman.

What kind of glass work do you specialise in?  

I specialise in a style of glass blowing called Lampworking, and I use a type of glass called borosilicate.  Borosilicate glasses are known for having very low coefficients of thermal expansion, making them resistant to thermal shock, more so than any other common glass.  Such glass is less subject to thermal stress and is commonly used for the construction of scientific apparatus.  So it’s great for making hot and cold drinkware.

Borosilicate was only invented in the late 19th century, so this particular form of lampworking is quite a young movement.  It has only been since 1986 that coloured borosilicate glass began being developed and sold!

There is no way to accurately measure the age of lampworking because many of the techniques associated with working glass at a flame were actually in use for many thousands of years before the first lamp, or burner was invented. Depending on how one defines what lampworking is, much of early glassmaking could be thought of as a kind of lampworking, or perhaps as a precursor to lampworking.  Rosemary Lierke states in her paper entitled Early History of Lampworking, "if one would extend the definition of lampwork and permit a ‘small fire’ as heat source instead of single flame only, almost all ancient glass working could be defined as lampwork. 

Is glass blowing a personally sustainable give up your day job kind of affair for you?  

In 2005 I took the plunge and decided to do glassblowing full time, and I have supported myself solely from glass since then.  Poverty is the best motivator I’ve found!

 

We know you’ve been doing glass blowing for a while now.  Are you content to keep on working as you are or do you have plans for expanding what you do?  

Glass has taken me far beyond what I had ever envisioned to be honest.  Not only in regard to learning a lot of different skills outside of the studio like how to photograph glass, website building, accounting etc., but on a personal level it has helped me become more confident and enjoy a pace of life that I have the freedom to set.  I love the lifestyle.

I do plan to continue as I am with the glass blowing journey.  Even though I have been doing it for 11 years, there is still a lot to learn, and creatively I feel like I am only just getting warmed up. 

I plan to do more teaching and recently I submitted a proposal to 30 high schools for possible future school excursions to my studio.  I recently did a glassblowing performance in the intermission of "Experiments In The Dark" a NORPA gig at city hall – so there are a few alternative ideas floating around also.

I think eventually glass will take me overseas, and I have ideas of blowing glass abroad/residencies or living and working in Asia for a time.  It isn't that hard for me to go somewhere and continue working…

Aside from attending the Con Artists Market each month, where else can people find your creations?    

My studio is open to the public Tuesday through Friday 12 till 6pm where I have a collection of my most recent work for sale.  I can do custom orders as well.  You can also view a beautiful collection of images of my work online, and I have pieces that are available for purchase via shopping cart on my website – www.alanussher.com

I sell my work throughout Australia and overseas – I wholesale, and I also have work in select galleries in Sydney, Melbourne and Northern Rivers. So, too many to name.

Do you ever collaborate with other artists and makers?  

Yes I do collaborate with other artists. Every year I travel to Melbourne to participate in an annual exhibition called “Glass On Flame", which is the only exhibition of its kind in Australia. It is a showcase of Australia's finest Lampworkers.  We set up in the Atrium at Federation Square at the front of Kirra Gallery (one of Australia's finest glass galleries) and perform demonstrations for the public and exchange skills. There we often collaborate and each make components for a group sculpture that we assemble.

What are the eco-credentials of glass blowing? If you do break something in the course of making it, is it possible for you to re-use the glass in another product?  

Yes I put most of my broken things in a big box and at times I re-melt the clear glass down and add metal oxides to it and make my own coloured glass that is then stretched out into what’s called a cane. The glass is then stored or used again.

What do you love about being a crafter, and what inspires you?  

I like a challenge, and glass is a very challenging medium. It takes co-ordination, timing, you are constantly working with gravity, and it takes years and years of practice to master. I think to get desirable results after huge investments of time and money is very satisfying, and I have a sense of pride that I have created my own business from nothing. Also I am playing an important role at helping to grow the public’s appreciation and acknowledgement of lampworking as a serious art form in Australia.

I get inspired when I finally get a good result after practicing something for literally years…

Anything else?  

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all of my friends who organise and set up the market and make the posters etc.  You have created a really great little market, and I hope it continues for a long time to come. Thanks for the interview!  Oh yeah, and thanks to the Con. And all the crafties!

Alan Ussher Glassblowing Studio

14 Foleys Rd, South Lismore

m: 0439 468 983

alussher@yahoo.com

www.alanussher.com

A big thanks to you too Al for sharing your crafting story with us, and all of the pics too xxx

 

an update of all things wintery goodness and us

well, these months do go by so fast and it's exciting and daunting all at once.  there's been lots of making on the go and we're looking forward to a lovely big market this coming saturday.

the reason for the extra post is that there are going to be a few bits of extra goodness at the june 4 market that we wanted to let you know about...  firstly, the lovely and talented alan ussher is going to be doing some live glass blowing, so you'll get a chance to see how he creates some of the beautiful things he makes.  we've also recently done an interview with al that we'll be loading on to the blog very shortly - it's a great insight into his creative journey and very inspiring to know that he's so committed to the glass blowing form, something that seems relatively rare these days.

some other bits of exciting for saturday are that some of the lovely folk from evoke yarn and fabric will be joining us on the lawns after midday for a spot of knitting in preparation for international yarn bombing day.  you may have read about some crafty guerilla knitters who are getting ready to decorate the streets on june 11, and this is your chance to join in the fun.  BYO knitting needles and yarn - there will be some provided, but if you have some bring them along.  unlike many other places in the world,  lismore council is actually embracing international yarn bombing day, so even though it may not have the appeal of genuine civil disobedience, it's awesome that the relevance and changing face of craft is being acknowledged and given space to develop and thrive.  we hope to see you sitting on the lawn knitting for at least part of the day! 

we're also going to be running our raffle again on saturday - tickets are $2 each or 3 for $5, and you go in the draw to win a fabulous voucher to the value of $50 to spend at any of the con artists market stalls.  gotta be in it to win it...

and finally, there's a great line up of local music as part of the conservatorium's monthly cushion concerts.  see our previous blog post for all the goss.

the market of wintery goodness ♥

 

So, it's getting kind of chilly in these parts and there's lots of crafting going on behind closed doors.  We're looking forward to a lovely day in the sun on June 4 to show you all our collected crafty treasures  - there will as usual be some new creations by new and old stallholders, and live music from the Conservatorium's cushion concert.  Last month was the first time in many many months that it was good enough weather for the musicians to brave it as well, which we crafters were pretty excited about, and so were the lovely folk of Lismore who popped by for a visit. Stay tuned for an update of the musicians who will be playing alongside the next market, and also for an interview with one of our fabulous makers.  We'll keep you posted ♥

Okay - so here's the lowdown on the live music.  We're hoping for another beautiful sunny day so we can enjoy the music in the outside with the markets... Either way, we'll all be there inside or out.

11.00am – 11.40am: Dan Brown and Shelly Hughes

11.55am – 12.35pm: Romaniacs

12.50pm – 1.30pm: Repentance Creek Sinners (Kristina Olsen and Al Hughes)

 

Dan Brown and Shelly Hughes are one of the region’s busiest musical couplings. They form part of Red Bantoo, who are known for their original mix of Electronica and Jazz, beat driven and soulful tones.  Dan and Shelly have toured nationally and internationally in a variety of musical incarnations and the North Coast is lucky to have them call it ‘home’.  With Dan’s keyboard stylings and Shelly’s lush vocals, you are sure to be delighted with the mix of blues, jazz and soul they dish up.

The Romaniacs music is inspired by Gypsy, Folk, Latin, Celtic, and Spanish roots grooves.

Leo Glass, Guitars, Bouzuki, Vocals

Phil Levy,  Guitars Mandolin, Vocals

Guy Madigan, Cajon, Darabuka  Percussion.

Kristina Olsen and Al Hughes as the Repentance Creek Sinners

Kristina Olsen, USA and Al Hughes, Australia have teamed up before playing original music by Kristina, but the pair met at a jam playing nouveau  bluegrass.  This concert will highlight the music that brought them together.  The pair will be mixing and matching on guitar, banjo, dobro, mandolin, slide guitar and vocals, a wild mix of tunes and songs from a wide variety of styles played on traditional bluegrass instruments

a little something for every mother...

it's mother's day just around the corner, and we have to tell you that our market is brimming full of goodness for all your favourite mothers out there...  a treasure trove of all things fine and lovely, the con artists markets have a growing sorty of handmade delights to satisfy all tastes and crafty persuasions.

check back closer to the market, or join us on facebook to find out the details of which stallholders will be joining us on the day - it'll include recycled jewelry, ceramics, upcycled and steampunk fashion, screenprinted tees, handblown glassware, botanical arrangements, toxic free candles, homewares, toys & plushies for kids and big folk, crafting kits, kids creative art, giftcards, art, buttons, leather bags and perhaps even a bit of performance poetry...

there'll be live music from the conservatorium's monthly cushion concerts, a host of fabulous crafty stalls and your chance to win a $50 voucher to spend at any of our con artist's market stalls.  we'll be seeing you there 

and finally, here's the lowdown on the musical offerings from the conservatorium's cushion concert:

Running Order:

11.00am – 11.40am: Karl and Sharon Mullan

11.55am – 12.35pm: Pat Curley and Davey Bob Ramsey

12.50pm – 1.30pm: Stipsky

Stipsky are a local 6 piece band who are just crazy about funky world music. They think it’s fun to play, fun to listen to, and it even has a great beat for dancing. Drawing on influences such as Cat Empire, Waiting for Guinness and Amsterdam Klezmer Club, Stipsky’s vibrant live performances will have you out of your seat and grooving in no time. Band leader and Conservatorium teacher Mark Bromley is a thoroughly accomplished multi-instrumentalist who is at ease with most things strung. The band features another Conservatorium teacher, Julius Hofstetter on saxophone. Stipsky’s most recent CD is a compilation album that is available on iTunes.

Pat Curley and Davey Bob Ramsay are two local musicians who share an understanding and an appreciation of what has recently come to be known as roots music. In this concert setting they will be performing songs from the seminal Folkways release ‘An Anthology of American Folk Music’
In the 1940’s film maker and eccentric Harry Smith made an extensive collection of American tunes and ballads. He would later distill them into a three volume anthology at the request of the eminent American label Folkways. This collection saw the rebirth of folk music in the 1960’s but more importantly showed the world where modern American music, including rock and roll, had it’s genesis.
For this concert these songs have been interpreted, some close to their original versions and others with a twist, but all with the same sense of vibrancy and urgency of the original recordings. They are magnificent songs that traverse the depth of human experience. They are meant to be shared, to be sung and enjoyed by ordinary folk. This is a rare chance to witness this extraordinary music come alive again.

Karl and Sharon Mullan met through music. Sharon is the chanteuse and Karl the guitarist. They sing songs they love from two stylistically diverse universes. She likes Frank Sinatra, Johnny Mathis and Ella Fitzgerald and he likes Johnny Cash, Garth Brookes and Paul Kelly. They have played extensively around the Northern Rivers and southern Queensland region. They both have a strong connection to the Conservatorium, Karl studied the Certificate IV course and Sharon is currently a vocal student of Conservatorium teacher Anita Bellman