Ceramics: Bison

Based in the Australian Capital Territory, and drawing inspiration from the ancient art of applying colour and decoration to stone, the creative team at Bison produce handmade, durable ceramics. Bison's range are oven, microwave and dishwasher safe and come in a most delicious palette of colours. 

We were the lucky recipients of a set of 'penguins' in the shades of 'gun metal' and 'green tea' quite recently and I've been eyeing off some table pots in 'raspberry' and 'willow' for sometime.

To view Bison's range, find stockists, or buy online, go over here.

Handmade: Rebound

We had a quick wander around the Rose St Markets yesterday morning after having a sort of breakfast/brunch at the Vegie Bar. As we circled the little stalls of handmade goods it was Rebound Books that caught our eye. 

Melbournians Ben Mason and Natalie Crupi have coupled their love of old books and creative writing to found Rebound. They rescue the best looking hard cover novels from dusty shelves in charity op shops, filling them with 100% recycled denim paper (completely tree-free and made from denim offcuts and scraps) and bind them with a sturdy wire to create one of a kind blank journals. Each Rebound journal is hand made, each cover is unique, each page is hand cut and each binding is closed by hand.

You can get your hands on one of these unique pieces at various markets around Melbourne or online. For more information, take a look here. 

Handmade: Gift Guide for Valentine's Day

Leo and I are aren't particularly big on the commercial hoo-ha of V. Day. We do however like an excuse to get a bit smoochy and remind each other how awesome the other one is. So, we've gathered up a few handmade bits and pieces to express your feelings to a loved one, anytime.

Kiln fired, pure white porcelain clay gift-cards and bowls, $18.00 (set of 6)/$16.00 US, from Etsy seller Paloma's Nest

Printed illustrative greeting cards, $4.00 US, from Etsy seller Making Strangers

Hand-drawn prints, $20.00 US (left) and $16.00 (right), from Etsy seller Dazey Chic

Cute illustrated greeting cards, $8.00 US (set of 4), from Etsy seller Wooke

Letterpressed gift-cards, $3.50 US, from Etsy seller Pistachio Press

Vintage Collage Sheets, $3.50 US, from Etsy seller Candy Connection 22

Design: Mozi

Lately we've been admiring these lovely products by Australian brand, MOZI. 

Sisters Camilla & Olivia Tipler started the brand from their parents' garage, drawing inspiration from their beloved childhood pets including Peter Rabbit, Max the Giant Poodle and Pepper the blackbird.  Also heavily influenced by their faraway travels and love for all things exotic, MOZI's designs are a fusion of colour, pattern, theme and subjects that inspire the imagination. The designs are currently applied to over twenty- five products falling into six main categories from kitchen textiles to stationery.

From its humble beginnings, MOZI has transformed into an international success with much praise and recognition.

To get your hands on these unique wares, check for a stockist near you or buy online.

Magic Bean: News

The last few weeks here at Magic Bean seem to have been centered around our tuition sector. Leon has had the pleasure of helping out several lovely people with their technological needs and has received a ton of positive feedback (he really is very good, though I may be somewhat biased). 

If you reside in Melbourne and have any questions, issues or concerns in the realm of Mac or creative software, Leo's probably the man to save your day. Take a look here for more info and please feel free to contact us any time. 

This month, we're hoping to get our online store jam packed with handmade goods (workload permitting), so stay tuned. 

We're also going to post a call out for Australian, particularly Melbourne artists and designers to send their work through to be featured, so look out for the details in a few days. 

End of the Month Recap: January

It's been a great first month here on Magic Bean and we're very much looking forward to the next. February will be jam packed with goodies including an 'In Season' feature for late summer, loads of 'Must Do' events and more 'To Market.

We'll have some new features including a tutorial and our 'To the Grocer' and 'Eat Out' columns focusing on some hotspots around Melbourne. 

We'll be sharing a whole bunch of wonderful work from artists, designers and crafters from all over, with particular emphasis on home grown talent. We want to focus on unearthing creative talent from Australia and will be posting a call out for submissions early in the month. 

The month that has been:

• 'In Season' feature for mid summer including a closer look at the humble zucchini along with a recipe for a scrumptious zucchini cake
• A few must-do events around Melbourne (Rooftop Cinema, Joseph Beuys & Rudolf Steiner at the NGV, Rythm of Africa) and the rest of the globe.
• Our 'To Market' feature on the old Queen Vic
• Our 'To the Grocer' feature on the hidden treasure of China Town, Wing Cheong
• A trip to the local coffee-and-a-good-book haunt, The Journal
• A look at creative how-to books in our 'Book Worm' column
• Work from amazing folk including Diem Chau (carved crayons), Night Owl (eco-friendly cards), Lorena Barrezueta (outstanding ceramics), Reya (hand-felted crafts) and veteran ceramist Gwyn Hanssen Pigott
• A handmade gift guide in celebration of Chinese New Year and the Year of the Rat featuring work from many an Etsy seller

Ceramics: Gwyn Hanssen Piggott

With a career spanning over 45 years, world renowned ceramist Gwyn Hanssen Pigott's work looks as fresh today as it did when she first created it. Born in Ballarat in 1935, she studied for her Bachelor of Arts at The University of Melbourne during the 50s.

Hanssen Pigott concentrates on the subject of the functional vessel, investigating its subtleties and nuances. Exploring the format of the group, she presents variations on related forms of vases, beakers, bowls and teapots as still lifes. Wheel-thrown in porcelain and using variations of wood-fired celadon glazes, Pigott’s approach to composition and presentation in these deceptively simple forms of grouped, functional objects reflect the influence of Italian painter Giorgio Morandi.

Handmade: Gift Guide for Chinese New Year

February 7th brings the dawn of the Year of the Rat. To celebrate, we've put together a gift guide of handmade items from various Etsy sellers around the globe.

Fine silver fortune cookie pendant, $20.55 US, from Etsy seller Melissa

Moleskin journal with gocco printed ancient Feng Shui Compass, $19.00 US, from Etsy seller Bamboo Village Press

Sterling silver, brass and freshwater pearl, Three Lanterns Earrings, $55.00 US, from Etsy seller Howlin' Doggie

Hand-stitched good fortune Nezumigiri Charms, $8.00 US each, from Etsy seller Sususten

Chinese Zodiac, vintage placemat journal, $25.00 US, from Etsy seller Color Theory

Hand-cut wooden rat puzzle, $10.00 US, from Etsy seller Puzzimals

Above: Rats vintage flash-card, $1.50 US, from Etsy seller Tres Locas

Below: Rat Love pin & sticker set, $3.50 US, from Etsy seller Black Lily Pie

Letterpressed 'Happy New Year' Chinese lantern notecards, $18.00 US for a set of 8, from Etsy seller NBD Stationery

Rufus Rat, $25.00 US, from Etsy seller The Birds and Bees

I had to post the full description for this one because it's quite cute: I'm a 100% wool crocheted and felted rat. I'm around 8 inches (20cm) in height. I'm sandy brown in color. I know I have a big bucked tooth, but I promise I won't gnaw through anything. Actually, I'm kind of sensitive about my tooth. I have a long rat tail and I'm very lovable.

Design: Pantone Mugs

For the designer in your life; these Pantone mugs are a must for any creative. Made from bone china, they come in a variety of swatches. Leo and I were the lucky recipients of two in 186C (red) just recently. They are popping up at gallery shops everywhere or you can order them online here.

Design: Kris' Color Stripes

Italian artist and fashion designer Kris keeps this great idea of a blog/sketchbook to inspire and evoke all who visit it. Kris' Color Stripes draws single swatches out of everyday life. Lovely.