the Golden Beach with Pinky & Maurice ~ a weekend in South Golden Beach, Byron Bay surrounds
Today I'm bringing you a lovely little look around the studio where we will be holding our upcoming Gather :: Create, with some info about the sweet township we'll be in. We are so lucky to be presenting the workshop in the studio space of ceramic artist Claire Atkins, who works under the name Pinky & Maurice (that's the name of her two cute cute little dogs!). Here's some stunning images of Claire's studio (borrowed from Megan's blog Seeker of the Lost Arts), but today Claire is sharing her love of South Golden Beach with us. So come along for a weekend of creative play and beach dreaming........
South Golden Beach is a sleepy little town
that time forgot, with a wild, stretching blue break where you can
surf, swim, fish and watch the whales breach and play.
During the weekends and holiday time, the
beach shacks are full with holiday makers and the quiet streets come
alive with the colourful buzz of families, kids, dogs and bikes and the
dress code is bare-feet, towels and cozzies.
The South Golden Beach corner store sells
all the daily essentials, board wax, the freshest free range pasture
raised eggs and the best pizza on the coast. Next door in New Brighton,
dine alfresco from breakfast till afternoon tea
by the River at The Yum Yum Tree Cafe,
Manfred and his superb staff make the best coffee and create a menu from
the freshest locally sourced ingredients. Stay till Tuesday and shop
for farm fresh produce and
groove to live music at the funky New Brighton Farmers market from 8am - 11am.
You can find holiday houses for rent in South Golden Beach and our cute neighbour New Brighton. Elders Real Estate in New Brighton manage all the holiday and weekend rental properties in South Golden and Newy.
South Golden Beach is situated 20 minutes
north of Byron Bay and 30 minutes south of Coolangatta airport. 10
minutes from Ocean Shores and Brunswick Heads.
All images used with the kindest of thanks to Megan Kinninment, from her blog Seeker of the Lost Arts. Megan is a local photographer and journalist, who specialises in highlighting local craftspeople, musicians, authors, artists and creatives. Megan takes beautiful, intimate photographs that tell a story and entice you to look deeper into her subject. Megan is available for creative portfolio photography work and story sharing.
These photos were taken in the studio of ceramic artist Claire Atkins. A beautiful space, designed by her architect husband, and planned to be an area for creative thinking and work, as well as gathering and sharing. Her large open studio looks out onto a lush back garden - a place to contemplate and inspire.
I'll be back tomorrow with some more info on other accommodation options around the region.
Creative Business Talks - in conversation Teegs from Ink and Spindle
This image used with kind thanks to Artisan Magazine
Tegan Rose is one-beautiful half of the
dynamic duo that is Ink & Spindle*; one of this country’s top bespoke screen
printing businesses, and a true success story for any small business creative
aiming to follow a sustainable and ethical path.
Tegan, call her Teegs, started her career
as an art teacher, and discovered she liked the art making and teaching more
than the department and rules. A chance meeting led her to her now business
partner, Lara Cameron, and the start of a beautiful business that has grown and
flourished since it's beginning five years ago.
Ink & Spindle hand screen print organic
sustainable fabric, using designs that are organic and nature-based, with
modern interpretations and stunning colourways. But this is not all that the
pair do! Teegs and Lara are eager to share their passion for sustainable and
ethical business with others by sharing their story and experiences with
interns as well as their 'competitors'; other creatives and makers.
Being naturally generous, Teegs is back in
her heart-home town of Byron Bay for a short while (after sailing a pirate ship
from Melbourne. Yep. It's true. She's the daughter of pirates!), and can’t wait
to share with you her insights into small business, staying sustainable and
ethical, collaborations and partnerships, a view into the fabric and fashion
industry, as well as how to stay connected to your true journey and build a
work/life balance that makes you contented and fulfilled.
This talk will be an informal night, with
questions being answered along the way. Teegs has a broad knowledge on pricing,
wholesaling, markets and trade shows, as well as collaborating with others
(collaborations include NancyBird Accessories and Matt bags), open studio days,
running a Pozible campaign, applying for grants and much more. Ask the question
and she’s sure to know the answer!
There’ll be cake (did I mention Teegs’
brother is a chef….), conversation, new friendships and beautiful connections
made on the night. Please bring along some business cards to share with others.
Conversation with Teegs from Ink & Spindle - Wednesday 9th October, 6.30-8.30pm. Held at Byron Lifestyle store and coffee shop, 109 Johnson St, Byron Bay. $45. Bookings essential - book online here.
** all images used with kind thanks from Ink & Spindle website, except image of Lara and Teegs used with thanks to Artisan Magazine.
connected / connections
I am loving and soaking up everything that's happening for my path right now. Letting things evolve and happen and trying really hard to not put emotional energy into bad things, or invest too much into the outcome. It's about the journey.
And about the daily connections.
Yesterday really brought it home for me. I spent the morning taking photos with my Hey Maker girls, and chatting about mothering, daughters, child changes. Laughing and sharing mothering help, advice, comfort, and cups of tea and simple avocado on rice thins.
Then I went for a coffee and yummy lunch wrap in town. All on my own, with my new book (more about that later - so delicious). I barely got to open my book. Moments after my coffee arrived, my neighbour / friend walked in the door. She sat and had her lunch and coffee with me - normally we chat at the bus stop, or school gate, and run off again.
Then a short time later another up-the-road neighbour (who also happens to be the kids' modern dance teacher, and lives in a converted church) and her friend walked in for coffee. During that chat I discovered that her friend is actually the mum of one of Ari's school friends. The friend he's been asking to visit for the past year; and I've been saying I don't know his parents.
And then, you wouldn't guess it, but my friend Jo walked in to buy some ground coffee. And while I'd only seen Jo at our Hey Maker meeting hours before, we still had lots to talk about.
I know I live in a small town, but it's not that small. I guess when you hang out at the best coffee shop in town, where the hostess knows everyone's name (except that group of people who had just climbed Mount Warning, but we know their names now).
How good to have that nice warm coffee shop connection. I walked away afterwards with tears pricking at my eyes - for the good, solid, warm feeling of the connections that have been made since moving back 'home'. It made me think of my mum; and how we couldn't walk down the street without her stopping to endlessly chat to another person who she knew, who she connected with.
*I heard an interesting program on the radio on Sunday, about the i-Disorder: the psychology of technology. And I wonder if it's true, perhaps to some extent; but I think I feel good and real connections with people who I've "met" online as well.
*I love that these flowers, which were on the table at Modern Grocer coffee shop/deli yesterday, were brought in by a customer. Just another reason why living in a small, local, lovey town is a wonderful thing!