A bit of this and a bit of that...

I've been working on a few random things this last few weeks…

A while back a very inspirational, good friend was telling me about this amazing bag he had found made from rope woven together.
Graham is incredibly fit and active.  He has a roll at Jiu Jitsu at least 3 times a week as well as paddle boarding, kite surfing and a long list of other activities.  He is also the inventor and proud owner of the quickly expanding cereal Kapai Puku

Graham thought this amazing rope bag of his would be ideal for transferring all the necessaries for these activities around with him, but didn't want them to damage the bag so came up with the brilliant idea of lining it with sail cloth.

I've never sewn with sail cloth before and was definitely up for the challenge!

And this is the result….

I also attached a long leather strap with some of the rope detail from the previous handles I removed so it can be carried over the shoulder or across the body

I must admit I've fallen a bit in love with this bag and its massiveness, I could carry sooooo much around in it… really don't want to hand it back!


I've also been doing a little needle work.  Aside from the personalised babies bibs and patchwork dolls I make from time to time (random I know but they make for great baby shower presents) I embroidered a friend's shop name onto one of his woolen knit cycling caps (yep, even more random)

Malachi has a very cute and eclectic shop in Prahran called Northside Wheelers; purveyor of fine cycling wears.  If bikes are your thing, and not just super tight lycra, pop past and have a look, he carries some very fine gear along with an ever changing, always well composed widow display!

So this is how the cap turned out…

Apart from these bits and pieces I have been back to my pattern cutting and sewing.
Aside from things to fill my own wardrobe I just finished this 1/2 circle houndstooth skirt for my very good friend.

There is just enough left over to combine with something else along with some creative pattern cutting and laying to make a little matching cape.  Very exciting!

Houndstooth so classy

Loved making this - don't be surprised if some clothing pieces start appearing for sale on my Etsy site, maybe even some with a tad of embroidery…..

Two Souls, One Heart

There seems to be an abundance of weddings and engagements at the moment!  everyone I speak to seems to have one or the other to go to!

I had my lovely friend Regan Burns' wedding to Cameron Baines this weekend just gone at the beautiful St Johns Church in Toorak

 Regan had a gorgeous Botchini and Hill gown and her 'epic' silk tule wedding veil beaded all the way round… yep, this is the veil from my post back in feb, all finished and sparkly.

The comb at the top was covered in fresh water pearls and Swarovski crystal to match the design on the beaded belt of her dress.  These then dispersed as they progressed around the edge of the veil giving it a shimmer as it moved catching the light.

For when the veil was removed after the ceremony I made Regan a headpiece.  This consisted of lace with a gunmetal thread detail backed with white silk and wired, then embellished with fresh water pearls, Swarovski crystal and glass beads.

I will be making this beaded headpiece to order via my Etsy shop.

It can be made bigger or smaller by request, just send me an email to enquiries@byshelleygreen.com

It was a fantastic night!  Thankyou Regan and Cam, you are a gorgeous couple, I wish you every happiness for your future together, not that you will be needing it.  Looking forward to a Mexican meal with you when you get back from the US of A ;)

I also got my new vintage acquisition repaired and together to wear…

Thankyou to the always fabulous Shannon Rose for yet another amazing up do!

Sally, Abby, the beautiful bride Regan and myself

Hair by Shannon Rose

Yes, it may have been Sally and I that set the smoke alarm off….. oppps

Not wanting to end this amazing night just yet I found myself at a bazaar but sensational house party in North Carlton.  They had a band in one corner of the lounge consisting of a double bass, drums, accordion and a DJ in the opposite.  Amazing!

So as the sun rose over the northern suburbs I raced home southward, still in 60's dress and vintage mink stall, to say goodbye to my lovely friends Jade and Al off to South America for 8 months of travel, cannot wait to see photos - thankyou Instagram! 

I also received the photos from Loretta's beautiful wedding in the Phillipines.  Her headpiece you might remember from the Bridal Swirls post.

Loretta looked stunning… see for yourself below.

Thankyou for the photos Loretta!

This is an example of the bespoke headwear I make to suit any bridal dress or any occasion you may have…
Just send me an email to discuss the possibilities:  enquiries@byshelleygreen.com

On A Kiss Of Wind She Sets Her Love Free

An afternoon with Jill

A few weeks ago I met Jill at her partners shop Red Ridder Vintage on Grey St in St Kilda.  More about this most amazing shop another time as it does deserve a post all of its own.
It is also responsible for nearly single handedly decking out my lounge and dinning room with beautiful 50's furniture, not forgetting my 60's Smiths starburst clock!

It was the last day of Jill's favourite artist's exhibition at MARS gallery on Bay St in Port Melbourne, so we jumped in her car and off we went.

Janno is an Australian artist now living in Buenos Aires, Argentina.  Her current exhibition is titled 'Querido Alfredo' (Darling Alfredo), based on love letters from the 1920's she found at a flea market.
It's a very beautiful, touching collection of work.  Every piece is embroidered and embellished with fabric so as you view them you are constantly finding new little details that blend to making the pieces quite breathtaking.
These are just a few:

'Red Bird'

'Black and White Dress'

'Riding Duck on a Transparent Wind' 

Also exhibiting at the gallery was Grant Cowan.  His beautiful A4 fashion illustrations are all of very elegant Chanel and Dior gowns and outfits from the 50's thru to 80's as well as some very richly painted larger pieces.  These were 2 of my favourites:

From here we popped into Empire Vintage located in the old doll's hospital in Albert Park.
The shop is on the small side but completely jam packed with everything from buttons and fabric, old post cards, furniture, jars and containers and clothing.  I managed to just squeeze into an amazing Chartreuse yellow 60's silk dress.  It needed a fair bit of love and attention but its turned out good as new I think!  Only issue I had was the pearl coating on some of the large beads has flaked off whilst removing some old water marks, if anyone knows where i can get anything similar to replace them please let me know!!!

Beads prior to the pearl coating flaking off  

I have noticed of late a sign for a vintage shop whilst making my way down Beach Rd from time to time, however I have been unable to locate it, Jill had also seen this promising sign so off we set to find it and find it we did!
Global Retro on Mills St Albert Park covers all your basses for anything Retro you may be looking for!  Tiki mugs, genie bottles, starburst clocks, lamps and furniture, it's one 'wild' little shop as Jill would say.

Otherwise in the world of bridal headwear, the 'epic wedding veil is well underway with crystals and pearls currently being added… 2 weeks to go Regan!

Which means I must get back to beading this veil and headpiece so I'm not still frantically beading in the cab on the way to the church!  It is possible….

Only joking Regs you'll have it well in advance! I promise!!!

Autumn (and Winter) Leaves

I have just put all my Autumn/Winter pieces up on Etsy
This range includes wool felt fedoras, little button hats, shaped leather leaves on headpieces and alice bands, and some hand tooled silk flowers to brighten the cloudiest of days.

Here are some photos of the range……

Cascading Leaves on skull cap

Asymmetric crown fedora with turkey feather and leather trim

Button hats

Leather leaves on Alice band

Hand Tooled Silk Roses

If you are interested in any of these items in another colour please email me; enquiries@byshelleygreen.com
and we will see what we can do :)

Wiley Red Fox

On Monday, my friend Emma and I jumped on the 96 tram to venture to the other side of the river to see the band Wiley Red Fox play their first gig for the year at the Old Bar on Johnston St in Fitzroy.
And they were fantastic!
They next play on Good Friday, 6th April at Bar 303 in Norhcote.  If you're free that night I can't recommend going along to see them enough.  You're guaranteed a great set!

Also amazing on a Monday night is the $1 tapas at Naked for Satan… yep, thats right… $1!!!
Hold out for the hot food that comes around though, especially the Gouda and green olive croquettes, YUM!!!!
 I'm still not convinced of the bizarre techno soundtrack they play there, but, you can't have everything now can you???

Maybe I'll see you at Bar 303 Good Friday….

Bridal Swirls

A few weeks back I was contacted by a lovely pint sized bride-to-be in need of a headpiece to match the beautiful wedding dress she had purchased from Thurley.   The wedding is in the Philippines later this month.

And this is what we ended up with…

The veil is separate to the headpiece so it can be removed after the ceremony.

I've used silk, russian braiding, bleached jade, Swarovski and glass crystals and beads as well as peacock hurl.

I will post some wedding shots when I get them. 

 Now, onto beading Regan's 'epic' wedding veil while recapping the last 4 seasons of Mad Men.  The 5th season screens in the US at the end of the month you know???!

Oh Don…. 

A Very Long Long Weekend

So much has been on this last few days!
Heres a little rundown…

We celebrated my Dad's 60th birthday on Thursday night, Happy Birthday Dad!
The family; Mum & Dad, my sister Lisa and her boyfriend Lucas and myself of course had a very delicious dinner at Bistro Thierry in Malvern.  Everything was amazing!  Beef tartare, Hapuka with Bordelaise sauce and I could not go past the Chocolate soufflé!  Needless to say I went for a very long run the next day!
I'm not sure how impressed he was with the 3 day bike ride my sister purchased him but I think the winery tour and lunch for the Margaret river and the cycling book; Sex Lies and Handlebar Tape, from Northside Wheelers, went down quite a bit better.
Start cycling Dad, I'm not filling in for you!

Saturday was the lovely Regan's Hens day in the Yarra Vally.
The designated pick up was in the city at 9.30am.  Those of you who know me well know that I am always running late!  I just cant help it! Regardless of my good intentions or how early I pull myself out of bed things just never go to plan!
Luckily I found a taxi and was even able to stop for an always strong, hot coffee from Degraves Epresso, arriving at the designated pick up point with 5 minutes to spare.  I know! Can you believe it!

So off we went to 4 wineries, for lots of wine tasting, cider and cheese, cheese and more cheese!
It was a fantastic day, thankyou to all the ladies for making it so.  It was lovely meeting you all - see you at the wedding in April!

My never dull partner in Crime; the always mischievous, gorgeous Miss Sally 

Lovely Regan the bride to be

As much as I like a sleep in the weather on sunday was simply too amazing to stay in bed.  There was nothing else for it but to go for a run to the Brighton Sea Baths and swim a few laps around.  Whilst the first 20mtrs are a bit of a shock to the system with the cold water, I couldn't think of anything I would rather do on a sunny day with a perfectly flat bay… if only the water was like this on all those triathlon mornings hey Sally??? :)

Brighton Sea Baths

What better way to follow this than with brunch at St Edmunds with my good friends Lib and Cara then a touch of shopping.  Never one to say no to a bargain I acquired a beautifully soft black leather pencil skirt from Gorman, it was on sale - how could I possibly say no!???
All the best to Cara whose off to India this week!  Can't wait to hear about your time in the Ashram

Gorman Leather Skirt - ready for the cooler weather!

In millinery news this is the skeleton so to speak of a bridal piece I am working on for a wedding in the Philippines later this month.  Final photos will go up later this week…

I'm now sitting in the sun at Mum and Dad's all the way out in the south-eastern suburbs :) and of course visiting my Reece; the families 40kg Golden Retriever, although, he will always be mine.
At the age of 13 and with no control of the nerves in his back legs making walking a bit difficult he is still able to dig up the grass and rip Mum's plants out of the garden.

Have a fantastic 4 day week everyone!
x