alpapatel - the creative zone

Shoes Shoes Lovely Shoes

2008-11-25T14:43:00.000-08:00

Project Lamp

2008-11-24T16:09:00.000-08:00

I hope this doesn't become a habit. I need to post more often but I dunno sometimes I just feel that what I make is just not worth talking about. Then everyone goes but it is alpa ............ you should you goose. So I'm kind of back in the groove - I think. This is a project I have been working on for a while.

We built some cabinets at work that required alot of oyster lights however, the clients didn't want the actual shade only the fluorescent tubing. So anyway my mind was going into overload thinking hmmmmm what could I possibly do with these, It would be such a waste to just throw them out. After much thinking I came up with this. The type of lighting and base need some more work but basically this is how it should look.

The oyster shades will be stacked on top of each other and glued on the edges. I reckon the first few shades could do with 8mm holes this should help the light to travel higher which would mean I could have more than 7 shades. The other thing I need to work on is the type of light. The shades are plastic so I need to get research cool bulbs. The first image has 7 shades which gives out quite a subtle light. The second image has more shades which doesn't let the light travel and hence the holes I think that should fix the problem. I am really excited about these. I would like these to stand fairly tall on a nice basic white box.

Vintage West German Costume Jewellery

2008-11-10T16:05:00.000-08:00

During my trip to Swan Hill I went to the bear company hoping they would carry some felt. Anyway no felt but they had a $10.00 bags of this costume jewellery that I had never seen before. So, I bought a bag and couldn't wait to see what else I would discover in my bag of goodies. My favorites have to be the unusual face clip on italian made earrings. The other favorite has be the perfume earrings. They come with instructions on the back of them showing where to put a drop of your favorite fragrance. There heaps of other styles. I want to go back to buy more.

Chocolate Brownie Cookies

2008-11-09T18:46:00.000-08:00

I love these brownie cookies they were extremely easy to make. This recipe is from Claudia Flemings book
The Last Course.

Chocolate Brownie Cookies

35g all-purpose flour
¼ tsp baking powder
1/8 tsp salt
2 large eggs
135g sugar
½ tbsp brewed espresso
1 tsp vanilla extract
30g unsalted butter
140g extra-bittersweet chocolate, chopped
55g unsweetened chocolate, chopped
¾ cup mini chocolate chips

Preheat the oven to 375ºF/190ºC. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer, briefly whip the eggs to break them up. Add the sugar, espresso, and vanilla and beat on high for 15 minutes, until thick. While the eggs are whipping, place the butter in the top layer of a double boiler, or in a metal bowl suspended over a pot of simmering water, and scatter the chocolate on top. Heat until the butter and chocolate melt. Remove from over the water and stir the chocolate and butter until smooth. Gently fold the chocolate mixture into the egg mixture until partially combined (there should still be some streaks). Add the flour mixture to the batter and carefully fold it in. If the batter is very runny, let it rest until it thickens slightly, about 5 minutes. Drop the batter by heaping teaspoonfuls onto the prepared baking sheets and bake until puffed and cracked, 8 to 9 minutes. Cool on a wire rack before removing from the sheets.

Half an afternoon in Swan Hill

2008-10-29T01:12:00.001-07:00

So A had a case in Swan Hill on Tuesday and I accompanied him on the drive there the day before. The next day, while he was busy winning his case I was busy nosing about the town of Swan Hill, looking to find just the kind of shop you expect to find some 400km's from Melbourne.

So next to the town's Information Centre I found Suellen Tomamichel, who owns and runs her very own boutique Madisson on McRae stocking clothing, jewelry, bric-a-brac, household goods and other lovelies and it truly made my afternoon. It was a beautifully quaint shop that takes you to another place and it is packed with goodies!

I could have stayed there the whole time. It's a lovely place and it complements Swan Hill ever so nicely. The shop was awash with colour and busily stocked! Whatever your choice of household appointment or fashion piece I'm sure you'll find it here. Suellen's shop is located at 14 McCrae St, Swan HIll. Happy shopping!

My Booties are on BabyGadget Yipee

2008-10-26T14:29:00.000-07:00

I was chatting to Jenna from Whimsey and Spice she is a designer based in Brooklyn who with her husband runs a confectionary company. Anyway, she had a look at my Etsy store and said she would feature the booties on her other website http://www.babygadget.net/index.php
and she did. I am sooooo excited. So thank you to Jenna and please do check out her website http://www.whimsyandspice.com
Jenna and Mike her husband write a very interesting blog as well so please do have read.

Florence Broadhurst

2008-10-21T19:19:00.000-07:00

Florence Broadhurst was born in Queensland, Australia in 1899. By the time of her death in 1977 Florence Broadhurst had lived and worked in Australia, Asia, and England; performed professionally on stage; been befriended by royalty; exhibited her paintings; and started an internationally successful wallpaper company whose success was based upon her own designs. She also found time to run a trucking company, start up a dress salon, play marbles with a strong competitive streak and agitate for women’s rights. She founded a Modern Academy of arts in Shanghai known as the Broadhurst Academy. She printed onto mylars, foils and metallic papers. Her works are truly inspiring. Here is some more on Florence www.signatureprints.com.au

Etsy - Crafting

2008-10-20T17:09:00.000-07:00

I have finally listed my jewellery on Etsy. I must have been living under a rock all these years. Don't get me wrong I haven't sold anything yet but it gets me motivated to make new things. For those who don't know Etsy is an online shop where you can buy and sell all things handmade.
I have learnt alot these past few weeks. The whole idea to get known on Etsy is to advertise give out business cards, mention your website to anyone and everyone. Here are images of some of the things I have listed.
www.alpa.etsy.com

Weekend Roaming

2008-10-20T17:03:00.000-07:00

We stumbled into a cute little shop in the Dandenong Ranges. I can't remember the name of the shop however it had some beautiful things I thought I'd share some photos. There was a beautiful outdoor garden where you could have tea and biscuits. The space was filled with nude sculptures by a local artist.

Weekend Baking

2008-10-20T16:10:00.000-07:00

It was 29 degrees on Saturday and I'm not quite sure what possessed me to bake cookies. My inspiration was a Masala Chai mixture my grandmother makes. As you know Masala Chai is a popular drink in India. It is catching on very quickly everywhere else in the world. Starbuck's have a version of this as well other major coffee retailers. Chai latte is another popular version as well. For some reason I just don't like any of them. I prefer my grandmother old mixutre of secret spices. The weather hasn't been conducive to a steaming cup of masala chai but I miss the taste so I thought why not bake some shortbread cookies to fulfill the craving. I made some lemony green tea short bread as well. I borrowed a photo box from a friend and so after the baking there I was taking photos of my efforts. BTW the cookies were delicious.

Photography

2008-08-21T16:35:00.000-07:00

I love taking photos and I must admit I’m not very good but that doesn’t stop me from trying. So when I’m the mood and my photography confidence is doing its thing I start pacing like a hungry animal looking for interesting objects to photograph.

This is my latest object of desire. I bought this sculpture sometime ago from a store at the Vic Market I loved it as soon as I set my eyes on him so he had to come home with me.

For me the Queen Victoria Market is magical place, alive and robust with fresh produce, including fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, chicken, seafood and delicatessen products. It’s comforting to hear the traders screaming at the top of their lungs selling their meats, fruits and veggies. There are alot of cute and quirky retail shops, a huge delicatessen specialing in cuisines from Africa, France, Italy, Greece, Japan and Poland.

Will post photos soon.