Take me to The Zine Society!

Photo credit: The Zine Society

Whoooooosh! That's the sound of Seam hopping on a plane and heading to The Zine Society as part of the Sydney Finders Keepers Markets today! The Zine Society is a new initiative supporting local and international zine makers, and we're super excited to check it all out. We'll be having our very own little stall (read: table) chock-full of our very first issue. If you haven't yet picked up a copy, we'd really like it if you pop on down to CarriageWorks in Eveleigh this evening from 6-10pm and Saturday 10am-5pm to say hello. The usual crafty handmade goodness that is FK will also be on show, along with a bunch of workshops (zine making, lomography learning), In An Instant Photography polaroid booth, and the On The Wall exhibition curated by Leeloo. See you there in all your handmade cuteness?  

Sad indie mag news...

Photo Credit: Colophon

Just when we release our little magazine and are hoping to make it onto the "world's largest database of independent publications", the indie mag-crazed lads over at Colophon decide to stop organising their independent magazine exhibition and book series. So sad! We used their two past exhibition books 'We Make Magazines' and 'We Love Magazines' while researching for Seam. But Jeremy Leslie from Colophon posted on his blog that they'd continue under the magCulture name. Unfortunately their travelling exhibition scheduled for 2012 - The Rise of Print - is no longer happening. The independent magazine exhibition trend started in 2000 and has continued to this year with an exhibition in Singapore. Maybe we'll have to pick up where the Colophon chaps left off... It's about time Australia curated one!

Frocksters reunite!

Photo credit: Frock Paper Scissors

So every year in November, fashion-arty-wordnerdery-creative types dress up, drink some wine, celebrate and then collapse with exhaustion post the feat of producing a magazine from scratch. The annual Frock Paper Scissors magazine launched last night, with issue six the biggest yet. Covering fashion, style, beauty and lifestyle, these creative QUT ladies (and lad, singular) are striving for something a little Vogue-esque with their sharp content and photography. Showcasing the Brisbane fashion scene, as well as designers nationally and internationally, it's always exciting to see what the next publication will look like when it pops up each year. The students are distributing this FREE (!) magazine around Brisbane and South East Queensland from next week, so keep an eye out in fashion precincts for your copy. In the meantime, you can flip through the digital copy here. Congrats to the 2011 team! Maybe we'll see their names in high places in the coming years...

Sewing lounge launch party

Photo credit: Piece Together

Summer has arrived early in Brisbane, bringing with it 30+ temperatures and the silly season in full swing. I think they call it the silly season because it's ridiculously silly how many great parties/launches/openings/events are on each night, making it impossible to get to them all especially post a smidge of bubbly. Tonight we'll be attempting to party hop from the Frock Paper Scissors launch to the launch of Brisbane's newest sewing lounge Piece Together.

You wouldn't think it possible that more wonderful businesses could pop up in the Woolloongabba Antique Precinct, but they have! Piece Together opened its doors a few months ago now, and just downstairs of their lofty studio space is new coffee nook Five Sugars. Champagne, cupcakes and live music will start flowing from Five Sugars from 5.30pm, with Piece Together's launch starting at 7pm upstairs. There's also a craft and vintage mini-market for your xmas-present-organising pleasure or just as a little treat for yourself.

Now you've got your schedule sorted for this evening, the only thing left to settle is what to wear! I think Janome will be coming out to play a tad this season - too many events and not enough handmade dresses...

New stockists!

Photo Credit: Elleni Toumpas

We're super excited to tell you all that we have a bunch of new stockists! If you haven't picked up a copy of our first issue yet, hop on over to one of these lovely spots in your state...

QLD
Avid Reader
Nook
State Library of Queensland bookstore
Mara Newsagency
Apples on Ainsworth
Cultiver

NSW
Blackbird Corner
Little Papercup
Follow Store
Sweets Workshop
Milk Thieves

ACT
Smiths Alternative Bookshop

VIC
Brunswick Street Bookstore
Little Shop of Handmade
Onabee
Felix
Lark

TAS
The Nook

NZ
Emma

We're also available online with Leeloo and at the new weekly West End Twilight Markets and monthly(ish) BrisStyle Markets. And we'll hopefully have even more places to call home in the coming weeks!

If you know of any shops/cafes/bookstores/boutiques near you that are a little seam-esque, let us know!

To market, to market

Photo credit: West End Twilight Markets

So there’s this lovely lady called Sally and this lovely chap called Scotty and they like a really well crafted coffee. They also like zines, typewriters, collage, and arty crafty design-y type things. So one day over a love-heart topped latte, they decided to start the West End Twilight Markets.

A mixture of all their favourite things, situated in the perfect location of a reclaimed hangar in West End, these new evening markets are in a league of their own. What’s sparking my curiosity is the performance side of things – spoken word, visual arts, street theatre, a-capella busking and cabaret. For nannas like me, these enticing acts on a Saturday soir mean I can leave my dancing shoes at home, soak up some local talent early on, and be back snug in bed before the clock strikes 12.

They’ve got stallholders who fit into all our favourite buzz word categories – vintage, recycled, reclaimed, organic, fair trade, sustainable, handmade, locally or ethically produced, unique, one-off, one of a kind – with new stalls each week to keep you guessing. More details here.

Also on in Brisbane this Saturday is BrisStyle’s annual Indie Eco Market, featuring crafty wares produced from eco-friendly materials and made by hand by local BrisStyle ladies and lads, with a dash of vintage and de-stash items mixed in for good measure. If your Christmas shopping list hasn’t quite come to fruition yet, why not pop down to these markets and pick up some handmade presents, supporting local designers and protecting the earth’s resources all in one pretty little package.

Paper. Scissors. Wall.

Photo credit: Linsey Rendell

I'm sure for those of you who have visited Melbourne, have seen the beautiful artworks splashed over infamous Melbourne laneway walls. These creative designs made up of the most fetching colours, always provide that extra ray of sunshine to a sometimes dreary city landscape.

So we've all seen the art, but have you seen the artists? Chances are no.

Seam was lucky enough to hang out with one of Melbourne's street artists... here's a taste of what you will find within The Start-Ups Issue.

Suki is a self confessed printmaker, who turned to the streets with her art for reasons other than just making the city look better.

"I feel like working in the street gives my art a deeper meaning because it interacts with the environment around it," Suki says.

Sneaking around for the sake of art-kind, Suki admits she's always had a flair for all things creative.

"My family is quite eccentric, so I was lucky enough to grow up in an environment that saw the world in a different way and embraced creativity. I’ve always done a bit of this and that, but it wasn’t until I discovered printmaking that I really found my calling."

But despite what some may think, street art is so much more than just tagging with a spray can. Street artists put as much thought and effort into their pieces as any other artist would. Suki carefully constructs an idea, "something that will look beautiful" she insists, before taking photos, imprinting, carving, inking and finally pasting them up to be admired by onlookers.

It's hard to believe such cool work is frowned upon in the renowned city of art... I wonder if Suki has ever been caught? I guess you will just have to read the full story in Seam Magazine! 

Stealth Art

Photo credit: Linsey Rendell

Yarn bombing is the stealthiest art form around, taking off in cities all around the world. It captures people’s attention, and if you have ever seen a yarn bomb, you’ll know it puts a smile on your face.

Bali is a Melbourne-based yarn bomber who was given a book on the art form and quickly realised it could really bring the community together.

“Arts and crafts have a way of bringing people together and I wanted to be at least a small part, if not larger, of seeing yarn bombing grow in Melbourne,” she says.

Though yarn bombing sounds like a hobby groovy grannies take part in, the public art form attracts people from all walks of crafty life who want to try something new, develop their own style and share their art.

“Above all though, nothing compares to a stranger on the street coming up and thanking you for your hard work and telling you that you gave them a moment of happiness in their day,” Bali says.

The avid yarn bomber remembers learning to knit with her mum when she was young, but found it “incredibly frustrating” at the time. To this day, she prefers crochet and although the majority of yarn bombers are knitters, Bali says the number of artists who use crochet is increasing.

Bali founded The Yarn Corner - a collective of artists who take part in yarn bombing projects, both individually and as a group. Some meet in real life to talk projects, but the majority of organising is done over facebook.

“We welcome everyone, even those just starting out with yarn bombing.”

You can read more about Bali and yarn bombing in Seam's The Start-Ups Issue.

It's Magazine Week!

Photo credit: Spook

So it's Magazine Week - possibly the best week of the year, yes? We'll definitely be celebrating by buying a whole stack of magazines and of course posting out more copies of Seam for your reading pleasure. Magazine Week sees some international and local papery peeps come together and discuss the inner workings of our favourite type of periodical, sharing all the new and exciting industry happenings with word nerds like you and me. From senior management to publishing, editorial to all things creative, there's a little bit of magazine love for everyone. There's a two day conference in Sydney accompanied by a magazine exhibition. This first magazine industry trade show will showcase the newest innovations to hit the magazine community. Check out all the details and ticket information here. Or simply use the week as an excuse to pop into your local newsagent, mag nation or quirky bookshop and buy that extra magazine you've had your eye on but never have the spare change for. We suggest checking out extra curricular, dumbo feather, peppermint, collect, spook and elephant. Happy reading!

This weekend: Finders Keepers

Finders Keepers

If you’re in sunny, sticky Brisbane this weekend pop on over to The Old Museum and come have a gander at our first issue! Seam Magazine and Alice Nightingale have a joint stall at the Finders Keepers Markets this weekend, running from 10am to 4pm both Saturday and Sunday. We’re quite delighted (and just a tad excited!) to be a part of this market. It’s a great place to grab quirky handmade wares, with lots of the designers coming from interstate to be here. We’ll be doing some Christmas shopping there for sure! Alice’s spring collection will be available, including brand new purses, clutches, tote bags, jewellery and bow ties in super sweet patterns. And if you haven’t yet had the chance to pick up a copy of our first issue, we have a whole bunch ready for your reading pleasure, with a few gift-wrapped copies all set to fill that special someone’s xmas stocking. Hope to see you there!

Stitching the way

Photo credit: Linsey Rendell

Thread Den is a quaint little sewing lounge in the trendy Melbourne suburb of Fitzroy. Ladies (and some gents) are flocking to the space for all sorts of lessons and to check out the handmade independently-designed garments stocked in store.

Joanna, Kylie and Melissa all have a hand in running the ever-growing store and they work hard to stay ahead of the times - which can be especially tricky in culture rich Melbourne. The three don’t have a lot of spare time to tend to their own sewing machines, but sewing has played a huge role in getting them where they are today.

While Melissa and Kylie were cultivating their love of sewing by cutting up old sheets and altering op-shopped pieces, Joanna was busy sewing on a machine given to her by Prince Charles.

When Joanna was young she attended a sewing class held by the Prince’s Trust charity with her youth group. “[Afterwards] they recommended to the charity that they buy me a mannequin and a sewing machine… so they did,” Joanna says.

Luckily the skills stuck with these lovely ladies because the crafty population of Melbourne have embraced their classes. Thread Den often has a waiting list for their kids and adults classes, and the girls say they get some “weird and wonderful” requests for private lessons.

“We enjoy transferring these skills and giving people opportunities to learn more and seeing their enthusiasm for it,” Melissa says.

You can read more about Thread Den on page 10 of Seam's The Start-Ups Issue!

Down to a Tea!

Photo Credit: Linsey Rendell

“It’s nice to think that someone liked it and wore it for some time and you can pick it up and keep it going... I don’t know if that’s being a hoarder or recycling, whether that’s good or bad – I feel good about it.”

Well, here at Seam Magazine, we feel pretty good about it!

Mural painter, designer and all-round fashionista, Lisa Tea is quickly establishing herself as a seriously sort after artist. Recently graduated from Visual Arts at ANU, Lisa has been an avid mural painter and seamstress from the get-go.

Her colourful and beautifully chaotic work can be found around our lovely nation's capital at public spaces in the CBD, bars and various residential venues. Lisa’s detailed and eclectic style is one to admire, and she says her inspiration and materials can be found almost anywhere.

“I’m a giant hoarder and I have a compulsion to use up all this stuff which I somehow constantly acquire,” Lisa says.

“[I think] I need to simplify, I need to really try to understand the less is more concept.”

Read more about Lisa on page 28 of Seam’s The Start-Ups Issue!

Like our photo, pretty please?

Photo credit: Linsey Rendell

So now that today’s horse race has flown the coop, we thought we’d let you all know that we entered the above snap from our first issue into the Ray-Ban Pedestrian TV Photography Awards and it’s been shortlisted for the fashion category, huzzah!!!

But in order to progress to the next round and be judged by some super lovely magazine-y folk and Nick from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs (!), we really need all of YOU super swell people to hop on over and click ‘like’ on our photo. The images with the most likes go through to the judging panel so clickety-click away here and make sure to tell all your friends too, yeah yeah?

The morning after…

Photo credit: Linsey Rendell

Morning! (Well, actually it’s afternoon now…) Thank you to all the lovely folk who came along to support the launch of our little mag last night. It was a super splendid affair! We'd like to say thank you to Brew for hosting our little event, Inland Sea for playing some swell tunes, Holly Riding, Jaclyn Bates and Clare Barrett for exhibiting some amazing art, and everyone who helped with setting up and making the night a success. We had a great (yet slightly balmy) evening.

If you missed out on grabbing your very own copy of Seam Magazine’s first issue last night, don’t fret! It’ll be in independent bookstores, fashion and craft boutiques and gift-type shops all around Australia from this week. Here’s the first list of stockists to get you started:

Nook (Brisbane)
Cultiver (Ipswich)
Blackbird Corner (Newcastle)
Little Papercup (Newcastle)
Sweets Workshop (Sydney)
Follow Store (Sydney)
Smiths Alternative Bookshop (Canberra)
Little Shop Of… (Melbourne)
The Brunswick Street Bookstore (Melbourne)
Felix (Melbourne)
The Nook (Hobart)

If you’re in Brisbane, we’ll be selling the magazine at the Brisbane Finders Keepers Markets this coming weekend (Sat 5th & Sun 6th) with Alice Nightingale.

And if you’re can’t grab a copy from any of these spots, we’d be super happy to pop a copy in the snail mail for you. Actual mail received in an actual letterbox is always delightful these days. Email info {at} seammagazine {dot} com to order your copy!

Seam is launching!

Seam Magazine's The Start-Ups Issue

Huzzah! Seam is here! We thought we’d give all you super swell followers a sneak peek of our cover as thanks for being such great chums. The photography for the cover is by our editor Linsey Rendell and the illustration is by Karen Wallis (also issue one’s designer) and Lucy Dalzell.

After eight super busy months of planning, writing, photography, designing and all those sneaky business bits that go into setting up a magazine, we’re finally launching our first issue this weekend! The delightful folk over at Brew are hosting our afternoon-to-evening celebratory soiree, so there’ll be plenty of tea, coffee, cocktails and other intriguing beverages on tap. There’ll also be an array of homebaked goods that would impress the slippers off your nanna.

Three young Brisbane artists – Clare Barrett, Jaclyn Bates and Holly Riding – have put together nine artworks for your eyeballing pleasure, recreating images from issue one in their own styles. And Brisbane band Inland Sea’s latest EP Fortune will be available for purchase before it’s even hit record store shelves!

We’re also holding a raffle with first prize an iPad2! And there's also a bunch of handmade goodies for ladies and lads to be won – tickets are 3 for $5.

And of course you’ll all have first dibs on Seam’s The Start-Ups Issue, retailing for $15. Wizzer!

Come along and support our little creative team at Seam's launch. Brew has a capacity limit of 120, so make sure you rock up early to nab a sofa or a stool amongst this highly coveted creative event. À bientôt!

21 woolly days later...

Photo Credit: 21 Days to Yarn Bomb

After the success of International Yarn Bombing Day, 21 Days to Yarn Bomb will be kicking off on November 1st. If you're an avid knitter or crocheter, grab some friends and add a little knitted goodness to the grey surroundings of your city. They say it takes 21 days to make or break a habit, so if you're new to needlecraft, start practicing now and you'll surely have knitting (and stealth yarn bombing ninja moves) down pat after three weeks. A simple little flower or even a row of stitching tied to a street sign could make someone's day. It's a great chance to showcase your creativity and spruce up the streets. Plus, you might even meet some new people - this event is already attracting a crowd!

Worker Bee Wednesday

Photo credit: Rabbit Hole Ideation Cafe 

Creativity is in the air, everywhere I look around!

Read: If you didn't get a chance to pop in to the Avid Reader workshop with author Kelly Doust, her new book, Minxy Vintage is just the ticket to get you up to speed. This wonderful little book will help you breath new life in to your vintage finds - or any other sad looking pieces in your wardrobe. Kelly combines her creativity with her love of vintage to transform 50 worn down threads in to fashionable, modern outfits, fit for any fashion forward Queen. With the addition of a simply gorgeous front cover, this one is a must for the bookshelf.

Shop: When the lights are away, the designers come out to play! The Style After Dark market has kicked off again in Melbourne boasting a variety of locally designed goods, from clothing to headwear and all things in between. You'll get first dibs on new designers threads and maybe even find that 'one off' piece you've been searching for. Shopping can be hard work, but luckily the market also offers some delicious snacks that will keep you energetic into the night. The market is held every Thursday night from 5:30-9:30pm until 24th November.

Rummage: It's time to adorn your best vintage attire and head on down to the The Brisbane Vintage Fashion and Decor Fair. This delightful affair will be showcasing some impressive vintage collections from notable pre-loved enthusiasts. If you're not already in the swing of vintage after browsing the stalls, be swept back in time with the lovely vintage vinyl that will fill the air. There will also be a variety of alfresco bar and dining options to ensure you don't run out of energy! Check out the details here.

Attend: Harness the power of three! Where? At Creative3 of course! The Creative3 forum nudges individuals and organisations alike to come together in creativity, investment and enterprise in order to create successful creative businesses. This year's impressive program delves in to the brains of leading edge thinkers and experienced creatives from around the globe. The three day event, which kicks off today in Brisbane, will have a lil something for everyone, with 20 speakers and 10 panel sessions shedding some light on creative business... that's a lot of inspiration right there! Check out the program and ticketing information here... you might even spot Seam's editor ducking in and out of sessions between organising the final touches for the launch this weekend!

Study:  If Alice was to fall down the rabbit hole today do you know what she would find? Some great coffee! The Rabbit Hole Ideation Cafe  is the newest coffee kid on the West End block. Not only does this new little space offer stella caffeine-laden beverages, it also provides a space for busybodies to meet, work, share and create. Come in and test out one of their workstations... they provide wi-fi, a desk of your own and $2 coffees delivered straight to you! With exam season on its way, there's no excuse not to pop in and say hello (and study of course)!

Happy Weekend!

Photo Credit: Sweets Workshop

Another busy week has passed (phew!), which means another weekend is now upon us (hooray!). Haven't made any plans yet?  Great news... we've found a whole bunch of super cool stuff guaranteed to send your week off with a bang.

Melbourne is kickin' their weekend off in arty style with three brand-spanking-new exhibitions at Craft Victoria. The suave Flinders Lane gallery will pay homage to The Machine, Pachamama's Poncho and The Antarctic Kingdom of Gondwanaland in what will be a month long residency. As one door opens, another door closes... head on down to the Pickle Festival on Saturday afternoon! The NO NO Gallery is closing shop and is celebrating with a jar full of vinegary fun! Neat pickles, pickles on the rocks, or chocolate covered pickles (really?), if your urkin' for a gherkin, this one definitely has you covered.

"But I'm from Sydney!" I hear you say, well read on... It's Food Fight time! Get your plastic ponchos ready cos this one's going to get exciting. Food Fight is a yearly collaborative exhibition and accompanying zine, which this year is all about picnics! This super swell initiative from the Sweets Workshop, is all about pitting image against text, recipe against illustration, photograph against story. Make sure you get down to the official opening on Sunday at the Sweets Workshop Gallery.

Perth is making old new again with a modern day production of Adam and Eve. The Wet Weather Ensemble have twisted the olden day story to what they describe as the first ever hook-up. The Garden of Eden takes the shape of a 'doof doof' nightclub, while the innocuous couple make a promiscuous transition into two desperadoes lookin' for a good time. For the sake of mankind... go see this one! For ticket information click here.

We're not forgetting you Brisbane! Continuing with the artsy theme, the Prisoners of Age exhibition is now on at the Brisbane Powerhouse. Photographer Ron Levine, interviews and photographs elderly prison inmates from across the United States and Canada. The exhibition presents a personal interpretation of some of the most marginalised members of society. If you are loving vintage, but running out of ideas of how to rock it, Kelly Doust is spreading some vintage knowledge at an Avid Reader workshop on Friday night. The author of Minxy Vintage, will be providing vintage lovers with new ways to rejuvenate tired, but much loved clothes... vintage mixed in with the weekend, how swonderful!

A modern take on an old classic.

Photo Credit: ReCraft

We've just discovered the most incredible and crafty way to customise your own furniture! These retro wire chairs initially designed by Charles and Ray Eames in 1951 have been given a face-lift with knitted yarn designs to add colour, texture and cushioning. Amazing!

Why not whip one of these up yourself to suit that lonely corner of the living room? Just source yourself a wire framed chair from a local recycling centre or second-hand store and grab some yarn from Grandma's house (or a fabric store) and get creative!

After all, what's better than reinvented vintage furniture? ... Let's get knitting!

It's a crafty affair!

Picture credit: Craft and Quilt Fair

As a young girl, I remember how much fun craft days were... the paper, the fabric, the cute little buttons and the glitter...oh the glitter! This week gives us all a chance to re-live those young creative days with the Craft and Quilt Fair settling into the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre from today until Sunday. With craft 'so in right now', be inspired by the range of cute crafty necessities, as well as regular crafting workshops for those looking to bump their skills up to the next level. Don't forget to pop in to the the annual Quilt Show, which will showcase a collection of wonderfully crafted quilts from talented stitchers across Queensland. More information and available workshops here.