Collecting Feathers

We are SO lucky with the amazing people we get to do business with at Clarence. Nicole from 'Collecting Feathers' is one of them. We thought we'd ask her a few questions so you get to know our people more ..... only because they're worth it!

Why the name 'Collecting Feathers'?

This is a long personal story, chock a block full of pathos, and I am afraid that it would make you cry! Truly! Let's just say that my absolutely fabulous sister came up with it, and since around that time we have both changed our lives to the kind that 'want to' live rather than 'have to' live.

In a nutshell Collecting Feathers is a metaphor for the important things in life, the things you keep, and that there is always beauty amongst the debris.  

What are the three words you'd use to describe your work?

Repurposed, vintage, memories


What are three words you'd use to best describe you?

Ah so many descriptive's, which ones to pick? I could give you the typical ones such as: creative, breathtakingly beautiful, highly intelligent, but  I am afraid I am pretty self effacing, and will go for a description of me walking down the street....spacey, clumsy, blind as a bat!

When you re-purpose objects is there ever a twinge of guilt or is it all pleasure?

Initially there was incredible guilt. I would actually take the scissors in hand ready to cut, and they would shake as I approach the paper or cloth. Some materials I still can't cut. I usually put them aside until I, or they are ready. It is a lot easier now. For years many of these papers and fabrics have sat in dusty piles, in boxes or drawers. I am creating a new life and a new beauty for them, and people can delight in them.

How much does where you live influence your work?

I live in the Northern Rivers NSW, on acreage in a mud brick house that my husband and I built ourselves. My surroundings impact me greatly as I want to tread lightly on this earth. We are as sustainable as we can be (without being manic). We grow our own organic vegies, chooks and cows, drink our own water, and have a load of solar cells on the roof. Clothes are rarely bought new, most are from the opshop, or really old and vintage. (it is amazing how long quality clothes last) I am not a hippy, though it sounds like it when you write it down!

In that sense, I didn't want to be creating more 'stuff' when beautiful things already exist and just need a few little tweaks here and there.

What was your proudest moment as an artist?

My first sale. I am still gobsmacked over the notion that I make 'things' and people buy them! 

What's the most fun you've ever had with your work?

Hmmm what is fun? I have always been perplexed by the concept of 'having fun' with art. At uni, my lecturers would tell me to have fun with it, at jobs I have worked I was advised to have fun with special projects...but that would only increase my paranoia. It is like telling Woody Allen to relax!

I enjoy my work, I have to create, it is a need, and I work very hard at achieving my goals, but fun to me is going to see a band, sitting down with some friends and having a laugh or op-shopping with my sister and daughter.

What is the craziest purchase you've ever made in the name of 'Collecting Feathers'?

I also sell vintage bits and pieces at markets and online. I tend to get a bit excited at auctions! Once I bought a chenille bedspread and a vintage sheet, however, nobody wanted the rest of the contents of the room.The auctioneer decided that  I had to take everything! My purchase of two items ultimately filled the whole of my four wheel drive to bursting point. The good thing though, was that I found some wonderful treasures among  the detritus, so it was worth the hassle. 

Do the people that live with you share your passion for collections?

My daughter did, until she moved out recently...now it  is just me and my cranky husband who does not possess the 'collecting' gene. I have tried to educate him over the years, and 'tis true, being an electrician, he has bought home some brilliant finds, but alas, the 'picker' blood does not course through his veins. But he is supportive, and built me a garage to store things in, so I can't complain. 


Would you share a photo with us of your  (current?) favourite object or collection and it's story?

What to choose? What to choose? I will show you some of my tapestries that I am currently collecting. I found two more yesterday.

I used to  do tapestries as a very freaky teenager. When most kids were out at parties, having fun, I would make soft furnishings and do tapestries! Oh dear.

 There are so many hours of work in them, and are another example of women giving love to their homes, usually at the end of the day when all the 'real work' has been completed.

 They are ear marked for a project that I have in mind, which I should move on, but it will mean their destruction! Can I do it? Time will tell.

Nicole Zupanovich

collecting feathers

http://collectingfeathers.blogspot.com/

Come visit Clarence and we'll show you the amazing things we have of hers. We LOVE them!!

Ok - so back to the Christmas wrap .....

How's yours going?

Love Clarence x

Fancy Goods and Fancy Places

Spring Carnival or just a nice long weekend for you? 


We are doing carnival vicariously through our customers this year. Lucky you're fun getting such great outfits and parties together. We're enjoying all your stories of trackside shenanigans and lunches being had. We're here, on site, in store ALL weekend waiting for a visit from you.


Clarence went out on location yesterday. It's such a joy playing with well designed objects, found treasures and fresh flowers to create beautiful spaces.  

This beautiful big old cabinet is already 'ear marked' for a wonderful wedding entrance piece.
Get a look at the oil burner. Can you believe that industrial perfection! 

This particular location shoot was made easier by working with Bec Smith as our photographer. 


Nothing too much of an issue and loads of great suggestions plus - the most important thing PATIENCE, loads of patience.

The start of another shot.
These chairs come in about 6 different sizes. One Clarence girl has just taken a pair home for bedside tables and a few little ones for the short people in the house.

We - of course - get over excited and move things the whole time. Bec never once got annoyed. Just inspired - got to LOVE that!! Was it her, us or the bubbles? Who knows but it was great.


This bit of Clarence was taken to Bobi's home on a beautiful piece of Yarra Valley land. 


We do love going on tour so ask us - we will probably want to hang out with you too!

In store Clarence is opening up Christmas decorations, mulling over our new Christmas window (it's coming soon!) and putting some more beautiful Angus & Celeste on the shelves.

Are you familiar with them? A totally gorgeous couple from the Yarra Ranges that make Australian botanical inspired pottery. DO NOT THINK SOUVENIRS. Think, delicate, detailed and quirky ...

In their own words:

"Angus and Celeste combine simple materials with complicated processes to produce nothing less than pure objects of desire. The time and attention to detail involved in every object is obvious as soon as you see it. Producing the highest quality contemporary porcelain jewellery and modern collectible home wares you will find Angus & Celeste in galleries, select stockists and in the gardens and homes of people who enjoy beautiful objects."

They make perfect gifts as they tick all the boxes; artisan, beautiful craftsmanship, sustainable (practice wise and they support the 15 Trees Project), local and Angus & Celeste truly are lovely people. 


To steal a quote from their page - “A thing of beauty is a joy forever.” 




Ok - well back to the weddings, functions, boxes and Christmas decisions. This is a busy but also such a satisfying time of year. Hope you're all enjoying the sun today if you have it, and are lucky (if you need to be!) over the Melbourne Cup weekend.


Coming to Yarra Glen races?? Pop by and visit us, we'd love to see you.




Love Clarence x

Some treasure just won't make it to the shop...

Sometimes you are shopping and your heart actually stops, you can't breath and you get a pain inside you when you try to walk away from the amazing thing... well, that is what happens to me anyway.  I try to find things like that to sell in my shop, Clarence EST 2010 - flowers and fancy goods, Healesville.

But, lets be honest... some treasure just wont make it to the shop. Like this recent unbelievably AWESOME SCORE!!!! I have wanted a luggage trunk since my days travelling with the famous Spiegeltent but never have I seen one so beautiful. Check this out -

Bad photo but it happens to have a lot
of "B" stickers on it... My name is Bobilee...
Not that I need any more convincing!!

Just your standard looking op-shop trunk

Are you ready to take a peek inside??

Surprise! I am amazing!!

Complete with original coathangers and immaculate lining.

I am one happy lady

I did have to phone a friend to see if I was out of my mind on this purchase, it was not a cheap score but just a good one.  My friend Anton simply told me that if I ever did not want it then he would buy it off me.  I also google-imaged luggage trunks and couldn't find one as sweet as this!

I love vintage treasure and imagining the history of the piece.  The thing with this one is that it probably was a part of a set, with matching hat box, beauty case and smaller luggage cases. I wonder where it has travelled and who owned such a stunning thing... I am sooooo happy they looked after it and had such amazing taste!