Moving Canvas "Our Back Yard" by Banx Exhibition

A great exhibition in the centre of the city and something different to do in your lunchtime.

I never miss it.  There is always a stunning selection of new and vibrant paintings.

Fantastic Find of the Famous Five

A little while ago I purchased several boxes of old books.  I procastinated over the task of fighting my way through the dust and loose pages.  But to my great suprise, I stumbled upon four first edition Enid Blyton books. 

Flicking through them took me back to my days spent enjoying the Secret Seven. I know that many have fond memories of Enid Blyton.

While I am told these are not rare edition I think they make a great addition to someone's collection.  I have placed them on ebay.
     

    

Romance - Alive and Well

Just the frame for St Valentine's Day.  "Longing for You" written on the bottom of the antique postcard leaves you in no doubt. 

I have enhanced the romantic theme by adding some art nouveau style vintage jewellery pieces and the butterflies and pearls are the finishing touches. 







Available at Shop 26, Commercial Road Antiques, Newstead. 

Postcards make the difference

I have been busy of late creating some special one off photo and picture frames using antique and vintage postcards and victorian scrapbook pieces.  I am pleased that there is not another frame quite like the ones I create. This one displays a pair of romantic postcards showing a courting couple.  Very sweet and the scrapbook pieces are the highlights. There are also vintage jewellery pieces on the frame itself. I think it is a great way to give a second or perhaps third life to these wonderful images and pieces.

   Available at Shop 26, Commercial Road Antiques, Newstead, Brisbane.

Also at Commercial Road Antiques (New Farm Antique Centre)

I have another outlet!  This one is at Commercial Road Antiques http://www.commercialroadantiques.com

Formally known as the New Farm Antique Centre, the business has been reborn as COMMERCIAL ROAD ANTIQUES. Now with 43 different dealers selling an extraordinary range of items, this renewed but long established business has already a uniqueness that differentiates it from other outlets in Brisbane.


This centre has been and still is the prime source for collectors of all things, great and small, perfect over the years. Here you will find chandeliers, artworks, furniture of all types, tribal arts, carpets, Asian ceramics, estate jewellery, cameras and much more in the many cabinets of collectables and curiosities.  Importantly you will find my frames and stock in cabinet no 26.

Latest items

Here are photos of some recently created and repurposed frames.  A little touch of crocheted lace softens the brass frame.

The pearls and vintage silver brooch piece on the vintage wooden frame add a little sophistication and shimmer against the darkness of the frame. 

I think they are so much nicer than the mass produced same old frames you can pick up anywhere. 

Speaking of favourite things....

Wedgwood plates with gilt decoration, a
 Royal Doulton plate along with engraved
port glasses and a comport are turned into a unituqe
cake stand suitable for high tea or to be
as a jewellery display

Many of my most treasured and favourite things are repurposed antiques or vintage items.  I love to see pieces having a second, third, or even fourth life.  Even a humble teacup or a single glass comport can be turned into a candle holder or used as a tier of a cake stand and can be appreciated over and over again.
 

'A Mother's Love' collage

I create bespoke collages using vintage postcards, costume jewellery pieces, modern adornments and vintage prints and ephemera.

 

I also love to use antiques and vintage pieces of jewellery to decorate preloved photo and picture frames.  There is no end to the types of frames to be created or the themes to be selected to turn what would be an ordinary type of frame into a piece that is fitting for the display or your treasured memories. 

When it comes to ‘real’ or ‘true’ art, one of my favourite contemporary artists is Mike Banks. He is a Brisbane artist and illustrator, painter of original contemporary abstract art. View his work at www.banx.com.au

Together with partner Kaye Fox they own and operate Moving Canvas.  www.movingcanvas.com.au   Launched in Brisbane in August 2004, Moving Canvas Art Gallery for Rentals & Sales is a partnership owned and operated by Mike Banks aka Banx and Kaye Fox aka Artyfox.

Moving Canvas offers original contemporary abstract Aussie art on canvas and aims to brighten the lives of employers and employees across Brisbane.

There are no long-term contracts, just great art that you can change quarterly if you wish, or buy, and site-specific art is our speciality.

They support local Aussie artists and have a growing portfolio of exciting works to offer, which are mainly abstract, on canvas, always original, interesting and guaranteed to stimulate creativity in any corporate environment.

A few of my favourite things....

I always have a variety of items for sale and I’m constantly on the lookout for that something that is a little different or special.  But then there are those particular items that appeal to me personally.  I like them so much that it is a little difficult to put them up for sale.  Here are a few of my favourite things…..

Victorian photo frame - dates from between 1860 to 1900. Mahogany frame veneered with mother of pearl shell in very good condition. Copy of a Victorian postcard has been inserted for display. Circa: 1890 Width: 11.5cm Height: 19cm  Price: $155

Available on Antiques Plus http://www.antiquesplus.com.au/index.cfm/item/49575-victorian-mother-of-pearl-photo-frame/

Australian glass epergne on metal base

Early 1900s Australian single glass epergne mounted on a metal base featuring floral and kangaroo design. In good condition. Glass pattern is clear and sharp - glass flute is 4cm in diameter. Mark on base - c1512
Circa: 1900 Width: 10cm Height: 20cm Price: AUD $210 

More photos are available on:

http://www.antiquesplus.com.au/index.cfm/item/46478-australian-glass-epergne-on-metal-base/

Maling plate - green lace border

A beautiful, large Maling plate - green lace border pattern number 6338. Circa 1930s/40s. Very good condition. Circa: 1935 Price: AUD $185

 

For more detail go to: http://www.antiquesplus.com.au/index.cfm/item/45607-maling-plate-green-lace-border/

Trading at The Gabba 5 Ways Antiques Emporium

What started as an idle thought of ‘wouldn’t it be great to run my own antique shop’ some five years ago has turned into an exciting reality.  I am about to celebrate 12 months of trading at the The Gabba 5 Ways Antiques Emporium.  Have a look at the website: http://www.gabba5waysantiquesemporium.com/

It is so satisfying to see all the antique and vintage photo frames, jewellery, silver, ceramics, glass ware and vintage prints finally in place. I have selected items that date from the Victorian era to the fabulous fifties.  I buy the items because I feel they have a story to tell and I want to share that unique story.  Each item begs the question of where have they been, how were they used, who made them, who used to own them, what major events in history have they seen and how have they managed to survive one or even two generations and how could someone bear to part with them?   

I always look forward to having to replace items as people, who appreciate the uniqueness, quality and history of the items, buy either for themselves or for others.  As much as I like selling, I enjoy buying more.  Once a collector, always a collector.