>>>III<<<   Pestilence!  Corona virus. 

What a terrible year!!! Sadness and worry about the continuing, sweeping fallout. Cessation of our comfortable status quo.

Time to stay at home, for focused work, introspection. Try to stop focusing on the news updates.

 This is my favourite Latvian group, Tautumeitas. They are singing a spring solstice song about nature whilst on corona virus lockdown. I find it calming and strengthening. 

https://www.facebook.com/tautumeitas/videos/251418532535744/ 

>>>III<<<   Flood!

The flip from drought and raging fire to inundating rain and flood was so swift, it was hard to believe. I’m glad I had the privilege to witness such an extreme climactic reversal. Particularly, as it was such a fabulous relief!!

>>>III<<<   Dreadful start to 2020: Fire!

My little village on the south coast of NSW was not touched by the dreadful flames which burnt down so much of Australia around us. As I learnt of the devastation in neighbouring towns, and hosted evacuees at my place, I often thought “There but for the grace of God, and the luck of wind and geography, go I”. 

Much of January and February was spent checking the fire alerts, trying to fire proof the house, developing a range of go-bags, and at the worst times, watching the pink horizon. I even had a go bag for the cat. 

Weeks of worry and poor air quality is not conducive to artistic endeavour. 

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

>>>III<<< Feedback

I just love getting feedback!

“It arrived!!!

And it is DIVINE!!!!

Thank you so much! It’s already so special to me and it will be special to my girls one day.”

:)

>>>III<<<   Vasara Jewellery in Melbourne on December 30th 2019

There will be another Latvian Market as part of the Latvian Youth Festival in Melbourne. Come on down to Latvian House at 3 Dickens Street Elwood during the day to check out my jewellery, as well as the works of other artisans. It’s the day of the folk-dancing concert, so Latvian House will be rocking!

>>>III<<<   Vasara Jewellery in Melbourne on November 17th 2019

I will be attending the Latvian Independence Day Market at Latvian House in Melbourne on November 17th. Why not come and check out the many artisan stalls, as well as the fabulous Rīga Café, where you are sure to get some pīrāgi! 

>>>III<<<   Brisbane Amber Talk 

Well, I managed to talk enthusiastically about amber for two hours, unbelievable! What is even more amazing is that it was super well-received.  An unprecedented amount of people rocked up (don’t forget that the Brisbane Latvian community is small, relative to Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide) and they loved it.  I was chuffed that academic Māra Siksna said that the talk approached the level of a doctoral thesis, but the best comment was that a woman who had wanted to throw out her amber beads, now wanted to keep them in a safe! :)

People also appreciated my display of ambers, including several pieces of Australian amber, as well as the examples of historical amber jewellery from both Latvia and Lithuania. Listeners were from across all ages, and I took many questions at the end, as well as advised about many pieces of amber that had been brought in. The fact that the speech was in English was greatly appreciated as it made the topic accessible across the wider community. I guess the best outcome is that now there a lot more people in Brisbane who understand why Baltic amber is precious.

Images by Garen Krumins

>>>III<<< Amber talk in Brisbane, Sept 21st

I've revamped my Amber and Latvian Jewellery presentation and I'm heading to Brisbane. People in Melbourne and Sydney said it was great, and this time I'm presenting in English. It's based on 100s of images and I will have a big display of samples, as well as my own jewellery. If you are near Brissy, come on down!! Exhibition and refreshments from midday, presentation starts at 1pm. 

See the Brissy Latvian Community Facebook Event for further details:

https://www.facebook.com/events/420298572164470/

>>>III<<< Aboriginal perspectives

Australian Aboriginal weaving technique baskets on Latvian linen runner. That’s my life! :)

The Eurobodalla Botanic Gardens hosts artist Vikki Parsley presenting traditional Aboriginal weaving techniques. She is a knowledgeable and generous teacher, artist, Aboriginal Heritage Consultant and possum cloak maker. Probably a lot more too! My daughter and I made these two baskets from lomandra, with emu feather and stringy bark highlights. Until now, I had viewed lomandra as a prickly nuisance. Did you know it tastes like green peas!? I loved learning about the aboriginal perspectives of the materials which surround me every day, and look forward to incorporating elements into my designs.

PS Onya Bruce Pascoe and Dark Emu!

June 2019

>>>III<<<   Summer School Exhibition

It’s amazing what can be achieved in such a short time! Here are the artisans who donated their time this summer in Normanville in South Australia to pass on their knowledge, as well as a sample of the great work done by the Australian Latvian Summer School participants. Inese Cepleniece (linen: check Vik’s shirt!), Iveta Leitase (weaving), Ilze Svarcs (jewellery), Viktor Svarcs (wood),

Jan 2019

>>>III<<< Teaching at Summer School

Hubby and I spent another January working at the Australian Latvian Summer School in South Australia. It’s great to be amongst people who want to spent their summer teaching and learning! Check the jewellery and the wood workshops ready for the first students. I taught cuttlefish casting, as I had collected giant cuttlefish bones from the coast of the Spencer Gulf in South Australia. Students and adults alike loved watching metal turn to liquid and then morph into their unique piece of jewellery.  I enjoyed encouraging the students to appreciate this Australian animal’s beautiful textures, and use these to enhance the designs of their Latvian archaeology-inspired amulets.

Note that there is little official time allocated to crafts within the busy summer school schedule. The keen learners come to the workshops during their free time or after hours to ensure they complete their projects. I love seeing the joy in their eyes of making something unique with their own hands!

Jan, 2019

>>>III<<< Adelaide’s Culture Festival

So much fun attending the bi-annual Aussie Latvian Arts Festival this year in Adelaide. Friends, fun and amazing performances from Latvia and Australia. The concert by Latvian megastars Prāta Vētra was incredible: I had no idea there were so many people in Australia who know all the words of their songs! And I just love seeing so much of my jewellery being worn by the public!!

Dec, 2018

>>>III<<< Latvia’s Minister of Culture again!

Inspiring leader Dace Melbārde, the Minister of Culture of Latvia took some time out to visit and purchase (!!!) Vasara Jewellery at the 57th Australian Latvian Arts Festival in Adelaide. Swoon!!

Dec 29, 2018

Dec 2018 at Tālava, Latvian House in Adelaide

This is Latvian Minister of Culture Dace Melbārde and I in 2016. She is thanking me, as head of the Latvian Arts Festival Artisan Exhibition committee, and our fabulous team, the Latvian Australian Artisans Association, for our wonderful exhibition. Scroll down to see some more images of what we achieved in Melbourne: amazing!

PS Note that the Minister is wearing an Aussie girl Brigita Stroda’s crown. http://www.lastroda.com/

Dec 2016 at the Aussie Latvian Artisan’s Exhibition opening

>>>III<<<   More Ministers and my Jewellery

Here is Sarmīte Ēlerte, former Minister of Culture of Latvia, during her visit to Melbourne as part of Latvian Independence Day celebrations. I am absolutely chuffed that she was enchanted (and she purchased!!!)one of my Rucava cuff bracelets. She loved the combination of the traditional motifs with the contemporary style of the piece. She also loved the story behind the design, which takes inspiration from the travels of my godmother’s blouse. Read the story here: http://www.vasara.com.au/downloadable-pdfs

At Latvian House in Melbourne

>>>III<<<   Our artisan workshop weekend rocks!

Yes, we did it again! Filled Melbourne Latvian House with the joy of learning handmaking skills. I’m so proud to head the amazing group of people who are the Latvian Australian Artisans Association: we are growing in number and energy every year. I also loved teaching Latvian jewellery with my colleagues Maris and Alnis. Make sure you enrol for next year’s weekend: you will struggle to find a better, cheaper weekend of craft anywhere. Thank you so much to all the artisans who donate their time, tools and expertise to make this happen!

May 2017

Melbourne Latvian House

>>>III<<<   Crowns workshop BUZZZ!

I'm proud to be the driving force behind making this workshop happen. With the team of the Australian Latvian Artisan’s Association, we can really achieve wonders! Brigita’s talk about the history of crown wearing prior to the workshop was both enlightening and inspiring. Check the quote re Latvia’s role in modern crown wearing, and Brigita is certainly the initiator and perpetuator of that trend!!

Great mantra “You are what you share”.

March 2017

>>>III<<< Crowns workshop sells out!

The 20 seats for Brigita Strodas Melbourne crowns workshop sold out in a flash. As there has been so much interest, I have moved the workshop into the small hall at Latvian House. So many people want to hear Brigita’s inspiring presentation on the origins of crowns, that I will be selling tickets to the talk separately. People coming to the workshop have the talk included in workshop ticket. Saturday March 18th 2017, Melbourne Latvian House.  

Workshop is full, but enrol for the talk by contacting contacting Māra Baumanis on 0433 812 244.

I am amazed at how linked the Latvian community is across the world. I had young Melbourne ladies calling me, desperate to get into this workshop, as their Latvian friends from Canada or England had said this workshop is fabulous, as they had participated at the 2x2 camp, or elsewhere in Latvia! 

>>>III<<< Lastroda crowns come to Melbourne

I’m organising a workshop for the inimitable Brigita Strods from Latvia, who will be at Latvian House in Melbourne to present her fabulous crowns workshop. Learn about the history of crowns, about Latvia’s crowns and wreaths and be inspired by a multitude of beautiful images as you fashion your own crown. All welcome, presentation in English and Latvian.

Saturday March 18th 2017, Melbourne Latvian House, at 10:30am.  $35 includes material: $25 for students and Latvian Australian Artisans’ Association members. Enrol today through Facebook, or by contacting Māra Baumanis on 0433 812 244.

This is a fabulous opportunity to participate in an empowering event, and meet an inspiring woman. Brigita has had several crowns exhibitions, her work has repeatedly featured in the Latvian press, and she has held many workshops in Latvia and elsewhere in Europe to great acclaim. Her company name is Lastroda, check out her work!  : http://lastroda.com/

Places are limited to 20, and 5 are already taken. Don’t fluff around, or you may miss out! PS Come early or stay late to enjoy the Baltic goodies from the Melbourne Latvian House café.

Gorgeous photo of Brigita by  Ritvars Skuja

>>>III<<< Next artisan workshop date set

Our Melbourne artisan workshops have grown exponentially in popularity over the past 5 years. Mark Saturday and Sunday May 6th and 7th 2017 in your diaries and get ready to head tp Latvian House in Melbourne. These workshops are unique in Australia, and I know there is nothing like them in the USA. Take the opportunity to learn old school skills. The program has not yet been finalized, but last time 14 presenters taught 9 workshops to 32 participants. Not bad, eh!?

>>>III<<< Interview on Latvian radio

I am completely chuffed that Latvian media personality Ansis Bogustovs has published a 35-minute interview about our Artisans’ Exhibition. It’s in Latvian, and is called “Is a folk costume different if it is sewn elsewhere”. This seemingly trite question is not directly discussed in the interview, but themes of nationality and identity are. Traditional textile artisans Ārija Baumane and Aija Grosa, as well as master jeweller Atika Rea, talk about how their Latvian heritage has, or has not influenced their work. 

During the interview, both the interviewer Bogustovs and Latvian master weaver Maniņš, urge me to participate in the 100 year celebrations of Latvia in 2018. What a buzz! Who would have thought, that my career would take such a turn! 

Listen here http://lr1.lsm.lv/lv/raksts/21.-gadsimta-latvietis/vai-tautas-terps-ir-atskirigs-ja-to-suj-latvietis-kas-dzivo-citv.a79705/

>>>III<<< Amazing volunteers all!

The exhibition was a huge success. Hundreds of people came to the first Australian Latvian Culture Festival Applied Arts Exhibition in many years. Although this festival happens bi-annually, it has been so many years since there has been a crafts component, that no-one can remember when there was last such an event!

There were close to 50 artisans exhibiting from both Australia and Latvia, showcasing hundreds of pieces: archeological, traditional and modern. We ran a very successful market and a small café. The kitchen not only supplied the café, it also fed the exhibition staff of up to 12 people, every day.  

And you know what? It was all done by volunteers! There were around 40 people who gave up their time: during the Christmas break, during the attractive Australian summer, during the super culture festival, which is chock-full of other attractive events, to run this event. Not one of us is paid. All of us working hard, in sometimes very stressful situations. Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you! Thanks to the members of the Latvian Australian Artisans’ Association who were the core of the workers, but a super special thanks to the friends, husbands and supporters who donated their efforts during this so very hectic tine of the year. You are all the heroes of this magic event!

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

>>>III<<< Working with artisans from Latvia

I love that Latvians from Latvia and Latvian communities from outside Latvia are working increasingly effectively together and actively supporting each other. I am certainly working to promote the interaction of Latvian and Aussie-Latvian artisans. The Australia Latvian Artisans’ Association was instrumental in bringing Rīga master weaver Māris Maniņš to Australia. 

Maniņš has been a fabulous asset to this exhibition. We have all learnt so much from his experience in setting up exhibitions. His hard work, energy and unflappability have been a godsend! After the exhibition, he travels to the Latvian Summer High School in South Australia where he will be teaching both staff and students.

>>>III<<< Works from Latvia

I am proud of having involved so many marvelous artisans from Latvia in this exhibition. Longins Švirevičs’ traditional jewellery is spectacular! Švirēvičs leads the jewellery studio Cilnis  in Rīga, and is not only a jeweller, but a master in chasing and repousse, which are such key skills in these traditional pieces. I have spent a day in Švirevics studio learning the secrets of making the hollow Zemgale beads. I only made one, and it took ages, but I just loved learning from the old master who is a very sweet gentleman. Making a whole necklace like this takes many, many days. 

Svirevics' studio in Riga

>>>III<<< Exhibition opening: what a high!

The Minister of Culture of the Republic of Latvia, Dace Melbārde, found the time to open our Australian Latvian Artisan Exhibition. What a high!! The building was buzzing with people, art, French champagne and pīragi: a dazzling combination! It was also great to host Inga Oliņa, who plays many important cultural roles in Latvia, including being the initiator of the influential program " A folk costume for each of us" (Katram savu tautas tērpu). 

Click on the side of an image below to see more.

>>>III<<< Exhibition bump in

A small group of Latvian Australian Artisans Association members and supporters have spent four full days setting up the rich exhibition which opens on the 27th December. Beautiful examples of work from the 1930s to the present day. Jewellery, textiles, ceramics, glass, wood… And a surprising array of quality items for sale, both from the exhibition and from the adjoining artisan market. 

>>>III<<<   AL56KDs

I’m curating the Artisans’ Exhibition at the 56th Australian Latvian Culture Festival to be held in Melbourne between Christmas and New Year. Almost 40 artisans with a blend of vintage and contemporary works. There will also be a pop-up café and an artisans’ market with some amazing pieces and bargains. And all in a unique area of Melbourne: well worth the visit to the

Latvian RSL, 87 Chetwynd Street,  North Melbourne

27th – 31st December    10am – 4pm

>>>III<<<   Amber talks

I continue getting great feedback about my talks on amber from both Melbourne and Sydney. I guess we are all surprised about how much we don’t know, or have forgotten, about the Baltic treasure that is amber.

Talking about how to distinguish real amber from fake at Latvian House in Sydney.

Talking about amber’s crust at Latvian House in Melbourne

>>>III<<< Next market: October 11th 2015

I'll be participating at the  Baltic Festival in South Melbourne on October 11th. It is shaping up to be quite an event with Latvians, Lithuanians, Estonians and Finns showing off their cultures.  It's at Lithuanian House, right in the centre of busy, and very cool, Errol Street in North Melbourne: so why not make a day of it!