This is big news. Roocci art has got all technically savvy and is now on MySpace, Facebook and Twitter. I'm still kinda working out how it all works so if it isn't working for you send me an email and let me know. I'm hoping that this will challenge me to be even more creative. You'll be able to see my new ideas before they go live at on my website, comment and hopefully give me even better ones :)
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Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Gorgeous Gifts for Christmas
Hey all!
Can you believe that Christmas is right around the corner? A Merry Christmas to all. If you like unique and fun gifts please stop by my website here for some fantastic Christmas specials. For those who have been hanging out to purchase the new cushions they are now online, with a summer special for Christmas also in the link above.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Denial
Advertising calls this some fancy term which means basically, when you see something on tv that is intended to shock you out of a certain behaviour (think of recent smoking or alcohol warnings), your mind just wants to switch off. For me, I hate seeing footage of poor bears made to dance against their will and the recent advertising by Animals Australia about the horrors of pig farming. For me, seeing animals in distress in akin to children in distress; I can't stand it, I'll never be able to stand it. Cruelty to animals - even mentioning the words together, just makes me want to cry, or hold my own two puppies close for a group hug.
Yet there are some good people in the world who, despite their own similar strong emotions, fight on the front lines, investigate, take photographs and communicate the horrors to the world, hoping this will change the behavior of at least some of us, who may not know that this is happening - who may not even know where their daily food comes from and may now wish to support the cause or choose a better way. To me groups like Animals Australia are some of the true heroes of this world.
The problem here though is that by showing shocking material, people may just turn off the tv and not get the full impact. But it must be shown. A conundrum.
I have been thinking about this issue, and I think that if everyday people think that they are the cause of the pigs in suffering because they like bacon, for instance, then it becomes counter-productive. After all, they grew up on bacon and hey, they did not choose this way for the pigs to die. Having one's eyes open to the real world of food brings to mind the Jamie Oliver show where he gassed some innocent baby chickies on stage. Shocking yes. He basically said: you want to eat chicken? Well you have to be at least responsible to know what is happening in the factories. A terrible, horrible and shocking thing, but man, it made an impact on me at the time.
In this way though, the whole issue of responsibility becomes a very black hole, where the waters are muddy with shame and blood and it's all too easy to pass by the mess altogether and never change. The brain is good at that.
I have also been thinking about better ways to communicate such issues. I am not suggesting that this way is better either. But this is what I would sit and watch - as a complimentary campaign. For me the issue is this: Rather than hammer home again and again what WE as consumers are doing to animals when we purchase a product, by our ignorance, and it's counterproductive shock value ( as true as the facts are - and as much as I totally support this issue of the pigs for instance ), I think that the blame should be focused at the practices of the farmers and the retailers who buy from them.
The message should be that: 1. Shock. Did you know that this is what 'they' are doing? Farmers are being pressured for a cheap price by retailers and are cutting corners. As a result they are treating these animals horrifically - and all for financial gain. 2. Did you know they are not telling you this so that you can continue to purchase that meat at competitively cheap prices, turning a blind eye to this horror? 3. ACTION: If you don't want these animals to be treated this way then you must act. The only way these greedy people understand is by their hip pocket - make their business change or go under for lack of viability. Hold the farmers and the retailers accountable for their shocking business practices by petitioning them and by, for a time, a long time if necessary, enough to make the message heard and until things change, not buying their meat. Make this a national shame, a national campaign of change, and fix this. 4. In the mean time for those who cannot give up eating pig then here are some reputable pig farmers and conscientious retailers - and where to get their products.
As someone who sworn off pig, even though I used to love bacon, it makes me sick to my stomach that the facts are being ignored. Pigs are amazingly intelligent animals, almost like dogs really. I am a realist in the fact that there are always going to be people who eat animals so why not show people another way? Make the farmers and particularly the big retailers who continue to the support them without investigating into whether their business practices are ethical responsible for the fallout. Petition them, make them aware of better parctices. Because yes, we as people can do a lot by being shocked to the core, but without making the retailers and farmers responsible they will never change and the average person will be so overwhelmed with guilt that THEY are responsible that eventually they will go back to blocking it all out - and nothing will change. People really to be shown that they CAN change things for the better by taking action against the real perpetrators in a sustained boycott campaign.
Oh well, just some thoughts. I really support Animals Australia in their recent campaign and hope that it is effective and that they are able to continue bringing awareness to people in such a painful and powerful way. I know they did this for me, so it must work for others too. I just hope that farmers and especially the food giants are able to feel this issue where it really hurts too.
Yet there are some good people in the world who, despite their own similar strong emotions, fight on the front lines, investigate, take photographs and communicate the horrors to the world, hoping this will change the behavior of at least some of us, who may not know that this is happening - who may not even know where their daily food comes from and may now wish to support the cause or choose a better way. To me groups like Animals Australia are some of the true heroes of this world.
The problem here though is that by showing shocking material, people may just turn off the tv and not get the full impact. But it must be shown. A conundrum.
I have been thinking about this issue, and I think that if everyday people think that they are the cause of the pigs in suffering because they like bacon, for instance, then it becomes counter-productive. After all, they grew up on bacon and hey, they did not choose this way for the pigs to die. Having one's eyes open to the real world of food brings to mind the Jamie Oliver show where he gassed some innocent baby chickies on stage. Shocking yes. He basically said: you want to eat chicken? Well you have to be at least responsible to know what is happening in the factories. A terrible, horrible and shocking thing, but man, it made an impact on me at the time.
In this way though, the whole issue of responsibility becomes a very black hole, where the waters are muddy with shame and blood and it's all too easy to pass by the mess altogether and never change. The brain is good at that.
I have also been thinking about better ways to communicate such issues. I am not suggesting that this way is better either. But this is what I would sit and watch - as a complimentary campaign. For me the issue is this: Rather than hammer home again and again what WE as consumers are doing to animals when we purchase a product, by our ignorance, and it's counterproductive shock value ( as true as the facts are - and as much as I totally support this issue of the pigs for instance ), I think that the blame should be focused at the practices of the farmers and the retailers who buy from them.
The message should be that: 1. Shock. Did you know that this is what 'they' are doing? Farmers are being pressured for a cheap price by retailers and are cutting corners. As a result they are treating these animals horrifically - and all for financial gain. 2. Did you know they are not telling you this so that you can continue to purchase that meat at competitively cheap prices, turning a blind eye to this horror? 3. ACTION: If you don't want these animals to be treated this way then you must act. The only way these greedy people understand is by their hip pocket - make their business change or go under for lack of viability. Hold the farmers and the retailers accountable for their shocking business practices by petitioning them and by, for a time, a long time if necessary, enough to make the message heard and until things change, not buying their meat. Make this a national shame, a national campaign of change, and fix this. 4. In the mean time for those who cannot give up eating pig then here are some reputable pig farmers and conscientious retailers - and where to get their products.
As someone who sworn off pig, even though I used to love bacon, it makes me sick to my stomach that the facts are being ignored. Pigs are amazingly intelligent animals, almost like dogs really. I am a realist in the fact that there are always going to be people who eat animals so why not show people another way? Make the farmers and particularly the big retailers who continue to the support them without investigating into whether their business practices are ethical responsible for the fallout. Petition them, make them aware of better parctices. Because yes, we as people can do a lot by being shocked to the core, but without making the retailers and farmers responsible they will never change and the average person will be so overwhelmed with guilt that THEY are responsible that eventually they will go back to blocking it all out - and nothing will change. People really to be shown that they CAN change things for the better by taking action against the real perpetrators in a sustained boycott campaign.
Oh well, just some thoughts. I really support Animals Australia in their recent campaign and hope that it is effective and that they are able to continue bringing awareness to people in such a painful and powerful way. I know they did this for me, so it must work for others too. I just hope that farmers and especially the food giants are able to feel this issue where it really hurts too.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Sister Patricia Rickards
I wish to express my thanks to this amazing woman, thanks for teaching me what it is to give with not very much, teaching me how to create and how the most beautiful ideas are not the most expensive but the ones with the most heart.
I spent a good chunk of my youth growing up in a townhouse complex where Patricia and two other sister from the Daughters of Charity lived. When I was about 9, Sister Patricia invited me over to watch and help (and I think invited myself over quite a bit, I loved it :). Patricia had set up a gorgeous little sewing studio that she had in the back of the garage. It was homely, and from an old singer sewing machine she made strawberry shaped pin cushions amongst so many other treasures while telling me stories about her years growing up. Sister Patricia knew she wanted to be a nun from a young age, telling me about the time she was being courted by a lovely "young chappie" and, one then coming to clearly understand the call on her life to something beyond the norm, a life devoted to creating joy for others. Growing up in the 20's Patricia experienced what it was like to have very little. I wish that someone had made a documentary of her life, asked her the details about that time and written it down or filmed it. Stories from that era were part of the weekly experience at Patricia's sewing studio.
One of the most beautiful things that I remember she used to do was celebrate every Christmas and Easter in the most fabulously creative way. In celebration of every find, Patricia collected the most gorgeous gum nuts and pieces of bark and somehow weld them together with lights and painted wooden Nativity characters. So carefully crafted with a simplicity that comes from being an expert crafts person, Patricia's nativity scenes were widely loved and recognised in the local area, garnishing the front of the daughters of charity complex every year. Her last one was the last time I saw Sister Patricia, and I will remember her joy at collecting some 'beautiful piece of bark'. Always celebrating the small, elevating the insignificant into something beautiful - this is an analogy that sums up Patricia's life and the way she treated people.
Always giving things away, always creating things to sell at the stalls at the church in order to raise money to give to her well connected contacts who helped the poor overseas, Patricia was excited always to show me her trays of easter bunnies, cut out of cardbard, a fluffy cotton tail carefully stuck on the back, whilst a hole in the middle housed an easter egg. Some $1.50, some gorgeous creations, "really top ones" at $3.50, there were trays of these creations, different every year, with a variety that evoked tears at the love and care that went into things that were so inexpensive to buy. Patricia loved the $2 store, marvelling at the range of glittering craft supplies that could be purchased. Her excitement of raising $100-$200 for her creations at these stalls was unmeasured, a raging success. The money may go to providing mattresses to lepers in Nepal, and the whole amount would be greatly received by her adoring friends in other parts of the world. Patricia was indeed one of a kind, and affected anyone who met her.
Patricia's love for detail, her love and passion for people, her passion for giving to those she met who were less fortunate and her absolute joy and satisfaction at being able to give her all in a creative way in a world who's priorities and morality is getting worse and worse, visiting Patricia was a like visiting a light in the world.
I moved out of the area and as my contacts there got fewer I managed to see Patricia about twice a year. The last time I saw her, Patricia was bright and bubbly, very excited about her new creation for Christmas. Little did I realise that would be the last time I would be honoured to share her time and airspace. Patricia was no ordinary nun. Vivacious and well travelled, Patricia was a strong lady, not unaware of the world and it's darkness whilst staying innocent in her countenance. In fact I used to comment that I don't remember her face changing very much at all in the past 25 years. Humble in her position in the world, Patricia always talked about others above herself. Her trips to Fiji wowed her with their hospitable culture and their beautiful songs and attitude to life. Her chats about peers was equally humble, mentioning in awe how a colleague had taken a man off the street, washed his filthy stinky feet and then set about cutting his ingrown claws, gently prising the dirt out of his toenails with her bare hands. Whilst she had done many other similar things, Patricia always talked about others above herself, with great love towards people who touched her in some way, whilst all the time touching others.
I was shocked when Patricia passed, unable to feel the true effect of grief until recently. While sitting here, I am crying for her but also crying for someone that will never get a public funeral, never be remembered en masse as the significant person that she was, a person who touched countless lives. Somehow I was privileged to know her. I regret that no one ever did a documentary about her and celebrate her life so that she is never forgotten. Patricia, you are never forgotten. I will make sure you are never forgotten through my life, and in everything you will be remembered. Your grave may be humble but your memory is eternal and lasting and there will never be another like you.
The world lost someone equally important as any world leader or changer the day that Sister Patricia died, Sister Patricia died aged 88, peacefully, on July 17th 2009. We love you and always will, and you will never be forgotten, your legacy of love will live on in every heart you have touched in your life. You have reminded me that there is always a good time to give, you don't have to wait until you have the time or the money. You can do so much with so little. Thankyou. Thankyou, Thankyou.
I spent a good chunk of my youth growing up in a townhouse complex where Patricia and two other sister from the Daughters of Charity lived. When I was about 9, Sister Patricia invited me over to watch and help (and I think invited myself over quite a bit, I loved it :). Patricia had set up a gorgeous little sewing studio that she had in the back of the garage. It was homely, and from an old singer sewing machine she made strawberry shaped pin cushions amongst so many other treasures while telling me stories about her years growing up. Sister Patricia knew she wanted to be a nun from a young age, telling me about the time she was being courted by a lovely "young chappie" and, one then coming to clearly understand the call on her life to something beyond the norm, a life devoted to creating joy for others. Growing up in the 20's Patricia experienced what it was like to have very little. I wish that someone had made a documentary of her life, asked her the details about that time and written it down or filmed it. Stories from that era were part of the weekly experience at Patricia's sewing studio.
One of the most beautiful things that I remember she used to do was celebrate every Christmas and Easter in the most fabulously creative way. In celebration of every find, Patricia collected the most gorgeous gum nuts and pieces of bark and somehow weld them together with lights and painted wooden Nativity characters. So carefully crafted with a simplicity that comes from being an expert crafts person, Patricia's nativity scenes were widely loved and recognised in the local area, garnishing the front of the daughters of charity complex every year. Her last one was the last time I saw Sister Patricia, and I will remember her joy at collecting some 'beautiful piece of bark'. Always celebrating the small, elevating the insignificant into something beautiful - this is an analogy that sums up Patricia's life and the way she treated people.
Always giving things away, always creating things to sell at the stalls at the church in order to raise money to give to her well connected contacts who helped the poor overseas, Patricia was excited always to show me her trays of easter bunnies, cut out of cardbard, a fluffy cotton tail carefully stuck on the back, whilst a hole in the middle housed an easter egg. Some $1.50, some gorgeous creations, "really top ones" at $3.50, there were trays of these creations, different every year, with a variety that evoked tears at the love and care that went into things that were so inexpensive to buy. Patricia loved the $2 store, marvelling at the range of glittering craft supplies that could be purchased. Her excitement of raising $100-$200 for her creations at these stalls was unmeasured, a raging success. The money may go to providing mattresses to lepers in Nepal, and the whole amount would be greatly received by her adoring friends in other parts of the world. Patricia was indeed one of a kind, and affected anyone who met her.
Patricia's love for detail, her love and passion for people, her passion for giving to those she met who were less fortunate and her absolute joy and satisfaction at being able to give her all in a creative way in a world who's priorities and morality is getting worse and worse, visiting Patricia was a like visiting a light in the world.
I moved out of the area and as my contacts there got fewer I managed to see Patricia about twice a year. The last time I saw her, Patricia was bright and bubbly, very excited about her new creation for Christmas. Little did I realise that would be the last time I would be honoured to share her time and airspace. Patricia was no ordinary nun. Vivacious and well travelled, Patricia was a strong lady, not unaware of the world and it's darkness whilst staying innocent in her countenance. In fact I used to comment that I don't remember her face changing very much at all in the past 25 years. Humble in her position in the world, Patricia always talked about others above herself. Her trips to Fiji wowed her with their hospitable culture and their beautiful songs and attitude to life. Her chats about peers was equally humble, mentioning in awe how a colleague had taken a man off the street, washed his filthy stinky feet and then set about cutting his ingrown claws, gently prising the dirt out of his toenails with her bare hands. Whilst she had done many other similar things, Patricia always talked about others above herself, with great love towards people who touched her in some way, whilst all the time touching others.
I was shocked when Patricia passed, unable to feel the true effect of grief until recently. While sitting here, I am crying for her but also crying for someone that will never get a public funeral, never be remembered en masse as the significant person that she was, a person who touched countless lives. Somehow I was privileged to know her. I regret that no one ever did a documentary about her and celebrate her life so that she is never forgotten. Patricia, you are never forgotten. I will make sure you are never forgotten through my life, and in everything you will be remembered. Your grave may be humble but your memory is eternal and lasting and there will never be another like you.
The world lost someone equally important as any world leader or changer the day that Sister Patricia died, Sister Patricia died aged 88, peacefully, on July 17th 2009. We love you and always will, and you will never be forgotten, your legacy of love will live on in every heart you have touched in your life. You have reminded me that there is always a good time to give, you don't have to wait until you have the time or the money. You can do so much with so little. Thankyou. Thankyou, Thankyou.
Friday, May 1, 2009
All Steamed Up
I cannot tell you how excited I am about the latest Roocci venture - fabrics. I just ordered a steamer, and it looks like a rocket ship. You need a steamer for colour fixing the fabric. Why fabric you may ask? Because I am now branching out into fabrics - like, yeay, and by July should be able to print Roocci designs onto fabrics like cotton and silk. As you know I try to source all my products from Australia and where possible make sure they are also Australian made. Trouble with fabrics is that everything is outsourced overseas. And steamers? Well they are big in the US - silk painting is still huge over there and so you can basically source them without hassle from a specialist art shop. Not so here. It took me a month on google to find a steamer in Aus and I was so damn lucky to stumble over the one I finally bought.
Anyway, basically when i figure out how to use it next week, I will be able to print on silk first, then in July when the cotton printer comes i can print onto cotton. Woo hoo!!!! So...look out for Roocci Cushions, Roocci Cotton Quilt Covers and a lot more this year. Will post a picture of the steamer too - it is an awesome sight to behold.
I am also so excited because i have been in the past tempted to go overseas with the fabric thing and my philosophy has and always will be Aussie Made where possible so it really aligns with my home grown business ideas. I am also an artist and the just thought that I can just design and print my own fabric totally blows me away. Imagine ordering fabric by the meter to compliment your wall art to cover a chair? Wow!!! I also like the thought of having a sewing helper who is not exploited for their impressive artistic skills.
So...yes the new products will be tested next week when the steamer arrives for colour fastness in the wash etc - I am looking forward to sharing them with you. Bye for now. :)
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