Harmony

Mandalas are a balance of visual elements, symbolizing unity and harmony.

I've lined the bag with a paisley design which has a strong yin yan influence. Inside there are two pockets and a key or mobile strap for quick retrieval.
Jan

Item No. 112 - $85

Fairy Wren

This smaller bag with short handles was made with love for a friend so is not for sale. However similar bags can be made just for you.








I drew the bird with fabric pencils and made the button. Jan

Item No. 121

My first dinosaur

This idea came to me on a rainy day after watching too many cartoons. I challenged myself to make it as a single piece of fabric - other than the spines, I was successful. Knitting shapes is so much more interesting than knitting squares!

I made this whilst relaxing in a beautiful cabin in the mountains, sitting on the back deck watching the world of birds, bees and bugs go by. There's a lot of peace and joy knitted into this piece.


This item has been sold, but similar items are available for $65 - I can make to order in your choice of colour and size!

Available in a range of shapes and sizes!

Do you have a favourite tea pot, but you're not sure whether any of the designs here will fit it?

Perhaps an odd shape or size of pot?

Liv is happy to make products to order - any size, colour or shape you desire. All you need to do is email us at functionalart@live.com.au with the dimensions of your pot, and preferably a picture (especially if it's an unusual shape) and Liv can make something just for you.

Simply autumn.

Each bag has two pockets and a strap for quick retrieval of your keys or mobile phone.

Jan
Sold, but similar items are available for $85

An early crochet experiment

This was another of my first experiments with creating my own tea cosy designs. It's a little crochet number using scraps of yarn left over from other projects - i hate to waste good yarn.

I always really liked this one, and am still tempted to take it off the sale list and keep it for myself - Liv

Item No. 4 - SOLD
Sorry, this item is sold - however Liv is happy to make a similar cosy to order in your favourite colours! Just send us an email.

Azure kingfisher dreaming.

The swirling pattern on the front and lining show the flooded waters of recent rain.
The bird is a canvas copy of the original Azure Kingfisher painted by my husband. We see these birds in the creek near our home.

Item No. 104 - $85

My first Monster!

So this is where tea cosy making starts to get weird. This was an experiment looking at the possibilities of creating a tea cosy softie, and he's a funny little fella. He was recently in the daily fashion parade at the Brisbane Stitches and Craft Show for the Thread Den stall - apparently nobody had ever heard of a monster tea cosy before, so they decided to show him off.

I still haven't decided on the perfect name for him yet, any suggestions? - Liv

Item No. 5 - $40

Contemplation

The cross stitch butterfly was done by Olivia.

Each bag has attention to detail with linings chosen for texture and colour to enhance or blend with the front. Jan

Item No. 102 - $85

Florals

The true story about these floral cosies is that one day, while trying to stay awake in a conference (not always the easiest thing to do) , I started scribbling on my free notepad some ideas for a fabulous softie, which was going to be a great big pink monster with a tutu.

Anyway, in the margins, I drew a scribble of a flower, and all of a sudden it morphed into the creations you see here.

I do admit to a bit of a 60s/70s flower power influence here.

Oh, and the poor softie never got made - I did buy the fabrics to do it (any excuse to go to a craft shop) but the flowers took control of my mind, and I had no choice but to make them. Maybe my tutu monster will see the light of reality one day - if so, I'm sure it will end up on here - Liv

Item No. 10 (brown and orange) and 11 (pink and purple) - $40 each

A natural affair

Thought and planning goes into the creation of each piece so that the backgrounds reflect both the colour and the meaning of the scene. Jan

Item No. 106 - Unavailable

The wonders of modelling clay

I must admit, I did have a lot of fun when i realised just how awesome modelling clay buttons looked. I've been long frustrated at not being able to find exactly the sort of buttons I want for my creations, and now I can make them myself!

It's possible I went a little overboard with buttons on this piece, but I quite like the effect - Liv
Item No. 6 - $40

Beatles, an Inspiration

I made a bag for my daughter for Christmas. I had so much fun I decided to create more.
This bag was inspired by the Beatles ventures into spirituality. Jan

Item No. 101 - $85

Liv's beginnings

To begin at the beginning.












This was my first attempt at a tea cosy. Well, second attempt really, but mum liked the first attempt so much she made off with it, and refuses to give it back.

This is a little crochet number, fits a medium sized pot - Liv
Item No. 9 - $40

Hi from Jan and Liv

It's pouring rain in Byron Bay today, so it seems the perfect opportunity to sit at the computer, listen to the wild winds outside, and introduce ourselves to our surely soon to be multitude of fans (no, really! It will happen).

Liv is obsessed with yarn. Occasionally this has led to well meaning friends and family tying her to the kitchen table to stop her from spending any more time in craft stores. That's ok though because from time to time it's a good idea to actually use the huge collection of thread that's amounted over the years. Liv has been known to take crochet to the pub, because "I was just getting to a particularly interesting bit and didn't want to stop!"

Jan is nearly as obsessed, but because it's quite difficult to convince a barista to allow her to set up a sewing machine at a cafe table, most of her creative energies stay at home (where they can be safely monitored). However, she's recently bought a set of fabric pencils, so is now creatively mobile, and a threat to cafes everywhere.

Our love of all things beautiful (and an inability to sit still) has led us to creating an eclectic range of bags, tea cosies, and other arty-farty bits and pieces. It seems a good time to start sharing these creations with the the general public, who may or may not leave the experience with their wallets safely intact (* Disclaimer - Liv and Jan take no responsibility for any crafty obsession that may develop as a result of viewing this blog - but can offer many suggestions as to how to foster it, and/or hide it from others).

Each piece we make is unique, and most are for sale to a good home. We love making new friends so please say hi, let us know what you think about our pieces (affectionately known as "farts" - pieces of Functional ART) or contact us with queries. We'd be happy to design a piece especially for you!

Happy creating,

Liv and Jan