Homewares

Doodad and Fandango is where design meets vitality. From everyday essentials to statement pieces, her home furnishings and accessories fuse pop art elegance with practicality, infusing each object with the vibrancy of performance and pop culture. Crafted locally in the serenity of the Blue Mountains, each piece embodies artistry and passion.

Born and raised in the Blue Mountains, Chandu started her career as a nurse but spent her mornings and evenings on cliff tops painting impressionist landscapes in oil. In her mid twenties Chandu set off on a 7 month trip overseas - she didn’t move home for 12 years. Chandu spent much of that time in a remote village in Tanzania. It was here she saw the great need and opportunities for women in arts and business. In 2001 she created an international business based on fair trade principles between East Africa and Australia. She supported the micro economy and the health and wellbeing of families in the remote region and also promoted the sustainability of local customs, arts and traditions among indigenous villagers and tribe’s people. Chandu's years in a mud hut without electricity, running water or transport, found her swapping her sable brushes for simple living. Her new art form became writing poetry and prose on dodgy notebooks by lantern light. For the last 20 years Chandu has been studying, teaching and mentoring organisations, groups and individuals in the business, leadership and creative industries. An avid writer and poet she has won a scholarship with the Faber Writing Academy, been awarded local prizes for her short stories and poems, has enjoyed 2 invited residencies at Varuna and been published in several anthologies. She is a sought after and inspiring public speaker and Emcee. Chandu dedicates her time between being a creative and actively supporting creatives to take their passion and practice out into the world. An inspiring and engaging facilitator and creative coach, Chandu offers bespoke group programs and one on one mentoring for artists and practitioners like you who wish to * step more fully onto your creative path * explore and clarify your talents, ideas and offerings * make your passion your profession or * explore and extend your creative and business offerings If you'd love more information and support book a complimentary Connection Conversation today. https://chandubickford.com/services/#holisticmentoring

An emerging resin artist, living and working in the Blue Mountains, New South Wales in Australia with my partner and 2 fur babies. Originally from suburban Melbourne, I grew up dreaming of becoming an artist, building and creating artworks that would make me (and hopefully others) smile. I discovered Resin Art after moving to the Blue Mountains where I took advantage of the world slowing down, allowing me time to daydream and get creative. Many of my artworks are inspired by local flora and fauna and the beautiful Australian landscapes while others are created from colourful daydreams. The sometimes-unpredictable nature of resin pouring means that there are often times when the pieces turn out nothing like what I had planned and 80% of the time they are even better. The abstract flow of the resin and the weights in the pigments mean each of the pieces have a depth to them that requires an appreciation in person. I hope you find a piece of my artwork that you want in your home or office as a statement piece that will bring a smile to your face whenever you look at it. Thank you for supporting this small business and independent artist.

From Jennie's little garden studio, she creates art from Blue Mountains landscapes to quirky illustrative characters. She also runs one-off workshops and termly classes to share her knowledge and encourage others to create. Her most recent body of work encapsulates the exploration and rediscovery of the natural landscape of the Blue Mountains from the time of the pandemic lockdowns. From this came her first solo book LOOKOUT, in which she encourages you to discover lookouts, through the artists eye. Whether you appreciate differing art techniques or are looking for inspiration for your own art journey, within these pages you will find Jennie's local knowledge and artistic ramblings. Jennie's illustrative art brand is called Hiccup Art, so called as Jennie hiccups nearly every day. Her illustrations are quirky, sometimes whimsical, and often from her daydreaming imagination. Jennie has illustrated Children's books, created originals and art prints. Her love of sharing knowledge has also lead her to work with schools Artist in Residence programs, Art Camps and Children's workshops. Her LOOKOUT book, originals, prints and cards can be found in local galleries, book stores, visitor centres, boutique retail stores, online and local artisan markets. Please contact Jennie for wholesale enquiries, commissions, collaborations and creative workshops.

The Blue Mountains Cultural Centre showcases innovative, diverse, distinctive and creative cultural programs for enjoyment by residents of, and visitors to, the Blue Mountains. Located in the heart of Katoomba the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre encompasses the Blue Mountains City Art Gallery, Katoomba Library and Into the Blue, an interactive exhibition that explores the history and natural landscape of the Blue Mountains. Visitors can also enjoy the viewing platform that takes in stunning panoramic vistas of Katoomba and the Jamison Valley. Opened in 2012, the Blue Mountains City Art Gallery features major touring, curated, regional and local exhibitions. Its Altitude Exhibition Program is dedicated to showcasing artists who reside in the Blue Mountains Region. The Gallery also hosts many quality exhibition programs such as curator and artist talks, educational workshops, gallery tours and outreach programs. The Cultural Centre also hosts school holiday programs for kids, pop-up art activities, artisan markets, performances, and a wide range of community related events. The Blue Mountains Cultural Centre also features a Gallery Shop and Café, both of which aim to highlight local makers and produce. The Shop stocks a wide variety of quality Australian made gifts, books and homewares, with a focus on artisan products designed and made here in the Blue Mountains. The licensed Gallery Café has a particular focus on quality, locally produced ingredients. You can enjoy freshly roasted coffee, delicious cakes, and a seasonal menu while overlooking the magnificent Jamison Valley. Please email culturalcentre@bmcc.nsw.gov.au to get in touch!

Kirrily has been living and working on Dharug and Gundungurra land in the mid Blue Mountains for around 16 years. With past lives as a graphic designer and then a bag/accessories/homewares designer and maker, the need for some dining chairs led to a new chapter in furniture upholstery and restoration. Blending pattern drafting, sewing, design, a million small details and working with her hands, upholstery provides new challenges and education every day and satisfies her relentless curiosity about how things are made and if they can be made better. Kirrily mostly undertakes custom reupholstery and restoration work for clients, bringing their much loved pieces of furniture back to life. The pieces with personal history are her favourites because they always have interesting stories attached to them and mean so much to people. She also considers it an absolute privilege to work on iconic designs when they come into the studio. Custom upholstery is an antidote to the trend driven and profit focused world of fast furniture and mass production. It's personal, it's considered, it's better for the environment, it's higher quality and there is an inexplicable delight in the process. For more information and to obtain an estimate please visit the website www.needlevsthread.com