Sunday, March 29, 2009

The studio that Like Butter built

The last couple of days at work have been très fun, albeit tiring - Bee and I printed 100m of fabric in 2 days. But we wouldn't have been able to do it without our new toy:

Drying our fabrics
Printing Birch in Deep red

Our new drying system! Built and installed by the very talented Like Butter (of course).

new drying system
Printing Ginkgo in Teal

The new system is sooo good! It basically doubles our efficiency (or more) because we can hoist fabric off the table and keep printing without having to wait for the first run to dry.

And it looks so pretty, with the fabric hanging like that :)

We also had our first Open Studio yesterday - thanks to everyone who came along!! We had no idea what to expect, who might turn up and if they might buy things, but it went really well! Next time we'll be more equipped with more stock and maybe some tea and coffee and biscuits. And maybe a printing demonstration, but we have to think about that a bit more...

17 comments:

Teegs said...

OMG. Which table did you stand on to take the birch pic, you bad girl! Where was Bee and why wasn't she yelling OHS at you?? Ooh, you're so lucky I'm interstate right now...

Alfalfa Crafts said...

I wish I could visit Melbourne, so I could visit your studio. Will you be having more regular open days?

Lara said...

Actually, Bee took the first photo :P I think she stood on the crappy chair.

Teegs said...

Hehe, I think she's been hanging around with us for too long! She's starting to pick up our bad habits. It so looks like she was on the cutting table- the dodgiest of all dodgys! I didn't want to come back to one of you with a broken arm/leg/neck

Christina Lowry said...

What a great job, the fabric does look very cool hanging like that!!

Oooooh, I may be coming to Melbourne in November! Any open days then?? :)

Bianca said...

It was me taking that photo :) and there were no chairs or tables involved. I just held my arms up high and shot without looking ;)

It's good to know you both care so much about me :)

Penny said...

Hehe you girls are funny.

The pics look great! It's like a dreamy canopy kind of thing!

Lara said...

Alfalfa, Christina - we'll definitely be having more open days. Probably once a month or once every 2 months, depending how things go.

If you're in town let us know anyway and we might be able to arrange something :)

jo said...

bummed I couldn't make it to your open day... next time maybe..
and I like the way that hoist, drying thingy makes the fabric look like waves.

Melissa G said...

I very much like the gingko in teal.

Anonymous said...

That is very ingenious! You girls are a very inspiring group of talented creatives.

Sandra @ Pepperberry and Co. said...

Ok. You're talented, you've got a spiffy little office, and you're funny to boot. Some people just have all the luck! :-) Gorgeous new system there, gals. I'm trying to figure out a sexy way of hanging all of my luscious fabrics at the moment, so it's the perfect inspiration!!

HomeSweet Jenny said...

I love your drying system! I'll have to remember that for when I outgrow my laundry line!

Anna Betts said...

Wow, this looks so exciting! I only wish you weren't right on the opposite side of the globe to me, or I'd have been at your open studio in a flash!

Victory said...

Sad to have missed the open studio... next time. Love your work, inspiring, gorgeous and great colour ways. What a stunning studio space, you are very lucky, keep up the good work.

Anna said...

Clever clever ladies! i love the drying rack - you guys are rocking the prints, it makes me proud to be Melbs. Love to come and visit when im back there x C

Claire Mojher said...

Lovely lovely!