Glory Box Designs

Who is Glory Box Designs

I started designing in the 5 years I lived in China­ I had such great access to tailors and fabric that my wardrobe grew to epic proportions. As I couldn't fit into the local clothes, I had to buy my wardrobe seasonally on my trips back home, and I felt that there was a big gap of easy fit clothes in bright, bold colours. 

I started developing a range of swimwear and kaftans in larger sizes but my technical knowledge was letting me down, so I came back to Sydney to study fashion design at East Sydney TAFE, and then moved in to Textile Design where I was really able to let my imagination fly. Combining my love of print with my desire for an endless summer, and my background in Drama and Film­ I develop unique prints that I then translate in to either my homewares or fashion and accessories ranges. I feel very strongly about keeping production Australian, so I do all of my screen printing, sewing and pattern making myself, and have my digital printing done locally. 

At the core of Glory Box Designs remains one constant, making pieces that leave no woman behind. I work at an approachable price point, breathable styles and easy care fabrics. Life is too short not to have beautiful, comfortable clothes.

What is it about colour that inspires you

I think I was born that way. I grew up on a beautiful farm in the bush by the beach, in a house filled with colour and beautiful objects. The influences of my mother and her sister have proved to be very strong, as I always keep them in mind when designing. 

I find colour so comforting, nothing upsets me more than beige. I use colour as an expression of feeling and am always attempting to evoke emotion through my use of it. It's definitely quite innate­ when painting walls at home I have these grand plans that freak everyone out, but once they're on the wall they love them. 

I have never had any intention to just blend into the background, and I love that when I am at my most colourful it gets smiles from strangers. They don't call
me "The Sequin Terrorist" for nothing.

Your  jewellery is tactile, durable and not only absorbs but reflects whatever the wearer has on.  So the question must be asked: why resin in particular

Resin is a medium that I stumbled on by accident, and a happy one at that. It is so versatile in that I can make it into an infinite amount of shapes and colours, it experiments nicely yet also is able to provide consistent results for moulding. 

I can use it to mimic the intricate details of crystal, or make it smooth as stone, transparent as glass or as opaque as the night in a range of high octane colours.

As a kid I loved staring into blown glass paper weights, tiny little worlds frozen in time­ I get to do that with resin. It also has the benefit of being strong and light, a must for my pieces as I believe they should be worn with reckless abandon. I want you to be able to just throw it on and know that you can get about your business of being fabulous and relaxed. 

My jewellery can be used to complement an outfit,  or be the star of one.

Traditionally pink is a soothing colour and somehow you have managed to strike the balance with explosive mixtures yet peaceful glam.  Is this a deliberate method or was it more of an accidental happening

I love that phrase 'peaceful glam', as it really is the essence of my aesthetic, I am always trying to show that bright prints and good taste are not mutually exclusive.

As a lot of my prints are subversive and cheeky, using colours that directly contrast with the idea of the print and just another way that I like to play with design. For example, I did a print range called "Obnoxious Weeds" and I took my inspiration for the motifs from the cane toad, the indian myna and the prickly pear, and then used these inviting, complementary colours with them, to make the concept of toad skin more appealing. It's always worth asking me the story behind the print, I can be pretty silly at times.

How would you sum up the world of Glory Box Designs in 5 words

Cheeky design irreverence, with heart

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No arguments here!  We love her, we love love LOVE her designs, energy and everything that come with it as will you!  Swing by the Marrickville Market Hall and see where the lovely Lara's creative juices have led her and we reckon you too will become forever a fan of this most talented creator!

5 Questions with Judi & Mulapa Aboriginal Art

How did you originally become involved with Mulapa Aboriginal Art

"Mulapa" means 'really' or 'true' in Pitjantjatjara which is an Aboriginal language.  This is why when I started this business in 2010 I named my business "Mulapa Aboriginal Art" to highlight my number one principal: that I sell "really true" ethically sourced Aboriginal art.

I knew I didn't want to open a gallery to sell the art but I wanted to sell from home. Once that idea was in my mind, I needed somewhere to advertise my business.  I decided to sell on a stall at Orange Grove Markets (because they are my local markets and I had been going there weekly since they started) and now recently in the new addition to Marrickville Market in the Hall which I am incredibly pleased about.

Also my home is close to both the markets, so it made sense to attract people from the local area or who were familiar with the area around the markets.

Part of your ethos is "Mulapa Aboriginal art is a signatory to the Indigenous Art Code and Australian Indigenous Art Trade and Fair Trade".  For those who may not fully understand "Indigenous Art Code" and "Indigenous Art Trade" could you explain in layman's terms exactly what this means

As a dealer in Aboriginal Art being a member of both organisations lets people know that I believe in and support the practise within the industry.

Membership of both organisations is voluntary. (nb: if you would like to learn more about Indigenous Art Code click "here" and for Indigenous Art Trade click "here").

The Indigenous Art Code ensures that artists are treated and paid fairly by dealers who work directly with them.  Australian Indigenous Art Trade Fair also makes sure that art works sold (usually through galleries) have been ethically sourced and that dealers behave at all times in an honourable manner when dealing with artists, communities and clients.

Not all galleries are members of both bodies, so if you do got to a gallery to buy, please check to see that they (the gallery or auction house) are members or if not, ask them why!

It would be difficult to say, hand on heart, that there are some pieces you fall hopelessly in love with and really do not want to sell them at market.  What is the process behind selecting exactly which pieces you do take to market to be sold

You are right!  Sometimes when I return from a buying trip a few pieces never make it to the markets...it's usually because my partner or I have fallen in love with the piece and we don't want to sell it.

I select paintings that appeal to me and that I would be happy to hang in my own home.  When I am packing the stock to take to market, I try to select from several communities and I certainly try to take different paintings each month.

I take a variety of sizes and prices because my goal is to entice prospective clients to my home to view and select from the 300+ pieces I have there.

How often do you return to the local areas to select new pieces

Over the last 4 years I have been to Alice Springs and several remote communities in the Central & Western Desert at least once every year and sometimes twice a year.

I recently returned to Yuendemu (350kms North West of Alice) for several days as a volunteer.

Judy Watson Napangardi (in centre wearing red) painting one of her amazing masterpieces

This was an amazing experience: watching artists paint, cleaning paint and brushes, priming canvases, making teas for the artists, toasties for their lunch and generally helping out when needed.  I chose to do this because I wanted to get an idea of what exactly was involved in getting this amazing art out into the world.

I went back to Alice in September last year for a week participating in "Desertmob" which is an annual event where all the art centres converge into Alice for meetings, exhibition and a market place where they sell the art!  I had never been before but it was an incredible experience and one I felt honoured to be part of!

We always ensure we ask permission before photographing items at market out of respect to both culture and artists.  For you personally, what is the most satisfying aspect of selling these incredible pieces at market and what has been one of the more profound reactions by a customer

My goal is to sell ethically sourced Aboriginal Art at fair and reasonable prices.  As a home-based business the overheads are minimal, so my prices are very affordable.  I am a firm believer that you should not buy a painting unless it makes your heart sing, so I am always encouraging people to take the painting home for a few days to check if it's right before making a purchase.

Mulapa has a not-for-profit philosophy of "giving back" to the artists and their communities as an act of reconciliation.  This year, the local high school has already received $375 to provide some extras for the Gifted & Talented Aboriginal students.  I will also be working with a local school to raise additional funds.

In fact, Mulapa's goal for the next year is to raise $5,000 for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation from sales of art works. 

As a retired Early Childhood professional, this organisation is close to my heart. I do this because I want to do something personally towards reconciliation outside of membership of a group or an organisation. 

Selling ethically sourced art allows me to follow my two passions: Aboriginal Art and Reconciliation.

The most profound reaction to a painting at the market came from a woman who stood in front of a painting with tears in her eyes.  She stood like that for several minutes before even asking anything about the painting.  I told her a little about the artist and showed her the story of the painting as documented on the Certificate of Authenticity.

When I told her the price she was so relieved that she could afford it and bought it on the spot.

The following day I received an email from her thanking me and telling me the painting still brought tears to her eyes every time she looked at it.

That makes me feel good!

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Judi recently featured in Ciao Arts and we thank them for allowing us to reproduce this article for our blog

So once a month you can find Judi in the Hall and we can only urge you to get in and have a look: once seen, once experienced, you will will find yourselves drawn to a piece and if (as she says) it "talks", it's best to buy a stunning original piece for you will never regret it