Monday, May 7, 2012

udder (ly) lovely: two wonderful giveaways

I first met Fliss, the creative genius behind udder, a few years ago. She welcomed me into her gorgeous Queenslander with open arms, handed me a cup of just-made chai and sat me down in the middle of her kitchen (which has since been photographed for Peppermint Magazine!). While our children played we talked about op-shopping, renovating, yoga and children's toys. She showed me her little making space; full of scraps of fabrics, cute buttons and paper patterns.

Her studio has since relocated - to Indonesia. Fliss - artist, wife and muma - moved her family to Bali to expand her creativity in the most sustainable and ethical way possible. Her toys, imbued with a charming sense of quirk and whimsy, are ever-popular. But she's thrilled to announce the small collection - a range of childrenswear made from beautifully hand dyed and hand printed (batik) 100% cotton. The collection includes bloomers, bibs, a nappy clutch and a delightful cape and mask set (for the bandit in all of us). 

To celebrate Fliss is offering two giveaways: a cape & mask set (top photo) and a rather endearing bandit penguin (featured above). The first winner, chosen by the random number generator, will get first choice.

To go in draw all you need to do is become a follower of Che & Fidel and 'like' udder on facebook. Easy. Winners will be announced in this post on Friday 18th May. 


Update: Comments closed. The Random Number Generator chose #74 Hello Milky and #5 Mrs Knight. Congratulations ladies! x

Read on to find out more about Fliss' inspiration, her Bali experience and the future of udder



Jodi: Why the name 'udder'?
Fliss: 'Udder' was conceived in my uni days (the 90s). I felt I needed an alias for my work as an artist and designer. I was making these abstract sculptural cows from clay and I wanted a name that not only connected to these works but also something I could identify with. I saw the udder as a vessel - a container of dreams, a giver of life - in terms of the pieces I was making and wanted to make, and an object that conveys humour and playfulness,

Jodi: What inspires you as an artist?
Fliss: For a long time it was artists such as Picasso, Lucie Rie, Basquiat and countries such as Africa (I was made for it!!!) and Asia. I find it in the everyday things, from my immediate surroundings and, of course, the www. - there's this amazing collective of creative people right at my fingertips, yet they're all over the world! Then there's my three kids; with their unbridled imagination and quirky acts of randomness, they're an inspiration in themselves - they were the ones responsible for me creating the udder soft toys in the first place.

Jodi: Why was Bali calling you?
Fliss: We really needed a holiday! And then it grew from there. Seriously, we had already made plans to head over to Indonesia for about a one month break, and then we had a friend's wedding to attend to in Bali. I'd always dreamed of living in Asia somewhere, and with the kids the ages they are and to be able to give them the opportunity to live somewhere totally different, we wanted to make it a reality. So here we are....

Jodi: How has 'udder' evolved since the move?
Fliss: With the move came the desire to grow udder to a point of sustaining us as a family and that meant me not making every single thing. I had made a trip to Bali earlier to check out potential places to help make the toys and I was lucky enough to have found a production house that shared my same beliefs of handmade and ethical. Instead of recycling vintage fabrics, I am able to recycle the exclusive fabrics left over from the seasonal collections of Italian designers. The fabric is beautiful, handmade and hand dyed and printed using traditional Indonesian techniques, but with a modern feel. With this change of material, the toys have been refined but still quite limited due to the availability of fabric - that means limited collections too. I'm finding it challenging but really exciting - if that's possible.

Jodi: What makes udder toys so wonderful?
Fliss: Their personality - you can connect to it, just like making a new friend. This seems to be the case regardless of age. Their unique style is a talking point too...I have put a lot of thought into their look and feel. It's a process that involves the whole family.

Jodi: The future...what does it hold?
Fliss: Lots of things...now that I have a little bit more time. Currently I am working on designing a range of children's clothing and diving back into ceramics too. And there's so many ideas yet to take flight...I have to stay focused! I'll definitely keep you up-to-date though. 

94 comments:

  1. that bandit penguin...need I say more! I follow the blog and I "liked" udder on FB

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  2. Love Udder. I have a little guy who would love that penguin and mask.... fingers crossed. lou x p.s. love Bali.. very special Island.

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  3. just like their fb page too! x

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  4. her site is looking gorgeous, and i love how she photographed everything. we would be thrilled to welcome one of her handmades into our home.

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  5. like their fb page too..I have a little guy who would love!! !!

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  6. I'm a follower of your blog and liked udder on facebook. Wonderful giveaway!

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  7. Beautiful! How exciting to relocate to Bali! x

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  8. oooh, how exciting!! I've loved fliss's creations for years, she's one clever lady.

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  9. these are just gorgeous!! I think Id want the cape and mask for myself! :P love the little softies, my little girl would love one xx

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  10. What a cute collection of things! I follow your blog and liked udder on fb.

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  11. These are beautiful! I think the mask and cape could provide lots of fun! x

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  12. I love that they just packed up and moved. So inspired. Gorgeous handmades x

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  13. Wow what a nice discovery <3<3<3 I love it ! Thank you, you're always so inspiring :)

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  14. I've been following your wonderful blog for a while :-) And now I'm liking Udder on Facebook. My son would love the mask and cape. Great give away!

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  15. how udderly beautiful! Lovely little creations! I would be blessed to receive one for my little girl x

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  16. This is such a great giveaway. Count me in! I am swooning over these goodies.

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  17. absolutely love the bandit masks!

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  18. Lordy, why hadn't i found your blog sooner, i knew about it, it's LOVELY!! What a sweet collection of goodness. Look at that belly, oh scrummy, i still blow raspberries on my children's bellies, bit awkward for the teenager but she knows i'm clinging to her childhood. Off to like the FB pages, glee, good luck everyone, love Posie

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  19. PS this isn't for an extra entry but we have a disco ball in our chicken coop, just like that, for our disco chicks, over & out, love Posie

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  20. Me and my kids have loved udder for awhile now and this is such a great giveaway, have liked udder on fb and follows your blog :) Here's to hoping!

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  21. yay, fingers crossed!! i adore these precious creations!

    xo, amanda

    http://mamawatters.blogspot.com

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  22. I've said it before, Jodi, but you do have the cutest giveaways x

    (such a great idea for presents)

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  23. When I lived in Maleny, I would see Fliss's creations from time to time, I would droll over the bandits and wonder when one would bless my life.

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  24. Droll, um what - anyway I like on Facebook.

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  25. Love Fliss's stuff, Udder is super cute! Thanks for the cool give-a-way!

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  26. What an adorable giveaway! I love Udder and what Fliss stands for and I'm excited to have the opportunity to own a little piece of that. Thankyou both for offering such a generous giveaway :)

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  27. Done! How Udder(!)ly adorable and unique.

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  28. ...all done, now fingers crossed and thanks again sooo much for this generous&gorgeous chance!

    xoxo
    Antonella from Italy

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  29. Would it be too cheeky of me to enter? I love Udder.... and just think.... it wouldn't even need to be posted ;)

    xo em

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  30. I love the whole concept around her business, what a woman!
    Thanks for this Jodi:)
    x

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  31. I would love a Mr Bandit penguin... just divine. Thanks!

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  32. Will the cape and mask make the tantrums of my bandit more bearable? ;)

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  33. Done and done. What a beautiful giveaway.

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  34. All sorts of loveliness! And ceramics too? I love a multi-crafting lady. :)

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  35. SO beautiful, follow both. =]

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  36. Ooh, yes purrrlease! Check and check.
    What beautiful things : )

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  37. Love the mask and cape. Yes please

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  38. HI, I have always had a need to own an item from udder and this is a perfect opportunity. Count me in.

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  39. How sweet are Udder pieces. A lovely give-away Jodi. x

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  40. Che and fidel follower: check. Liked udder on facebook: check.
    I am in love with the cape & mask set. B-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l Giveaway!

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  41. oh my goody goody goodness. These are ah-mazing.
    followed and liked.

    thanks Jodi x

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  42. That cape and mask is THE best thing I've seen all week.

    I'm already fans on FB for both ;)

    xx

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  43. What a shame I don't do Facebook anymore. I'll have to head over to their website and have a little look see. :)

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  44. What a gorgeous giveaway .. please include me.
    Am off to read more about this gorgeous creative mumma!!

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  45. done and done. LOVE her work. What an ACE giveaway!

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  46. What an amazing giveaway! Love it all!! x

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  47. i already follow your blog Jodi & i just liked Fliss's Facebook page!
    i love her creations! so unique!
    good luck to everyone!

    evdokia

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  48. have loved their fb page...thanks for the introduction
    hope you are enjoying Melb

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  49. You could decide you do not want to remodel your kitchen countertops, and prefer to just focus on a certain part of it, including your worktops or ground. Or you could opt for redecorating the kitchen and pay attention to how this looks. I don know that you're going to ever be able avoiding this completely, but if you create a space for tools it can help a great deal.

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  50. I'm a new follower and I liked udder on fb. love this giveaway and especially the bandit penguin :-)
    aleka

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  51. TOO cute! (I already follow your blog and I just liked on fb.) Thanks!

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  52. I'm a follower of your blog and just liked the fb page. Lovely giveaway, the penguin is so adorable!

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  53. Also done this, I would so love to be able to give the bandit owl to my little niece who turns 1 in September. And she can then share it with her little brother/sister who will arrive in October =)

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  54. I follow your lovely blog, and have 'liked' their facebook page. Thanks for the chance to win such lovely goodies! I am having a vintage fabric giveaway on my blog, do pop over and enter if you like that kind of thing! x

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  55. such special creatures! fingers crossed....

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  56. So cute!! I follow your blog and popped over and liked Udder on Facebook. What adorable creations!

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  57. hoo that is too cute!
    not a facebooker but hope that won't count against me
    x

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  58. Oh my bandit! I don't usually enter giveaways but my little guy just turned two and he would be ALL OVER THIS. She is one inspiring lady.

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  59. i followed your blog and liked udder. loving it all.

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  60. oh how adorable. some people are just so clever!
    thanks for the opportunity
    ~dee x

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  61. I have such a soft spot for quirky little childrens toys like this. Fliss' story is so inspirational. I follow you via Google Reader, and liked Udder.

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  62. That penguin is the cutest, my son would love him! :D
    Following you via Google Reader now and liked Udder in FB.

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  63. Oh I would love love love to win the penguin. I have had my eye on one of these for my little boy. I have followed you and have liked Udder. Thanks

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  64. I am a long time follower Jodi, and I have followed Fliss as well. I liked Udder on FB.
    Thank you to both of you for having such a lovely giveaway.

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  65. Such beautiful toys!
    It's so inspiring to watch her business grow.

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  66. never have I wanted to win a giveaway more! I have a little boy who would LOVE these!
    I've followed and liked! xx

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  67. Big fan of Fliss' work, and how inspirational. I'm dying at the thought of Gus in that cape and mask one day! The 18th is my birthday... lucky day perhaps? ;) xx

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  68. Those bandits... completely adorable!

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  69. So cute and different. I think Violet would love that penguin. Thanks :)

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  70. Am now a follower and a liker (although I was before this, too!). Oh my goodness, my son who is obsessed with penguins would LOVE that thing! And who am I kidding...so would I.

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  71. Me! Me! Me! Now we can let our inner Bandit Owls be free!

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  72. Thank you for letting us know about udder. I love their work!

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  73. yay, fingers crossed!! i adore these SWEET creations!
    xxx

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  74. I've followed and liked and I love Udder's creations!! An inspiring story too.

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  75. Glad I found you! I liked and followed and am in love with your banditos!

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  76. Wow what a nice discovery ... I love it ! Thanks for this giveaway !!!

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  77. SSooo cool!!! My little boy will be gorgeous with this wonderful super hero kit!! :D Thank you for this giveaway! Love from Portugal!!:D

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  78. I follow your blog! And I liked Udder on FB. I'm in love with Batik and my little boy could use a stylish cape!

    rachel @ wokabout . net

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  79. I discover these wonderful creations!
    Laure from France

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  80. I follow your blog but I 'm not on Facebook.
    Gorgeous collection!

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  81. i've liked and followed! what an amazing collecion (and inspiring woman!)

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  82. I follow and have liked!! Sooo cute!

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  83. Love Udder - the queenslander, the blog, the instagram feed! Fliss is super talented and I loved reading more about the lovely lady.

    And shhh... Listen! I'm sure that bandit penguin is saying something...

    "Lalie... Lalie ...Lalie"

    x

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  84. liked and followed! can't wait to dress my little super hero in one of these!

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  85. I'd like a little penguin please for Jude Bernard! x

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  86. ooo exciting! my little Mr will be in love either! thankyou for your super lovely words on my blog :)

    my email is stacedale@vodafone.co.nz

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