SALA FESTIVAL 2011

This year we will be holding our first SALA festival exhibition at Random Ally. Over the years Kat and I have ran exhibitions for this festival as part of the Collide-A-Scope Artist Collective and seeing as we now have our own venue, it makes sense to bring SALA to RA.

Not that Collide-A-Scope has been pushed aside. Along with our exhibition, Collide-A-Scope artist Steff Kennett will be holding her own exhibition in her own store Cosmic Jam. Together we want to make this SALA the best Robe has seen yet. Plus there will also be a mystery exhibition so stay tuned

*BESPOKE* ZINE

*bespoke* is a Quarterly Australian Zine made by the handmade community, for the handmade community.

Random Ally is now a stockist of this fantastic independent zine. Retailing for $10 a copy. We are currently taking pre-orders, with copies due to arrive early June.

Follow *bespoke* on Facebook because word on the street is that there will be some Random Ally gear up for grabs from *bespoke* in the very near future. Yippee……

*Bespoke* Website

Well hello All! Big things have been happening at Random Ally in the last few months. Since our store opened in October 2010, we have seen the store and our range evolve into something quite spectacular. Recently, we have been busily adding new features to the store. With a desire to have a store unlike any other, we have added new artworks by local artists Steff Kennett and Young artist Sophie Claire, new Prints by Tim Burton, Fafi and are constantly adding more. And of course I really must mention the Mural that Kat has painted on the storeroom door. Stage one of the painting has been completed and it looks fantastic. I could go on and on about the changes we have made to the store, but instead ill just show you with a few pictures. Enjoy!

Girls section to the left, Boys to the right

Notice in the girls the lego display, the chair shelf and the awesome artwork. - and no, the painting is not for sale! Its ours for keeps!

And the boys, we have added a renovated table extension as a shelf and piled it high with goodies. and again artwork ours to keep!

Kat Working in the new shop mural

Stage one of the mural complete

Over the past few months, we have been searching the planet near and far to source products that will be unique to our store and fit with our ideals of small indie design and ethical production that simply looks good and to be honest is a little out there. Some of the new labels in the store include.

Bare Tree (USA) Clothing and accessories

Dayler Vinyl wallets by artist Jeff Classen (USA)

Lova Revolutionary (Canada) Eco felt gifts

Naomi Murrell (Adelaide) Silver and wooden Jewellery and cards

The Lost Button (Brisbane) Up cycled Button Jewellery

Whodini Handmade (USA) Vegan Wallets

Meat bagz (USA) Up cycled bags.

Go to randomally.com for a full list of labels and while you’re at it follow us on Facebook to see all new arrivals as soon as they arrive in the store. We also wish to thank all of our lovely customers who donated to our Flood Relief Collection that sat on our counter over January and February. The money has been sent to the Premiers Flood Relief Appeal.

A new design and a new range of purses

Inspired by the stunning swans currently nesting in our area, we have released a new design in honour of their beauty. Printed on an olive green top, in either silver or black and a white t-dress in metalic blue, each style is worth only $40 and are instore now and will be available in our online store very very soon. So if you like grab one soon because stock is limited.

Swan on a olive green top in silver. available in Sml to XLrg. $40 each

Swan on a olive green top in black. Available in Sml to Xlrg. $40 each

Swan on a white T-dress in metalic blue. Available in Sml to Lrg. $40 each

We are also happy to anounce the arrival of Chi Designs. Coin purses from $25 and Clutches from $35. all hand made in Brisbane using unique fabrics. So welcome aboard Chi Designs. If your after one, get in quick. These babys are selling fast.

There are lots of changes happening at Random Ally at the moment. Kat and I are there everyday, with mondays being optional. so drop in between 10 and 5 to say hi and see how the shop is changing weekly and what new products and prints we have instore.

New shop photos comming soon

Cheers, Sarah

Random Ally - The Store

Hello fellow Ally cats. Well for those of you who are yet to hear, Sarah and I have opened up our own store. Yes that’s right, Random Ally has officially found a home! We are proud to call Store 2, 30-32 Victoria Street, ROBE “Home sweet home”. Not only is the store full of our goodies but other independent designers from around the world for both females and males. With new stock arriving weekly there will be no time to rest.

One of the amazing designers is Katherine and Punky a jewellery designer from Melbourne. Talk about funky pieces! If you want something that will make people on the street stop and stare, you need a ‘Katherine and Punky’ necklace! With titles for her items such as “Wearing Your Heart On Your Necklace” and ‘Ghouls Keep Me Company’ no wonder these items make you think “I have to have one”

On the subject of jewellery and amazing artists, from Western Australia, Rebecca Bigg, taught herself to make glass lampwork beads which she now calls Glass Candy. These pieces of work are in no other sense unique not to mention fun! From small mushrooms, bees and frogs, to candy like bracelets and pendants that can only be described as planets, Glass Candy will make you the life of the party.

Ever looked at an old record and thought “I’m sick of listening to this, surely there’s another use for it”? No? Well don’t worry Vinyl Cuts has done it for you! With fantastic graphics on hand, they have turned old records into wrist cuffs and necklaces. The cuffs come in different sizes and are perfect for both sexes, ideal for an alternative to studded wrist bands (not to mention more artistic).

If it’s the recycled thing you are into, then Chrysalis Kid Designs is perfect for you. Sick of having bottle tops lying around? Well Chrysalis Kid isn’t, in fact she loves them so much she turns them into earrings! Yes that’s right earrings! These fun little items will make you feel good about yourself for recycling and are sure to catch the eyes of many.

Need something to liven up your hair? Itty Bitty is the thing for you! These cute little hair accessories are made with bright and fun images that are sure to stand out. If you need a hair tie, then you need an Itty Bitty hair tie!

It’s time to jump across the Tasman Sea and check out our favourite up and coming fashion designer, CAST. Dresses, leggings and skirts this designer knows what girls want! Her beautiful angel dresses are ideal for a casual occasions as well as special ones. If you want to treat yourself to something nice then this is the designer for you!

How about items for men? From America we bring you Coyote Alert. These screen printed tees are made of light cotton and are perfect for summer. Coyote Alert has made it fashionable to have flies on you! Yes that’s right their prints are of flies and I have to say flies have never looked so good!

So you have to wear a tie? How formal and boring...well not anymore! Cyberoptix Tie Lab has made wearing ties fun! With their slogan “Ties That Don’t Suck” we can’t help but love these items! In a variety of colours and designs you will never have to wear a bad or boring tie again!

Another American designer for the men is Dark Cycles. This brand knows how to take the mundane images and turn their worlds upside down and inside out! A simple image of a business man with his briefcase is made into a figure like no other with octopus tentacles coming out of his neck. Looking for something different then these are the t-shirts for you!

While we are talking about American designers, we would like to introduce you to Circular Accessories. This brand knows what looks good! Be it on a t-shirt or on a pocket mirror you are sure to love their designs and prints! I know we do!

So you love the vintage look? Then have we got the necklaces and earrings for you! All the way from Scotland we would love to introduce you to Niche, a vintage inspired jewellery designer. Take an image of an old bird cage or vintage binoculars make the drawings complex with minute details and fine lines and you have the amazing styles of Niche.

With all these fantastic designers you would think that we would have no room for our own stock, but we do! With new designs in progress and new styles of clothing we are sure that all our fans and followers will be kept happy. So next time you’re in Robe drop on in and pick yourself up something nice. We look forward to seeing you and don’t forget, every week we will have new stock, so make sure you keep coming back. We do enjoy seeing you!

News Flash

Some exciting news is coming soon.......... keep posted in the coming weeks for a special announcement from Random Ally.

Its a good one!

New Stock, New Website and The SE Field Days

Hello to all of our followers. Well summers over and the weather is just lovely, not to hot, yet not to cold.
Lots has been happening lately for Kat and I. Most awesomely, we have launched our website http://www.randomally.com/ it’s been a hard slog, but we got there, I decided to take on the role of website designer, and seeing as I knew absolutely nothing about web design, I think I’ve done ok. A month ago I didn’t even know of HTML. Now I’m a pro. Well not really. To all those wanting to build an easy website/online store, Big Cartel is a great way to go.

NEW INSTORE: Stars and Stilettos Scarf

Last weekend, we took a big step and had a stall at the South East Field Days in Lucindale. We have a few new designs on show and very excitingly, our new range of scarves. Hmm these will be so much fun for the cooler months. They are in store now. The Field Days were great; we managed to be in a nice area of the huge lion’s pavilion, with some lovely stall holders. Basically all of the new and funky fashion and crafty stalls were together and we had a blast. Sales were good and we met heaps of new people who were very enthusiastic over our gear. It was a great way to gain exposure and catch up with past customers.
Can I also say a huge thanks to Mum, Steff, Phil, Sammi and Shane for all of their help in the lead up to the event.

Our stall at the South East Fiels Days, Lucindale,SA

In other news, Kat and I are busily designing for additional winter products. I’m feeling quite inspired at the moment, thanks to a coffee session with the wonderful and crazy steff. Three cups of coffee, when you have gone cold turkey for a month or so, and a brain storming session has really gotten the ball rolling. In fact I’m about to go and get creative now. I’m into lines and patterns at the moment check out my new long sleeve tee design, the guitar player. Loving it. We have it on a men’s tee to and will list it as soon as I can get my big bro to model it for me.
Well must stop waffling and get to designing.
See Ya

NEW INSTORE: The guitar player, Long sleeve tee

randomally.com Is Here

Wow Random Ally has now launched its own Website. Go to www.randomally.com and check it out. The site includes our official online store
NEW INSTORE: our new line of scarves are now being added, as well as a few new tees.

$5 from every tee going to help those in Haiti.

SAVE THE CHILDREN - Haiti Earthquake Emergency Appeal for the remainder of January, $5 from every purchase will be donated to Save the Children to aid the people of haiti in their time of need and sadness. this includes all online and market sales for more info on this appeal please go to www.savethechildren.org.au

Robetown Summer Markets featuring Random Ally

Robetown Summer Markets
RSL Hall, Victoria Street, Robe SA
Summer Market Dates
January 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th
February 6th, 13th, 20th
Market times 9am – 4pm
www.collide-a-scoperobe.spaces.live.com
keep updated and join us on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/pages/edit/?id=384386850610
The Robetown summer markets are a platform for local small producers (independent small business and craft people, artists), community groups, and performers, to showcase their product during the summer months when the tourist trade is at its peak. The aim of the market is to allow small industry, hobbyists and community groups the opportunity to grow their business, to address the lack of a permanent local produce market and the lack of shop space within the town and to create a local attraction to help encourage the tourist market.
The Robetown Summer Markets is a volunteer run market, run under the banner of Collide-A-Scope artists collective and is organised by its members as a community initiative. The market will run every Saturdays over January and February (excluding Feb 27th). Further dates will be announced in February.
For each market day we aim to offer a local community group a site to run a food/drink stall giving them a fund raising opportunity while attracting more people to the market. We also aim to secure live music/entertainment for each market day to give a lively atmosphere to the market environment. So far groups such as the Robe C.F.S, the Southern Ocean Art Prize and Quilters By The Sea- Pink Ribbon Breakfast have taken up this opportunity to aid their fundraising efforts. Any Interested groups/individuals can contact the organisers as dates are still available.
The first Robetown summer market was run on the October long weekend with 6 stall holders, as a trial to test the viability of a local market. This market day saw a substantial increase in stall holders and the event has grown from strength to strength since. Since this first date, a market day has been held monthly, with dates landing on busy weekends falling in line with other local events. Over summer the market will expand to include stalls in the front yard of the R.S.L and stalls inside the Hall.
The organisers would like to thank the Robe R.S.L. and in particular Natalie Ling for their support and for allowing us to hire the hall for this community event
For stall information contact Steff Kennett on 87682152 or email: kennetts@internode.on.net

Random Ally @ Irving Baby

Hi there everyone. Well we at Random Ally are very excited to announce that our funky t-shirts are to be stocked in our fave store in Adelaide. That’s right Irving Baby have given us the tick of approval and will be stocking or tees within the next week or so. So here’s to a random ally and Irving Baby. So now you can find our tees at:
IRVING BABY 33 Twin Street Adelaide ph. 08 8232 5454
IRVING BABY 83 Hindley Street Adelaide ph. 08 8410 0519.
As well as the wonderful Blue Pod in Beachport. A stunning boutique with a quirky artistic edge, situated within the Bompas building, overlooking the ocean in Beachport.
Our tees can also be purchased at our Etsy store www.randomally@etsy.com. Mention the blog and get $5 off each tee.

Long Weekend and lots of sleep

Well it’s the end of the Labour Day long weekend here in sunny or not so sunny Robe SA. It’s been a good weekend. Random Ally organised a community market at the Robe RSL Hall on Saturday and it went well, our main goal is to find some more quality stall holders to join us. We showcased a few new t-shirt designs and they went really well. We have nearly sold out of two designs.
Besides this the weekend has been a sleepy one for us with plenty of sleep caught up on. I worked at the local Chinese restaurant sat and sun night. Can I please point out that I am the worst waitress in the world. So many awkward moments. The worst moment was a straw going down my cleavage as I leant over the tray to pass a drink. All I can say to the skinny, rude little 17 year old princesses who thought this was just hilarious is, at least I have cleavage. I know how mature of me! Why are people so rude? Thank god there were some other nice people around. Anyway I maintain that waitressing is the worst job in the world. Being the middle person between hungry people with low blood sugar and kitchen staff who learnt the fine art of arrogance whilst building up their fragile egos is not my idea of fun.
Other than that I had a great breakfast at Union Café this morning. Seriously the best coffee in town. These people could take Nescafe and turn it into quality coffee (well that a stretch but still). So cheers guys it was just what I needed today.
Well good things have been happening within Random Ally lately. We released our new shirts. Took them to the fabulous Blu Pod in Beachport. If you’re in Beachport I suggest dropping in, there are so many great arty and handcrafted items in store. We have also been getting some work doing some custom printing and have decided to explore this side of the business more. How exciting.
By the way followers of thes post get $5 (aust) off all tees. buy thru etsy or contact us.
Anyway ill add a new instalment soon. Until then cheers

Designing, Printing and the Comming Range

Hope you all made it through the colder months ok.
Well Random Ally has been busy in the past few months. We have new designs ready to be printed this week and plan, hope and pray we will have them ready for the coming long weekend where Random Ally will be at the Robe Community Market in the Robe RSL (South Australia). We will be a regular sight at this venue over the warmer months. I’ll keep you posted.
You can also find our tees at Blu Pod in Beachport (SA). Blu Pod has been very supportive of our label and other independent designers and artists. For this we are grateful. You can also find our tees at Etsy and Madeit. We have online stores on both sites.
We have also entered into the wonderful world of blogging which isn’t so scary after all. So you can find us at randomallyclothing.blogspot.com unfortunately we couldn’t get plain old randomally as our URL but that’s the way the cookie crumbles. So RA Clothing it is. Links are on all of our sites so it won’t be too hard to remember.
This year our tees seem to be in strong earthy colours. Think greens, greys, yellow, blues etc. I’m loving the deep bottle green that’s just arrived. The designs we have are also pretty random. The infamous hare is back but remodelled. I have spent the winter earning money in vineyards swarmed with hares and had to bring it back. It has been popular; I think people understand its combined awkwardness and confidence. It amazes me that an animal that looks like it was made with all the spare parts left in the animal factory, could be so oblivious to its strangeness and be so happy. We could learn a lot from these creatures.
We also have more of Kats Quirky characters (some ones been watching too much Tim Burton), trees, there will be more shoes and much more. So keep checking in. and spread the word.
This summer we will also be producing a range of badges, so keep an eye out for these also.
Cheers
SARAH

Random Allys First Blog

well hello there. today i have officialy become a blogger. wow who would have thought. Random Ally is an Australian Clothing label, consisting of hand printed tees for both man and women. owned and ran by sisters Sarah and Kat, both artists. we both design and print or own product. at the moment we are in the finishing stages of designing our second range and will have them printed (first round, say 20 of each style) over the next week. this weekend is a long weekend here in rainy South Australia So we will take the opportunity to hold a market stall over the weekend in out tourist sea side town in robe.
hold a stall. oops i mean im running the market. yep thats right im running the thing i figured one stall onits own wasn't gunna do much so over coffee on Wednesday, me my sister and a friend came up with the great idea of holding a community market. so far we have about 10 stalls all together and will take over the RSL hall on the sat. if its all good, the next one is the end oct. hope it all goes well. hope i haven't bitten off more than i chew. the idea is that every one is given a space, pays and gets on with it.
well i hope you have all had a great weekend. i have, i spent the day in a gallery in Penola that i am a member of. its a member run gallery, basically to exhibit you have to help run it. penola is an hours drive from my home. about 100km. its a nice historical town and quite touristy. i had some excellent people come in today. everyone was enjoying their lazy sunday arvo. i think were all holding on to the last glimpse of winter, while its still here- well actually its not, its spring now but its wet and cold. nice
well thanks for reading my first attempt at blogging.
cheers sarah