Dani Marano / flowers + collage + choir

This is my portrait. I am acutely aware that Pepperoni and I have the same haircut - there’s no need to mention it. I will be announcing a number of social collage events and workshops with @carnation__club over the next few months ✂️ These craft and collage events are designed to keep connected through our absolutely feral Victorian winter - the desire to hardcore hibernate can be so tempting! Collage punters, if there are particular days you wish to see listed, length of sessions, themes etc. leave a comment below. Can’t wait to share! 📸 @thomasjpg

Recently, I the privilege of producing this large scale installation for the Holy Goat Long Lunch at The Goods Shed, Castlemaine, back in May. I wanted this work to be thoughtful and reflective of the current Dja Dja Wurrung and Leanganook landscape which is constantly undergoing regenerative land management in response to the environmental devastation brought on by gold mining and the introduction of ruminant sheep grazing in the mid-late 1800’s. The current harsh and undulating landscape, although beautiful, is a jumbled mix of native trees and flowers, alongside introduced species like gorse, blackberry, rose hip, peppercorn, popla, plum, hawthorn, ivy, pampas and the list goes on. Every single stem for this installation was responsibly foraged from the banks of Forest Creek and @harcourtorganicfarmingcoop and some materials sourced from local producers - black wattle from @cassinia_environmental , poa grass from @murnongmummas and handpicked kangaroo grass from @holy.goat.cheese Thanks to Ira from @murnongmummas for assisting, Priya and Dyl from @_warmstore_ for the use of their van and @katiemarxflowers for the loan of the stands. Your help means so much. Gorgeous 35mm photos by @bronte.please

We love our Forest Creek Folk community so much that we’re starting a SECOND CHOIR - All in Sing. All in Sing is a relaxed community choir. No auditions, no experience needed - just shared songs. We meet at Chewton Town Hall to learn a song (or two) together. Dates up on the board are March 3, May 5 and June 2. Guided by @jamesmcguffiemusic , it’s simple, welcoming group singing. No pressure. No auditions. No performance. Just a room full of voices. Hopefully, we’ll see you there! Link in bio.

New IN BED Journal: We visit florist & creative @danimarano.studio and chef & @bar_midland owner, Alexander Marano at their 1950’s cottage in Castlemaine, regional Victoria.⁠ ⁠ Photography by @thomasjpg ⁠

CAPSULE #1 Made to order & pre-made caps + mending patch packs. A limited edition celebrating imperfection, individuality and slow craft. Each hat starts with vintage or surplus stock, then moves through hands, scissors and needle. Hand-sewn by Holly at @pinsandneedles_studio . Hand-cut collage artworks by @danimarano.studio . Collage patches. Considered construction. No repeats. Available in store and online at @pinsandneedles_studio Sunny pics @thomasjpg

Join a choir. Make some mates. A few gorgeous moments from our last artist residency with @hana.stretton 🤍 We’ve only got a handful of spots remaining for our upcoming Season with @liormusic . @jamesmcguffiemusic and @hana.stretton have been working with Lior on some really beautiful choral arrangements - this season is shaping up to be something spesh. Singing experience required. Membership details via the link in bio. 📷 @superheavyphoto

Hand sewn into something new. Made slowly. We like hanging out together so much we’re just going to keep coming up with projects. We hope that’s okay - no cap lol Limited-edition Holly Simpson × Dani Marano caps and patch packs, mixed with collage artwork patches and curated patterned fabric pieces. Pre-orders open Saturday 7th of Feb. Available via @pinsandneedles_studio . Online or in-store. Pop it in your diary. Sunny pic @thomasjpg

Season One brings our choir together for a special collaboration with acclaimed Australian singer-songwriter @liormusic , celebrating the 20-year anniversary of his ARIA-award winning debut album Autumn Flow. Across the 8-week season, we’ll learn five songs, share a dedicated rehearsal with Lior, and perform original choral arrangements live on stage with him at @theatreroyalcastlemaine as part of Forest Creek Fest 2026. Limited spots available - singing experience required. For more info, head to the link in our bio Huge thanks to @front__office for the beautiful poster and @mountalexandershirecouncil for our gorgeous rehearsal venue

What. A.Day. Beautiful performances, zero dry eyes, and a whole lotta joy. 100% wholesome content. Massive thanks to all the choirs who took part and the volunteers from @forest_creek_folk who made the day run so smoothly. And @luxarmstrong from The Upshot - legend. Also, thanks to @boomtownwine @front__office @bar_midland and @mountalexandershirecouncil Together we raised - $2,400 for @94.9mainfm , our local community radio station. Looks like this is going to be an annual or biennial thing - if you know a local choir or vocal group that might want to be involved, send us an enquiry at forestcreekfolk.com. Join a choir. Make some mates X

What. A. Day. Beautiful performances, zero dry eyes, and a whole lotta joy. 100% wholesome regional content. Massive thanks to all the choirs who took part and the incredible volunteers from @forest_creek_folk who kept everything running smoothly. Shoutout to @luxarmstrong from The Upshot - total legend. Thank you to our sponsors: @boomtownwine , @front__office , @bar_midland , and @mountalexandershirecouncil . Together, we raised $2,400 for @94.9mainfm - our local community radio station. I also want to give a proper shoutout to my neighbour and mate @jamesmcguffiemusic - thanks for being awesome. We’re building something pretty special here. A little community around the music we love to sing and share. Looks like this is going to be an annual or biennial thing - if you know a local choir or vocal group that might want to be involved, send them my way. Join a choir. Make some mates X

The Castlemaine Chorale Eisteddfod is a little dream myself and James have been quietly building over the past 6 months. Inspired by the chorale eisteddfods I sang in as a teen - it’s our way of bringing back that joy, anticipation and spark that comes from watching people do what they love: sing. This event is extra special - it’s a fundraiser for @94.9mainfm , with all proceeds going straight back to music in our community. Thank you to all the choirs who will be participating in this year’s Eisteddfod: •Tonic •Mainesong •Bendigo Chorale •Yes Men •MaCapella •U3A Choir •Forest Creek Folk Choirs aren’t new - humans have been singing together for thousands of years. To celebrate culture, to connect, to mark place and country. This is just our small way of contributing - and we’re so grateful to each of these groups for lending their voices to it. Thanks to Lucy from Main FM for donating her time to emcee this event. Thank you to Em at @front__office for their beautiful poster graphics. BIG THANK YOU to @boomtownwine @bar_midland and @forestcreekrecords for their support. This project is generously supported by the @mountalexandershirecouncil Grants Program. Link to tickets in bio. Yours in song, Dani

The final UNSTUCK for winter 2025 is happening this weekend! I am wrapping up kilt season with my last cosy, social collage sessions at @carnation__club in Castlemaine. MORNING SESSION 10am-12pm: Settle in with a flakey croissant and slightly above average filter coffee - it’s all about getting into that comfy, slow-start mood. AFTERNOON SESSION 2pm-4pm: We’ll raise the vibes slightly with a Sparkling Harcourt Apple sugar high while using sharp tools and glue - what could possibly go wrong? Tickets: $35 - Includes all materials and tools. There are only a handful of tickets left. Don’t miss your chance to join our kooky craft girl crew 💁🏼‍♀️ Yours in craft, Dani X