Winners!

Congratulations to Vince Butler and Julia Davis for winning the two super awesome Frankie Magazine prize packs! Also, congratulations to Zoe Penney for winning the Eco Store Healthy Home Starter Kit.

The stall that took out the vote was Lily's Make Believe, as voted by the adoring public that attended the event, she also gets a super awesome prize pack.

Yay!

Thank you!

Just wanted to put up here a HUGE thank you to each and every person that came out in support of the Auckland Art & Craft Fair — it was amazing, the amount of people that came out in force was just awesome. After checking the electronic people counters we had at the door, and taking off plenty to allow for people coming in/out we still had 3,200 visitors through the door — amazing for an Auckland event and even more amazing for the handmade industry as a whole.

We are busy compiling all the photo's from the day and will post some soon! There are some really great ones, still, it's not quite the same as being there. The winners from our fabulous competitions are also being chosen and will be announced on the blog tomorrow.... fingers crossed!

And for those that missed out, we are confirming the date for the next one at the moment... more to be announced soon.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

Jess & Kylie xx

It's All Go Tomorrow!!

Tomorrow is the day, the day that everyone comes together for the highly anticipated event that is the Auckland Art & Craft Fair! How exciting, we're super chuffed that it's all come together so nicely, and we hope you think so too.... here are some little reminders of a few details that you may like to know:

Prizes! We have oodles of prizes AND we will be giving away a copy of Frankie magazine to the first 50 people that get some market money out. Plus we have 3 of the awesome Frankie prize packs and an Eco Store pack to give away (winners will be announced following the event).

The Details:
Auckland Art New Gallery (Art Lounge, entrance off Lorne St)
Doors open at 11am and close at 3pm
Free entry and if you park at the Victoria St car park, grab a voucher from us before you leave and you can get $4 parking (super awesome)

See you there!!

Artist Interview: Chouette Clothing

Looking for adorable childrens clothing? Look no further! This boutique Auckland label, Chouette Clothing makes some of the most beautiful childrens clothing, you'll find them hard to resist. We are happy to have them at our first Fair... I've got them on my shopping wish list!

How long have you been doing your craft? Born into a rather creative and nomadic clan it was compulsory to 'make things' from an early age.

How did you get started? It was just a whim of Dana's until Caitlin returned to New Zealand from a three year stint in Canada and brought with her, her new son ( fresh inspiration), clarity and the impetus to move us from making clothes for our own children to making clothes for others and booking our first table at 'Kraftbomb'....

Morning Glory on 95bfm....

Tune in to 95bfm (they stream live on-line too) this morning just after 11am to catch an interview with me, chatting about the Fair. I'll be there with Olivia from Lily's Make Believe too!

Artist Interview: Chasing Rabbit

Chasing Rabbit is the gorgeous Auckland based Jewellery label by the talented Bree Dentice. We fell in love with her unique style the minute we came saw her creations. You won't forget her beautiful pieces!


How long have you been doing your craft? A few years.

How did you get started? I took jewellery making as a minor when I started my degree in visual arts back in 2003. After a couple of years I withdrew from study and moved to Australia. While I was there a lot of interesting jewellery designers started emerging and their work got me really excited about jewellery again and I decided that that was what I wanted to be doing too. So I moved back to Auckland to finish my degree (which I did last yr!), changing my major from painting to contemporary jewellery design. Last year I put a few things on etsy and 2threads & got approached by two shops: Swonderful in Wellington & Violent Green in Brisbane and now sell my stuff in their awesome shops :)

Artist Interview: ZippityDooDah

These fab zip creations are the work of Auckland based craft label, ZippityDooDah and they truely are amazing! Elizabeth hand stitches vintage and used zips into mini masterpieces that can be used to adorn any outfit. Who would have thought those fiddly-pain-to-sew things could be turned into something so clever?!


How long have you been doing your craft? I have been sewing since I was 7, my mum used to make all our clothes, but when she went back to work she didn't have the time to sew, and my sister and I used to get out the fabric she had bought and make up our own clothes using my great grandmothers hand cranked singer sewing machine, Looking back on the photos of what we wore is quite amusing.I finished my fashion degree in 1992 and since then I have worked in the ragtrade in NZ in various design roles. Zippitydoodahs evolved about 2 years ago when I started wearing them and people would stop me and ask me where they came from.

How did you get started? Friends, family and people who stopped me on the street when I was wearing a zippitydoodah convinced me I should start selling them.

Artist Interview: Blendy

Blendy Knits (Belinda Too) is a very clever Knitter who has just published her first book full of amazing sock patterns. She will be bringing to the Fair specialised sock-making kits featuring her collection of patterns — complete with NZ hand-dyed yarn and needles! Everything you need for a perfect Winter night of cosy crafts....

How long have you been doing your craft? I've been knitting since I was about 5 years old, maybe earlier. My grandmothers and my mother inspired me — they were always knitting! In fact, I recently found my first ever piece of knitting — it was much smaller than I remembered. I had a memory of my experimental piece of beige knitting that was almost scarf length, but actually it is only about 10cm!  Now I'm trying to inspire my boys to learn to knit (so far they seem keen).

Artist Interview: Jellybones

This Auckland based jewellery label "Jellybones" is the creative genius of Alida. With her original knife'n'fork and gummy bear jewellery, we think she is fabulous and are pleased to have her as part of the first Fair.

How long have you been doing your craft? I have been doing this for nearly four years now. It started off as a joint venture with my boyfriend and I but it is now a solo project.

How did you get started? My boyfriend, Charles, had been in a group soft sculpture exhibition with Sam Whetton, who began the Auckland Craftwerk markets in St Kevins Arcade. I was interested in craft and jewellery making so when Sam asked if we'd like to have a stall in the first fair we decided to give it a go and make some things.  We made felt badges, pencil earrings, and badges and necklaces made from Hama beads. We were so encouraged by the feedback we received that Jellybones has been going ever since.

Artist Interview: Ethel & Harriet

Made with soy wax and a scrumptious array of essential oils, these gorgeous scented tea cup candles are the creation of Auckland label, Ethel & Harriet. I just love this great use for such beautiful, vintage tea cups!

How long have you been doing your craft? I have been making candles for about two years and my talented Sister has been making jewellery for about the same time, I will have a small sample of some of her earring with me.

Artist Interview: Flossys Fancy

With her strong vintage influences and fabulous eye for detail, Desiree Tait is the delight behind this Auckland label, Flossys Fancy. Her products are made with beautiful linens, lace and other notions that definitely create that feeling of nostalgia. 

How long have you been doing your craft? I have been working on Flossys Fancy for about a year and a half, but have been making one thing or the other as long as I can remember. 

How did you get started? I was trying to decide how to re-use beautiful old embroidered linens that i'd salvaged, wanting up-cycle them into something special. The timely arrival of my friends newborn twins was the catalyst for the first bunny plushies along with the desire to utilize my rapidly growing hoardings of textiles and paraphernalia. 

Artist Interview: R.W. Scissors

The only way that you should be running with scissors is if you are running to nab some of R.W. Scissors' awesome wares. Backed by Bronwyn Mason, R.W. Scissors is a regular around the Auckland craft markets, her work is witty, clever and ever so slightly cynical. We're super pleased to have her at the Fair.


How long have you been doing your craft? I've been making things my whole life, but R.W. Scissors has been around for about 4 years. My tagline is, "In an awkward teenage phase since 1990". This applies to both me and R.W. Scissors.

How did you get started?  R.W. Scissors started when my sister suggested I have a go at making things to sell at the Auckland Craftwerk, a market which used to be held in St Kevin's Arcade. It was so busy, loud and fun - one successful night there and I was hooked. I started out as Ran with Scissors (like my my email address), but changed to R.W. because I liked the idea of having a persona or alter-ego.

Artist Interview: Pure Extracts by Adamar

This wonderful "Pure Extracts" range of lotions and balms is made right here in Auckland by Adamar. Made using natural ingredients, the range smells and feels so divine that you'll find it hard to resist.


How long have you been doing your craft? I've been actively making lotions and balms for around 2 years now, but have been 'trialling' different products for quite a few years - starting with the baby balm when I was pregnant.

How did you get started? I studied beauty therapy many years ago (too many to mention!), and had my own salon for over 10 years.  I became more and more interested in trying to find simple but effective skin care for myself and my clients - hence Pure Extracts was born!

Prizes! (and how to get your mits on them!)

As you know, we have a selection of fantastical prizes on offer from our amazing sponsors and supporters that you can win when you come along to the Fair this Saturday (yep, it's come around rather fast...), so how do you get your hot little hands on some great offerings....

Three frankie Magazine Prize Packs, each containing:

• Current issue of Frankie Magazine
• Copy of their latest cookbook, Sweet Treats (RRP $19.95AUS)
• A copy of their very first photo book *love* The Photo Album Volume One (RRP $29.95AUS)
• 1 Limited edition collectors edition Frankie Tee (Medium, RRP$29.95AUS) 
• AND as if that wasn't enough swag, a six month subscription to Frankie Magazine

So, how do you win one..?

• Vote for your favourite Artist! Simply grab an entry form, nominate your favourite Artist taking into consideration their products, the idea's behind them, their quality, how nice the person at their table was — simply decide who you thought was best and your in the draw. The winning Artist will receive a frankie prize pack and everyone that entered will go into the draw to win one too! Winner drawn at random after the event.
• Each time you make a purchase from an Artist at the Fair, you will be given an entry form to be in to win a pack — just fill it out and pop it in the box — the more you buy, the more times you can enter! Winner to be drawn at random after the event.

One Eco Store Healthy Home starter kit, it contains all the products you need to clean your house — and is presented in a very cool recycled plastic bucket too! Perfect for mopping the floors. To be in to win this, all you have to do is complete an entry form on the day — easy! Winner will be drawn at random following the event.


So make sure you remember to enter on the day! They're some whopper prizes...

Artist Interview: Riverbed

This Waiheke based label, Riverbed is the crafty creation of Anna Pashby. She loves to make her products using not only new, but upcycled materials as well — which we think is fab.

How long have you been doing your craft? For myself, friends & family on & off for over 20 years but as a business, August 2009!

How did you get started? It all started over a few bottles of Lindauer...!  Last year four friends met for lunch at my cottage, talk came round to how we could make a living on the Island (I live on Waiheke) without having to either go to Town & spend our salary on ferry & childcare or work in a cafe, which, with with an average age of 42, we didn't really want to return to.  One year on - I am going well with Riverbed Designs, Danielle Mathieson will be showing her amazing art at The Auckland Art & Craft Fair....Bea Lorimer has started Heke Designs, supplying some pretty cool & funky shops in & around Auckland with her UpCycled Tunics, and Danielle Duffy is slogging away at Uni and loving it!  So you see, mixing bubbles with friends & lunch can make the most amazing changes to your life.....!

Artist Interview: Nuzilla

With a wonderful array of innovative kiwiana gifts and homewares, we are pleased to introduce to you Nuzilla. This Auckland based duo are inspired by New Zealand's peculiar flora and fauna and their products have had nationwide recognition — have you seen their Giant Moa?!

How long have you been doing your craft? 3 and a half years.

How did you get started?  I wanted to send something overseas, something to do with identity but not kitschy or twee ... and couldn't find anything. From creating a few prototypes it was a short step to producing a small collection of scattered ideas. Nuzilla started out as a two-designer partnership, but is now finding it's feet under the leadership of a single pencil.

Artist Interview: Make Believe

Inspired by worldy adventures, Make Believe is the wonderful Auckland based label by the equally wonderful Olivia Coote. This stylish lady is forever creating new treasures that we just can't get enough of and we are super excited to have her at the first Auckland Art & Craft Fair.


How long have you been doing your craft? I've been working away for at least 4 or 5 years now, only starting to get a little more serious these past two or so. 

How did you get started? I started making jewellery for family and friends when I was about 15, it's been a small addiction since then that grows each year. My friend, Rosemary, and I had so many ideas and would spend hours together knee deep in beads, pliers, wire etc. 

Artist Interview: Danielle Mathieson

Danielle Mathieson is a Waiheke Island based artist that creates the most gorgeous and intricate drawings of native birds and plant life. Each one is unique and takes hours to produce. We are very pleased to have her join us for the first Auckland Art & Craft Fair!
How long have you been doing your craft? I loved to draw as a small child. I remember, one evening, when I was young, my father sketching my coat hanging over the back of my chair. It  was one of those defining moments which made me want to pick up a pencil and not put it down.  As I got older and busier I did less art and it was not encouraged at senior level at my school. I managed to sit bursary art by attending classes at my neighbouring school. However, my end of year results for art were dismal. I was discouraged (it is an impressionable age). I put down my pencil and pursued other things for the next 25 years until luck (albeit disguised) came my way.  The last two years has seen me drawing whenever I can. 

Artist Interview: BOXX

We are delighted to have attending the Fair, Hamilton based label, Boxx. Wood* you not just love one of these amazingly talented boxes? The detail and design that goes into creating these unique jewellery/ring boxes is definitely a must see.
*excuse the pun...


How long have you been doing your craft? I have been designing objects and spaces ( as an Exhibition Designer ) for the last 14 years . I have developed and made this group of small boxes over the last 18 months.

How did you get started? Since Art school I have made and designed things paintings / gilded frames / installations. For BOXX my clever wife, who is also a designer, told me there was a shortage of custom made jewellery/ring boxes and could I think of an interesting way of producing them. I remembered an image of tiffen food containers that are made of layers held together in a stack by a frame. I worked through a large number of possibilites until I came up with the linen thread and button closing system.

Artist Interview: Trixie Delicious

Trixie Delicious is no stranger to the New Zealand hand-made scene. Her vandalized vintage has round-house kicked magazines and blogs into style submission for years and we are very proud to have her unique and stylishly expletive wares available at the Auckland Art & Craft Fair. 

How long have you been doing your craft? Four years- became full time 2 years ago.

How did you get started?  Idea started as an experiment but I had used ceramics in my former career as a sculptor.

Artist Interview: Tiny Happy

Melissa Wastney is the crafty genius behind the Nelson based label, Tiny Happy. Her embroidered creations are too cute for words, especially her wee brooches... they are on my shopping list for the day of the Fair. 

How long have you been doing your craft? I have been making things since I was a child, but have been blogging daily for four years now. I began selling my work online three years ago.

How did you get started? I started by making things for my friends and family. Then I started to get requests from other people and those who read my blog, and that's when I opened my online shop.

Artist Interview: Karin Jewellery

We are pleased to introduce to you the wonderful Auckland based label, Karin Jewellery. The lovely Karin is responsible for creating some very unique and interesting pieces of jewellery. We love her ingenuity and the somewhat quirkiness of her pieces - the silk cocoon earrings are adorable!

How long have you been doing your craft? Since I could hold a crayon! I've been running my craft business in one form or another since 2005. 

How did you get started?  The first thing I made for money was cards - I was unemployed for a bit about five years ago and just needed some money, so I made some samples and set about selling them. I never really made jewellery until my grandmother, who was another one of those women who just couldn't help making things, passed away and I inherited her button box. There were buttons in there that both my mother and I had played with as kids, and I thought it a shame that all those memories should be hidden away in a box. I made some brooches from them for my mother and sister and myself, so we could wear them instead. People liked them and I started buying vintage buttons by the kilo to make more! That became a business, and then I discovered beads, and brass stampings, and stones and ribbon and a hundred other things... there's always something new to tempt me and the range is always changing and growing. 

Artist Interview: Honey Design

Lisa Waldren is the Auckland based artist behind Honey Design. She creates the most beautiful hand-bound books, journals and photo albums. She is frequently at monthly markets in Auckland and there is always a buzz around her table. We love her work and are really pleased to have her as part of the Fair.

How long have you been doing your craft? I started making books over a decade ago, at first for myself, friends and family. About 18 months ago I started selling them on-line at Felt and then at few markets in Auckland and Wellington.

How did you get started?  I have always loved things made from paper. I’ve been a Graphic Designer for over a decade and it was while I was studying that I took a book binding class. At the time I didn’t realise it would turn into such a passion! I first started making photo albums and then hand stitched books of my photography.

who's a lucky duck then...?

As you know, we are lucky enough to have Frankie Magazine as one of our major sponsors — well, they have been ever so kind and sending us some super awesome goodie packs to give away!! We are yet to decide how you will be able to get your hands on one, but because of the sheer magnitude of awesomeness in each pack — you will definitely be jumping through a few hoops.... 

We have not just one, but THREE of these to give away! "So, enough of the blabber, what's inside??!!" I hear you ask... 

• Current issue of Frankie Magazine
• Copy of their latest cookbook, Sweet Treats (RRP $19.95AUS)
• A copy of their very first photo book *love* The Photo Album Volume One (RRP $29.95AUS)
• 1 Limited edition collectors edition Frankie Tee (Medium, RRP$29.95AUS) 
• AND as if that wasn't enough swag, a six month subscription to Frankie Magazine

Here's a little about each prize (as if you need to be more excited, the sheer mention of these prizes nearly made me fall off my chair..)

Sweet Treats

Sweet Treats is a delightful cookbook filled with generous lashings of sugar and real butter from a time before preservatives ruled and calories were counted.  Each treat has been carefully picked to evoke memories of tuckshop lines and fete cake stalls to delight both young and old.

The Photo Album

The photo album features the work of more than 100 amateur and professional photographers from around the world. It will inspire anyone who’s ever picked up a camera and delight those who just like looking at pretty pictures. Created by the team behind frankie magazine, this is a limited-edition book sure to become an instant collectable.

‘Cassie’ Tee

UK-based Illustrator Anke Weckmann (Linotte) and frankie magazine have joined forces for the frankie x Collective Edition tee; one of several frankie projects Anke’s work has featured.  Each tee is super limited, with only 100 available anywhere in the world (!) For more details on Anke’s work, visit www.linotte.net.

frankie magazine

frankie is recognized for its funny articles, inspirational real-life stories, affordable fashion, delightful photography and beautiful design. It’s a magazine that makes you laugh and makes you think. It’s a magazine about you, but you already knew that...






Excited, much?!

larger than life...

You may have seen on our facebook page that the giant, A0 posters have started being out up around Auckland from now in the lead up to the event (which is also exciting as it also means it's only 3 weeks to go!), I was driving home today and spotted the awesome guys from Profile Plus pasting our posters along Richmond Road in Grey Lynn... managed to stop to say hi and grab a few snaps!


Apparently they look even more awesome dry, but I couldn't wait that long! I'll have to make sure I go past again and get a few more. Have you seen any around? Upload a photo to our facebook page if you snap one (excluding Jessel St, Grey Lynn) and you could win an awesome little prize pack of goodies including a couple of Frankie magazines, yuss!

Artist Interview: Cheek Pinchy

Kirsten Turnbull is the creative Auckland artist behind Cheek Pinchy. A regular at many of the Auckland markets, her work is definitely unique and one of a kind with many of her pieces one off's that can't be reproduced. Her work includes brooches, earrings, necklaces, bracelets and art-cards. We are really pleased to have her join us for the very first Fair!

How long have you been doing your craft? From an early age I believed that the only people who were artistic could draw a perfect horse out of their heads. Therefore, I lived the majority of my life believing I didn't have a creative bone in my body! I've attempted various little projects over the years but never with much success. I certainly had no intention that other people would see them let alone want to own any! Ideas have always bubbled about in me though and it was about two years ago that I started the very beginnings of Cheek Pinchy. Was just the right time I guess!

Artist Interview: Sarah McNeil

Wellington based Illustrator, Sarah McNeil is joining us for her Auckland début. Originally from Canada, Sarah moved here from Melbourne last year and we are so proud to have her as part of the Fair! Having her work previously featured in the Frankie Magazine calendar, she is also the talented artist behind the design of the July Fair's market money.

How long have you been doing your craft? I have always been interested in making things, but I have been making and selling things for about four years.

How did you get started? One of my friends in Melbourne has a shop and I started making things for him to sell there. Then I found out about Etsy, indie craft fairs, zines fairs etc...