Sponsor Spotlight: Foxes

Clever Fox tote

My name is Jessica Whiting, and I am the lady behind Foxes.co.nz and I also co-run the Auckland Art & Craft Fair with Kylie. Foxes isn't just a super online shop, it's also a way that I can still make and design things myself for all the lovely Foxes Folks. I also have previously had my own craft label, Bam Bam Creative; while I don't make a whole lot of new stuff for Bam Bam anymore, I can appreciate both sides of the maker/shop story! Being a Graphic Designer by trade, Foxes is a great way for me to get my own work out there.

Bam Bam Creative sweatshirt

What can people expect to see from you on the day? Aside from many of the awesome stuff that I stock from other talented designers, I will have Foxes graphic tea towels, tote bags, hand-painted cups and prints. 

Wash The Dishes tea towel

Do you have any future plans for your work, could you describe them? I'm exploring into perhaps making some Foxes jewellery and expanding on the clothing that I've already made in time for next Winter. 

Be Great A4 print

Where are your favourite places on-line? I can't get enough of Pinterest. It's like a personal online image storage space where you can catalogue your own personal style and see how it develops. I follow A LOT of amazing blogs with some of my favourites being Fancy! Design Blog, Pretty Zoo, Daydream Lily and Here Comes The Sun. I alos love Keiko Lynn for style inspiration and So Much To Tell You — all well worth a look.

What do you enjoy doing when you aren't busy making your wares? I'm usually running the store! Or talking on twitter, blogging, pinning things on Pinterest, hanging out with my amazing little girl who is now 6 and our pets, Ollie our 1year old dog or Leo our cat. I really value and enjoy spending time with my friends and family too, they make all this hard work worthwhile.

Artist Interview: Tiny Happy

Kia ora, I'm Melissa of Tiny Happy. I'm love making things and mostly work with textiles. I especially love to take old things that are unloved, and turn them into something new and beautiful. Tiny Happy has been going for about five years now, and I've been keeping an almost-daily blog since the beginning which I use as my inspiration journal and connect with other makers.

What can people expect to see from you on the day? I'm currently working on some wool embroidery, and I hope to have a small collection of crewel-work purses for sale. I'll have some things for babies and kids- my signature reversible baby shoes as well as some rabbits made from antique velveteen fabric. Some of my watercolour paintings will be made into sets of cards with envelopes and I'll have some hand-painted ceramics and hand-printed fabric pieces too.

Do you have any future plans for your work, could you describe them? I hope to keep on making things and writing about them.

Where are your favourite places on-line? I love pinterest at the moment- actually, I'm a bit addicted. Etsy and Felt are my favourite places to explore and look for presents, and I've always loved browsing on Flickr.

What do you enjoy doing when you aren't busy making your wares? Hanging out with my children (8 and 6 years old) and my partner. Baking cakes and scones. Obsessing over music. Meeting friends for coffee. Going out at night to see films.

Artist Interview: Reignbow

 

Why, hello there! My name is Kylie Richardson. You may better know me as one half of the organisers of this Fair or the owner of New Zealand Beading Supplies. Or you may just know me as Kylie, either way ;) Reignbow is a revamp and re-brand of my previous label, Skipapple. Life has been rather busy the last couple of years (just the way I like it) and my style and taste had changed along the way, so a label overhaul was in order. I tend to personally wear a lot of black or neutral clothing so find myself most comfortable adding a pop of colour by means of accessories. My large cocktail style rings are by far my favourite pieces - see below. They really add that extra something to an outfit :)

What can people expect to see from you on the day? Reignbow is officially launching for the very first time at the Dec 2011 Fair with a collection of pretty jewellery and accessory items inspired by feminine tones and antique bronze finishings. The current collection has a lovely vintage feel with a combination of chain, flower cabochon's, pendants and charms.

Do you have any future plans for your work, could you describe them? I always have lots of plans for future work, in everything I do. I would really like to expand and offer few different "ranges" of jewellery and more accessory items. If time permits, I'd also love to design a range of clothing. I've loved sewing ever since my grandmother taught me when I was about 5 or 6 years old, so I'm sure there will be something along those lines in the future.

Where are your favourite places on-line? Lately I've been well and truly hooked on Pinterest. It's probably my favourite website in a long time. (You can follow my boards here) Of course I also love to peruse Etsy and Foxes.co.nz for my weekly dose of handmade and designer goodness. I hang out on Facebook and Twitter for day to day happenings of friends and twitter peeps, and some of my favourite blogs are Frankie, Auckland Street Style, Here Comes the Sun, Fancy and Made by Girl. There are loads more but I can't think of them all off the top of my head!

What do you enjoy doing when you aren't busy making your wares? I'm not very good at relaxing for too long, so always have an array of things on the go at any one time. When I'm not making my wares I can be found either keeping myself busy co-organising the Fair with Jess, packaging up bead orders for the bead business, pinning away on Pinterest, deciding on which study I am going to partake in next (which happens to be a Diploma in Interior Design), coming up with new ideas for business ventures or writing to-do lists. I am particularly fond of to-do lists and like to keep mine pages long. It feels so rewarding crossing things off, but I am constantly adding to it so it's a never ending project. However in saying all of that, when I do manage to talk myself into some down time I enjoy reading non-fiction books, catching up with friends for a coffee or wine and listening to music.

Artist Interview: memeGO

It all started out with 2 huge Russian shoulder scarfs my mom owned. One in black and the other in white printed with the most colourful vibrant flowers. I remember spending hours in front of the mirror, wrapping and draping one or both of them around me. The love for colours, dazzling, cheerful, riotous, vibrant stuck with me as did my love for and understanding of the need to accessorize oneself. My starting point is a beautiful 100% Wool felt, made in New Zealand from which I create accessories like for example makeup bags and earrings.

My label is still young, many ideas yet to be formulated but what I have was born out of a strong desire to create something more personal then a high street shop item and it's formulated colour and design. That's also a reason for me to offer brooch DIY kits. Because it's fun and extremely satisfying to wear something of your own making.

What can people expect to see from you on the day? Everything I will present will be fresh of the press.

Do you have any future plans for your work, could you describe them? At the moment I very much tied up with getting my label off the ground. But in the future I would like to introduce other materials into my work. I particularly like felt combined with leather. My ultimate goal is to combine my whimsical side with the more practical to truly create good design which not only pleases the eye but also makes daily life a bit easier.

Where are your favourite places on-line? www.myvibemylife.com

www.missmoss.co.za

www.kristinaklarin.blogspot.com

www.trendtablet.com

www.thingsbecomethings.blogspot.com

www.dict.leo.org

What do you enjoy doing when you aren't busy making your wares? creating collective sounds - I drum with Tamashii, an Auckland based Taiko group., travelling imaginary worlds while reading, attempting to get foot/hand coordination sorted - I learn to dance flamenco and many many more things. The most important though, collecting inspiration, just happens along the way.

Artist Interview: Hue

Hi, I'm Nicola Walker and Hue is my crafty little inspiration where my passion for colour, fabrics and  bags combines - giving me blissful, creative, child-free moments late into the night! I love the challenge of up cycling scarfs, tea towels, table cloths and clothes of yesteryear and combining them with textiles of today. Actually my most favorite thing is hunting, finding and matching the material! Most weekends you will find me at the beach with the kids or at a craft market - sometimes with the kids!

What can people expect to see from you on the day? This season, satchels have dominated my range. These have been sized to carry laptops. notebooks, and netbooks plus they have been utilised as baby bags, overnight bags and uni satchels. To compliment the technology carrying theme, I have recently released the 'Hue-tech clutch'- a gorgeous clutch-like padded protection for netbooks and ipads. As I dislike any wastage, I always have popular little coin purses made from the remnants and sweetened up with highlights of beads.

Do you have any future plans for your work, could you describe them? Hue's future revolves around the love of creating, colour and craft markets. Continuing with the popular satchels  and being inspired to design and make new bags - when the fancy takes me and the time allows!

What do you enjoy doing when you aren't busy making your wares? Outside of Hue, I have 3 gorgeous children that keep me on my toes, make me laugh and share my love of being outside and building sandcastles!

Artist Interview: S4SH4

Hi, My name is Sasha Maya. I'm very excited to be joining the Auckland Art & Craft Fair for the first time this December. I am a Graphic Designer and artist / crafter. I grew up around the world and rediscovered home at the place of my birth, Aotearoa. Like most artists, I suspect, my background and experience do influence and inform my work. This includes my current medium of choice: wool, which I was introduced to, via an apprenticeship of sorts, by a group of Steiner women. It's tactile and versatile... I love that most people want to touch my work - not just look at it.

What can people expect to see from you on the day? This year I will primarily bring cushions and blankets ... many of them featuring New Zealand flora and fauna. I know a lot of people have seen 'upcycled wool cushions'... but I hope that most of what I'm bringing is quite unique. I create what is exciting and inspiring to me at the moment, and move on. So you will rarely see two items of mine that are anywhere close to identical, though you may see recurring themes until I've moved past them... which keeps it interesting for me, and hopefully my clients.
I've also started delving into smaller works in wool, but I'm not sure how many of those I'll have available on the day (depends how much I get made between now and then.)

Do you have any future plans for your work, could you describe them? I'm finding myself exploring, personally, the line between hand crafts and art. As often seems to be the case for me, I start exploring things personally - in works with no commercial intention - and then as they culminate they cross over in to work I sell. So depending on where the journey takes me ... I may end up selling artwork featuring some handcraft techniques I currently use.
I have also begun making some accessories, such as cuff bracelets, featuring 3 dimensional flowers I've created out of wool. These have been being requested by friends, which often heralds the transition of things I'm making for myself into my 'for sale' category of creative pursuits.

Where are your favourite places on-line? I struggled with this question because I don't really have favorites... I do enjoy trawling Etsy, Felt and TradeMe. I regularly visit Facebook which has brought back into my life many friends from a childhood spent overseas (but I don't like to list it as a favorite becuase I have a love / hate thing going with it - it's no substitute for a cup coffee with a friend).

I enjoy the access to learning - I've (re)learned to crochet flowers for a project using YouTube. I use it to research all manner of things. I love peaking into other people's creative worlds - Lorenzo Duran doing exquisite leaf cutting work, and his artisan journey of letting his client determine the value of his work (http://naturayarte.blogspot.com/). Map quilts: got to love an original (and beautiful) idea: http://www.hapticlab.com/pages/custom.

What do you enjoy doing when you aren't busy making your wares? I keep busy in my boutique Graphic Design company www.lilbirdcreative.co.nz.. I'm trying my hand at my first vegetable garden this year, and we're enjoying free range eggs from our own chicken. I built her a coop from materials bought at a demolition yard! I've just finished recovering, and almost completed refinishing, a retro AirRest arm chair bought of TradeMe.
Farmers markets, weekend festivals, and A&P shows are things I love doing with my daughter (whom I adore), when we're not playing frisbee with our dog, cleaning up feathers the cat decorated the lounge with, or having a BBQ with friends. And October 30th we carved jack-o-lanterns with one of my daughters friends... which means Christmas (with all its projects, baking, and fun) is just around the corner!

Artist Interview: The Art Room

Hi everyone. My name is Hayley and for the past few years I've been building up a range of limited edition screenprints for kids rooms under the name The Art Room. It started with an ambitious project - a large lion print for my daughters room - I didn't stop at one and I printed 35 of them! I followed that with a Seal and Giraffe print. They went so well I've carried on and my new range is all about Storybook characters. So far there is the Owl & Pussycat and just launched is Little Red Riding Hood & the Wolf. In between big print runs I've started doing little gift cards and cute stamp sets too... there is always a new project on the go.

What can people expect to see from you on the day? At the Fair I'll be bringing my original prints, some teatowels, gift cards and stamp sets. I've had a digital range printed (in smaller sizes - A4 and A3) of the original limited edition prints and I'll have those available too. My friend Ingrid is a fantastic sewer - we've collaborated and she has made Red Riding Hood and Wolf toys. You'll be able to get the matching set - toys and print! I'm working on a set of Christmas gift cards so if all goes well they'll be launched at the Fair.

Do you have any future plans for your work, could you describe them? Future plans include adding to the Storybook Series, finishing a range of Christmas cards and trying my hand at fabric printing. Fabric printing has been in the pipeline for a while so I'm looking forward to giving it a go. I think it will be a simple pattern to start with and maybe for adults this time... I'd like to be able to sew up some cushions, pillowcases and try getting a light shade made.

Where are your favourite places on-line? Favourite sites include designsponge http://www.designsponge.com/, print and pattern, http://printpattern.blogspot.com/ and Melissa's blog from tinyhappy. http://www.tinyhappy.typepad.com/

I'm always check the New Zealand printmakers site too for any new ideas. http://nzprintmakers.blogspot.com/

What do you enjoy doing when you aren't busy making your wares? I'm a Mum first and that takes up most of my time :). I also work two days a week for a magazine company as a graphic designer so I just try and fit in printmaking around that.  I love heading out on the water whenever I can and spending weekends out of Auckland - somewhere quiet...

Artist Interview: Amber Brook Design

Hello my name is Amber Brook and I run an art and design business. I paint full time and also run a professional art school for both children and adults which has been very successful in helping others create their own pieces of art learning new techniques and some even going on to exhibit and sell their works. My aim is to create beautiful pieces of original and individual artwork. There is nothing more rewarding than finishing a piece of art and being able to able to share it with others. To be able to use the beautiful pallette of colours in which nature holds and show it within my canvas.

What can people expect to see from you on the day? A wide range of smaller modern interior pieces all individual that enhance the home or make great gift ideas. There will also be a variety of my landscape New Zealand pieces

Do you have any future plans for your work, could you describe them? My aim is keep painting and producing new and modern pieces of art , trying to exhibit more in the public arena.

Where are your favourite places on-line? The internet is such a wonderful thing, I enjoy looking at other peoples photos and takes on the world. Reading up on different artists and the styles of their work and lifestyle Andrew Wiese and James Bama would be amoungst my favorites. And of course there is always something to be learnt on facebook

What do you enjoy doing when you aren't busy making your wares? It is hard to find the switch off button when art is such a passion as you never stop coming up with new ideas most of which are at obscure hours of the day. When I am not painting I enjoy spending time with my family and friends and getting out and enjoying the greater surroundings

Artist Interview: Hunter Gatherer

We are Husband and wife and we are makers. Based from our cozy home in Onehunga we spend our days creating, drilling, painting, drawing and imagining in the hopes that you will love our wares. We hope you will want to hang them from your necks and your walls, to wear them in your hair and on your fingers and to take them on adventures with you.

What can people expect to see from you on the day? We will be launching our new range entitled " The Whirlwind is in the Thorntree "  necklaces, rings, tee's and more inspired by everything from the stars, to the stones in the ground, and everything in between. Hunter Gatherer is still your old friend, just grown up a little. 


Do you have any future plans for your work, could you describe them? Oh jolly! So many! You may see us popping up in a few lovely places around our fair land, Our lookbook will be out, a few collaborations are in the pipeline and our new website will be on the up and go: www.huntergatherer.co.nz

Where are your favourite places on-line? Of course the lovely people at Frankie : www.frankie.com.au and www.smithjournal.com.au. Our dear friends at Here come's the sun Blog, Two Happy Hearts blog. I am also always nosing around Once it, Assembly of text, Rifle paper co and anything else that feasts my eyes and generally helps me procrastinate.


What do you enjoy doing when you aren't busy making your wares? Down in the garden drinking cider in the sun, Getting tattoos, Rummaging at Garage Sales or Thrift Stores, Taking pictures, and eating delicious meals. 

Artist Interview: Helen Kerrigan

Hi, my name is Helen Kerrigan and I have long had a passion/ obsession with vintage and retro china. I have incorporated this into my work and now produce a range of giftware including bird-feeders, candles, clocks, cake stands and brooches. Not only does this provide me a creative outlet, but it allows me to indulge in my favourite pastime,  browsing the many fabulous op shops and second hand stores around our city. 

I have a strong conviction that in order to create something that others will be drawn to, you have to start with quality materials. It is to this end that I only use English bone china and well preserved Crown Lynn ceramics to make my range.

What can people expect to see from you on the day? As well as my previously mentioned range of up-cycled vintage range (bird-feeders, candles, clocks, cake stands, brooches) I will have various brooches using recycled  doilies, stamps and vintage books. I'll also be bringing my Little Golden Book clocks, which were a great success at the last fair. Who knows, I may even have a few new surprises on the day!

Do you have any future plans for your work, could you describe them? My work is always evolving and changing, so watch this space.

Where are your favourite places on-line? I love a bit of on-line shopping on Felt and Etsy. www.instructables.com is always good to while away a bit of time and get the creative juices flowing. As for blogs, I don't have any particular favourites but I love to look around when I have the time (which isn't often).

What do you enjoy doing when you aren't busy making your wares? Between making my wares, selling at markets and looking after my six year old son, there isn't too much spare time. I try to keep things local and as I live in Grey Lynn that's fairly easy. Most of my favourite places are here. I love road trips, especially with someone who shares my op shop obsession. There is nothing better than a drive down the country stopping in every town to hunt down treasures.

Artist Interview: Native Creative

From my studio overlooking stunning native bush in the beautiful Bay of Plenty, I've built up my craft business, Native Creative, from an original range of collages on plywood to a collection of innovative product designs inspired by New Zealand birdlife.
I'm a big fan of plywood. I love the beauty of the grain, the multi-layered edges and the many ways in which it can be used.

What can people expect to see from you on the day? I make unique native bird creations out of plywood which is printed with my own patterns designed to reflect the personality of each bird. I incorporate the beautiful wood grain as part of the finished product. My range of products includes prints (inspired from my original collages), slot-togethers, mobiles, restickable wall decals, brooches and a jewellery tree.

Do you have any future plans for your work, could you describe them? I've recently released a new range of products and it's always an interesting process to see which items people are attracted to, more than others. Customer feedback is so important to my product development and I find the process of selling at markets and craft fairs, direct to the customer, a fabulous way of identifying demand and fine-tuning ideas.  So this is always an ongoing process.

I've had a whole swag of stores who have contacted me over the last few months who are interested in my work, so I'm very likely to start wholesaling to retailers soon as the demand is certainly there. I'm currently working on my first piece of furniture design which is very exciting!

Where are your favourite places on-line? I have to admit to spending a fair amount of time on Facebook - both for my business and for fun. Attending to my Shop on felt.co.nz, checking out the weather forecast (for some reason I'm a bit obsessed with it) on www.metservice.com, streaming the FANTASTIC radio station cruizefm.co.nz, and general time spent googling all manner of things that I'm researching or just looking up for interest.

What do you enjoy doing when you aren't busy making your wares? When I'm not "working" I love to jog around one of our local lakes, dive off the jetty in the summer time, mountain bike our wonderful local trails, go to yoga, hang out with my two young children, drink wine, read inspiring stories, go sailing and generally get in amongst it.

Artist Interview: NZ SAND ART

 

Hello everyone, my name is Nancy Tschetner, I am from east Germany and have been living in Taupo, New Zealand since Jan. 2003. I fell in love with the nature, lifestyle and the Kiwi personality. New Zealand gave me the inspiration, freedom and space to create something very unique.

- Natural New Zealand Sand Art -
I consider myself as a natural creative person and always had an eye for detail. I enjoy working with contrast and New Zealand nature gave me the contrast and texture, I was after. I first discovered black sand in New Zealand and used it for contrast and texture on my acrylic paintings. Over the last 8 years I have developed my sand paintings into fine art with great detail. I also started creating sand portraits in 2004. I give people the chance to capture their special memories, loved ones or beloved pet in a unique way. It also gives art lovers from all over the world, the chance to own their own, unique piece of New Zealand and take a unique, personalized souvenir back home.

What can people expect to see from you on the day? At the Auckland Art & Craft Fair, I will have something for everyone on display and for sale. All sizes and prices. From Animals over New Zealand Scenery to abstract pieces. Most of my art is created with over 12 different shades of natural New Zealand sand, the natural tones fit into every house, never fade and give your wall that special touch. A few pieces are created with sand and acrylic colours, to fit everyone's taste. I also take on commission and orders for portraits. Be excited and enjoy browsing ......

Do you have any future plans for your work, could you describe them? I am always full of ideas and open for suggestions. I recently started doing sand paintings on different products, like wood carvings and pottery. My plan is to become well known nationally and internationally and to make NZSANDART a full time business. I enjoy being creative and never run out of ideas........only out of time. So it would be great to keep doing what I love and to be able to share my love for New Zealand nature. I like making people happy and I am thriving on achievement.

Where are your favourite places on-line? I often google different art and photography. I love contemporary Art and admire creative people of all kind.

What do you enjoy doing when you aren't busy making your wares? I enjoy designing all kinds of art. I enjoy giving furniture a new face, designing and sewing clothes, wood carving and anything that can be lifted with colour, shape and texture. I am working part time as a sign writer and there for grew up with an eye for detail. I enjoy design work and my favourite job as a sign writer is to wrap a vehicle or other products in prints and to design and apply motorbike graphics. I am studying photography and love wedding and maternity photography. As an outgoing, active and social person, I love mountain biking and trail riding, fishing and wake boarding. I am never bored and love living life.

"Carpe Diem"

Artist Interview: Annie B Handmade

 

My name is Ann and I have a bit of a addiction to vintage fabrics, buttons & bits & bobs. I have a wee shed at the bottom of the garden path where I hide away to work on my range of Bags, Purses, Journals & Accessories. I started Annie B Handmade a couple of years ago so that I could work through my many boxes of fabric & trims collected over the years (which had started to take over the entire house - much to my husband's dismay!)

What can people expect to see from you on the day? I have a new range of purses made with vintage clasps and fabrics, some gorgeous wee zip purses ( perfect for gifts) and some swandri journals for the guys- along with my standard vintage blanket journals and purses.

Do you have any future plans for your work, could you describe them? I have a range of leather Bags, Wallets and Journals planned for early next year and some new summer bags coming up soon.

Where are your favourite places on-line? I spend way too much time online but I love to visit  Poppytalk,   Meet Me at Mikes , Rummage, The Little Craft Store,  Her Library Adventures and have just discovered Here Comes the Sun which is a lovely blog.

What do you enjoy doing when you aren't busy making your wares? I go op shopping and to garage sales & church fairs. I enjoy listening to music, cooking, gardening and hanging out with my family & friends. I like to keep busy so I always have a craft of some sort on the go ( knitting socks for the family at present)  and there are always new ideas to try out so I always find something to do.

Artist Interview: Erupt Prints

Hi! We are Helen and Craig of Erupt Prints. We began our mission of 'Relieving Boring Walls' in 2009 following the birth of our daughter the previous year. We wanted artwork that was vibrant and fresh yet affordable for her nursery but couldn't find anything that met our criteria so being graphic designers we decided to create our own. Since then we have evolved our designs for kiwi kids young and old, taking inspiration from Aotearoa's uniqueness!

What can people expect to see from you on the day? We will be showing off another 3 or so new print designs to compliment our graphic NZ inspired works. They will be backed up by our 'Rainbow Height chart' and 'Ma is White' designs which have blown us away with their popularity. Our kids print designs will also be present as always.

Do you have any future plans for your work, could you describe them? We are pretty young on the scene (only 2 years in December) so for us its just doing the basics like building our range and keeping our designs fresh and affordable! We are always keeping an eye on trends for printing on other materials such as tea towels, tee shirts etc, but for now we are pretty happy with good ol paper. We have been fortunate to have our designs selling in some amazing stores and galleries around the country, and our designs are also proving popular over in Oz with a couple of ex-pat business ventures.

Where are your favourite places on-line? Fancy // newzealanddesignblog.com, ffffound.com, MAIYA // myadventureisyouradvantage.com, ohdeedoh.com. . . and many others!

What do you enjoy doing when you aren't busy making your wares? We have two little girls (a 3 year old and a 4 month old) plus our own little slice of heaven in tropical Onehunga (well it will be eventually once renovations are sorted in years to come!!) so if we aren't out and about with the girls, slowly ticking off the house list is very rewarding, especially our backyard mission, in time for summer...ahhh happy days.

Artist Interview: NZ Green Buttons

 

Hi my name is Louana. I have a blog NZ Green Buttons that I use as an online diary. I love to crochet and sew. I really enjoy creating useful things from things I find in op-shops or vintage stores. It's a nice feeling to give new life to things that most people think are past their best. I'm a mum of two and try and fit my crafting in around sleeps, and school runs.

What can people expect to see from you on the day? I've got a big stack of vintage embroidered linen notebooks to bring along. I've started to experiment with a product that stiffens crochet and I've been busily been making chunky pendants and delicate snowflake decorations. I'm also bringing up-cycled cards and notebooks too.

Do you have any future plans for your work, could you describe them? I love to find new crochet techniques and apply them to things I make, working with a range of materials, like wire, fabric and even paper.

Where are your favourite places on-line? It's very hard to narrow down the long list of NZ blogs I like to visit, but a couple of favourites are:

www.tinyhappy.typepad.com

www.http://verydarkhorse.blogspot.com

What do you enjoy doing when you aren't busy making your wares? I'm always crafting something! I really enjoy making things for my children, a bag, clothes for a toy or costumes. I also rather enjoy baking too, anything yummy that can be shared with good friends.

Artist Interview: Toodles Noodles

Back when Toodles Noodles was started up as a company between two sisters they were trying to come up with the best name for their new company.  They had come up with a long list of names but nothing quite felt right.  Then signing off from a phone call one day they did their regular “alright, Toodles Noodles” a sign off they’d used for years.  And that’s when Liora clicked and said “that’s it!  That’s our new company name.”.  They both knew instantly that it would be the perfect name for two sisters to start a stationery company.  The term Toodles Noodles comes from both of them having the middle name Nudel and getting teased and being called Noodle all through their childhood. The saying stuck and became part of a family well term.  So now it is our, my, great pleasure to bring some of that Toodles Noodles fun to you.

Here at Toodles Noodles - New Zealand Made and Owned we have a love of stationery and all things colorful and cheeky. We're proud to offer high quality cards, tags, and wrapping paper that are printed locally in New Zealand, and hope our products bring a sense of happiness to those who discover them.

What can people expect to see from you on the day? Wrapping paper, gift / thank you tags, mini note cards, desk calendars and bookmarks.

Do you have any future plans for your work, could you describe them? Our goal is to increase our presence here in NZ and expand globally first with Australia and then UK.

Where are your favourite places on-line? I'm a huge twitter fan.  I only got into twitter in June but since then have become a big addict. I have grown my business, made some great creative friends / connections, find out of the latest trends, news, everything.  Twitter is my connection to the design / fashion / news world.

What do you enjoy doing when you aren't busy making your wares? I'm a sun baby.  I love sitting outside in the sun, walking in the sun.  If it's sunny out, you will not find me indoors that day. For example, filling this form out right now, I am sitting on my deck with my laptop because it is a rare day in Wellington where the sun is shining down and it's stunning.

Artist Interview: donnashaw

Hi I'm the creator of the donnashaw range of unique fabric baby booties and other great baby gifts. I love working with fabrics and coming up with unique fabric combinations for my booties.

What can people expect to see from you on the day? A great range of fabric baby booties which come in two sizes, 0-6 months and 6-12 months. Also in the donnashaw range is fabric baby blocks with bells inside, cotton baby blankets and cot and room decorations.

What do you enjoy doing when you aren't busy making your wares? I also enjoy gardening and sports mainly running.