1 Russian Doll Fridge Magnets by Poppetto | 2 Mini Doll in her House by Sweet
William | 3 Hair Tie Set by Songbird Designs | 4 Reversible Headband, 100%
Upcycled by Redflax | 5 Disco Diva Charm Bracelet by Little Piggy | 6 Phone
Charm by Beadle | 7 A Basket of Ninjas by Jojobooster | 8 2.25″ War Plane Button
by Badgeosaurus | 9 Harry Potter Handknitted Finger Puppets by Lovely Things
~ Click here for more handmade stockings and stocking filler ideas ~
Threaded is a local publication that explores the expanding field of creative practices and celebrates creative enterprises in New Zealand.
With a collection of informed and inspirational features, Threaded will appeal to readers throughout the design and visual arts community. Subtle use of different papers throughout this edition give it that lovely tactile quality of an object-of-desire, adding to its value as a collectors’ item and making it a great gift for the artist or designer on your Christmas list.
Each edition of Threaded has a theme – previous issues include hope and glory, for the love of it, method in the madness and arrivals and departures. Edition 8 is ‘the home front’ issue, which looks at the experience of looking in before looking out and challenges us to consider the nature of our ‘uniqueness’ whilst recognising the external factors that influence, challenge and connect the home front.
“Threaded Edition 8 is a call to make visible the creative geography of ‘the Antipodes and the contemporary Antipodean’, and instates the mantra that we are here because we want to be here.”
Since its launch 3 years ago, Threaded has been committed to strengthening the relationship between art and design education and the wider creative community. Each edition profiles ten students or recent graduates, featuring work selected from portfolio submissions and accompanied by a position statement to give context to their concepts.
Threaded recently launched in Australia and last month received a bronze award at the BeST Design Awards – now you can get your very own copy here on Felt!
Ana Samway reports in Sideswipe in the NZ Herald this morning that co-host of Radio NZ’s Morning Report, Sean Plunket, has started a blog called Sean Makes Crafts after his employers denied him the opportunity to write a column in Metro magazine.
“I’m not one to let the bastards keep me down. Hence this blog. Now that I have so much time in the day – after all, I do finish work at 9am … I’ve found that there’s nothing better to fill the day with than using my hands to create something.”
Accompanied by a sprinkling of social commentary (“She always pretends to be surprised that a “strapping lad” like myself would be interested in crafts. I tell her “Bev, it’s the 21st century. Gender roles are so 1970s”.”), dried pasta features prominently in the projects Sean has posted so far.
The latest issue of World Sweet World has just hit the shops this week and is now available on Felt. The summer issue for 2009 is full of exciting projects and inspiring stories from around the country, and I have to say, I’ve been a big fan of World Sweet World from the very beginning and this is my favourite issue so far.
Projects include how to make a picnic set to dine alfresco in style by Deb Robertson of Red Vibe, creating your own wrapping paper and stamps, and making more shelf space with an alternative use for old encyclopedias. There’s a great tutorial on fashioning your own jewellery from industrial waste silver by the extremely talented Ingrid of Silverworks, as well as the Crafty Business guide to selling at fairs and markets, by Miss Millie and yours truly. Rosa May, also known as Rosa-Mayde on Felt, recounts her op shopping solo road trip around New Zealand.
Not only is World Sweet World packed with awesome content, but Hannah’s enviable design skills and the gorgeous illustrations of Gary Venn and Jem Yoshioka make it a seriously good-looking mag too. And this issue comes with a downloadable mix tape of local sounds to keep you grooving to sweet tunes all summer long.
How can you resist? Get your copy of Issue #8 on Felt – it makes a great Christmas gift too!
It’s Crafternoon-Tea time again this Saturday 12 December, from 10am till 3pm at the Mt Eden Normal Primary School Hall, Valley Road, Mt Eden. Featuring the likes of Little Bird Designs, Happy Bee (also known as Nord), Leila Loves Handmade, Bam Bam Creative, Songbird Designs, Lilys Make Believe, Honey Design Books, Cat Taylor, Ferrit, Jellybones, Mira Design & R. W. Scissors amongst more than 40 stalls of handmade gorgeousness, Crafternoon-Tea will be a fabulous day out and a great chance to get your Christmas shopping done.
Head along to Mt Eden Normal Primary School Hall, Valley Road, Mt Eden this Saturday 12 December, from 10am till 3pm. Got a stall at Crafternoon-Tea but missed a mention here? Post a comment below with a link to your Felt shop.
1 Green Wonder Salve by Green Blessings | 2 Mosaic Koru by Stella | 3 Black
Lily Brooch by Black Swan Designs | 4 Hanging Koru Paddle by Furnis Studio
5 Shine on Me Lily Necklace by Jaded Seas | 6 Seashore Stainless Wall Art by
Artazon | 7 Lavender Handcream – 60gm by Lavender | 8 Concrete Koru by Ms
Claire | 9 Joyful Jonquil by Supervery
As Christchurch shoppers enjoy The Night Market at Our City O-Tautahi on Thursday evening, Wellingtonians are being treated to a special Craft2.0 Twilight Delight at TheNewDowse in Lower Hutt.
Talent is plentiful at this crafty Christmas shopping extravaganza featuring the likes of Minu, Taprobane, Supervery, The Sewphist, An Open Book, Emma Makes, Boocraft, We Got Knits and many more of Wellington’s finest makers.
If the promise of gorgeous handmade gifts and all those ticks on your Christmas list isn’t enough, consider the cupcakes – can you really resist?
Craft2.0 Twilight Delight is at TheNewDowse, 45 Laings Road in Lower Hutt from 6pm until 9pm this Thursday 3 December.
By day Rose Wells works as a graphic designer in Christchurch – by night she is Rose Among Thorns, candle-maker and crafter extraordinaire. From recycling old convent candles to testing out new scent options on her friends and colleagues, Rose is full of ideas and always has something on the go.
What do you make?
Currently I make candles in unique shapes and styles, and purses made from crocheted
recycled cassette tape. I have made many crafty things in my time, and have plans to add more
things to my range.
Your favourite materials, tools and processes?
I enjoy the whole process: thinking of an idea, figuring out how to make it, trying it out, making adjustments and then getting it right. Not perfect though, I’m not a machine!
What inspires you?
Challenging myself to find uses for things that might otherwise be thrown away.
I like to see what other crafty people are doing.
The internet is a great tool for seeing all the cool things other people do.
Pretty things.
Is there a philosophy behind your work?
There is an underlying theme of recycling. I don’t like throwing things into landfill, so I try to think of ways to use things that can’t go in the recycling bin. Some may call this hoarding… but it’s not if I actually make it into something… right?
Describe your workspace:
My candle making is done in the garage, because it gets a bit messy. Currently there are lots of boxes of old candles to be recycled, and all my other bits and pieces I need. It also includes a car, a couple of bikes, and other garage type stuff. My other workspace for less messy activities is the spare room upstairs. It gets lots of afternoon sun, and when I’ve finished recovering my couch for the second time, it will be a great spot to sit while I dream up new things to make.
Five words that describe your mind:
Complex, analytical, intuitive, observant, optimistic. I go against the grain by being good with numbers!
What’s your earliest or most vivid craft-related memory?
I learnt crafts at an early age, so can’t identify the earliest memory. However I recall my mother teaching me things like sewing, knitting, spinning and weaving. She also taught me crochet, but I wasn’t very good at it, so asked her to teach me again last Christmas. I’m a lot better at it this time round!
What are you currently listening to?
I’ve always been a bit of a fan of dance music, and it seems to be back in at the moment, so I’m liking that. I find upbeat music energising.
Recommend an album: In Ghost Colours by Cut Copy
Your favourite childhood book?
I read a lot of books as a child, so don’t have a stand out favourite. However I think I read all of Roald Dahl’s books, and a good quantity of Enid Blyton’s as well.
What are you reading now? The last book I read was Mansfield Park by Jane Austen.
If you were a crayon, what colour would you be? Red
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Rose’s candles and crochet are available from her Felt shop, RoseInThorns. Head to The Night Market on Thursday 3 December to see her latest creations – bring along your old candles (including tealights) for a 10% discount voucher from Rose Among Thorns!
Rain or shine, Kristmas Knack kicks off this Saturday 5 December from 9.30am. An indoor/outdoor affair, Kristmas Knack features 50 stalls of quality handmade products from the likes of Little Ladies, Boocraft, WeGotKnits, Imba, Little Stella, Free Range Baby, An Open Book, CoolCrib and many more. The usual mix of regulars and newbies ensures that there’s always something new and inspiring on sale.
Fresh People’s Coffee coffee and a range of delicious food will also be available, as well as live music, and EFTPOS on site to make Christmas shopping even easier! Head along to Berhampore School Hall from 9.30am till 2.30pm this Saturday 5 December – that’s on Britomart Street (off Adelaide Road) in Berhampore, Wellington.
Got a stall at Kristmas Knack? Post a link to your Felt shop here!
The Night Market at Our City O-Tautahi in Christchurch is a cosy Christmassy craft affair starting at 6pm this Thursday 3 December, and featuring a luscious spread of handmade goodness to make your Christmas shopping an enjoyable experience!
The talented line-up of 20 boutique stalls at The Night Market includes Black Swan Designs, Shaky Isles, Citrus Daisy, In My Backyard, Wild Ones, Redflax, Wishing Tree, Relique, Beanbags, Rose Among Thorns, Podflower, Freedom Creative and The Busy Finch. You will find jewellery, homewares, accessories, candles, books, children’s clothing, toys and more, all beautifully handmade by local crafters.
Come along after work or make a night of it, enter the Felt prize draw for a gorgeous gift pack of handmade goodies, and make sure you try some deliciously decadent Belgian hot chocolate from She Chocolat as you tick a few things off your shopping list!
The Night Market is from 6pm until 10pm on Thursday 3 December at Our City O-Tautahi, on the corner of Worcester Boulevard and Oxford Terrace in central Christchurch. Watch this space for details of Craft2.0′s Twilight Delight, happening at the same time at TheNewDowse in Lower Hutt.
