Featured Seller: NZFINCH

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Leaving Auckland and relocating to Mount Maunganui for a lifestyle change was the move that helped Tanya Austen on her way to working full-time on NZFINCH. She sells in stores around New Zealand, online, and is a permanent stall holder at The Little Big Markets in the Mount.

What do you make?
I make cushions, jewellery, bags and wallets using second hand materials. I also like to sketch and sell prints of my work.

How did you get into your craft?
I’ve been creative for as long as I can remember. I chose to do mostly art subjects throughout high school – painting, design, photography, graphics. I’ve just always loved making stuff!

Do you have formal qualifications or training in your craft?
I studied at Auckland University doing a Bachelor of Visual Arts, but I wouldn’t really credit that to where I am today.

What are your favourite materials, tools and processes?
I’m really enjoying working with leather at the moment. I get all my leather from an upholstery company and a fabric shop that sells off-cuts destined for the bin! I’m completely self taught and figure things out through trial and error but it’s exciting to see how many different uses I can come up with.

What inspires you?
People doing what they love for a living is so inspiring to me. As the years pass more and more of my friends are ditching their day jobs and making their passion their career. I’m a big believer in chasing your dreams and not just doing what’s expected.

Is there a philosophy behind your work?
It’s all about recycling and reusing. It’s amazing what a little bit of love can do, a touch of paint or an added piece of fabric. I recently revamped my handbag, which I was getting bored with, by sewing some bright vintage hmong fabric onto the flap and I love it!

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Describe your workspace:
I work in an organised mess. There is usually leather and fabric all over the floor and my table is usually COVERED. But in my defense I’m such a visual person and I like to see things together, layered up, folded over, and it gives me ideas. So much of what I have made has happened accidentally like that.

galleryYour favourite response from a customer:
One of my first online sales was to a woman in America. She bought a howling wolf wool cushion cover and thought it was “strange and unique but beautiful.”

What are you currently listening to? My husband and I have been thrashing SBTRKT, especially the song ‘Hold on‘.

Do you have any pets?
We have a super cute six month old SPCA rescue pup called Kaya who keeps me company now that I’m working full time from home. And she’s an excellent excuse to go the beach everyday.

What was the last handmade item you bought?
A beaded shell and crystal necklace from Australian maker Roadtrip Jewellery who I discovered on Instagram. We did an old-school trade, which I love.

Tanya would like to give one lucky Felt customer this NZFINCH Samsung Galaxy s3/iPhone 5 tan brown leather wallet with lace trim and zip pocket. (Thank you Tanya!)

“I love a good clutch to use when you don’t want to carry around a bag, but sometimes you really want something a little smaller to carry your money and your phone in. This smart wallet is the answer! Made from upcycled leather, it has two compartments: one secured with a snap closure and one with a zip. The front compartment has lace detailing sewn onto the flap. Slot your phone into the front and keep your cards and cash in the back.”

To be in to win this fabulous NZFINCH piece, leave a comment below and we’ll draw the winner on Friday 29 March. The draw is open to New Zealand residents only.

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61 thoughts on “Featured Seller: NZFINCH”

  4. Love NZFinch, I sent my sister-in law a gorgeous leather shoulder bag for Christmas, which she loved. Nothing like a piece of home to have with you.

  11. I just wanted to say well done for following your dream, and what a super photo with the dreamer cushion. Long life and joy to you!

  13. So inspirational, it’s great to know following your passion can work out…I am planning to make the same leap of faith soon! Keep up the awesome work 🙂

  16. Thanks everyone for your encouraging feedback! Really do appreciate it. As for the tidy workspace, that was a couple months ago and it is NOT that tidy anymore 🙂

  17. You are very interesting. Love that phone wallet!!! And your workspace is very very tidy,with a lovely large room. You have made me feel quite guilty, my workspace is not tidy so I say I work in organised chaos.

  21. You make me want to really turn my dabbling into a way off life.
    Thank you for inspiring me and for just creating a wonderful range of products.
    Truly inspiring work. xox

  24. Wow, you’re so inspiring! What delightful items you make – and your tattoo on your arm is fantastic! Good luck with everything you do 🙂

  25. Wow, you are an inspiration. Would LOVE to win such a gorgeous piece. Keep up the amazing work – so cool to see such talented fellow kiwis 🙂

  34. Wow, love that style! Would love the iPhone case! I have been wanting something like that for a long time! Love the leather and lace look!!

  36. My challenge to the people who say they would love to own one of Tanya’s items is to actually push the buy button on something she is selling. In fact I would put that to all of the people who make such a statement on the featured sellers article.

  37. I wish you well. Yet another seller making their own work and not importing all that mass produced stuff and fobbing it off as hand crafted by them. But unfortunately those people are the ones selling hand over fist. What does that say about the average NZ shopper. Not much. Keep up the good work Tanya.

  39. Beautiful things! Love the recycled content. It makes every piece an original which is so refreshing in a mass produced world. Best of luck 🙂

  42. I have been an admirer or your lovely cushions for some time and would dearly love to own that beautiful clutch. Keep up the good work!

  43. Wow… love all your goodies. Love the wallet – so useful for dashing out the door on school runs etc and having everything you need in one compact place!

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