Posts Tagged ‘art’
Swallows (Amazons not included)
Thursday, February 7th, 2013Featured Seller: Cheese Before Bedtime
Monday, January 21st, 2013A recent redundancy, after working for seven years as a visual merchandiser, was a blessing in disguise for Amy Dawson. It gave her the push she needed to get Cheese Before Bedtime up and running and now she spends her days stitching in a sun-drenched Onehunga bungalow with wee dog Pepper by her side.
What do you make?
I make modern and quirky embroidery art to adorn your walls. No two are ever the same due to their hand stitched nature, and the colours and fabric combinations used.
What’s the story behind your shop name?
I find that most of my inspiration comes just before I fall asleep. Sometimes I can lie awake for hours with images or new ideas running through my mind. I wanted a shop name that reflected that crazy, inspiring time for me. I love the myth that eating cheese before bedtime gives you funny dreams. I also liked the fact that it was a memorable name and could grow with my shop if I decided to expand into different products.
How did you get into your craft?
I was the creative of the family – the baby of the family with her head constantly in an art project. My family recognised this so every birthday, Christmas, housewarming (I could go on!) they would request a piece of my art as a present. And that is how the stitching began… I was asked to make a piece of art for my sister’s birthday but wanted to do something a bit different. I had a light bulb moment (no doubt after eating cheesy pizza!) and decided to stitch a picture and wrap it around a canvas. After a lot of hours and few all-nighters I got it done and thoroughly enjoyed the process. From there it grew into making some stitchings of my own and experimenting with processes as I went.
galleryDo you have formal training or qualifications in your craft?
I have a Bachelor of Art and Design, majoring in Spatial Design. Although it isn’t directly related to my craft I somehow managed to make most of my projects a piece of art rather than a technical drawing! It also taught me how to edit ideas, work with colour and time-manage.
What creative process do you use to achieve the final product?
Using an outline of my desired image, I trace it onto cotton fabric using my light box and water-soluble marker. I stitch the outlines in black thread then have a brainstorm session playing with colours and fabric combinations that I’ll use. Once that’s finalised I fill in the coloured thread sections, then stitch on the fabrics and trim them to shape. Now all I need to do is wash the marker off, dry, wrap around the canvas or place in a frame and think of the perfect name for them.
What inspires you?
It’s hard to pull me away from inspiring fashion blogs, kids’ blogs, and online magazines. I also love hipster magazines and street fashion. I like to create unique handmade work that I would buy and that customers will cherish – the brighter the better!
Describe your workspace:
I work from home at what was the dining room table. Due to the open plan nature of the house I’m still in on the action and can watch my favourite shows at the same time, or fiancé cooking dinner (yes, lucky!). I have transformed my wee corner into stitching heaven. I need tidiness at all times, music, colour and Pepper the dog.
What are five words that describe your mind?
Bright, cheerful, bursting, creative, grateful.
Your favourite response from a customer:
It’s a great feeling getting repeat customers. I have a lovely customer that has bought three pieces from me now as gifts for others.
What do you like listening to?
In summer I love Kiwi music such as Sola Rosa, Shapeshifter and Kora. In winter I like to stitch while listening to audio books.
What are you reading now?
The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared.
Do you have any pets?
Pepper (aka Woofie) is the family dog that has been passed on to me. She follows me everywhere, not letting me out of her sight, and likes to sit under my desk when I stitch. Every arrival home it’s like she hasn’t seen me for years. She is a Cairn terrier crossed with an Hungarian Puli (basically a scruffy ball of black fluff) and the cutest thing on four legs.
If you were a crafty superhero, what would your name and superpower be?
I think I would be ‘Thimbelina’ – like ‘Thumbelina’ but crafty. I would come to the call of crafty mishaps with my fairy first aid kit. I would soothe your hot glue gun burns, glitter eye, paper cuts and needle pricks.
galleryWhat was the last handmade item you bought?
I bought a cute clay bunny in a painted gourd from Mexico. It looks like a green pear with a bunny peeking out of it. It sits in my new niece’s nursery.
What’s in store for 2013?
My head is bursting with new stitching ideas so my focus for 2013 is growing the range. I will be doing more ‘Personalise Me’ pieces, more kids’ stitches and maybe some smaller pieces. I have just opened a Facebook page so if you would like to get updates on my current work and behind the scenes photos like my page! Oh, and did I mention I’ll be planning my handmade wedding for March 2014? Phew, it’s going to be a busy year!
Have a wander through the fromage-fueled imagination of Cheese Before Bedtime – we never tire of looking at Amy’s fresh and quirky creations! Leave us a comment below and you’ll also go in the draw to win this gorgeous stitched portrait of the adventurous Lizzie. Amy tells us that Lizzie likes to play pirates and spy on her little brother. This four-by-four-inch Cheese Before Bedtime original would look very cute in a nursery or child’s room. The draw is open to New Zealand residents only until Friday 1 February.
And it was all yellow…
Thursday, December 27th, 2012
Featured Seller: Bron Alexander
Monday, November 12th, 2012Waikato designer and illustrator Bron Alexander grew up in the midst of her family’s catering business, surrounded by wedding trimmings and inspired to one day have her own business just like her parents. Instilled early with an appreciation for the intricacies of paper doilies, Bron’s love of paper now manifests itself as limited edition prints of her gorgeous illustrations.
What do you make?
Limited edition illustrated prints, sweet little greeting cards and personalised baby emblems.
Do you have formal training or qualifications in your craft?
I’m a completely self-taught designer and illustrator. I fell in love with design when I worked at the Waikato Museum in the mid ’90s so I just started experimenting with design and taking on freelance projects until someone was crazy enough to employ me and let me loose with their brand. I’ve been so fortunate to have landed some jobs with wonderful employers that have allowed me to learn as I go.
How did you get into your craft?
Making the transition from graphic designer to illustrator was quite natural; while working for a local magazine, my design became quite illustrative and typographic in nature. I always wanted to go quite mad with some graphic design projects but there were always limitations I had to adhere to, so I took my illustrative elements and started creating some prints for people close to me, and the rest is history.
Is there a philosophy behind your work?
It’s quite simple, each and every illustration I make just comes straight from my heart.
What inspires you?
Nothing inspires me more than hearing stories about wonderful creative people who have been able to give up their dreary jobs and follow their dreams running their own craft businesses. This inspires me to work hard!
Describe your workspace:
My workstation occupies a teeny tiny part of our living room; sometimes it expands and takes over the dining table, coffee table and a good part of the kitchen. I constantly dream of having my own studio space….
Five words that describe your mind:
Determined, optimistic, a dreamer, multi-tasker (more…)
Found it on Felt – your fabulous photos!
Thursday, November 1st, 2012Our Found it on Felt competition brought out some beautiful images of your favourite Felt purchases – not only are you guys discerning shoppers, but awesome stylists too! It was a hard call narrowing it down, but here are our winners…
HOME AND GARDEN
Robyn bought these cute hessian heart flags from My Heart Sings: “Love them hanging on my garden picket fence.” We think they look gorgeous too!
Remember, as far as anyone knows we are a nice normal family – Tanya has a lovely display featuring her print bought from Les Petits Mots: “Absolutely love it!!”
Emma got this cute wee Rose in Thorns owl candle for her birthday last year. Not only does he look super sweet, but he smells like vanilla. Yum!
BABIES AND KIDS
Miriam has bunting by Felt Like Celebrating up in baby Clementine’s bedroom: “There is a HAPPY BIRTHDAY one and a MERRY CHRISTMAS one. We have them back to front in her room until we need to use them for a celebration.” Good thinking!
Desaree introduced us to her daughter’s Zippitydoodah creation: “This is Peachy, my daughter received her for Easter this year as an alternative to chocolate.” We’re into cute bunnies here at Felt too.
One of Sarah’s favourite Felt purchases is her Sweet William alphabet print: “It’s in my children’s room and used as a prop in many a photo of my baby shoes (also sold on Felt).”
FASHION AND FINERY
Laura’s lovely earrings and necklace are from White Leaf: “I bought them for my wedding day last November, but I wear them all the time.”
Emma bought her fabulous quilted brooch from Croutons last month – we love the stunning colour co-ordination she’s got going on here.
Sarah sent us a photo of her styley bag from Jacolily bag: “I just love it – it is like a Tardis, looks small from the outside, but holds A LOT!”
Thanks to everyone who sent in pictures – we loved seeing them! – and congratulations to our winners, who will receive a bundle of some of New Zealand’s finest magazines: Good, Your Home and Garden, The Natural Parent and OHbaby!
Featured Seller: Rochelle Andrews
Monday, October 29th, 2012Wellington fine artist Rochelle Andrews has an eye for vintage, drawing her inspirations from the romantic Baroque, Regency and Victorian periods, Art deco and Art Nouveau styles – not to mention the roaring twenties, the fabulous fifties and the sexy sixties. Whilst Rochelle works on establishing her name in the art world, her Felt shop houses a collection of mini artworks in the form of greeting cards.
What do you make?
I make lovely vintage style greeting cards. I do little paintings which I scan and get printed onto beautiful textured card similar to old postcards.
How did you get into your craft?
I’ve been a fine artist painter for about 17 years so that coupled with my love of surface print design was what got me started wanting to design my own compositions. I just decided to start drawing out some ideas and the creative juices flowed!
Do you have formal training or qualifications in your craft?
I have a Bachelor of Design in Illustration which I studied in Wellington. I graduated in 1996.
What inspires you?
I’m inspired by textile designs, vintage posters, antiques, interior design as well as all the travel I’ve done. That can’t help but influence you. My favourite design eras are Art Nouveau and Art Deco, the Renaissance, Rococo and art and design from the 1950s and ’60s.
Your favourite materials, tools and processes?
I usually paint in acrylics on canvas, just the same as my fine art. It’s a medium I know well!
Is there a philosophy behind your work?
I just love to create images that make me happy and others happy when they see them. That’s the great thing about imagery.
Describe your workspace:
I paint in a large porch in a 1930s house with beautiful pastel Art Nouveau leadlight windows. The light is wonderful. I store my cards and envelopes in a gorgeous Indian colonial style cupboard which I bought when we left Dubai, where I grew up. I’ve painted it antique white so it looks like a French armoire. I like everything to be tucked away behind beautiful doors to keep clear of clutter because I work at home. I have some of my original ‘Vintage Bird’ images up on the wall above my bed which go really well with the vintage 1950s peacock pillowcases I bought at the Shabby Chic Market in Christchurch.
Five words that describe your mind:
Analytical, creative, precise, practical, a dreamer!
Your favourite feedback from a customer:
I took it as a compliment that I’ve had three people I know tell me in the last two weeks that they chose a card off the card stand because they loved it and realized after buying it that it was my product!
What are you currently listening to? YRLK From Blue to Green
Recommend an album: Babel from Mumford & Sons
Your favourite childhood book? The Cat in the Hat
What are you reading now?
I love my Bible. It keeps me sane with its pearls of truth.
Your hero/heroine: I know it’s a bit cliché but Jesus.
What was the last handmade item you bought?
A 1950s style dress. I love it. I feel like a pin-up girl when I’m wearing it.
Where do you hope to be in five years’ time?
Maybe I’ll move into designing textiles, incorporating my art into the designs. I’m known for my paintings of flowers and gardens with beautiful light. Of course I’d love to be more well known in the art world. I’m starting to enter the investment art category which is exciting.
Visit Rochelle’s Felt shop to stock up on gorgeous greeting cards, and if you’re in Wellington, head along to her upcoming solo exhibition at Exhibitions Gallery in Brandon Street, running for two weeks from 8 November. Leave a comment below and you’ll be in to win a set of six beautiful vintage bird cards. The draw is open to New Zealand residents only until Friday 9 November.
Felt – the fruits of our labours
Thursday, October 18th, 2012
Next Monday is Labour Day. To me it’s one of our most important holidays, commemorating as it does the struggle for an eight-hour working day. From this right, so many things are possible.
With my right for an eight hour working day, I have time to rest, be with family and be creative. An exhausted mind finds it all the harder to design, innovate and dream. It is this that Thomas Jefferson means when he talks about employment – not just our paid work, but the workings of our minds.
I often look at the stunning array of creations on Felt and think “Gosh there are some clever people out there.” For some of our sellers, their creations are the the result of a creative mind allowed free reign outside of other jobs. For others, this is their working week.
Here’s to our creative folk; on Felt and everywhere – and raise a glass also this Labour Day to those who freed us to employ our minds.
Featured Seller: DUDO Design
Monday, October 1st, 2012DUDO Design is a collaboration between Duke and Don. The duo met whilst both were majoring in design at Elam School of Fine Arts and, two years after graduating, they founded their own art and design studio in Auckland. Their surroundings and shared interest in New Zealand culture are brightly reflected in their growing range of vibrant and often quirky designs.
What do you make?
We make art blocks, art prints and greeting cards. We recently added t-shirts to our current collection, and they will be available in our Felt shop very soon. We are continuously creating more new designs and crafts as we learn and grow.
How did you get into your craft?
Duke: It all really began with childhood doodling on my workbook pages, which later on lead to my study of Fine Art degree at Elam, where I was given the opportunity to explore various media and art forms. I was fascinated and influenced by Takashi Murakami‘s work in my early years at Elam, and I started to experiment with his ‘Superflat’ theory in my work.
Do you have formal training or qualifications in your craft?
Yes, I studied Bachelor of Fine Arts at University of Auckland.
Your favourite materials, tools and processes? We love paper, all sorts of paper.
What inspires you?
Nature. Great typography. Stunning work from websites and blogs created by witty, clever and creative people, even sometimes a line from song lyric or a funny quote.
Is there a philosophy behind your work?
For us, it is about having fun creating and making.
Describe your workspace: Messy yet functional. (more…)
Birds of a feather
Tuesday, September 18th, 2012Our native birds may not have exotic, brightly coloured, plumage but they are uniquely distinctive. Does our lack of native mammals make our native birds an even more important source of visual inspiration in our creativity? Or, is it simply that the delightful silhouette and fluttering flight of a fantail makes it such a compelling resource for artists? Perhaps the unhappy demise of the huia, hunted to extinction in order to adorn Victorian headdresses that makes it a poignant motif for highlighting the importance and unique nature of our native wildlife.
As makers and buyers are we drawn to pieces because of the influence of memory, folklore and superstition? I don’t wear many earrings but found myself unable to resist a pair of magpies. I’ve long been a champion of this much-maligned bird. Similarly, I can’t help but feel sorry for the tui.
Here’s a small snapshot inspired by our New Zealand native birds. Whilst you’re having a gander, don’t forget to vote for your favourite species in the Forest and Bird annual “Bird of the Year” poll.
1. Kokako Card | The Paperbird Society $6 2. Huia Print | Furniss Studio $64
3. Fantail Brooch | Helen Kerrigan $22 4. Tui Brooch | Little Fritter Design $20
5. NZ Falcon Embroidery | Birdspoke $68 6. Fantail Earrings | Vintage Loft $15
7. Fantail Wall Feature | Rustic Metal Art $35 8. Fantail Decal | Tinch $20
Featured Seller: Brighton Mine
Monday, September 17th, 2012The last few years have been pretty tough for Brighton Mine jewellery designer and artist Fiona McDonald, with her partner suffering a massive stroke less than a year after the birth of their first child, but inspired by her family and wild West Coast surroundings Fiona has risen to the challenge and is unleashing the build up of creative energy that often follows a difficult and traumatic time.
What do you make?
I make jewellery using raw and natural materials, cut stones, metals, enamels and just about anything else that can be worn. I am also a painter, one of the reasons I was drawn to the rugged environment of the West Coast. I sell mainly my jewellery in my Felt shop, but do sell a few cards which are reproductions of some of my paintings.
Your favourite materials, tools and processes?
One of my favourite materials is pounamu beach pebbles. They are a rare and precious gift from the ocean, that I very occasionally find. They have been carved by the ocean, traveling up the West Coast over many years. My designs have evolved from a desire to wear these pieces without drilling holes in the forms created by nature. So each piece is unique, and designed to complement the natural form of the stone, there are no two the same.
Making jewellery, I enjoy fabricating, forging, casting, etching and enameling.
I began experimenting with enamels, when I got given my dear grandmother’s enameling kiln. After hours of research and practice I am having a fun time with the beauty of melted glass fused onto metal.
Of course it goes without saying for me that painting a work of art is one of my favourite things to do. I like to work in oils and tend to favour landscapes and birds in my work.
How did you get into your craft?
I have made things for as long as I can remember. My family home was a hub of creativity, with everything going on, from photography and a darkroom, to a pottery studio, to oil painting or just about anything else you could think of. (more…)