Rebecca Lloyd is a seasoned creative who has honed her skills over many years across a range of industries, including nearly two decades as a sculptor and a prop maker in film and television. With her partner and two pooches by her side, she said goodbye to the big city and relocated to Mangawhai, Northland, to pursue her dream of hand crafting high quality leather goods that exude beauty and functionality.
Talented Auckland leatherworker and embroidery designer Jennifer Strange says her travels have inspired and helped her learn from the very best. She says she feels truly blessed to have acquired her skills, and to be able to share them. Her acorn logo represents new growth, with the resulting tree becoming strong and dependable – values she connect with. Her experience has shown her that the art of creation is rewarding and teaches valuable life skills – and can be a great de-stressor too!
A lover of the ocean, Rowena Shirtcliff of Sonder & Wilde lived on the sea for three years and visited many remote islands while working as a chef on private yachts in the Mediterranean, Atlantic, Caribbean and Pacific. It was here she grew her appreciation for traditional methods of making textiles, food, and products. Recently Rowena spent time at the Scuola del Cuoio (School of Leather) in Florence, Italy, where she worked alongside an artisan leather worker and learned incredibly valuable skills in construction and finishing. Sonder & Wilde comes from that love of creating and the need for honest, quality New Zealand leather goods.
Gina Reid of Luxi Home NZ makes macramé art and accessories that have grown out of her exploration of fibre arts and her life experiences. Her pieces are shaped by Aotearoa’s changing natural and built landscapes, Māori designs, and the natural fibres and found materials she incorporates into her pieces, including cotton, New Zealand merino wool and driftwood collected from our beautiful beaches.
After a career in New Zealand’s fashion industry, Rachel Moore felt it was time to combine her textile knowledge and and artistic creativity together – leading to the creation of her Ingredients Design brand (also known as texdesign here on Felt). Rachel works with 100% linen fabric for its environmental and tactile qualities, and sees her work as providing the ingredients to make a space a home.
We love this simple and practical backpack from Sea Merchant, made from recycled materials. Pack your towel and togs and head for the beach! Sea Merchant also make a great range of surfboard bags, so make sure you check out their whole range for your sea and surfing needs.
Durable, washable, and practical fabric totes are the way to go when replacing single-use plastic shopping bags. This beautiful oversize tote from Pale Grey Skies is made from 100% natural linen, and is roomy enough to carry all the essentials for a day shopping or a day at the beach
Heads up! These stylish leather cardholders with antique brass stud closures from Missus Mac are still available in Mahogany and Slate, so get yours while you can!
This gorgeous bag from Estella Rose Designs is designed to be worn everyday. Made from high quality, hardwearing fabrics, it’s comfortable, stylish and will go the distance.
Angela Hume of Pale Grey Skies was brought up in wild and beautiful Northumberland, in the North East of England, and now lives in equally wild and beautiful Aotearoa. The scenery and changing weather are an inspiration for her products, which are hand made from … Read more »