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Future’s so bright I gotta wear shades…

Friday, October 12th, 2012

When it comes to colour fashion, New Zealand is in an odd position – that position being, well, the southern hemisphere. What’s odd about living on the flip side, you say? Well, it has to do with the mysterious art of colour forecasting – and living neither in the future nor in the past…

You see, fashionable colours aren’t just drawn out of some designer’s… er… hat. Forecasting is a complex process that begins two years before the season in question. CAUS, the Color Association of the United States, attempts to predict the mood and feel – the zeitgeist – of this future moment and portray it in colours. You can compare the seasonal colours on Pantone’s Fashion Colour Reports. For instance, the colours of the Northern Hemisphere’s 2013 Spring are just a bit brighter than those of 2012 and lack the brown shades.

So a pessimist might say that we’re six months behind on the treadmill of fashion, but I prefer to think we actually get to see further into the future. Anyway, here at Felt we can provide you with any and all the colour you desire, so one might say we’re timeless. It’s all about perspective, n’est pas?

Spring 2012 colours on Felt

1. Hussy Plate | Trixie Delicious $25 2. Owl Brooch | Needlebot $8.50

3. Wooden Bunting | That Lovely $30 4. Cushion Cover | Mixed Vintage $60

5. Sock Yarn | Happy Go Knitty $38 6. Bird in her Hand | Madi Bleu $40

7. Wrap Mini Jug | The Busy Finch $15 8. Rose Earrings | High Tide $18

Tags: accessories, ceramics, clothing, colour, fabric, fashion, home decor, jo drysdall, showcase, yarn
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Birds of a feather

Tuesday, September 18th, 2012

Our 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.
Native birds on Felt

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

9. “The Exceptional Takahe” Print | Katrina Perano $24

Tags: anne mortimer, art, bird of the year, birds, jewellery, showcase
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Spring is in the air!

Tuesday, September 4th, 2012

“Spring is here, Spring is here! Life is skittles and life is beer!” Thus sang Tom Lehrer and, if we ignore the fact that the rest of the song gets rather homicidal towards pigeons, most of us would agree that a little springtime weather lifts the spirits and makes the outdoors suddenly seem a whole lot more appealing than mere days ago.

There’s no doubt Spring has an energising effect, mentally and physically. We start planting our gardens, scouting out lighter, brighter clothes and sometimes we even – gasp! – Spring clean. (Let’s call it Spring domesticity – it somehow sounds less like work!)

The longer warmer days are the perfect time to refresh your home or your wardrobe. There’s lots of springtime imagery to choose from: fresh leaves and fronds, cheerful flowers, chirpy birds and baby animals (awww!). The seasonal colour palate is broad, from fresh new greens and clear blue skies to all the vibrant colours of spring blooms.

So with Spring springing here at Felt, here’s selection of beautiful springtime creations for you to enjoy.

Spring 2012 on Felt showcase

1. Kowhai Leaf Pendant | Hesta $28 2. Woodland Earrings | Whalebird $165

3. Stock Flower Seeds | Eliza Jane $4 4. Butterfly Notebook | Honey Design $6

5. Fantail Brooch | Native Creative $25 6. Little Brown Bunny | Inspiritree $25

7. Peasant Dress | Bella Zahn $48 8. Wool Purse | Pip Squeak $18

9. Vintage Roses Silver Earrings | Koro Accessories $14

Tags: accessories, art, clothing, garden, home decor, homewares, jewellery, jo drysdall, kids, showcase, stationery
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Hooray for crafty dads!

Tuesday, August 21st, 2012

As children, my brother and sister and I were instilled with an appreciation for handmade things not only by my mum, who taught us all to sew and knit, but also my dad, whose handcrafted gifts included a boxed magnet set, a huge doll house with interchangeable rooms (which when removed made enough space inside for certain mischievous children to hide – best doll house ever!) and a playhouse, furnished with table and chairs painted bright yellow and blue.

That blue has been a trademark of my dad’s creations over the years. Ever thrifty, he painted each new project with the remaining blue paint from the last project, only to have the paint run out before he was finished, resulting in the purchase of a new tin of the same blue and an unintentional colour theme to our home furnishings.

So with Father’s Day approaching, here’s to crafty dads and their awesome creations! We’ve picked out some super handmade gift ideas below and we’d love to hear your stories – what craft skills did you learn from your dad? What did your dad make when you were a kid?

Fathers Day, Sunday 2 September

1. Fathers Day Card | iDear $6 2. Snoork Cuff Links | Chromatophobic $35

3. All Blacks Art | 11 Post Studio $25 4. My Stache Decal | Miss Dotty $8

5. Builders Pencils | Emma Makes $6 6. Cushion Cover | My Heart Sings $25

7. The Man Shawl | Fat Spatula $95 8. Shaving Soap | Mushroom Lane $15

9. Bloke Soap | Honey and Spice $9

Tags: accessories, father's day, paper goods, showcase, the shed
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Best of British

Tuesday, August 7th, 2012

Gosh, I seem to have come over all British. With all the late nights watching the London Olympics, I’m dreaming of bunting, tea and summer days (preferably with Chariots of Fire playing on my imaginary gramophone).

Aside from the on-trend decorative possibilities afforded by such solid icons as the monarchy, high tea and the good old Union Jack, British popular imagery also reveals a lighter whimsicality. It’s hard to think of Old Blighty as being overly mired in stodge when it has given us Mary Poppins, Alice in Wonderland, jolly hockey sticks and a parade of spiffily-dressed animals.

Our talented artists and craftspeople here on Felt have embraced this colourful source of inspiration with such enthusiasm that the Anglophile cannot fail to cry “Hurrah!” There may not be lashings of bacon for Timmy, but there’s a topping spread of creative UK-inspired goodies for you to choose from.

Jolly good show, I say!

Best of British