New Zealand is a young country, but that doesn’t mean textiles play any less a part in it. Celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, Fabric-a-brac highlights the history and stories behind vintage textiles and haberdashery with markets around the country and a high tea fundraiser, Material Histories, in Wellington.
In the early days of Felt, one of the most exciting things about growing an online community was the many new opportunities to connect with like-minded people doing amazing things around New Zealand – and one of those new friends, back in 2009, was Josie Brennan, the founder of Fabric-a-brac. This year Fabric-a-brac is celebrating its 15th anniversary with five new locations around Aotearoa, and an incredible grand total of over $140,000 raised for hospice in New Zealand!
For 15 years, Felt has provided a place for Kiwi makers, designers, artists, and craftspeople to pursue their passion and grow their businesses – and if you’ve ever thought about making and selling your own products, it may be the place for you too.
As you browse Felt, you’re seeing the work of hundreds of creative Kiwis, each promoting their own work independently, but working together in a supportive community. Have you ever wondered how someone takes that first step into selling their work on Felt?
We’re celebrating 15 years of Felt this month! Since 2007, we’ve been providing thousands of New Zealand makers with a platform to connect with customers and thrive. To mark the occasion, we’re taking a moment to reflect on how far we’ve come and enjoy a little trip down memory lane.
For Felt’s 15th birthday, we’re taking a little peek behind the scenes and finding out the important stuff. What is the story behind Felt’s name? Where, exactly, does Felt reside? What do two chickens and an Irish Wolfhound have to do with anything? Here’s 15 facts you might not know about Felt.
The Wanaka community is banding together for Ukraine via an art exhibition on Felt and at the Wanaka Community Hub this month. Aid Through Art has been organised by a group of local artists who were motivated to act when their friend and fellow artist Olga Zoma, who hails from the Sloviansk region in eastern Ukraine, began a Give A Little page to help move her family out of the conflict zone.
There are so many great reasons to shop with locally owned independent businesses. Here’s 11 of the best from Anthea Madill of Remix Plastic.
While a handwritten card is always something to cherish, a set of gift cards designed and made in Christchurch has an even deeper meaning than most. Handmade from 100 per cent recycled materials, Seeds of Love cards contain seeded hearts, filled with seeds from native flowers that can be planted anywhere across New Zealand.
Paper used in the seeded hearts comes from the thousands of notes, cards, and letters of support and unity expressed following the 2019 Mosque attacks in Christchurch. They were collected from outside Al Noor Mosque and Rolleston Avenue and donated to the project.
We love these paper flowers and plants from new Felt maker Infinity Paper Bloom, inspired by the beauty of nature and clearly made with lots of creativity and love. Made of high quality crepe paper and other materials, they’ll make great presents and decorations, and put a smile on anyone’s face.
Friday finds: Here at Felt we’re so privileged to see all the amazing creativity of our community of Felt makers, so every Friday we pick out some local mahi to highlight. You know that Felt is an all-Kiwi cast, so you can be confident you’re supporting Aotearoa makers and designers by buying local on Felt.