accessories

Method, magic, and merino: the elegant textiles of PK Maracin

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In her Central Otago workshop, recipient of Creative Fibre NZ’s 2024 New Weaver award PK Maracin produces beautiful, one of a kind shawls, wraps, and capes, using only natural fibres. PK hand dyes fibres to make the precise shades she needs to create her unique garments. She has been working with textiles for more than 50 years, and weaves every day, sharing her love of the art at local markets as well as in her Felt shop, PK Sews & Weaves.

Leather and linen: the twin skillsets of Jennifer Strange

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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!

From Florence to Auckland: the international learnings and local focus of Sonder & Wilde

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.

Beautiful textiles for every day: the fabric of a life-long love

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Adrienne Mulqueen of Adrienne’s Loom has been weaving since 1979. She loved it from the moment she threw her first weft, immediately feeling she wanted to do nothing else but weave. Life has taken her in different directions over the years but it has now allowed her to return to her looms. Adrienne is passionate about producing textiles that people will enjoy using – she’d really rather you didn’t tuck her creations away for “best”!

Gifts from Papatūānuku: the eco-conscious creative journey of a Kaipara textile artist

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Through her work as textile artist and eco dyer, Karen Williamson of Nuku finds a spiritual connection to the land and its changing seasons. Using only natural resources, foraged from the local Kaipara landscape, Karen infuses prints of leaves, petals, seeds and bark into natural fibres to create a unique range of scarves, clothing and gifts. The name Nuku comes from te reo Māori, meaning earth. Karen lives in rural Kaiwaka and is building a sustainable lifestyle on a half-acre section with her husband, Luke.

Socks and scarves with the wellbeing woven in: Pip Currie’s passion for fibre

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Christchurch yarn-crafter extraordinaire Pip Currie rediscovered the joy of knitting while at university, and is now completely obsessed with all things knitting, crochet and fibre related. She loves the joy of making and creating with her own two hands, the wonder of natural fibres, and the amazing feeling of wearing something handmade. Wanting to be able to share this passion with others led to Littlest Pip Knits.

Ingredients for a fulfilling creative career: the Auckland textile printer making an impression

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.