If you love a spring feast of broad beans, now’s the time to get planting – and Big Bunny has a colourful new treat for bean fans!
Red Hughy broad beans have stunning scarlet flowers instead of the more usual white – a gorgeous splash of colour in the spring vege bed, and just as productive as more traditional varieties.
Why not interplant them with white-flowering Coles Dwarf for a candy-striped effect? 
Get your Red Hughys from Big Bunny now »
The stunning natural form of the nīkau palm frond bulb is the basis of these beautiful bowls from Chop. Not only do they look amazing, they’re sustainably sourced too, and ideal as a fruit bowl, bread basket, or other serving platter for dry foods.
Check out Chop’s sustainable range now »
Achoo! Achoo! We’ve got some cold and flu comfort for you…
Don’t get caught out! Make sure you’ve got your Cold & Flu rub from Hayley Benseman now.
Wall decals are a great way to give any room an instant makeover, and we love these fabulous feathers from Sticky Tiki. A design collaboration with New Zealand artist Shireen Myers, they are printed on durable reusable decal fabric, so you can arrange and rearrange them however you like, and they won’t rip, wrinkle or damage your space.
See more wall decal designs from Sticky Tiki »
Auckland friends Tara, Jo and Amy share a love for the environment and a desire to create positive change. Three years ago they came up with a business plan that could change the face of packed lunches, picnics, and barbeques around the country – Jo shares the story and philosophy behind their business, Honeywrap.
What do you make?
We make reusable food wraps. Honeywraps are 100% organic cotton covered with beeswax, tree resin and jojoba oil. This perfect combination makes the cloth tacky which can then be shaped over your food and dishes designed to keep your food fresh and your conscience free! Honeywrap is great for wrapping cheeses, lunches, leftovers, salads, snacks on the run and much more.
How did you get into your craft?
Three years ago a school project and a midlife crisis prompted the beginnings of Honeywrap. We were all ready for a career change and over a few wines decided we’d start our own business focusing on something that was good for the planet. The idea we were all immediately drawn to was a school project one of our kids had been involved in, using beeswax covered fabric as an alternative to plastic foodwrap.
We have always tried to do our bit for the environment so it was exciting to find something that was easy to use, reduced waste, was functional and we all believed could make a difference. When we couldn’t find anywhere in NZ to buy them, we decided to make them ourselves. After months researching, testing, failing and many laughs, Honeywrap was born.
Do you have formal training or qualifications in your craft?
Nope, we just did a lot of research and called on 5th form science to get the right combo of ingredients then after months of trial and error, came up with the magic formula!
Your favourite materials, tools and processes?
We love the organic fabric and the beeswax as they are both natural materials which is great when we are surrounded by so much plastic in our lives. We felt strongly about using organic cotton as we didn’t want the fabric we used to be laden with pesticides and then covering food. The aroma of beeswax wafting through our workspace is an added bonus.
Tell us a bit about the techniques involved in producing your wraps
Our mix is sticky and hot when it goes on the fabric, so the main skill required is being quick so that the right amount of wax goes on – not too much and not too little!
Leaving the planet in better shape for our kids underlies everything we do and is really important to us.
What inspires you?
We love being in nature and keeping our planet pristine is the whole reason we do this, so I guess nature inspires us. We have just got some new designers on board for our next fabric range and their designs are strongly influenced by nature. We gave a broad brief of ocean, forest and city garden and can’t wait to see what they come up with.
Is there a philosophy behind your work?
Leaving the planet in better shape for our kids underlies everything we do and is really important to us.
Describe your workspace:
Cluttered, and slightly hectic! But we work from home, there’s lots of natural light and big windows looking out to the garden, which makes for a lovely calm vibe.
Five words that describe your mind:
There are three of us, and our minds are all really different in some ways but we are all idealistic dreamers who are sure we can change the way people live.
Your favourite feedback from a customer:
Lots of people email us or message us to say that they have ditched plastic wrap for good, which we always love hearing.
What are you currently listening to?
Weekend Hangouts on Spotify always has super cruisey tunes.
Recommend an album:
London Grammar “If you wait” is great.
What’s your favourite childhood book and why?
“The Magic Faraway Tree” by Enid Blyton I was forever climbing trees as a kid, and I think I was always half expecting to find another world the higher I climbed.
What are you reading now?
“The Night Circus” by Erin Morgenstern – it is such a great escape into an entirely different, magical world. So imaginative and well written.
Who is your hero/heroine? Why?
Leonardo DiCaprio produced a great documentary called “Before the Flood” on climate change – so he’s a bit of a hero is our eyes. We also follow a lot of ordinary people on Instagram who live these amazing simple, waste free, organic lives – always inspiring.
Share a favourite quote:
“Each one of us can make a difference, together we make change” – Barbara Mihulski
What would your advice be for those starting out in a crafty business?
Do something or make something you love. That way it all feels worthwhile when it gets ridiculously busy and chaotic!
What was the last handmade item you bought and what attracted you to it?
A beautiful brass and wooden triple candle holder by Nannestad & Sons. I loved the simplicity of it and had to have it!
What’s in store for 2017?
We’ve just teamed up with a couple of very talented designers/artists who are currently designing a new range for us that celebrates the beauty of the planet we live on…more details will be released soon!
Tara, Jo and Amy have set up a special offer for Felt fans! Until the end of March, use the code FELT17 at checkout, and for every 3 pack (small, medium, large) purchased you’ll receive a free medium Honeywrap worth $12.
And for one lucky reader, they have a Honeywrap 3 Pack to give away! To be in to win this eco-friendly prize, leave a comment telling us what appeals to you about the Honeywrap story. The draw will be made on Friday 10 March and is open to New Zealand residents only.
Otago-based wood turner Peter of Trees Set Free started wood turning 18 years ago. He finds joy in revealing beauty hidden with a piece of timber and “setting it free” by crafting the wood into lasting items to be used and enjoyed every day. This small bowl is made from a piece of macrocarpa, revealing soft golden tones and a striking grain.
See more from Trees Set Free »
Spring has had a bit of s stuttering start, but the warmer days are tempting us outside and into the garden. And we’ve got just the thing to get you started – our gorgeous range of home-saved seeds from Big Bunny! Big Bunny’s fresh spring range is now available on Felt, with seven new varieties to choose from: Butternut pumpkins, Early Gem sweetcorn, Kaanga Ma corn, Cayenne chilli peppers, Cocozelle courgettes, White Belgian carrots and gorgeous Skyscraper sunflowers.
With over 60 varieties of vegetable, flower and herb seeds available, Big Bunny has a great range of local seeds, grown using organic and permaculture principles.
Now’s the time to get planting, so get your paws on some today!
We’re in love with the amazing depth of colour in this elegant crockery from Nelson potter Stephen Robertson. A full time potter since 2013, Stephen makes pottery that is meant to be used and enjoyed. His work has a signature intricate crazing to the glaze, highlighted by the rich colour and deep black rims on each piece.
See more of Stephen’s beautiful pottery here.
New from Gwyneth Hulse Design: simple, elegant botanical prints of kauri, rimu and totara foliage. Gorgeous individually, stunning as a set.
See more from Gwyneth Hulse Design »
