Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Meet the Seller - Karin from Karin Jewellery

Meet Karin from Karin Jewellery. 
Karin has become a regular feature at the market and her lovely jewellery pieces are always popular. Learn a little about the woman behind the art!

Who are you and what do you do?

I'm Karin and I make jewellery from vintage brass pieces and all kinds of beads, charms  and pendants.

How long have you been crafting and what is your first crafting memory or experience?

I have done something like this pretty much since I could sit up. I've always been into making things, drawing, writing, building, sewing, you name it. My whole childhood is more or less one big crafty memory, but one thing that stands out is the three-story mansion I built out of cardboard boxes for my Barbie doll when I was about eight or nine. It had a working elevator (shoe box, string), an oven that opened (macaroni box), walk-in wardrobes, stables, and a music room with a guitar made from a match box, an ice-block stick and sewing cotton.

What inspires you?

It's so not an original answer, but I have to say nature inspires me. My favourite pieces from my own range are the leaves and acorns, and I love wood and semi-precious stone and coral and bone and all those sorts of things. I like clean, simple forms and bold colours (like my coral branch pendants) but also quirky vintage things, things with some history to them, as long as they're not too sweet – I like things that have a bit of an edge.

What is the crafting achievement you are most proud of?

I'm pretty stoked to be making money, to tell you the truth. I'm not quite at the stage where I could pack in the day job, but I'm very happy that people want the things I design and make enough to pay actual money for them.

What item from the craft, art and design world would you most like for Christmas?

Ooohhh... there's so much to choose from! I would love some sort of padded travelling sleeve for my Macbook, and I've been on the hunt for a new leather kiss-lock purse for some time. It's hard to find the right size.

What is your favourite blog  / book and food?

My favourite books are the Aubrey/Maturin series by Patrick O'brian, alongside anything by Tove Jansson. I don't spend a huge amount of time reading blogs but I like Crafting an MBA, The Creative Empire and Etsy's Success blog. I have a LOT of favourite foods, but if I had to pick one it would have to be chocolate, in any form.

Why buy handmade?

I think it's important to have contact with the people who make the things you use and love, it  reminds us of the true value of possessions. People have become used to paying ridiculously low prices for everything, but the things they're buying aren't really cheap – someone somewhere is paying for it, through low wages and crappy working conditions and unsustainable materials and wasted resources and polluting transport. This is no secret, but it's easy to disregard it because you've never met any of the people affected, they're on the other side of the world and speak a different language. 

When you are not at The Devonport Craft Market where can people buy your things?

You can find me on Felt and Etsy (soon). I also sell in Texan Art Schools or email me.

I have people contacting me after almost every single Devonport Craft Market, and I love it – you shouldn't rush to buy anything. If you see something, and then find that you are still thinking about it a day or two later, that's when you know it's for you.  

Meet the Seller - Kim Whalen from Kute Kiwi


Meet Kim Whalen and I am the artist and designer of all things Kute Kiwi. 

Kim's Designs are quirky, fashionable and edgy - read on to find out where she draws her inspiration, and some of her recent successes. 

Make sure you stop by to meet her at the market on Sunday


Who are you and what do you do?

Wool is my passion. I create lots of different items and it is all mostly centered around wool. I make fashion accessories such as bow ties, necklaces, and funky glasses. I also make some home wares including pom pom flowers, pretty garlands, and original art. I also make lots of other random bits and bobs like my notebook sets.

How long have you been crafting and what is your first crafting memory or experience?

I have been crafting ever since I can remember. I guess my first crafty memory was when I was little on sunny days I used to group different colored crayons together in a small pile on the cement in my backyard and wait for them to melt all together. Then I was able to color in my coloring books with multi-colored crayons!

What inspires you?

Everything, I am very easily inspired! I gain inspiration by everything around me...from beautiful natural scenery and animals as well as films, music, books and photography. I find vintage design and fashion very interesting and this has a large influence on some of my work. I also love many historical periods especially the Georgian era! I also love to just wander craft stores or home stores and look at all the beautiful furniture or items I can possibly create something new with. Sitting in a park and people watching is inspiring as well, people are fascinating.


  


What is the crafting achievement you are most proud of?

Kute Kiwi collaborated with World (NZ’s top fashion house) for their 2011 Autumn/Winter Collection. Watching my bow ties, chain scarves and glasses walking down the run way last week at New Zealand Fashion Week was a proud moment. I cannot wait until next year when Kute Kiwi will be in World stores all over NZ and Australia

What item from the craft, art and design world would you most like for Christmas?

I am so in love with Dear Colleen’s "Skills to pay the bills" print! 

What is your favourite blog / book and food?

I hate picking favourites…but If I had to just choose one blog it would probably be Design*Sponge. I love books too. I love science/ fantasy fiction novels and of course all the classics like Jane Austin. Oh and my favourite food is anything Mexican!

Why buy handmade?

Buying handmade means you’re buying something that is special, unique, one-of-a-kind, and made with care. That just doesn’t exist in the world of mass production. You’re also usually directly supporting an independent artist which I am a big fan of.

When you are not at The Devonport Craft Market where can people buy your things?

I am an artist on Foxes. I also sell on my personal online stores Etsy and Felt. Tiny Space, a cute shop off K Rd. in Auckland stocks Kute Kiwi. And more stockists to come soon (hurray!)! Oh and other markets around Auckland, which can be tracked weekly via my website.

Friday, September 24, 2010

Poster and Sellers

Check out the cool poster developed by Emma Walsh! Thanks Emma.


You will also find a list of our lovely October Sellers on the left hand side of the blog!


Can't wait to see you there.

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Thank you and Applications open

Thanks to all who came along to the market yesterday. Especially the large number of Dad's that made it along :-)

Applications for October's market are now open, go to the Sellers Information page above to find the forms.

Applications will close on Friday 10th September.

Have a great week.

Saturday, September 4, 2010

Free Trains today!

If you live over on the City side of the Harbour Bridge but still want to come to the Devonport Craft Market today, why not catch the train and then hop on a ferry over to Devonport? The trains are free see here . The market venue is just a short walk from the ferry building. You can see a map here or ask a friendly local.

The market is on today, Sunday 5th September, 10-2, 32 Clarence Street, Devonport.

Have a great day!