the end of round one...

Well, here we are at the end of our first Alphabet set - a pretty monumental moment I think! My first journey into Blogland has been fabulous, welcoming and incredibly enjoyable... I have some exciting plans for next week when we take a rest 'between alphabets'.. more details below...

Lets kick start the Y's and Z's with...

Well, it's not really a Y or a Z.. but there are two Y's in it's name so I guess that counts!!

Gypsy and Twink

I have always been intrigued by the work of Kristy Macintosh. Kristy is the creative force behind Gypsy and Twink - a range of 3-dimensional collage pieces that are amazingly captivating.

I think it is the combination of intricate paper collage, her fantastic use of colour and the shapes and forms she works with, that make her collection so special - check out some of Kristy's work:

(images from Gypsy and Twink)

NOTES:
visit Kristy's store

Yellow Monday

I love these prints.

I wouldn't describe them as being particularly 'Happy', but they do make me smile : ) Produced in Sydney, Australia by artist Linda Kruger, the Yellow Monday prints are a collection of quirky characters, in everyday situations - well, actually, unless you tango with your dog everyday, this may not be the best description! Situations, non the less, that make me smile!

***Nip over to Yellow Monday to Buy one Get one FREE!!!
(be quick it's only for a limited time!)***

(images from Yellow Monday)

NOTES:
visit Linda's store
read Linda's blog

Yumiyumi

Aline Yamada is super clever. So clever in fact, that people keep stealing the images form her Yumiyumi range and 'making them' their own. As annoying and rude (to put it politely) as it is, it is a testament to her work.

Balancing a successful Etsy store and an active toddler, Aline still finds time to create a range that is simply beautiful.

I love this "These Are For You" print (pictured below, at top). Both of my boys 'Son aged 5' and 'Son aged 3' have gone through phases of wanting to rename themselves 'Fox' - this print makes me smile and think of them when they are at their most lovable...no doubt you will find something you love amongst Aline's work too...

(images from Yumiyumi)

NOTES:
visit Aline's store
read Aline's blog
Please don't steal Aline's (or anyone's for that matter) work!

ZukZuk

I was pretty excited to read about Helen Acraman from ZukZuk over on Decor8. I was particularly excited because Helen is a New Zealander.

Currently living in Toronto, Helen creates a fantastic collection of work for her Etsy Store. Her collection is bright and cheerful, full of colour and life - it sounds like, from reading her blog, that she is exactly the same! - the perfect way to end our very first Alphabet Set : ) - enjoy!

***$1 from each item sold goes to support Amnesty International***

(images from ZukZuk)

NOTES:
visit Helen's store
read Helen's blog

Next Week:

We are going to take a rest between Alphabet Sets next week - but don't go anywhere! There are some pretty exciting things happening here...

• I'll be guest blogging over at Decor8 during the week (!yay!) - so you will have to stay tuned for that! and...
• I can't reveal everything just yet, but lets just say that a very LUCKY reader will win a FABULOUS give-away...and...
• we are also going to have a series of interviews with some of my favourite New Zealand makers and doers - you can't be missing that!!

So make sure you pop in next week, the give-away in itself will be well worth the visit : )

Have a lovely weekend, and thank you for joining me in our first Alphabetical Journey...

xx see you Monday!

'C' is for...

Hanging Cradle

I love, love, love, this hanging Cradle by Knoppa. I wish I had spotted it when my babies were small.

The Knoppa Cradle is the creation of Swedish designers Anna Häggblom and Ola Stålhammar...the Knoppa is flexible, functional and fabulous!!

Knoppa if made in white cotton with either a red, brown or white print. It folds flat and can also double as a travel cot - how handy is that?? The mattress and the construction pieces for hanging are also included.

(images from Knoppa)

NOTES:

The Knoppa Hanging Cradle is not yet available in NZ, but check out the Knoppa website for stockists and contact details.

Collage

I have long admired the work of Lorena Siminovich. Based in San Fransisco, Lorena is a full-time artist, working between illustration assignments and her own company Petit Collage.

Lorena launched Petit Collage in October 2006 with the idea of offering affordable art for children (and grown-ups!), with a modern feel.

The collages are made with found, recycled, painted and vintage papers, and maple plywood is used to support her work. Lorena's collages look deceivingly simple, but upon closer inspection, the combination of patterns and textures brings a tactile reference back to an overly digital world.

(images from Petit Collage)

NOTES:

To view more of Lorena's work or to purchase, visit Lorena's website and online store.

Lorena's work is also available from Australian company Kindergallery with delivery available to NZ - yippeeee!

Candywhistle (and Craig Bond)

Earlier in the year, Wellington design collaboration Candywhistle exhibited three new products at Salone del Mobile Internazionale (The International Furniture Fair of Milan). Included in their exhibition is my favourite - The Stix Shelving System.

"Designer Craig Bond uses the same basket wire construction techniques of his infamous Pedro and Pedro High Stools to create a dynamic and easily transportable unit" - to summarize in definitely-not-designery-girl terms "PRETTY!!!!"

NOTES:

Check out the Candywhistle website for contact details and stockists, and butterflynet for a more in depth rundown of what the boys exhibited in Milan.

The Curiosity Shoppe

I often browse through the online store of The Curiosity Shoppe, and am so looking forward to visiting when we get to San Fransisco (one day!)

Owned and operated by Lauren Smith and Derek Fagerstrom, the Curiosity Shoppe is a "smorgasbord of Craft Kits and Curios for the creatively inclined"

"We are thrilled to be sharing the objects and ideas that delight and inspire us with as many people as possible."

I fully recommend you have a browse through - the Curiosity Shoppe will provide you not only with beautiful, hand-crafted items, but will inspire you to embark on a creative adventure of your own!

Check out these goodies:

Pictured above, Top to Bottom: Elementary Love Notes by The Great Lakes, Animal Tray by iBride and Wall Mounted Bottle Opener by FluffyCo.

(images from The Curiosity Shoppe)

NOTES:

Shop online at The Curiosity Shoppe

Or visit Derek and Lauren's Web Journal.

Craft 2.0

Those crafters 'in the know' will already know.. but for those that don't know - here's what you should know...(!!) Craft 2.0 is a must-not-miss indie craft fair featuring the best and brightest of the NZ craft scene. A huge variety of handmade goodies are available including handbags and jewellery, baby gifts and paper products, clothing and houseware, one-of-a-kind-plushies and original artwork.

If there was ever a reason for an outing it would be to go and see the lovely handiwork of Alison Norris-Baber of Agnes Coy. Here is a sneak peek of the gorgeous goods she produces: Alison will be exhibiting at the Craft2.0 Wellington.

Ingeniously created by Sue Taylor of SuperVery fame, and now joined by Lucy Arnold from Felt, Craft 2.0 is being taken nationwide. The Wellington Event now being joined by an event in Christchurch - yay!.

(Images from Agnes Coy)

NOTES:

Mark these dates on your calendar -

Wellington. Saturday July 19th. (that's this weekend!) at TheNewDowse.11am - 3pm

and Christchurch. Saturday August 23rd. at Our City O-Tautahi. 11am - 3pm

You can apply to exhibit in Christchurch HERE.

Go check it out!

And for tomorrow? - D's!