kickin' with k

Jumpin' straight in....

Kindergallery

When I first discovered Kindergallery I was so excited! - Finally a clever person has collated all my favourite (kid inspired) artists!... and best of all the store is based in Australia! (I mentioned Kindergallery in my 'C for Collage' entry, when I wrote about Lorena Siminovich's work being apart of the Kindergallery collection).

The clever someone behind Kindergallery is Fiona Lang. Fiona opened Kindergallery in 2007 with each piece in her collection hand-picked to inspire the imagination of children of all ages. Fiona has sourced the finest art and design fro children from around Europe, the U.S and Australia.

"We have selected works exhibiting an aesthetic richness to which children can respond in different ways as they grow up, and which will form part of a child's visual vocabulary for a lifetime."

I was going to try and hone my selection and just highlight one of my favourites, but I couldn't decide, so here are four!! You must go and check out the gallery!

Pictured clockwise from top left: 1 - 10 Poster by Issac, Inverno (Winter) Cut and Paste by Ana Ventura, Bird House with One Bird by Tamar Mogendorff and Sleep, Dream, Create, Explore by Meredith Gaston

NOTES:
Visit Kindergallery
International shipping is available


kikki.K

This fashionable and innovative collection of stationery makes me want to redecorate my workspace - just so I can have the gorgeous white storage boxes and pretty filing accessories!

kikki.K started as a dream for Swedish born Kristin "Kikki" Karlsson. When she set up a home office almost ten years ago, she could never had guessed where that decision would take her. Now boasting retail stores throughout New Zealand and Australia, and stockists all over the world, Kristina has well and truly established herself in the design conscious stationery market.

At kikki.K you can shop for stationery until your heart's content...from pencils to ringbinders, presentation folders to sticky notes... there is something to satisfy and stationery craving!

NOTES:
Visit the kikki.K website
See kikki.K for stockists


Kokeshi Dolls

These beautiful, brightly coloured dolls have an irresistible charm. I love the idea of having a collection of them one day - a mixture of old and new.

Originating in the Tohoku region of northern Japan, Kokeshi Dolls are thought to date back to the 19th century. It is believed they may of had some spiritual significance as Kokeshi represent a wish for a healthy child.

Just like Russian Dolls Kokeshi are making a comeback amongst illustrators and creative folk as a new surface for decorating. New ones have been spotted by Susie Ghahremani from BoyGirlParty and Portland based illustrator and Designer Alberto Cerriteno.

I do love the quaintness of the old ones though!

(top image from Revolutionary Girl on Flickr, bottom images from Wahooya)

NOTES:
there are many places to buy Kokeshi online. - a quick Google search should give you some options.

Kiwi Industries

I have to admit, I have a soft spot for Kiwi Industries....and yes, it is pretty much because the owners fell in love with New Zealand and based their whole range on the NZ lifestyle...and as you can imagine - the range is (of course!) beautiful!

I also admire their 'conscious' business practices and how they care for the earth and those on it.

“Kiwi Industries is about capturing this time, through its children’s clothing and gift line. Natural, organic, and recycled fibers are used to create classic designs with a modern twist. We use only high quality fabric, reminiscent of an earlier time before “throw-away” clothing – our clothing truly gets softer and softer with time. Wear it, wash it, pass it down from child to child.”

Here are some cutie-pie pics from their collection:

(images from Kiwi Industries)

NOTES:
visit the Kiwi Industries website
see Kiwi Industries for stockists

Monday Art Find:

I have to apologise about the lack of our usual gallery based Monday Art Find this week- I haven't finished collating all my information yet, so in the meantime.. here are some images from a good friend of ours, Paul Jones - congratulations Paul for making it into the Top 200 Best Advertising Photographers in the world! x

(images from Paul Jones)

I hoped you enjoyed the K's.. we are hitting the L's tomorrow - see you then!!

'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!