Showing posts with label Native Agent. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Native Agent. Show all posts

July 31, 2008

O me O my...



I was thinking that 'O' might be a bit tricky but looking here at my list, I already have notes for about ten ideas! Sometimes when I am feeling a bit stuck, I browse through the dictionary to see if it will spark some ideas, or a memory of something I've seen...and it has! A bit further down is 'Oil Cloth'.. I've made some exciting discoveries!

But first off...as I promised yesterday, some more about Rona Ngahuia Osborne -



Rona Ngahuia Osborne

Rona Ngahuia Osborne is the driving creative force behind Native Agent. Her work references her Maori and European heritage, and is rich in symbolism. The recurring use of the icons of historic trading - including muskets, hei tiki and feathers are strongly represented in her work.
Rona exquisitely hand crafts quilts, blankets and pillows and currently supplies several retail outlets as well as showcasing her collection in the Native Agent retail store.



Formally trained as a painter, Rona graduated from Elam Art School in 2001. Her paintings are regularly exhibited at various galleries throughout NZ.


(images from Native Agent)


NOTES:
visit Native Agent online.
visit Native Agent retail at 507 New North Road, Kingsland. Auckland
contact Native Agent for stockists
see Rona's paintings



Oil Cloth

I was pretty excited to reminded about Oil Cloth after my browse through the dictionary, I had a scout around. I have found these amazing oil cloths from the Scandinavian Design Center...- these ones blow their kitschy oil cloth cousins out the window!!







(images from the Scandinavian Design Center)

NOTES:
see more Oil Cloth at the Scandinavian Design Centre



Getting Organic at Mod Green Pod

Nancy Mims and Lisa Mims, (co-founders and sisters-in-law) grew Mod Green Pod from their love of swank design and sustainable goods. Not able to find anything that combined the two, they started their own company.

Mod Green Pod offers a range of hand printed organic fabrics and vinyl free wallpapers. With prints that take their cue from nature, Mod Green Pod's print collection is the perfect combination of whimsy and sophistication.









(images Mod Green Pod, Domino and Harlands Organics)


NOTES:
see the Mod Green Pod collection
contact Mod Green pod for stockists
read the Mod Green Pod blog



I thought I'd finish the week (and the O's) on a fun note - don't these shadow puppets by Andrea Everman of Owly Shadow Puppets look great! My kids (and some grown-ups I know) would get a huge amount of fun out of them! - enjoy!


Owly Shadow Puppets

In her day job, Andrea Everman is an architectural model maker. Using a laser cutter to produce her model making pieces, Andrea decided to try cutting out one of her own doodles. And, what-do-you-know??? Andrea took the plunge and purchased her own laser cutter, and an Owly Shadow Puppet business was born! I think they're fabulous!!






(images Owly Shadow Puppets)


NOTES:
shop for Owly Shadow Puppets
visit Andrea's website



Oh it's the weekend...

and the weekend rolls around again!

I love it when we are all energized enough to make a plan for the weekend...so often the days just fly by and we feel like we haven't done anything adventurous.

This weekend we are going on a family outing to Te Papa (the Museum of New Zealand). Jetson and I went there on Monday and he is keen to go on a special 'date' with his Dad to show him the Pacific Island drums he had so much fun playing. Phoenix was highly disappointed that he missed out on the Monday trip, so he and I are having a special date too, separate from his brother - no doubt we will end up in the same Planet Pasifika Discovery Centre!

I hope you get to do something special this weekend too,


See you Monday x

July 30, 2008

N is for Nice!


Well, here we are, officially past half way in our first alphabet journey!
Enjoy 'N'!


SweetNellie

There's not much to say about SweetNellie as it has been pretty tricky finding info about her.. what we do know is - her name is Trish and that she is incredibly talented!

Check out some of these gorgeous critters!!

above: tulip peep

above: Hugh

above: summertime peep

above: grace

(images from SweetNellie)

NOTES:
Shop SweetNellie
Read SweetNellie's Blog

Native Agent

Native Agent was launched in late 2004 to support and nurture NZ designers, craftspeople and artists.

Only stocking work designed and made in New Zealand, Native Agent has become a platform for emerging designers.

"When we established a business along creative lines, we wanted it to mean something, to embody the essence of our colonial and tribal histories, to celebrate the patterns of our lives in Aotearoa (New Zealand) and recognise and respect the creative minds that design and make beautiful things for us all to enjoy."

(images from Native Agent)

NOTES:
Visit Native Agent online
Visit Native Agent at 507 New North Road, Kingsland Auckland
See tomorrows O's for Rona Osborne, a creative force behind the Native Agent Store.


Nature Baby

For the last ten years, Nature Baby has been establishing itself in the New Zealand baby market. Long before the words "organic" and "sustainable" were used in every day conversation, Nature Baby was providing its customers with innovative and modern products for the conscious parent.

Those first ten years have seen Nature Baby grow and transform into a thriving retail business, online store and wholesaler. Their product range has constantly evolved and continues to expand, giving all parents the opportunity to provide a healthy and positive environment for their children to grow.

above L-R: svan mini furniture, teepee

above L-R: baby's first ball, eco merino handknit blanket

above: miss buttons sew your own kit

(images from Nature Baby and Sew your Own)

NOTES:
Visit Nature Baby online
Visit Nature Baby's retail stores in Auckland (NZ): 433 Richmond Road, Grey Lynn and 4 Morgan Street, Newmarket.
Contact nature Baby for Stockists: telephone 09 630 8394


November Moon

Cathy Cullis's blog November Moon is a showcase for her variety of creative works.

I am in awe and enormously inspired by her mixed media work. Cathy creatively and meticulously works with a range of materials - in particular, vintage haberdashery, papers, threads and yarns.

What looks to be quite simple machine stitching is no doubt a focused, deliberate and highly practiced skill, combining a sense of whimsy with immense artistic ability.

above: random poetry bird

above: timeless - mixed media collage

above: brooch - her ceaseless desire

above: mixed media brooches

(images from Cathy Cullis)

NOTES:
Visit Cathy's Etsy Store
Read Cathy's Blog

Okey Dokey.. I hope you enjoyed N! O is tomorrow...see you then!!