Meet the Seller - Johanna from Whatnots

What do you make?

I'm getting better at this now.... I specialise in freehand machine embroidered textiles. Cushions, cosies, cases, cards, pictures......umm Whatnots!! My range is constantly evolving but throughout it all is the drawing with the sewing machine on lovely linen fabrics.

When did you begin making and what was your inspiration?

As with most people who create I started young, one of my first school reports said I had a strong interest in the crafts. I've been making ever since. After moving to New Zealand I began making gifts to send back to family and friends. The turning point came when I realised I was about to send a third tea cosy to the same friend, maybe I should try selling.

Where did your brand name come from?

It took me far too long to decide on a name, months not days!! I've always made things and when asked what I make I'd come up with something vague, often relying on 'you know whatnots and stuff'. After lots of lists and 'help' from friends and getting nowhere Whatnots surfaced. It seems to suit me and my products.

Who has been the most influential in your craft?

Not really influential in my sewing but in being creative it's probably my Dad. If he has an idea and wants to make it he can usually pull it off, eventually. I've inherited that from him, things don't always work first time or how you expected but often they are better for it. 'Happy accidents' are what we call them at school.

What inspires you?

So many things, colours, a walk on the beach, a piece of fabric, a picture in a magazine. At art college we kept inspiration sketch books and while I don't have one going now I have notebooks full of ideas, sketches and notes, I refer to them all the time.

Where do you find your online inspiration? Favourite Blogs/ websites?

The first blog I ever found was Tiny Happy after reading about Melissa in one of the NZ home magazines, it opened a whole world to me. I pop in on a few blogs now but it's Pinterest I have to limit my time on. As with so many people I can lose hours there.

What handmade possession do you most treasure?

A few years ago when my daughter was 12 or 13 she made me a foot stall. She collected fallen branches and striped the bark off with a penknife (she sat outside in the sun for hours doing it) then made it using the greenwood technique (I think that's the correct term). The seat is made from jute string. I treasure it not only because my daughter made it but also because it really is a beautiful piece of furniture. Despite much encouragement she hasn't made me more!

Apart from making/creating, what do you do?

I'm a year 7-8 technology teacher aide in our local school. At the moment I have 120 students making paper mache animal heads, as you can imagine it can be great fun seeing their creations (I can't wait to see the slug finished!).

What music is on 'high rotate' on your stereo or iPod at the moment?

I have an 18 year old son who plays the guitar, that's about the only thing I listen to.

What is your favorite book & food?

Favorite children's book has to be the Secret Garden, I'd love a walled garden and my favourite food would have to be strawberries.

When you are not at the Devonport Craft Market - where can people find your work?

Online you can find me on Felt or Facebook. I try and get to Crafternoon Tea and Frankly Crafty too.

Anything else you would like to add?

There's a little gift for all customers that mention they have read this profile and buy from me at October's Devonport Craft Market.

Child Cancer Foundation Auction - Crafty Knitwits

Meet Sandy (and Husband!) from Devonport Astrophotography

When did you begin making and where did you get your inspiration

My husband has been taking these photographs for the last four or five years. The purchase of his first telescope quickly led to him combining astronomy with his existing hobby of photography and has led to astrophotography captivating him and his gorgeous art captivating me :-)

I had one of his early moon photos put on to a canvas (semi-sneakily) as a present for his birthday. It was so gorgeous and admired by many visitors to the house, that we thought others might like them too.

What do you make

My husband takes the stunning photographs of the moon and deep space - hours and hours in the cold and dark followed by the hours and hours of processing done after the fact - layering image upon image upon image, colour adjusting, noise reducing and lots of other technical stuff. Hours and hours in front of the computer. (He estimates about 20+ person hours for each finished image of processing and that's not even including the time outside actually taking the photos).

I then have the photos printed onto canvas, t-shirts, notebooks, ceramic pendants and fabric (which I then make into cushions).

What inspires you?

The beauty of the night sky is what inspires us. The moon is a real place - looking through a telescope and seeing moon craters or the rings of Saturn for the first time is breath-taking - it is actually real and out there - and can be photographed! Then when you start to see the photographs of the deep space nebula - it justs blows me away!

What is your favourite book

I'm not sure I actually have one favourite - I love the books I can't put down. I do love the children's book The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams.

and your favourite Food?

My Mum's cottage pie - not my own - I don't get it the same!

Where do you get your online inspiration from?

I like to watch Aotearoa Astrophotography and the Stardome websites. In my quilting life I tend to hang out on quilting and fabric websites as well.

When you are not at the Devonport Craft Market, where can people find your work?

I have a website at moonphotos.co.nz and I'm on Facebook at facebook.com/moonphotos. I also sell online on felt.co.nz

What handmade possession do you treasure the most?

For me it's the two gorgeous cross stitch birth samplers that my dear girlfriend made for each of my sons when they were born.

My husband says the astronomy quilt I made him to use while outside in the cold and dark is his favourite (it contains his own photos printed onto fabric interspersed with commercial astronomy fabric).

What music do you have on high rotate on your ipod at the moment?

The only place I usually get to listen to music is the car and at the moment it's playing Bad Jelly (or maybe it's "Cars" - the movie - not the band) - sad but true.

Meet the Seller: Amy from APT CreatioNZ

In the summer you will see Amy and her beautiful products out the front of the market. She has a broad range of beautiful pieces - a regular crafting machine!! 

Where did your brand name come from?

APT CreatioNZ was made using my initials (APT) and the word 'creations' to express the broad product range. I decided to use a 'Z' in the place of 's' at the end, and use capitals for the 'NZ' to link it to my roots in New Zealand. Later I added the li'l luv'd ones collection to be the branding for my children's range

When did you begin making and what was your inspiration?

I was lucky enough to grow up in an artistic home where my passion for creativity was born. I learnt to knit and sew at a young age, although I didn't pick them up again until I had children of my own.
APT CreatioNZ is the result of my passion for authentic design, fine art and all things cute, translated into items for little ones.
Starting out small before my first daughter was born, my designs have continued to grow and evolve.

I am now a stay at home mum of three cheeky little angels, who are my constant inspiration, with many designs beginning as creations for them.
Working from my little sewing room in our Auckland home, under the watchful eye of my mini design consultants, I lovingly create each item individually. Often producing one offs, before jumping to the next idea so it isn't lost into the ether

What do you make?

I have quite a large product range, everything from home decor and cot bedding through to boutique children's clothing and toys. I sew, crochet, knit and paint in order to create something unique which can be treasured for years to come. I have also recently added some D-I-Y kits to help inspire others to create items of their own.

Who has been the most influential in your craft?

My mother taught me to embrace art and creativity as a child and I have never looked back! She showed me the value in trying new mediums and techniques and I have carried that through with me, which is probably why I have such a wide range of products. In fact I recently taught myself how to crochet simply because it was something I have wanted to be able to do for a while. I really hope I can pass on the same passion to my own children.

What inspires you?

I draw inspiration from everywhere! Sometimes the colour of the sky will trigger me to think of a fabric I have in my stash, or one of my daughters will need a dress, hat, scarf...so off I go designing it. Often I will see something in the adult fashion world and adapt it to suit a child. I am also in love with the Arts & Crafts and Deco eras - shapes, design and fashion.

What is your favourite book?

'The reader' by Bernhard Schlink has to be up there...although I am enjoying the game of thrones series at the moment.

And your favourite food?

oooooh...thats a hard one....I think my all time favourite has to be my Nonna's home made Gnocchi with sugo. There is nothing like a true Italian family recipe...I am yet to find a restaurant who can match it!

Where do you find your favourite online inspiration? Blogs etc

I must admit I am a pinterest addict...I love sitting down with a cuppa and having a look at the latest 'pins'. I also love facebook for keeping up to date with some of my favourite designers.

 

What handmade possession do you treasure the most?

That would have to be the little clay pot my daughter made for me at kindy last year.

Apart from making and creating, what else do you do with your life!

I am a mum to three beautiful girls and wife to a very understanding husband who puts up with my creations taking over various rooms of the house. I also run a website for other homebased handmade labels www.littlekiwisnest.co.nz

What music is on ‘high rotate’ on your ipod or stereo at the moment?

There are a few on there at the mo....I was listening to 'florence and the machine' this afternoon and 'mumford & sons' gets played a lot too.

When you are not at the Devonport Craft Market where can people find your products?

I have a website www.aptcreationz.co.nz as well as a facebook page www.facebook.com/aptcreationz and am also on felt and littlekiwisnest

You can also find some items at the little frock shop in Hamilton and Organic baby in Wellington.

Amy has a special offer for all of you lovely people - check it out below - THANKS AMY!

I would like to make it feel like we are at the market all month by offering free shipping to anyone who orders after reading this, order via my www.aptcreationz.co.nz site and select 'shipping discount' on the product listing then type 'devonport' in the code box.

Meet the Seller: Ingrid from BookBeads & Felted Fellows

Meet Ingrid from BookBeads and Felted Fellows

Where did you come up with your brand name?

I needed something self explanatory for the book markers that wasn’t already taken and found BookBeads fit the bill.  Felted Fellows came later, I was brainstorming a name for the line of felted dogs I had started , only I didn’t want to be committed to just dogs as I knew in the future that may change. My neice came up with Felted Fellows and I realised it was a perfect fit for all manner of felted animals!

When did you begin making and what was your inspiration?

A good five years ago my sister saw some beaded bookmarks in Australia and suggested I try them out here. Searching online and through other markets I couldn’t find anyone doing any similar so began my version. The choice of glass beads most definitely inspired me with their vibrant colours and shapes and I find every marker differs from the other as a consequence.

Felted Fellows started with an article in the UK interiors magazine that a friend at work pointed out. After going to the library and finding book after book on how to needle felt, the little dogs found their way into my heart!

What do you make?

The beaded bookmarks differ from most as they are secured to an elasticated band that is wrapped around the book, with the bling of beads resting on the outside.

Felted fellows started out as only dogs. I found the wire haired terriers, and schnauzers the most fun and popular to make, but make a range of other breeds too. Every now and then I will branch out to an Afghan Hound or a Great Dane to spice things up. Am often asked to make cats, but despite having my own cat as a model have yet to take that on! 

Just recently I have started a range of birds in bauble shape, with the mind to have a range of christmas tree decorations up and running soon.

Who has been the most influential in your craft?

I think it all stems from growing up with a pretty artistic and creative family. I was always encouraged and as a consequence have never come across something I thought I coudn't do. That drive meant I always tried a new skill, sometimes that wouldnt work out as well as I hoped, but I knew there would be something that I would try next that I would be happy with. 

What inspires you?

I am constantly in awe of the talent of those around me, in markets and online. I work at Auckland Art Gallery and I find in my line of work inspiration is always around the corner with the next exhibition.

What is your most treasured handmade possession?

My Dad is a photographer and I have a number of his earlier black and white photos that I particularly love. My sister does splendid ceramic sculptures, I only have a few smaller ones though as her larger pieces (of which I would love to have!) are just too heavy for me to bring over from Australia! 

I did a course way back when, of bronze sculptures in the lost wax process, which I am proud of and wish I had the time and money to start up again.

When you are not making what do you do?

I am a paintings conservator at Auckland Art Gallery.  The gallery has 5 conservators overall, and we all specialise in specific areas, Works on paper, Objects and Paintings. Our primary role is to care for the collection but we also have private service available to members of the public.

What is your favourite book?

Hard call, possibly 'Its all Fun and Games until Someone loses an Eye' by Christopher Brookmyer.         

And your favourie food?

Any Thai food

Where do you get your online inspiration from?

 I don’t really follow any blogs or specific sites, I find I am a bit of a google fiend though and will follow where any search takes me.

What music is on high rotate on your ipod?

I’m pretty eclectic when it comes to music, but I find I’m going through an extended phase of listening to my older stuff, so a lot of Billy Joel, Pink Floyd, James Taylor and Elkie Brooks.                                

When you are not at the Devonport Craft Market, where can people buy your work?

I have the Felted Dogs on Felt.co.nz under FeltedFellows,

I also sell them at Tessuti on Jervois Rd, Ponsonby and in Newmarket.

I can also be found at Craft Harvest in Parnell, but all my works have email addresses and people can find me at them too.