Visiting: The Flock, Christchurch

I've always been a huge fan of Emma's.  She is the one behind The Flock.

Emma - using that super design eye to spy me in Your Home and Garden .  See some good Harvest Textiles product in the background?  I do.

The one with a good design eye.

I first meet Emma when she opened her first shop in Sumner.   She has always been a massive advocate for New Zealand design as well a well honed ability to snuff out overseas design talent.  She also had car drive through her front window - see here for that story.

She has now moved into a new home at The Tannery and I got to visit the last time I was in Christchurch.

Go see her and tell her I sent you.  Good things will happen - promise.

Meeting: Mark Catley from Mark Catley Design

Oh it was lovely to visit my old city of Christchurch.  

I had lined up quite a few meet and greets but unfortunatly, because of the snow, I missed out on a few so I thought I would do a imaginary summary of what might have been anyway.

Today I talk of Mark from Mark Catley Design.

I was introduced to Mark Catley through Alice Anderson (she's funny) of the cute blog Our Tiny Landscapes.  I had meet Alice at the Bloggers Conference earlier this year and she mentioned that Mark would be a designer that I would like.  She was not wrong.

He's colour, he's geometric, he's design and I like his stuff.

Mark has a refreshing design style that is unique (which is hard in an overexposed visual market) and raw.  He is one talented mo.  Oh and he can do black and white too.

A recent graduate from The Design and Arts College (Christchurch) in Graphic Design he decided that working for the man was not really a viable option and I would agree as he seems to be doing just fine out there solo.

I have a special thang for his cushions and prints.

He was recently a featured seller on Felt and they did a great exposé on him.  Of course you can also buy his products over there too.  Double bonus.

HAPA in the Cashel Mall also stocks some of his wares.

Please go find and support him as he will help to brighten your life and that right there is the truth.

*All the images were stolen from Mark Catley Design Website

Attending: Handmade Conference 2013

Well - what a weekend.  

It's Queen Birthday weekend and I've been attending and speaking at the Handmade Conference in Wellington.  What a creative and inspirational bunch of people you are!

I was asked back for the second year to take a Masterclass on Interior Design with an strong focus on the Handmade side to designing.  I said yes immediately.  Any chance I can share my love of colour and design will always get my vote.

Last year I took a more general approach to Interior design with lots of theory on the handmade side.  This year I decided to change it up and dedicate half the talk to designing for your home and the other half demonstrating DIY projects you can make for your home - 12 no less!

My DIY doormats

I was really happy with the talk and it was made all the better by having such an enthusiastic audience.  I was blown away the large amount of you who came up to say hi (love that) and those who contacted me via email.  A memorable moment was a lady who came up to me at the Meet the Maker event and told me that I was not her style at all and that I designed with too much 'stuff' and colours were not her at all, BUT she managed to take one or two good points away.... PHEW!

The audience was filled with new faces but also had a few familiar ones which was lovely.  I got to meet Amanda Holland, who had lent me some amazing and colourful props for my 'virtual room'.  She is a bit of a design icon for me, she has been a long time advocate for colour and great design with her stunning shop - Small Acorns.  An institution for design brands Designers Guild, Orla Kiely, Rachel Castle and many more.  It was a little daunting having such a design doyenne seated in front of you! Thank you Amanda for lending me your goodies and for the fantastic feedback.

Rachel Castle products - all available at Small Acorns Store

Also in the crowd were some local Wellington designers - Meg McMillian from Teapea and Jane Denton from Jane Denton Textile  + Art Design.  It's always lovely to spend time and talk 'design' with these clever cookies.  I got to spend some extra time with Meg and I was very excited to hear about some new and exciting projects she will be involved in the near future.  

Speedy Meg in her beautiful store - Teapea.  Online also

One of Jane Denton's Artworks

Meg and I also managed to squeeze in a spot of shopping between lectures and we both fell in love with a faux tiger skin rug from Cosmic in Cube St Mall.  $65 bucks my friends!  Bargain.  I will take a photo of it in situ - I'm thinking Jungle Room of course.  They also had life size Tiger heads, which again was purchased and will be added to the existing collection.  More is more, remember.

I also got to be part of the Handmade Hurrah, which is when they make up a panel of 4 speakers to shoot the breeze in front of a Handmade attendees crowd.  I did it last year and it was super fun - this year was even better.  The speakers this year included my old panel partner Ruth Pretty (Rock-star Chef), as well as Rosemary McLeod (Literary legend) and Sally-Ann Moffat (Fashionista).  It was a good mixture of tips, humour and general chit-chat.  I loved that the audience got to interact with us too with multiple amounts of subject matter, which included Feature Walls, Leggings, Pussy Bows, Night school and eyebrows!  There was even an impromptu lesson in posing for a camera.  Oh yes - it was all going on!

This year I also got to attend a few of the Masterclasses and hear the other speaker impart a wealth of knowledge and experience.  Favourites included Tamsin Cooper (what a wee gem she is) and Rosemary McLeod.  Next year I hope to attend a few of the workshops as well - the number of classes you can take are mind-blowing and getting to meet and speak with some of the teachers was very inspirational.  

Jane Wrigglesworth - Multi talented editor, writer, gardener and crafter

Fiona Frew - Handmade Paper Flowers

Sarah Wirth - Art and textiles teacher, Screen Printer, Kimono maker

Lucy Arnold - Owner of Felt

Melissa Wastney - Writer of the Tiny Happy Blog and crafter

Mandi Lynn - Photographer

Heleen Webb - Crafter and owner of Ruby in the Dust

Marimekko Fabric - SIIRTOLAPUUTARHA

Also some references from my talk that people have been asking about:

Marimekko - Surrur Book

Marimekko Fabric online - Textile Arts

Bolt of Cloth

Small Acorns

Designers Guild

Beci Orphin - Find and Keep Book

Megan Morton - Things I love Book

Ilse Crawford - Home is where the heart is Book

Pinterest

Urban Outfitters - Rugs

Fenton and Fenton - Rugs

Armadilo & Co - Rugs

If any one needs clarification on anything I spoke about please get in touch!  

alex@alexfultondesign.co.nz

Beci Orpin's Confetti Wall

I wanted to say a huge thank you to the busy bee's from the Avenues Event Team - what an amazing, well organised and extremely informative weekend.  I do hope I will be there next year to see it grow even more that it did this year.  See you all then...

Flog this Blog: Little Gatherer

I've just come back from a hugely successful (and extremely fun) visit to Sydney.  Let me just say that stars were aligning all over the shop and this website was just one of the celestial treasures I found there.

Little Gatherer is slick.  

It's street cool, full of great content and it's only just come online.  I meet one half of the sister pair that has set up Little Gatherer and I was impressed.  I am impressed.  These girls have nailed their online formula even before it went live.  

(Puts me to shame as mine is still very much a work in progress!)

Simple, with nice clean graphics - makes content standout!  Images from Little Gatherer

Their profile reads:

Little Gatherer is an Imaginarium of gathered and created objects, outfits and images that inspire the small and the young at heart.

This blog is well thought-out with a very cool look - mostly aimed at kids and teens - but don't be discouraged as there most definitely is something there for all design savy individuals.  I especially liked that they have a theme for a week.  This week it's foxes.   

Like I say, very clev.

My two rat bags were photographed for the Little Style 'Street' post - they thought they were pretty hot toast I can tell you!  Image from Little Gatherer

Please go and have a look-see and let me know what you think.  It makes me very happy to see such great content from a new blog-player.  I wish them luck - not that they will need it!

Find them on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest

Shop it up: Dear Colleen

Dear Colleen, I love following you on Intagram - I feel like one of the first people on earth to getta glimse at a new drawing or a new idea or product.  

This Bristol born, New Zealand based artist is tops.  I am in awe of her illustration skills and her work ethic.  I'm also a little jealous as she gets to draw for a living.

Her online Etsy store is crammed with fav's that reflect her off beat humour and artistry.

Colleen's studio in Dunedin

She's recently come to the world's attention with an American journalist, Grae Drake, passing on one of her teatowls to the guy that features front and present - Mr Ryan Gosling.  While he turns puce in embaressment, she equally is, and has said that she could only watch the clip once.

  Being made to look like a fan-crazed-gosling-geek, she is not.  She's just a clever artist with a wicked sense of humour.  

"Dishes I'd rather be doing" is up there in my top ten, but there is plenty more magnificent 'Colleen' I love.

Society 6 also makes her illustrations in iphone cases, hoodies, pillows and tote bags!

You can find Colleen on Instagram (dearcolleen) , Etsy and on Blog here.

It's not about faces, just places, spaces: The Colourful Loft by Jean Verville

Holy shiz balls.  Now this is what I call colourtastic.

When so many are afraid of colour, it is just utter joy when I see a home such as this.

The brief was to design a space that could house and show-off a colourful collection of contempory art.  Jean Verville is a Canadian based Architect who I'm sure delighted his clients with this original solution.  

Avoiding the obvious - all white walls - he has created playful arrangement and unusual focal points using colour and form.  

Pure colour-blocking genius.

Giveaway: Jane Denton Artwork

Sorry...what?  Did you just say a Jane Denton Artwork??  

Yes, yes I did.  

Jane has kindly offer you, my wonderful readers, a chance to win this very one! 

Worth $255!!

"Diamonds"  

It's a beauty alright and it's called "Diamonds"

This piece will be unframed.

RRP unframed is $255, RRP framed is $395.  Size very roughly is 48cm x 35cm.

Jane specialises in Textile art and Design and "Diamonds" on one the designs in her range.  These artworks are made with wool in various colours.  

Her shapes and patterns make them very contemporary but also timeless.  

Close-up of "Crosses" (featured in Meg McMillans home from Teapea)

Jane's quote from Vic Bibby's Blog Cush and Nooks

They would suit most interiors and you cannot know how happy I was when she agreed to give one away on this very blog.

She also gave up some time to answer some question so that we could get to know her a little better...

This is Jane.  

Q1: Hello Jane Denton, can you please tell me what you do?

I’m an artist/designer and a mum to two wee kids – Sophie & George.   I create my unique art by stitching beautiful wool onto canvas in different shapes and patterns.  In the past they’ve been quite bold pieces but recently I’ve been moving into a softer colour palette.  

Q2: Colour and form play a very starring role in your creations - tell me why?

I love colour - by keeping designs simple, it gives my pieces impact and allows the colours to shine.  I normally start with design and form, and then think about the colour palette.

Q3: Who or what do you get inspiration from?

I read a few daily blogs which I find really inspiring – Design Files, Design Sponge & Cush and Nooks.  Pinterest is also a really useful tool - I’m always interested in colour combinations and patterns.

Q4: Describe the ultimate space to create in?

I love working anywhere that has lots of natural light - I usually start in the kitchen and follow the sun round the house with my dog Maggie following behind.

Q5: What are your favourite design, eating and drinking haunts in Wellington?

I’ve always loved Small Acorns and my other new favourite is online store Let Liv – both sell beautiful home wares.  I enjoy a wine at Ancestral or Dragonfly garden bars with my husband and friends when we get the chance.   And Capitol and Floriditas are old favourites for eating out.

Q6: Have you got any new projects in the pipeline?

Yes!  I’m really looking forward to working with an Auckland-based design store to create a series of textiles, and I have an exciting collaboration with a local designer in the pipeline.  I also have lots of ideas for some new pieces over the summer using softer and more subtle colours.

Q7: If you weren't doing what you do now - what would you be doing?

I can’t think of anything I’d rather be doing - I thought about this question for a whole day!!   I’ve always been passionate about colour, textiles and all things interior.  I love my creative work, and I’m so happy that I can work from home and be around for my kids.

Thanks so much Jane - love your work and very excited to see some JD collabs in the pipeline.

Back to the giveaway...

To enter please leave a comment below and tell me your favourite Jane-piece from her website www.janedenton.co.nz and as always if you like mine and Jane's facebook pages they will earn you an extra two entries!

We will draw this on Friday the 23rd November.  Heaps of time to wrap it up and pop it under the tree.  To: Me, From: Me xx

"Squares" Framed

Jane's new work "Delicate Dusk"

"Delicate Dusk" in situ

Good luck my design buns.

Shop it up: Shop 35

Now that's I'm based in Marlborough I'm 'hitting the road' a little more often to source and see suppliers.  It's a great chance to crank the tunes and have some me-time while I'm at it.

I find it a nice change in pace as I can't check blogs, tweet updates and repin images.  It's time just to think and process - oh and of course drive!

Last week I was scooting  back from Christchurch when I needed a coffee break and stopped of in the small (but well formed) town of Cheviot.  

Shop 35 is run by Phils Morris.  She's a vivacous, bright and designy.  So is her shop.

Her eye for colour is evident and definately caught my attention when I spotted a cute little blue stool out-front.  At $55 it was snapped up and stored for one of my daughters christmas presents.

The shop is set-up in a cute old house that immediately sets an inviting tone.  Inside does not disapoint either.  Phils stocks some yummy local and international designers and they all compliment each other beautifully.

All the while I was there she had a constant stream of locals and just-travelling-throughers but she treated them all as if they were long lost buds.  It's so re-freshing to get that retail detail that is so often lost and lacking in many shops I pop into (and that's many my design bunnies).  

Fact:  Phils loves finding kooky/odd/funny fairies for the xmas tree, and this year she has high heeled ones.  Be quick though as word is out and you have to be in quick.

Fact:  Phils quickly got a large crush on my navy sparkly lace-up shoes.  But as luck had it she didn't let that get in the way of a new accaintance and a new design-bond was made!

Thanks Shop 35 and see you next trip.

Also in Cheviot

The White Cat Emporium - Italian and French Antiques

Two Rivers Gallery and Cafe - good coffee with art/sculpture