werkhaus AND business as usual?

Well last time I said I had news which had some people jumping to conclusions, but no I am not pregnant. :) the news is actually about the new company my husband and I have called WERKHAUS. We've had it for a while and have mainly used it for tax purposes because we both do contract work and are considered 'self employed', anyway....

Now we are focusing more on our company identity so we finally have our website/blog done. IF you ever wanted to see more creative out put by me, or are interested in what my husband gets up to, you should definately visit me HERE.

when birds land on your fingers, #1 in a the four part series Perfect Day

On this site I can promise you will see more illustration as it has quite a lot of my work up. (for example the collage above .... there are 3 others like it so check them out on werkhaus)
Also see the new media and design work Luke does, read about his music projects, and visit links to his band's (the ribbon) myspace.

Hopefully I have sufficiently plugged werkhaus. But just in case, I will periodically give updates, and also will add werkhaus to our sidebar of links of friends/inspiration. so you won't forget about us:)

THE ETSY UPDATE

owl collage

Lies and I have been busy crafters and have FINALLY updated the etsy. She has her lovely tunics from the last post for sale there. And I am trying something new.

I have these two works for sale. They are not cards, they are special bigger collages mounted on the backs of children's books. I think they might look great in some child's bedroom, or in a crafter's studio, or maybe in the kitchen. I also have some prints from my 'perfect day' collages for sale. I'd be really interested in feedback because I have never tried to sell artwork as 'artwork' before. It's always been disguised as something more functional (like cards), but will people like it enough just to have it around? even if it doesn't 'do' anything except look nice? time will tell.

flock to new life
*update: SOLD thanks!

CARD SETS

Robots in Space: one of four

Also in the store are new card sets. I am only showing one card from each set because there are too many to post ALL of them. but if you want to see them all, you know where to find them...
here, here, and here.

What trees look like : one of four

Oh Lassie: one of four

*update: SOLD, thanks

I have been very inspired (I use that word too much here) by the new stash of books I got last week. I went to this out of the way, hard to find, secret place run by a 92 year old woman who hasn't done a tidy in the 40 years the shop has been open. And in a little corner of this elusive shop was a hidden box full of vintage and retro $1 books. I got many treasures from the 60's and 70's, a few from the 50's and one from 1949 (Little Dutch Girls). Be still my heart.

Unlike most people, I cut up my treasures.

*update, both SOLD, thanks

These final cards I am just posting for look seeies as they are going to the markets. These and everything else I have shown off today have come from the secret shop, so thanks 92 year old collector!

okay all for now. take care everyone and it was great to hear from all of you about the ALMIGHTY craftwerk post. I was happy to show you around.

-k

Projects projects!

Last weekend Kimberlee and I spent a few very sweet hours at Charlotte's 'lounge sale' (can't very well call it a garage sale, it was just toooo good). We were seated comfily in her light and large living room, and whilst slurping tea and nibbling cake, cuddling little Astrid and MOSTLY chatting away (poor Kevin) we were shown the loads of fabric and craftbooks she had put aside for us to have first pick out of- as she herself is moving back to London in a while. There and then I started feeling quite light in the head (fabric addiction having A LARGE FIX) and I'm still levitated now I think...Look what I got from that golden-Charlotte-spread :

Liberty leaves in green/purples and brown/reds to combine
with some raspberry and blueberry softcord from my own
stash and to become winter little girl skirts

Liberty baby cord in geometric shapes for a skirt for myself (I think)

Liberty trees : my very favorite of the bunch DEFINITELY to be a dress for myself, in fact I now have the perfect pattern for such a dress, because Charlotte even let me have her 'Robe rouge' Japanese sewing book (on the left of the fabric)

Just thought I'd show you these : antique tiles make perfect fabric-weights when cutting

I haven't been lazying about while poor Kimberlee slaved away on the mammoth-Craftwerk-post (if you hadn't checked it out yet, please scroll down!). I've been chained to my Singer-sewingmachine (ok ok, I do enjoy it) and came up with some fresh tops for little people (I'll add them to the Etsy store later today) :

Rose and steel Echino perch bird tops

with Japanese abstract rims/backs

for girls from 2 to 3yrs old

Kaftan tunics in vintage prints for babies in between 1 and 2 yrs

And don't you remember what fun it was to jump up and down on the couch?

-X from Lies

the almighty CRAFTWERK post

Well craftwerk was almost a week ago but I haven't forgotten my promised post! So here is some of the loveliness. But before we begin please understand that is takes me ages and I don't always have the time to properly describe each crafter. Consider this more of a glimpse and hopefully if something is inspiring, you can check out the link and find out more.

THE CUP CAKE QUEEN photo from her blog^

our resident cupcake queen, who was unable to make cupcakes this time, but will sure be there for the next craftwerk. check here out HERE

ARTSPACE

posters for sale! very nice stall set up too. and if you don't know who these guys are, check them out here

LEAH&ANNA

these very young girls were possibly my favourite new comers to the scene. They have created metalic jewelry from animal toys. very clever indeed.

leahandanna@gmail.com

(Didn't get their name)

we'd all look quite dapper in your bow ties.


R.W. Scissors

R.W. Scissors by Bronwyn
ranwithscissors@hotmail.com

ISHLAND

great display! by sally tran. her website here

JELLYBONES

you'll love their sweet jewelry, all painstakingly but lovingly hand made for you out of resin. You can also check these guys out at the te tuhi markets.
email: jellybones@mail.com
web HERE

THE ANTI-FASHION LEAGUE

Rhonda is looking very in control as usual with the mysterious claire no where to be seen.
if you haven't yet seen her UBER fun website, go here now!

Shannon&Sarah

this fimo jewelry brings me back to my earliest crafting days and I am happy to see its making a comeback. thanks! we await the day you get a blog running so I can link you.

Nameless guys

these teenagers show us guys can craft too. Also the glass bowls in the corner are made of marbles by Town & Country Glass

SHAMIMA LONE

pop a balloon to get your prize, or send yourself a love letter. She'll even do the mailing so the experience feels more genuine:) very excellent ideas, I like the idea of buying an expereience.

TOGGLE

My favourite featured creation from toggle, how great is this!!! (please overlook my arm hair glinting in the sun)

and just in case you missed the other (hundred) times I have linked them, find them HERE

Birdspoke

These beautiful broaches and necklaces get me everytime, featuring new zealands native birds.
you can buy them through toggle here

RADHA

This designer, Caroline Munro is also a newbie to craftwerk. Along with dresses, and belts, she also makes these bright undies. email: radhadesigns@gmail.com


HOLLY WEST

rocking dinos at only $30 !! by Holly West.
west.holly@gmail.com


PAPER CUP & FRIENDS

They had t-shirts and toys, but I was most smitten with these little creations.
they have a website so check it HERE

ELLIE SMITH

she is an illustrator and maker of things and in this case those things are cards, t-shits, tea towels, aprons.


VANDALIZED VINTAGE

I've featured trixie before but in case you missed it and want more, you can find her HERE

CARAVAN

You'll find her at te tuhi markets this weekend, and I think she's bringing her original retro caravan. love the cushions.


MONKEY CRAFT

You know the craft of sonya, maker of pinnies, overalls, zip pouches, and sun hats all in retro fabrics.... right? well if not, find her HERE

they have no name yet, but wool is the new cool and they knit (or crochet) everything imaginable. see those feminine hygiene products? yeah, everything.

MANGO BEARS

the new take on the sock toys. These cuties are a unique style and there are plenty more on her blog, find her here

CHERRY BOMB

the comic and zine table run by local cherry bomb. Craftwerk regulars and I think they even have their own store featuring feminist comix, zines and underground. find them virtually

LITTLE ORCHARD

organic skin care products, prints & cards, baby clothes, and (my favourite) linen bags. Charlotte does it all, but you know that already. Find her shop HERE

CHEEK PINCHY

More collage goodness from Kirsten. She is still selling through toggle and I have heard unconfirmed rumors that she might just be at the next te tuhi market.

SOCK TOYS

IN the original sock monkey styles, i must get one of these for somebody! she's been at craftwerk for a while now and I think I can no longer resist the stripped goodness.

RUOK?

Yes sarah was there again (good ol craftwerk regular) showing off her button wares. she'll be at te tuhi this weekend too so I hope you no longer need any more convincing that the markets are going to be well worth a stop in.

I AM EXHAUSTED FROM THIS LONG POST WITH ALL THE ENDLESS LINKING! but I hope you enjoyed it:)

I have something I want to share with you but I am saving it for next time when I have enough energy to introduce it properly. so please stay tuned.

-k