be reminded of appointments with a stylish hardcover diary
&
record your favourite memories in a hand-stitched photo album

Baka Design : Undated Diary $26    |   PennyRoyal : Butterflies Album $45

Things have been a bit shaky at Felt HQ this weekend, but we don’t let little things like that get in the way of showing you our newest sellers!

handspun – handknitted baby shoes |  collyscraft – glassware |  buddyandjude – bunting |  mystyano – custom made invitations |  bitsyfrog – polymer clay jewellery |  crafty – knitting needle roll ups |  museum – gift cushions |  lauslove – earrings |  vanilladream – jewellery and handknits |  wendyj – jewellery |  trixibelle – brooches and ipod cosies |  swish – tote bags |  susannah – photography |  redandyellow – baby clothing |  pallina – designer jewellery |  larafrances – bangles |  jenniekuz – knitting accessories |  lbowsher – charm bracelets |  jkldesign – journals and art objects |  pbshomemades – handknits |  black-bows – baby slings |  abelmosaics – mosaic trays |  mrivers – jewellery |  idear – greeting cards |  salubrious – upcycled children’s clothing |  tnbootique – tutus |  re_junque – beaded jewellery |  kiwigirl – jewellery |  littlefierce – children’s clothing

1 Butterfly – Original Drawing by Cloud Nine Creative | 2 Butterfly Circle Brooch
by Boocraft Designs | 3 Orange Wool Monarch Butterfly Cushion by S4sh4 | 4 Brass
Chain Necklace by Cegi Designs | 5 Butterfly Swan Swimsuit by Swanwear | 6 Butterfly
Pendant by Lee By The Sea | 7 Papillon by Bibliographica | 8 Baby Carrier by Furchin
9 Letterpress Birthday Invitations by Tumbleweed Press

The Wardrobe : Pear Doorstop $29    |   Mixing Ink : Pear Rattle $10

All work and no play is a recipe for disaster. It’s a bit like starting a crafting project after 9.30pm at night – it’s destined to end in tears. So for September’s Crafty Business here in Christchurch we’re kicking back and keeping it social with the Crafty Business Happy Hour (or two).

Grab your latest scheme and come along to Board of Design at 16 Bedford Row at 7pm on Monday 6 September for some crafty company and a glass of wine. It’s also a great opportunity to bounce a few ideas off some like-minded crafty souls. Got a knitting problem that’s winding you up in knots? Can’t find a stitch in time to save those other nine they keep talking about? Well you might just find the answers to that and so much more at this month’s Crafty Business.

Monday 6 September, 7pm onwards at Board of Design, 16 Bedford Row. See you there!

A graphic designer by day, Eleanor Smith is the creative mind behind not one, but two successful crafty ventures on Felt – she’s the founder and editor of the fabulous Extra Curricular magazine and is also known as illustrator Miss Ellie May. And somehow she still manages to fit in regular appearances at such awesome events as Kraftbomb!

What do you make?
I design a small line of stationery and screen print t-shirts, baby clothing, tea towels and totes. I also produce Extra Curricular magazine.

How did you get into your craft?
I did a screen printing night class at Wellington High School a few years ago, then I picked it up again when I began printing t-shirts and tea towels as presents for friends and family a few years later. I got into selling them at markets after Craftwerk started up in St Kevin’s Arcade in Auckland; I went along one night and there were so many talented people selling amazing things, and I wondered if people might buy the things I was making. It was nerve-wracking at first, but I was thrilled when I found people liked what I made.

It was all my talented friends who inspired me to start Extra Curricular. I have been wanting to publish a magazine since I can remember but I guess it took a few years for the concept to become fully formed. I realised at some point I had told too many people about it to chicken out, so I set myself a deadline for Christmas 2009.

Do you have formal training or qualifications in your craft?
I have a Mediarts degree majoring in Graphic Design – not exactly training in my craft but definitely responsible for where I’ve ended up.

Describe your workspace:
I have taken over the lounge! So I have my Mac on the dining room table and I screen print on the coffee table. I am constantly trying to keep my mess under control.

Your favourite materials, tools and processes?
I like using unbleached organic cotton to print on – it suits my muted colour palette and it’s so soft. I enjoy the process of screen printing by hand – it is rewarding when a print comes out perfectly; but often the imperfections are beautiful too. I also love the medium of print, choosing lovely recycled paper stock to print on, and the smell of new magazines!

What inspires you?
I am driven by the desire to make stuff. I need to be doing something creative, and it’s important to me to have projects outside of work. Sometimes designs are inspired by people I know – they start out as a present for someone in particular, and then end up on my market table. Typography, fairy tales, nature, and music all inspire me too. I love taking song lyrics out of context – illustrating them and printing them on a t-shirt.

What are you reading?
I’ve just finished My Family & Other Animals by Gerald Durrell – about his early life in Greece with his eccentric English family; a lovely escape from Winter. I’m working my way through the Penguin Classics.

What are you currently listening to?
The National – High Violet was my last purchase. I also love collecting cheap old records and enjoy listening to the likes of Van Morrison, Paul Simon and Bob Dylan on my record player.

Recommend an album: Van Morrison – Astral Weeks

A favourite quote: “These are the days of miracle and wonder” – Paul Simon

If you were a crayon, what colour would you be? Purple
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You’ll find more of Ellie’s work in her Felt shop, Miss Ellie May, and if you haven’t happened upon Extra Curricular yet, you should definitely check it out – it’s full of feature articles on local talent and interviews with awesome people – heaps of creative inspiration to be had!

Rolleston Community Market is turning one, and they’ve come up with plenty of ways to celebrate. As well as the usual array of stalls selling fresh produce and handmade goods, there’ll be balloons, a bouncy castle, face painting, a $2 raffle with prizes drawn every half hour and 200 cupcakes to be given away!

Head out to Rolleston Community Centre this Sunday 29 August from 10am till 1pm, say hello to Rose of Rose in Thorns and Adrienne of Revived in NZ and check out the selection of organic produce, cheese, bread, meats, fresh flowers, candles, clothing, children’s toys, jewellery and art.

The friendly folk at Kraftbomb are celebrating its 2nd birthday this weekend – this Sunday marks two whole years of craft, cupcakes and good times every month at Grey Lynn Community Centre! Nestled amongst the cosy collection of crafty goodness you’ll find such talented people as Trixie Delicious, Birdspoke, Ruby in the Dust, Zooshii, Cheek Pinchy, Purrsie, Zippitydoodah and many more – it’s well worth a visit.

I went along to Kraftbomb last month and had a fabulous time, so I can give it my personal recommendation as a lovely way to spend a Sunday morning. And you should definitely sample some of Fred’s amazing lemonade – it’s exceptionally good. Head along to Grey Lynn Community Centre at 510 Richmond Road from 11am till 2pm on Sunday 29 August.

Congratulations Karla and City, and happy birthday Kraftbomb!

Dear Colleen : Don’t Go $39    |   Madi Bleu : Je t’aime $80

1 Silver-tone Propellor Cufflinks by Phersu Dancing | 2 Jandals Men’s Tee by NickyCC
3 Customised Miniature Portrait by Frank & Dean | 4 Men’s Black & White Wool Scarf
by Little Stella | 5 BooMonster Trophy Head #294 by Boocraft | 6 Tui – Original Framed
Drawing by Elusive Design | 7 Custom-made River Stone Water Feature by Tenvironment
8 Diorama – Birds by Ana Aceves | 9 Vinyl Record Clock by APSCC

Click here to check out more gift suggestions for Father’s Day.