With the Christmas season upon us, entrepeneurial crafters will be working extra hard fulfilling orders and getting ready for markets and other obligations so for November’s Crafty Business, we wanted to provide a fun, inspiring session that will leave you feeling energized and ready for more when you need it most.

This month’s session will focus on how to be at your most productive and efficient over the Christmas period, how to stay motivated and decrease stress levels and what to do in January after the rush is over (other than have a few glasses of wine!).

Our guest speaker, Kyle, works with executives within large organisations and yet runs his own solo business from home (like many of us), which gives him a unique perspective on the challenges both large and small. Hear how you can apply what successful executives do to your crafty business.

Crafty Business is free to attend and anybody is welcome to come along. Join us at Churchills, 441 Colombo Street in Sydenham from 7pm on Monday 2 November.

This Sunday 1 November, Devonport Community House will once again be filled with the handmade gorgeousness of Devonport Craft Market. From 10am till 3pm head along to 32 Clarence Street to check out the lovely creations of North Shore crafters and get some of those Christmas gifts ticked off the list!

Among the talented stall holders this month are: Cotton Kiwi, Songbird Designs, Black Swan Designs, Honey Design, Krafty As, Snapdragon (aka MyHeart), The Paper Leaf, Infusions, Cat Taylor Design, Skipapple, Bam Bam Creative, Porcelain Rove and Lilys Make Believe.

So if you’re in the neighbourhood this Sunday, gather up your pocket money and make your way to Devonport Community House between 10am and 3pm. I’m especially looking forward to this month’s fair, because I’ll be there! Don’t forget to stop by the Felt stall and say hello.

In July this year over 50 Christchurch knitters and crocheters collaborated on the Slip installation for the Christchurch Arts Festival.

Throughout the duration of the Festival, French-knitted vines wound their way up lamp posts in Cathedral Square, sprouting hundreds of crocheted leaves and flowers. The flowers were attached to the vines with brooch pins, so that passersby could “pick” them and wear them on a coat or scarf.

More than 1000 flowers and 40 metres of French knitting were created for the project, and if you missed seeing it in the Square, you can see some of these on display at New Brighton Library from 27 October till 9 November.

The handmade awesomeness that is Craft2.0 returns this Saturday 24 October to The New Dowse in Lower Hutt, from 11am till 3pm. If you haven’t been to Craft2.0 before, you’ve been missing one of the coolest craft events New Zealand has to offer. If you’re in the vicinity, make sure you make it to this one!

The line up of stall holders for this fair is exceptional – among the many talented makers you can expect to see the creative stylings of Boocraft, Taprobane, Minu, Copper Red, Blons, The Sewphist, Hotchpotch & Gruelboy, Random Little Things, Poppetto, Honeythorpe, Sweet William, An Open Book, Amie McCarron, Little Imp, Whskr, Free Range Baby, Art Divine, Madame Cake, Bad Animals and of course the lovely Sue of Supervery, who is currently the featured seller on Felt.

Sad to say, I can’t make it to Craft2.0 this time and I’m so disappointed to be missing it. It’ll be a fantastic day out and a great chance to get started on your Christmas shopping. Of course, if you can’t make it to Lower Hutt, browsing on Felt is the next best way to see what all these Wellington crafters are up to.

Head along to The New Dowse at 45 Laings Road, Lower Hutt from 11am till 3pm this Saturday – get there early for your chance to receive a free gift bag!

Well known in the New Zealand craft community as the organiser of Craft2.0, Sue Tyler is also the creative energy behind the funky designs of  Supervery. A self-confessed glitter addict, Sue’s sparkling personality has also been seen crafting up a storm on TVNZ’s Good Morning and gracing the pages of World Sweet World magazine.

What do you make?
At the moment my main focus is laser cut jewellery – I get creative on my computer and then each item is precision cut here in Wellington. However I just love playing around with anything. I have boxes and boxes of beads, buttons and fabric so whenever I’m feeling a creative impulse I can just act on it. Right now I’m experimenting with vintage fabrics.

Your favourite materials, tools and processes?
My iMac & my camera rate – I can’t decide between them so it has to be both. I would be unable to design without  my Mac, and then half the fun of making things is taking photos of my creations and sharing with the world.

And materials – well I have a thing for glitter, I just think there is not enough glitter in the world. So whenever I get a chance I love to add glitter to things. And okay sure, it’s messy, but there is something uniquely fun about glitter that just makes me smile.

I’m actually a bit of a glitter snob – often the glitter we get in NZ has a very dark black base and it’s very chunky so instead of things being bright and shiny they often have almost a dull texture to them. The current range I’m using has a light base and the colour range is really subtle so the effects are something even non lovers of glitter would enjoy.

What inspires you?
Movies, old photographs, books, the zoo, my cat, holidays, my back yard. You name it and I’ll pick up some inspiration somewhere.

For example part of the inspiration for my new range of trees comes from just sitting in my lounge and looking out on my back yard. I have an entire hill of trees behind me and all of them change with the seasons, I love the look of trees when all their leaves are blown away (in Wellington leaves don’t fall off the trees, they just disappear overnight after a furious southerly has passed by) but in spring when the leaves start popping back up, it’s just exciting to see them again.

Five words that describe your mind: Cluttered, random, excited, Umami, sleepy.

Is there a philosophy behind your work?
Affordable is one part of it. But also I just make things that I like, that I would love to wear, so I believe in everything I sell.

Describe your workspace:
I have two workspaces: where I do all my designing and writing is at my computer, which is right next to a window seat in my dining room. I can spread out my drawing and notes all along the window seat while I work, so that’s great for a messy person like me.

When it comes to making I also like to have a lot of space around me so I set up camp in my lounge. I often like to watch movies or listen to music while I make things, plus it gets full sun all day so it’s a great room to live in.

What are you currently listening to? Madonna and Massive Attack – I want you.

Assuming time, materials and cost are no object and you were given the opportunity to make anything you wanted, what would you make?
Shoes. It might sound a little crazy but I just love watching all the amazing and crazy shoes that come down the catwalks, especially in Paris and it seems to me that these days the one area of fashion where there are no limits and no boundaries is shoe making.

Your hero/heroine:
Doctor Who – ideally the David Tennant Doctor Who. If not him then it has to be Hans Solo for the win.

If you were a crayon, what colour would you be?
I think I might not even be a crayon, but more likely to be one of those smudgy pastels that kind of makes a mess but looks fabulous while doing so.

Your favourite childhood book?
It’s a toss up between The House at Pooh Corner and Mary Plain (which is about a bear called Mary who lives in Berne).

What are you reading now? The latest issue of Vanity Fair.

A favourite quote: “I didn’t fail the test, I just found 100 ways to do it wrong” – Benjamin Franklin
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Check out more of Sue’s designs in her Felt shop, Supervery, and head along to Craft2.0 on Saturday 24 October at TheNewDowse in Lower Hutt.

The very first Crafternoon-Tea is happening tomorrow, Saturday 17 October, from 10am till 2pm at the Trinity Methodist Church Hall, 400 New North Road, Kingsland.

There will be more than 30 stalls full of quality handcrafted products – what better place to start your Christmas shopping? And heaps of lovely Felt sellers will be there too, including Cat Taylor, DKNZ, Riverbed, Songbird Designs, Leila Loves Handmade, Patrooshka, Cotton Kiwi and more.

The Island Bay Craft Village is on again this weekend in Wellington. Head along to the Presbyterian Church at 88 The Parade from 10am till 4pm on Saturday 17 October to check out the gorgeous range of bags, jewellery, chocolate, cupcakes, clothes, photos, toys, brooches, scarfs, pottery, ceramics and more.

Among the many talented stallholders this time around are Taprobane, Poppetto, Kate Burgess Toys and BooCraft. Got a stall at Island Bay this Saturday? Add a comment below with a link to your Felt shop…

If you can’t make it this weekend, don’t despair – the Island Bay Craft Village happens on the second Saturday of every month!

What: Island Bay Craft Village
When: 10am till 4pm, Saturday 17 October (and the second Saturday of every month)
Where: Presbyterian Church, 88 The Parade, Island Bay, Wellington

Saturday 24 October is International Day of Climate Action, as part of the 350.org campaign, so all over the country Kiwis will be taking action for a safe climate future. Here in Christchurch, it’s all happening in Victoria Square, kicking off with Frocks on Bikes. The Garden City’s freshest Frockers and their faithful steeds will rendezvous at 2pm for a leisurely promenade along the river.

Also in Victoria Square, the Great 350 Seedling Giveaway: the fabulous Jo is growing and potting up 350 vege seedlings to bring along and give away from 2pm till 5pm. Pick up a seedling from Jo and get your vegetable garden started!

Not got a frock? There’s still time to pick one out – there are some very talented dressmakers selling their wares (both new and upcycled from vintage fabrics) on Felt, including Miss Jackson, Blons and Leah_mh. Alternatively, op shops are a great place to find glamorous vintage numbers or funky fabric to make your own!

Of course, no outfit is complete without accessories, so check out the gorgeous obi-style belts and kimono silk scarves of tutus2, pretty charm necklaces by carnival and elegant but practical wristlet wallets by bellathreads.

I’ll be there on Saturday 24 October in my best frock and if you’re in Christchurch I hope to see you there too. It’s going to be a great day!

Taking part in climate action on 24 October? Share it below…

Once again Pataka Museum of Arts and Culture is celebrating craft and creativity with a handmade market this Saturday 10 October, from 10am till 3pm. If you’re looking for unique gifts, inspired creativity and some fantastic shopping ideas head along to Pataka, corner of Norrie and Parumoana Streets in Porirua, and check it out!

While you’re there, stop by and say hello to the very talented Megan, otherwise known as Blons, who recycles classic vintage materials into seriously gorgeous dresses – just the thing for Frocks on Bikes, coming  up on 24 October.

And on the subject of recycling, this weekend is also your last chance to check out SecondLife at Pataka, an exhibition of five artist projects creating works of great beauty and imagination from cheap, humble materials.

If you also sell on Felt and have a stall this weekend at Pataka, drop me a line or post a comment below and I’ll add a link to your shop here.

Edited to add:
Look out for Amy of Bad Animals too – she makes the cutest toast! – and the lovely Deb of Boocraft.

The first in a series of writings from the side of the road by Briar.

This summer my daughter, Jacque, and I plan to take to the road with a tent and a list of intentions. One goal is to find people living interesting and creative lifestyles, where their chosen craft or art plays a significant part.

Today, it felt as if we had already left home. Returning from a local festival which had a few good moments and lots of average ones, I suggested we cheer ourselves up by stopping at Cedar Cottage Soaps. I had visited once before, and remembered stocking up from their very reasonable ‘seconds’ basket.

The little shop is a fragrant wonderland. Bars of artisan soap sit appealingly in rows on the wooden shelves. Each bar is hand wrapped in a strip of coloured cloth, and bears appetising and wholesome names such as Peppermint Twist (Jacque’s first choice), Lemon & Almond and Gardener’s Bar. Body creams and butters, candles and bath melts sit among other tantalising products on a central table. I’m not a boutique shopper, and tend to pass such places assuming the stock is out of my budget. Yet, Cedar Cottage products manage to be affordable and luxurious at the same time.

At any rate, our shopping fate is sealed with the friendly welcome offered by Terry and Belinda Clancy. They never seem hurried, and are happy to let curious crafters such as myself peek into their workroom at the back of the shop. If arranged in advance, it is even possible to view soap being made, and blocks of beeswax are sold with recipes to enable someone to make their own products.

And there is more! Proceeds from Cedar Cottage are being used to build and maintain a 1.5 acre bird sanctuary on the property, providing refuge and respite care for old or injured birds. Belinda and Terry have planted native trees and shrubs indigenous to the area, and landscaping features such as the hand dug pond make this corner of Banks Peninsula a welcome green spot for both native and introduced birds. Terry named the long term residents as we walked a well maintained path, names I instantly forgot as I marveled at the care and cleanliness so evident throughout.

We purchased some beautiful soaps, had a wander among the birds, and a chat over coffee about important and interesting ideas. Driving away, we felt heartwarmed and inspired by the generosity and integrity of this small business. Terry and Belinda are careful and skilled soap makers. Yet, more importantly, it is their approach to their work and life that makes Cedar Cottage a place worth visiting again, and again.
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Cedar Cottage is located in Kaituna, approximately 15 minutes from Halswell (at edge of Christchurch) on the main Akaroa Highway. About 9km from the Blue Duck Tea rooms at the Gebbes Valley Pass turnoff, look out for the green SOAP sign on the left.

Belinda can be found at the Riccarton Market, from 9am till 2pm every Sunday at Riccarton Racecourse in Christchurch.