Cherry Blossom

Katherine and Emily have done a great job of promoting my new brooches at Cherry Blossom, which included a feature in their newsletter, my very own section on their website and an absolutely gorgeous display instore!



Any excuse to take a pano..

Paua-rific!

I've been looking forward to popping in to the Paua Shell House for quite some time now, and finally rewarded my patience this week with a little photographic expedition, which was well worth the wait!
The Museum has done a great job reconstructing Fred and Myrtle's house, in particular the lounge, with carpet identical to that which my grandparents had, and little kitschy relics nestled in amongst the hundreds of paua shells. I wasn't entirely sure where to point the camera first, and found myself momentarily stunned with a child like sense of wonder. Love that Kiwiana!







Fred and Myrtle's Paua Shell House is in the Canterbury Museum on Rolleston Ave, and open 9am – 5pm everyday!

My 2cents worth

Each year I like to treat myself to a little something special for Christmas, as you can guarantee that whilst shopping for pressies you'll see something that you fall in love with. For me this year it was this 2cent coin bracelet, made by Christchurch jeweller Andrew Peach. Locally handmade classy kiwiana, it doesn't get any better!

Lake Coleridge

With dropping petrol prices and the increasingly likely chance of fine weather, I'm easily talked into a road trip these days, and Lake Coleridge was the destination this weekend. An enjoyable day out, even though I did end up a tad on the wet side after orienteering in thigh deep water around the shoreline of the lake for a good few kms (high hydro lake levels were to blame for the non-existent beach access), but the planned shots were successfully snapped, and I can now enjoy the scenery once again whilst wearing dry pants!

More new pretty things

These new Japanese photo brooches are off to Cherry Blossom this week. The images are scans of old photographs, which I print onto photographic paper, and sandwich into a little laser cut frame made from recycled wood. I'm hoping for a spare next batch so I can keep one for myself!

Lupins out west

What better thing to do on a balmy Christchurch Sunday afternoon than to head off on a Sunday drive, and after following my nose in a general westerly direction I came across this colourful field full of lupins. I think perhaps another weekend roadie down Lake Tekapo way is in order..

Making pretty things..

It's been a few weeks now since my last post, but I do have an excellent excuse in that I've been busy making pretty things to hopefully bring pleasure to many this festive season. In other words, I've been spending hours sitting on the floor assembling little bits of wood and acrylic, and gluing brooch backs.
I've just filled my first order with new stockist The Vault Design Store, in Chch, Welly and Auckland, and have finished my new range of brooches for Cherry Blossom, which were very well received by the owner Katherine, who isn't putting them out in the shop until she's decided upon and picked out her favourite!



My new Japanese inspired brooch designs (6 in total) available now at Cherry Blossom.. kawaii!



My recommendation to all is to get that Christmas shopping done soon, while the shops are still relatively quiet. Or even better do your shopping online (stopping in first at felt of course) and avoid the chaos all together!
I used to work as a visual merchandiser and have seen first hand what the 'festive' spirit can do to people's demeanor. I think anyone who has spent a Christmas in retail will understand where I'm coming from, and will also be shopping early like me!