Franz Tormers

16 Bedford Row,
Christchurch

www.franztormers.com

Designers sarah, manolis and jo are so cool. Look at their beautifully sweet website. And the ever so lovely things they sell. Now if only we could buy online…

According to them ChCh is the new Berlin.
From their little corner it certainly looks that way.

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Ruby & Sol - curious collectibles

Ruby & Sol has closed down  – however Sherry is starting up again online at ShopVintage.co.nz with beautiful handmade homewares.

62 Williamson Avenue, Grey Lynn, Auckland Tel. 09-378 0357 Open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday

If you were one of the many who discovered Sherry Roberts’ shop Ruby & Sol in Richmond Rd in February this year, you will be thrilled to know that she is back, this time in the front of a lovely villa in Williamson Ave.

People were so enthusiastic about her first foray into the retro retail market, Sherry decided to keep on collecting and has filled two rooms with wonderful bits and pieces.

“Having a shop with such a loose genre allows me the freedom to collect, play and display and sell anything that appeals to me. I’m not stuck in any particular era although I don’t think anything in here has ever worn a bar code. The recycling aspect of this business appeals to me too.”

You will find furniture, lamps, crockery, glassware, clocks, paintings, photography, mirrors, beautiful little girls dresses, toys, linen, jewelry, handbags, shoes, silk sarongs and scarves.

Just because it was practical and useful didn’t mean it wasn’t beautiful.” Case in point: check out Sherry’s amazing collection of retro kitchenware and aprons.

Sherry is also happy to hunt down that special item that you know is out there somewhere and you just don’t have the time to search for it.

This is most definitely one of the loveliest shops we have ever found, anywhere. And it is refreshingly reasonably priced too. Another excellent reason to visit - you will actually be able to afford something.

The problem you will be faced with of course is narrowing your choice of item down to the very one you like the most. Happy shopping!

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Felt

www.felt.co.nz

How did the idea of Felt come about?
I make merino armwarmers which I had been selling on Etsy in America and I found it quite frustrating that there was nothing similar set up locally. So I thought about it for a while, talked about it to anyone who would listen, did some research and eventually decided it would bug me forever if I didn’t do something about it.

When did you set up felt.co.nz?
Felt was launched in June this year, so it’s been up and running for about five months.

What do you enjoy most about running Felt?
At the moment it’s so exciting to see people signing up and new listings
appearing – it’ll be a while before that novelty wears off!

In a more general sense, I love the philosophy of Felt. Buying handmade is about being human and connected to the people around you. Shopping on a site like Felt is a completely different experience to buying mass-produced goods in a soul-less mall. Anything that you buy on Felt has a story, a personality, a philosophy behind it and you can talk to the person who created it.

I’m really enjoying talking to people about their crafts and seeing the passion and creativity and energy that goes into their work. It’s great to be able to support artists, craftspeople and designers by providing them with a tool to promote and sell their work.

Are you involved much in the Crafting community in your area / NZ?
Not so much at the moment, but I plan to get more involved. And I hope that Felt will become a significant resource and networking tool for the crafting community.

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Mrs Jones

Millstream Building, 17 Elizabeth Street, Warkworth
Tel. 09-422 3275
www.mrsjones.co.nz

Tuesday to Friday 10am - 5pm. Saturday 10am - 4pm. Sunday 12pm - 4pm

Mrs Jones is a cornucopia of nice things to look at and buy. We got quite carried away taking photos here and we’ll let them do most of the talking.

This is a quality shop, right (say that in a cockney accent please). There’s a jolly fine collection of Crown Lynn that takes up much of one wall in the back room.

Everywhere you look are highly covetable pieces of art that we, for one, want to buy.

A 1970s New Zealand dining table and chairs. And just look at that photographic print on the wall to the left - can you just imagine that in your living room. Oh my!

The walls are just clad in art - they’ve got a distinctive style in here. And it’s very good.

In the book alcove we spy barkcloth duffel bags. we rub our eyes in disbelief, but it’s true. There they are in broad daylight right next to a picture of a sheep from Onehunga.

Each of the eight sub-rooms has been decorated to set off its contents. One might note the rather reading room -esque wallpaper above.

We liked the vermillion and the cyan walls too. Especially with the hand coloured landscape photographs.

We spent ages and ages in her marvelling at all the lovely eye candy. Maybe you ought to to!

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The Cream of Matakana

30 Matakana Valley Road
Old Dairy Factory, Matakana
Tel. 09-422 7657 / Mob. 021-486 128

Next to the Farmers Market there’s a sign that points down to the old dairy factory, telling us that yonder lie local crafts, jewellery, art and fashion.

We were more than pleasantly surprised when we came in here. Two gorgeous women behind the counter both came out to greet Baby Lovely and admire her hand-made clothes. We had friends in common and lots to talk about.

They’ve been there since easter and are finding their kids area is just taking off.

They’ve got some very cool stock including a rack of hand-knits at very good prices. This one is $20.

There are also some cute little baby-grows, t-shirts for wee ones and adults alike, stylie toys from Europe and yummy local soaps and bathtime treats.

There was a good sampling of art - this lovely painting in the kids area; toys the kids will go ga-ga over; and… hand crocheted blankets - now you simply must have a look at those.

The building is old, wooden and airy; do make sure you look up!

It’s certainly a lovely shop - and a definite to-visit when in Matakana. And if you’re a crafty girl or boy who makes cool stuff, give them a call - they want to hear from you!

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Toggle

www.toggle.co.nz

Toggle was set up by friends Esther and Shelley following the birth of Esther’s third child. She’d stopped working full time and wanted to find an outlet for her felt bags.

When Shelley suggested the idea of having an online shop they both thought it could be a good outlet for other crafters - and so Toggle was born.

They have found themselves creating an “edited highlights” of modern kiwi craft. And in just under a year they most certainly have.

Their website stocks a wide range of craft including kids gear, jewellery, photographic prints, hand-knits, original artworks, aprons, hats, teatowels and celebrity finger puppets.

Based in Auckland Toggle’s founders are discovering and enjoying a great sense of community; Esther tells us how they’ve met most of the local contributors and there’s a great deal of support building up amongst them - they regularly keep an eye out for each other when op-shopping and often buy ‘ingredients’ they know others need for their products.

Toggle is an excellent showcase of Kiwi contemporary craft so do go and have a good old browse. What’s more, if you join their mailing list at the moment you’ll go into a draw to win a pair of cool silver coin earrings. Can’t argue with that.

You can also find them on Etsy.

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