Nature baby

www.naturebaby.co.nz

Our favourite shop for all the kids basics – merino tops, body suits and pyjamas, Nature Baby is one of the best things to ever come out of New Zealand. Thank goodness they’ve got an online shop because we probably couldn’t manage without them when offshore.

Their organic cotton and merino clothes are made to last (by a collective in India) – our daughter has had oodles of wear from everything we’ve ever bought from there. They’ve been handed down and will be handed back for our next one – all with plenty of life left in them yet.

If you can pay a visit their Grey Lynn and Newmarket shops are a delight to visit. There are lots of toys that aren’t on their web site and they’ve got play areas full of fun distractions so you can shop and browse to your heart’s content. Everything in Nature Baby; cotton, babyfood, nappies – it’s all organic by default.

Just released – their new Kid Nature label. Everything we know and love about Nature Baby, now for big kids too!

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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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Little Orchard

www.littleorchard.co.nz

Little Orchard is the creation of Charlotte Franklin - an Auckland based designer, photographer and aromatherapist who’s been living and working in London since 1998. Last year she returned home bringing with her a young family and lots of interesting and wonderful ideas.

Little Orchard stocks Charlotte’s gorgeous range of greeting cards, photographic prints, organic skincare that she makes by hand from scratch, divine organic floral waters, baby-safe aromatherapy, plus bags, pencil cases and baby clothes and accessories - all designed and made by her. Do go and have a look.

How did the idea of Little Orchard come about?
The idea for the products came about in 2000 and I was working on a range called Lottie Lello (which will be launching soon) - that’s when the whole magical product idea came about - the skincare range with gem essences - and that was the beginning of it all.

I’ve been formulating ideas, studying aromatherapy in the UK, piecing it all together - and finally having it all come together this Spring. It’s another new beginning now having it built, and with stock. It’s quite a thrill in fact! But it really is another beginning. There’s a lot of work now to get the shop out there.

When did you set up Little Orchard online?
The third day of Spring this year - it was the 25th of September 2007.

What do you enjoy most about running Little Orchard?
The freedom to create anything I like and have an outlet for it - which is great for me because I like to do so many things - photography, sewing, making aromatherapy products. I love that it’s an online shop - I am quite passionate about online communication so to be able to combine all these things I love doing in one place is marvellous.

I really really love packing the orders. I have nice boxes, japanese tape, little gocco cards that go out with each order. I love that. So more orders please - I want to pack them!

Are you involved much in the Crafting community in Auckland / NZ ?
I am definitely involved a lot with local bloggers. I’ve made contact with the people from Toggle and I’m good friends with Kay from Salvage who knows everyone. I’ve just last week got in touch with the Craftwerk people to find out about being at the next Craftwerk. So I shall be getting involved on a different level now I’ve got my products sorted and something to actually sell.

Any little interesting stories you would like to share?
For me the fact I’ve just stripped out all the table code from the OsCommerce templates and made it all css is pretty exciting.

My certified organic Lavender supplier is currently growing 250 geranium plants which we’re going to distill into geranium floral water for the skincare line - that is super exciting - and will be happening sometime this summer or autumn. Made with beautiful New Zealand mountain spring water - it’s divine.

Thanks Charlotte!

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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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