Nut and Bee

www.nutandbee.com

We caught up with Annette of Nut and Bee last week to find out all about her very cool online shop that’s been making waves internationally for a wee while now.

Nut and Bee sells things with Annette’s sweet, whimsical (and sometimes laugh-out-loud) illustrations on them; including t-shirts, stickers, bookplates, stationery, button badges, magnets and art prints.

Annette is amazingly prolific. She produces three new illustrations a week, and people can vote on the ones they’d like to see on a product. The unicorn gets my vote :)

How did the idea of Nut and Bee come about?
A couple of years ago I was at university, and doodling on my lecture notes every day. When I drew something I really liked I would post it online, and other people seemed to enjoy my little creatures too. I already had a website to sell my crochet toys, which I enjoyed running, so I decided to do something with the drawings as well. I’ve been very keen on cute Japanese stationery and stickers for many years, so a range of paper goods was the natural choice!

When did you set up Nut and Bee online?
Nut and Bee (in its current form) opened for business on December 24th 2005 with three lettersets, one bookplate set and one sticker set. Of course Christmas Eve wasn’t the ideal time, but I had everything ready to go and couldn’t wait any longer!

What do you enjoy most about running Nut and Bee?
It’s really satisfying to create things, and then get awesome feedback about them - it makes my day when someone takes the time to email me about how much they enjoyed their order. I’m also really pleased and proud with how the business is growing. I’ve gone from five products to over 150, I put new drawings online three days a week, and Nut and Bee is well on its way to supporting me.

Are you involved much in the Crafting community in Auckland / NZ ?
I have some crafting friends, and I vend regularly at the Craftwerk and Artisan Craft markets, but not beyond that. I’m really busy at the moment because I still have a day job and I’m doing some postgrad study as well, so I can’t get involved with the community as much as I would like to.

Any little interesting stories you would like to share?
I have a field in my checkout that asks my customers what their favourite animal is. I get some very cute answers in there - lots of people are really specific, like “cats that are small and white”, but others say things that aren’t actually animals, like “ghosts” or types of fruit! That’s OK though, I don’t mind if your favourite animal is the banana :)

Thanks Annette!

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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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The Stitcher’s Closet

1335 Leigh Road, Matakana
Tel. 09-422 7316
www.stitcherscloset.co.nz

Just by the Matakana roundabout before the hill to Leigh is a cute white cottage that houses a tea house with a roaring fire and good looking lamingtons; and a lovely little shop. The lovely little shop contains everything one would need for quilting, needlework and patchwork.

Sheryl opened The Stitcher’s Closet earlier this year, fulfilling a lifelong dream of having her own stitching shop. Inside is a myriad of embroidery threads and accessories. Through into the next room you’ll find a beautiful array of quilting fabrics, including a good selection of Amy Butler, Kaffe Fassett and Freshcut.

Beading and quilt-making classes are held at the shop. Class attendees are very lucky indeed as they get to sample yummy things from the tea house next door.

I know this is a great asset for locals - but also for all crafty girls and boys who go on holiday in this area and need something to keep them occupied while they laze about the beach or bach; or of course if you forget to bring an all-important thread or what-have-you on holiday… et voila! You’ll find it here.

You can also book the classes and buy everything that’s in the shop online.

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Alterknitives

Herne Bay, Auckland
Tel. 09-376 0337
Open Thursdays 10:00am till 4:00pm, and also by appointment
(excluding January)

Alterknitives is a yarn oasis in an area of Auckland where the streets are lined with grand old villas and friendly pussy cats stop to say hello.

For those of you who know and love the wool area at Liberty, you’ll step in here, smile to yourself, breathe a sigh of relief and feel instantly at home.

The neatly arranged shelves stock a wide array of Debbie Bliss, Louisa Harding and the complete range of Rowan yarns. You’ll find cottons, silks, linens, alpaca, fine wools and cashmere.

Cait stocks an excellent range of books for beginners and for the more seasoned knitter. Also available is a very good selection of patterns and knitting-needles.

It’s all too easy to spend an hour here if you’re anything like us.

So do allow yourself plenty of browsing time!

Cait also offers a postal service - just phone and she’ll be more than happy to help.

We think Alterknitives is definitely one of NZ’s loveliest shops. There’s nothing quite like meandering up an old stone pathway to a rose-covered garden studio to go and look at the most gorgeous yarns now is there?

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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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Camper shoes

240 Broadway, Newmarket, Auckland
tel. (09) 522 9374
campershoes.co.nz

Happy at last. Camper has arrived in New Zealand. We need never leave again. Now if only Muji would open up a shop or two…

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Salvage

537 Mt Eden Road, Auckland
Tel. 09-630 4054

Salvage is a vintage fabric and trimmings shop which opened its doors at the end of 2005. It is fast becoming known as the place to go in Auckland for a great range of high quality vintage fabrics and accessories for crafty girls and boys.

The stock comes in from a variety of avenues; People bring things into the shop or phone requesting a trip out to collect an estate lot.

Kay recalls one time she visited a home where a room was lined virtually wall-to-wall with fabrics. After two cars-loads full she got everything back to her house for sorting. Finding she had no space left the bath was quickly commandeered and piled high with the new vintage treasures for the shop.

Prices range from a good selection of vintage buttons for 20c each, and you can’t go past the ric-rac at 50 cents a metre.

You can get a couple of metres of really good fabric for well under $30. And there are always treats at the higher end of the scale too.

Salvage is a great asset to Auckland. We’re not sure how we ever managed without it.

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