Meet the Seller - Celena Sinclair from Oak Tree Mama

Tell us where the name Oaktree Mama came from?

Oaktreemama is a simple combination of where I live (Oaktree) and what I do (Mum of two) ~ but I like the reference to nature because it makes sense for my love of upcycling.

How did you get into crafting?

I have always made things - sewing and knitting, but when my youngest started school mid 2012 I was able to indulge more seriously.  My inspiration is almost always something my children or I need and I'd much rather recycle, hand-make and/or tailor-make.  I also love Op-shopping and looking for treasure that other people have discarded.  Re-use and recycling are so important for our environment and I love getting back to the skills and attitude for thrift that my grandmothers and greatmothers had.         

 

What do you make?

I make a wide variety of treasures by recycling vintage fabrics, fabric samples and fabrics from stashes long forgotten about.  At the moment I am making mens ties into fabulous bead necklaces, turning fabric samples into Newsboy style hats and upcycling vintage fabrics into purses, wallets, jewellery and coffee cosies.  I also make Beach Treasure Bags (fabulous for shell collectors big and small) and little bags containing the games we enjoyed as children - knucklebones, marbles and elastic skipping.

Who or what has been the most influential in your craft?

My two Grandmothers are enormous huge inspiration - both were enormously talented creative women - floristry, gardening, wool crafts and just about every craft fad in the 1960s and 70s.

 

What handmade possession do you most treasure?

I am surrounded by the most beautiful artwork done by my children every day - my daughter draws pictures almost daily and our doors and fridge are always covered!

What inspires you?

I just love the homewares and furniture from the 1950s and 1960s, especially Scandinavian design.  We furnished our first home with light oak and beech furniture because it was cheap and now people covet it when they visit!  I also love the thrill of the second-hand hunt and digging in junk shops.  I would much rather relove something than have more go into landfill unnecessarily.  Being environmentally responsible is more and more important.      

Where do you find your online inspiration?

For a belly laugh when things go wrong Craftfail

Stella's blog

Max's blog

Pinterest

Upcycling websites - there are heaps!

What is your favourite book?

My latest - over summer I read two by Jojo Moyes and they were both fabulous and hard to put down - Me Before You and The Girl You Left Behind. 

And your favourite food?

I'd probably say a good roast chicken and all the trimmings - yum!   

What music is on ‘high rotate’ on your stereo or ipod at the moment?

I'm going through a David Bowie revival at the moment - classic!

 

Apart from making and creating – what fills up the rest of your life?

 I am a stay at home Mum, keeping the family ticking along.  I also facilitate adult education programmes and am working for the North Shore's Playcentre organisation with early childhood education.

  

When you are not at the Devonport Craft Market where can people find your work?

My Felt Store or Facebook

Meet the seller: Emma from Mademoiselle M

Meet Emma from Mademoiselle M -
 new to our market but already making an impression!   

Where did you get your brand name from?

Being French I wanted to have a nice connotation about France in my brand name.

For the letter “M”, this one comes from my nick name “Manou”.

I am really sentimental about this nickname as only my family or close friends are using it.

When and how did you begin creating?

I started making necklaces when I was in France, 5 years ago now. 

One day, I was doing some shopping at the department store “Galeries Lafayette” in Paris and I saw a lot of necklaces made by a woman. She was making these beautiful handmade necklaces and it became clear in my mind that I wanted to do the same.

At the beginning, I started to create jewellery for myself and then, as I was enjoying it a lot, I started to make some for my friends and family too.

When I moved to New Zealand, I decided that it was the right time and place to share my creations so here I am with Mademoiselle M.

What do you make?

I make necklaces, bracelets, rings and earrings.

To create my jewelleries, I can use paint, handmade and hand colored resin, semi- precious stones or vintage metals pieces. It really depends on my inspirations at the time of the creation.

Where do you get your inspiration?

I would say my family:

-My mother and father because they always dress so nicely ;-)

-My sisters because we are always sharing ideas and doing craft together

  

What also inspires me is actually having a look at what the homes designers are doing in New Zealand or in France. I always buy some design magazines or go in design shops to find some ideas of colours or textures. I find that most of the time the trend for Home Design is not so far from the jewellery trend.

Tell us what your favourite book and food are

My favorite book is: “Hunting and Gathering” from Anna Gavalda. This book is just amazing and I think I’ve already read it 4 times. I truly recommend it.

My favourite food would have to be my mum’s Beef Bourguignon ;-)

When you are not creating what do you like to do?

I love doing a lot of different things with my Fiancé and friends like going away for the weekend, having nice dinner at home or in a restaurant.

I also do a lot of yoga, it helps me to de-stress from work or from any type of stress in my life.

What music do you have on high-rotate?

I think it will be the one from Rihanna, Stay. Each time I hear this song I can’t help myself I need to sing, and believe me, this is just terrible for the people around!!

Aside from the Devonport Craft Market, where can people find your lovely jewellery?

People can find my stock:

On my own website: www.mademoisellem.co.nz

On Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/mademoisellemjewellery

Or on Felt at: http://felt.co.nz/shop/mademoiselle

Mademoiselle M has a wonderful promotion to offer readers of this interview - see below: 

Be in to win this bracelet or this ring from Mademoiselle M.

To participate you have 2 options:

Like my Facebook page and share this promotion on your wall.

Or

Come to Mademoiselle M stall on April 7th at the Devonport Craft Market and let us take a picture of you with the bracelet or the ring to share on our Facebook page.

Either way you will go in the draw to win this lovely bracelet or this amazing ring ;-)

Please note the draw will take place on Monday 15th April, 2013 and posted on Mademoiselle M Facebook page the same day.

Meet the Seller - Emma from Sweet Event Stationery

Meet Emma from Sweet Event Stationery

Emma is the creator of beautiful stationery for any and all events. Affordable and beautiful you will be guaranteed to have something special for your party, wedding, hen night or pretty much any event. Check out our interview with Emma below.

When did you begin making and what was your inspiration?

Last October I was planning a joint party for my two boys and was frustrated the partyware I could find at the time. I wanted to go all out with a theme so make their party really personal to them, and decided to have a go at designing it myself. It wasn't such a far leap to make, as I have been working as a graphic artist for the last 18 years - more of a natural progression. I enjoyed the experience so much, and got so many compliments on what I had done that I thought I'd try doing the same for other mums :)

My inspiration for craft markets goes back to days spent in London trawling Spitalfields and Camden markets. I used to spend my weekends inventing new card designs and dreaming of one day selling them. It's something I've always wanted to do, so I've come full circle.

What do you make?

Event stationery for every occasion, be it partyware, cupcake toppers, banners, invitations, thanks you notes, birthday cards, wedding invitations. I'm a stationery addict and love trying out new ideas. I'm always expanding my range and trying new ideas, recently my father's day bottle labels and chocolate wrappers have proved a big hit. I'm also developing a range of Sweet Es gifts, so check out the new items on my table at the next market :)      

Who has been the most influential in your craft?

My friends and family and mainly my soon to be 4 year old - he road tests every new idea and let's me know if it's a winner ;)

What inspires you?

Beautiful typography and the colour red. Being involved with people's special occasions is inspiring and so rewarding when a collaboration or idea for  a theme takes shape and becomes a reality.

What do you like to chow down on?

Curry, chicken tikka massala and garlic nan - get's me every time :)

Where do you find your online inspiration? Favourite Blogs/ websites?

There are so many party websites I turn to for inspiration, but pinterest is usually my first stop :)

When you are not at the Devonport Craft Market - where can people find your work?

Online (www.sweetevents.co.nz), facebook (www.facebook.com/SweetEventStationery) and from pixie party supplies

What handmade possession do you most treasure?

I was recently given a beautiful bracelet by Trena at YGM design, it's incredible. I'm blown away by how many talented people I have met since starting Sweet Es.

Apart from making/creating, what do you do?

I also run a freelance graphic design company (Elk Design) and look after my 2 boys Toby and Thomas. Life is hectic and busy but lots of fun!!         

What music is on 'high rotate' on your stereo or iPod at the moment?

Bruno Mars, I love the soppy lyrics and Adele.

Sweet Event Stationary has a wonderful special offer for all of you readers…

Mention you read Emma's profile and you will receive - 50% off  any pack of cupcake toppers (usually $10) - Awesome!!

Thank you so much Emma!

Meet the Seller - Erin from Creatures of Chaos

Meet Erin Knock and her Creatures of Chaos

When did you begin making and what was your inspiration?

I have been making and creating since I was a little girl. My mum said i use to make the strangest little creatures all the time. But it's only the last couple of years that I really got back into it. Creating things has always been part of who I am.

What do you make?

A bit of everything but for "creatures of chaos" I focus mainly on making soft toys. I've also started a new service of turning children's artwork into soft toys. It's a great challenge and lots of fun. What I do is take what your child has drawn and create a soft toy that replicates the child's drawing as closely as possible.         

Who has been the most influential in your craft?

My son, when he was around two, because that's when I got my creativity back. I found myself making costumes for him, fueling his desire to transform into different characters and it's taken off from there.           

What inspires you?

Ha,ha..receiving costume party invites,... that puts me right into a creative frenzy. Travel, art, animals, children's movies, music, Tim Burton, life in general.           

What is your favorite book?

Would have to be the Thursday Next series by Jasper Fforde, pretty much anything by him.

Where do you find your online inspiration? Favourite Blogs/ websites?

Lots of places but my favourite would be "coolhunters", i love that site. I also find myself just googling a topic and surfing the images, I can lose myself for ages doing that.          

Where did your brand name come from?

The name "creatures of chaos" was  the inspiration of my brother-in-law and came about well after i had started making my creatures.

When you are not at the Devonport Craft Market - where can people find your work?

You can find me at my website (www.creaturesofchaos.co.nz), my felt shop (www.felt.co.nz/shop/creatureofchaos) or at my facebook page

(www.facebook.com/creaturesofchaosnz)     

What handmade possession do you most treasure?

I have these Indian shirts i've inherited from my mother's boutique back in the early 70's. Silk, block printed by hand in fantastic colours.

The other handmade possession I love is an appliqué embroidered bird.

I found this treasure on Saba an island in the caribbean, when I was living and working on another island doing a conservation program.

Apart from making/creating, what do you do?

Mother to my beautiful boy  

What music is on 'high rotate' on your stereo or iPod at the moment?

Florence and the Machine, Bat for Lashes, The Hunger Games- various artists.

Special Offer

One lucky customer will receive a monster blob for "FREE" at the September Devonport Craft Market. All you have to do is be the 15 purchasing customer at my "creatures of chaos" stall on that day.

Meet the Seller: Tanya from Heavenly Nature

Where did your brand name come from?

My inspirations came from natural ingredient and the Mother Nature hence the name :)    

When did you begin making and what was your inspiration?

I have always been intrigued by the life style from the old days when everything is hand crafted one by one using the materials from mother nature, sadly such amazing craftsmanship and technique is fading away in the modern days, instead everything is mass produced using the nasty chemical ingredients to drive the cost down but harms both your skin and the environment. It was then I begin to create different recipes of skin care products based on the natural ingredient and ancient recipes, such as essential oils, herbs and flowers to create skin loving recipes for different skin types and I have being doing this for a year.   

What do you make?

Mainly soaps, our handmade soaps are made with natural ingredients, essential oil and perfumes to create mild formula that is great for all skin types for soothing and hydrating rough, dry and sensitive skin, also great for protect our environment form nasty chemicals.

I also make massage bars, which serves double-duty as luxurious massage oil or after shower body moisturizer with a different aroma for different needs, some massage bar with sparkles and glitters they are very subtle and pretty, gives you a vivid glow that lights up pale, wintery skin. Perfect for parties and social gatherings that needs a little something extra. I also make natural lip balms and solid perfume.

Who has been the most influential in your craft?

No one in particular, I guess I am influenced by beautifully crafted cakes and desert.         

What inspires you?

The inspiration of my soap making comes from nature, foods, arts, stories and my life experiences.         

What is your favorite book?

My favourite book is “Bible” and The Secret:)

           

Your favorite food?    

Chocolate, cheesecake and ice cream, they don't  sounds very healthy, but I love it, I also like fruits , my favourite is cherry and Mango. Yummy!        I go to designer or artist website to find inspirations :) 

What handmade possesion do you most treasure?    

A vintage Chinese ivory puzzle ball pendant, it is approx 1.9cm across and it has 3 separate and movable carved balls inside each ball carved from a single piece of ivory. It’s a fascinating incredible piece of artistry and workmanship!      

Apart from making/creating, what do you do?

I am also a freelance graphic designer, occasionally do some designs for my clients, I spend most of the time working on branding for my products.  I also go to belly dance class every Wednesday as well as looking after my husband and my border collies.            

What music is on 'high rotate' on your stereo or iPod at the moment?

I love The Cranberries and Quincy Coleman.

When you are not at the Devonport Craft Market - where can people find your work?     

You can find me on my Facebook page, my new website will be coming soon 

I also go to the other craft markets in Auckand.

Heavenly Nature has offered a wonderful special to go along with this seller profile - see below:

Mention that you have read this profile and you will receive an 80g facial soap for $7 (normally 10) read the description of the soap below and you know you will be making a Beeline for Heavenly Nature on Sunday!

Goat Milk Lavender Facial Soap

A gentle, effective cleansing facial soap specially formulated for all skin types. Enriched with goat milk, shea butter, Honey, lavender essential oil, it is the perfect soothing everyday soap substitute cleanser for use on the face, hands and body. The low lathering and PH balanced formula soothes and softens the skin as it cleanses and helps the skin retain much needed moisture.