Tag: jewellery

Designers in bloom at Finders Keepers Spring Summer Markets

Post author By Guest Poster
Post date September 25, 2015
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Spring is finally here, and what better way to celebrate than at The Finders Keepers Spring Summer Markets?

The festival vibes and boutique fun will be returning to Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney over October, November and December, where they will showcase a vast array of independent designers, artists and musicians from all around Australia.

“We have been curating an exciting line-up of the best local designers from each state, some of which are new on the scene and some much loved favourites,” said Sarah Thornton, co-director of Finders Keepers. “Every year our community of emerging designers is growing, and it is a pleasure to be able to celebrate their work with a weekend of festivities, food, music and of course inspiring design.”

Whether it’s a moreish gourmet pizza from The Happy Camper pizza truck, or a decadent made-to-order dessert from St. Gerry, Melbournians won’t have to look hard to find a good time this October long weekend. Hosted at the Royal Exhibition Building, dog owners will find doggy beds worth showing off at Nice Digs, and jewellery lovers can expect handcrafted wooden beauties at Woodfolk.

This is merely the tip of the iceberg, with over 250 stalls offering everything from cutting edge fashion and artisan ceramics to organic coffee. Only $2 entry and free for kids under 12, there will be something for everyone at the Finders Keepers Spring Summer Market.

Brisbane will get a taste at the Old Museum from Saturday 7 to Sunday 8 of November, and Sydney will have to wait for the Australian Technology Park to host it Friday 11 to Sunday 13 December.

To view the full line-up of amazing designers, artists, musicians and food trucks that will be at the Melbourne markets keep be sure to check out the Finders Keepers blog.

Designers Homewares Interviews

Beautiful homewares that support their African artisans

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date August 18, 2015
1 Comment on Beautiful homewares that support their African artisans

Living on opposite sides of the globe (one in Kenya’s Masai Mara game reserve and the other on an outback station in Western Australia), sisters and stay at home mums, Kate Boston and Rachael Steadman, decided it was time to get back into business. Both feeling the need to engage their brains, on a rare night together in Australia (over a bottle of wine or two!) they came up with their concept: Tinkered by.

A social impact brand, Tinkered by source handmade jewellery, homewares, toys and beautiful hand-woven woollen rugs from artisans in East Africa. Working in partnership with the makers — who share their dream of creating meaningful opportunity in vulnerable communities — they are developing each artisans’ business through connecting them to the global market. “Tinkered by is using business for good,” explains Kate. “We are not aid or hand-outs. We are building sustainable businesses and creating the opportunity for positive market place transactions between our artisans and the world. No guilt, no hiding, no pity, just unbelievably well crafted, unique and gorgeous handmade products.”

[contextly_sidebar id=”zSHMPZg0QIOKYMH09PtXVnXZ0xOE4KLz”]Engaging 18 businesses and approximately 90 individuals, all the artisans use traditional skills and whatever materials are on hand. “Each artisan group specialises in a particular medium and traditional skill. For example casting with recycled metals and shaping cow horns and bones for jewellery and homewares; using recycled glass, ostrich egg shells and tyre tubes to create beads for jewellery making; spinning raw wool and hand weaving on the loom for our rugs; and the list goes on!”

Starting in late 2013, Tinkered by have already been able to shine the light on their artisans and give their wares a global audience. However, for the sisters, what’s been even more important is being able to clear up some very common misconceptions about poverty. “Living in Kenya revealed a very different take on the idea of poverty for me,” says Kate. “I had a set of preconceived ideas about what poverty ‘looked like,’ that people’s lives were wrought with devastation, sadness and suffering. That they were helpless souls. But I had it all upside down! Our artisans’ stories are about strong, smart, hard-working entrepreneurial people who are waking up each morning and working hard to make their families’ lives a little better. These are seriously proud people and they have every right to be.”

For more information.

Tags african artisans, art, artisans, design, east africa, east african, homewares, interiors, jewellery, Kate Boston, kenya, Rachael Steadman, rugs, tinkered by, woollen rugs, woven rugs

Art Homewares Interviews

Maisie Callcott on starting her own homewares business at 12!

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date July 29, 2015
No Comments on Maisie Callcott on starting her own homewares business at 12!

Trying to think back to what I was doing when I was 12 and I’m left with a big gaping hole. That’s probably because as a tween, I really wasn’t up to all that much. Life consisted of school, ballet, friends and sleep… and that was pretty much it. Ah, to be a kid again!

However, for Maisie Callcott, being 12 was a very different story. Rather, the business-savvy, craft-loving primary schooler began Maypole Design, an online business selling wall hangings, rope-based jewellery and accessories and clay bowls. (When our publisher Jen discovered Maisie’s work on Instagram recently, she had no idea she was so young, and no doubt many of her customers don’t either!)

That was in 2012 and now, the 15-year-old (nearly 16!) Adelaide local has turned her once all-consuming hobby into a very popular and successful business. “I have always been creative so I guess Maypole Design came naturally and that is probably why I find it so fun,” explains Maisie. “Most of my products are one-offs and are all made with the highest quality and lots of love!”

[contextly_sidebar id=”xdp2EfWLdwOtyhTR3Gp869GNKYtTVH5C”]Selling her products through Etsy, her online store and in boutiques all over the world, Maypole Design is all about supplying beautiful and unique handmade pieces that are just a little bit different. Here at Interiors Addict we can’t go past Maisie’s wall hangings, with each weaving taking a massive eight hours to complete! “I really enjoy making my weavings and put as much effort and love as I can into each one, so that my customers receive something unique that is special to them and exactly fits their space. Customers can also choose their colours, size and design, so the piece is special to them.”

While creating the wall hangings is admittedly long, Maisie loves the process for how relaxing weaving can be. She is also a huge fan of the textures and yarns, and how each piece is truly one-of-a-kind. “I love all different textures and try to combine as many as I can into each weaving as it creates a really cool effect. I only use the best quality yarns and rovings when making my weavings and source them from all over the world. At the moment I am obsessed with thick merino wool and include it often. You can do so much with merino and it can change the whole look and feel of the weaving.”

Alongside her wall hangings, Maisie designs and makes necklaces, keyrings, pom-pom planters and clay bowls. However, what I am most impressed by is her eBook for teenagers: How to build an online business while still at school, and if anyone should know how to do it, it’s Maisie! So for any tenacious teens out there, I’d definitely recommend a read.

Shop online.

Tags accessories, art, ceramics, clay bowls, design, fashion, homewares, interiors, jewellery, Maisie Callcott, Maypole Design, rope jewellery, wall hangings, weaving, weavings

Homewares

Online shopping fix: Mahali

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date July 2, 2015
1 Comment on Online shopping fix: Mahali

Mahali, meaning market place or plaza in Swahili, is a newly launched online boutique, honouring artisans from around the world.

Featuring designs from South Africa, New Zealand and Australia (and more soon to be added), it is the brainchild of mother and daughter duo Susie Ellis and Justine Smith. Boasting homewares, linens, ceramics and jewellery, they aim to provide wares you’d find yourself in an exotic market, if only you had the time and the plane ticket!

“Growing up in Southern Africa I was blessed to be surrounded by people creating beautiful things,” explains Susie. “As a young girl, I remember visiting a market on the shores of Lake Nakuru, Kenya and watching local women make sisal bags, baskets and placemats and that memory has stayed with me ever since. My daughter and I saw an opening for exclusive and handmade homewares that are not available in the local market.”

Bound together by a love of travel, stylish living and impeccable design, Susie and Justine hope to provide products that reflect where their customers have been and where they hope to go. “We know people can’t spend their lives travelling the world but Mahali can bring it a little closer,” says Susie. “Our pieces tell a story of another land, of travel and of adventure. We believe in owning unique things that tell a story.”

Shop online.

Tags african homewares, ceramics, design, homewares, interiors, jewellery, Justine Smith, leather, linens, Mahali, Susie Ellis, Swahili

Designers Homewares

Designer jewellery label Mooku launches a homewares collection

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date May 25, 2015
No Comments on Designer jewellery label Mooku launches a homewares collection

Known for their contemporary jewellery, this season, Australian label Mooku have stepped up their offering, with the arrival of a homewares range.

Made from sustainable timber and tactile resin in inky black, white and a swirling Carrera marble look, the collection includes trinket bowls and trays.

The perfect place to set down your watch and keys at the end of each day, or to lay out your daily jewellery and adornments; the homewares can also function in the kitchen for serving food at room temperature.

Created by local and international craftspeople, the homewares start at $24 for a small trinket bowl and up to $42 for a tray in wood or resin.

Shop online.

Tags bowls, design, designer, homewares, interiors, jewellery, Mooku, resin, resin homewares, timber, timber homewares, trays, trinket bowls

Art Designers Homewares

Markit@FedSquare, showcasing the best in Australian design

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date May 7, 2015
No Comments on Markit@FedSquare, showcasing the best in Australian design

Melbourne always has the coolest events and Markit@FedSquare is one event I’m very disappointed I won’t be attending!

Occurring twice a year, Markit@FedSquare showcases the very best in Australian independent design. On Sunday 24 May, from 10am-to-5pm, Federation Square will become a shopping mecca with 100 of Australia’s most talented creatives selling their own ranges of homewares, ceramics, jewellery, clothing, stationery, and limited edition artwork and prints.

All products are handmade by the designers themselves or ethically manufactured in limited runs using sustainable production methods and locally sourced materials. Entry is free.

For more information.

Tags artwork, ceramics, clothing, design, federation square, FedSquare, homewares, interiors, jewellery, market, markit, Markit@FedSquare, melbourne, prints, stationery

Designers Homewares

Dinosaur Designs’ sculptural Flower collection

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date April 28, 2015
No Comments on Dinosaur Designs’ sculptural Flower collection

Sculptural and beautiful, the upcoming solo collection by Louise Olsen, creative director of Dinosaur Designs, sees floral forms reinterpreted and designed as stunning objects for the home and wearable pieces for the body.

Entitled Flower, the homewares collection brings large petal forms together to create a field of flowers, in pieces ranging from servers to flower-like plates. The vases resemble blossoming flowers, long and delicate in shape.

Bold opaques mix with the glowing transparent colours of pastel peach and green, and the warm purple swirl applied to the flower plates evokes the incredible spot-like markings of an orchid.

“This collection is about the sculptural forms of flowers, the unexpected nature of nature,” explains Louise. “It plays on that sense of wonderment that flowers gives us through their form, colour and scent”.

With a palette that mixes resin with the more muted accents of sterling silver and brass, the Flower collection comprises of 11 homewares pieces and 34 new jewellery designs.

Flower will be in Dinosaur Designs’ Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, New York, London and online stores from 4 May. For more information.

Tags brass, design, dinosaur designs, floral, flower, home, homewares, interiors, jewellery, louise olsen, objects, resin, silver, sterling silver

Designers Homewares

The best of Dinosaur Designs’ new range, Blue

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date February 11, 2015
1 Comment on The best of Dinosaur Designs’ new range, Blue

Creating a new showcase colour range, Dinosaur Designs’ Blue explores an incredible range of tonalities and hues.

From early morning skies to warm, dusky, twilight to inky night blues, the colours are mixed by hand to make unexpected shades and swirls.

Accents of brass and gold have been added to complement the palette, and blue agates have been re-introduced as a highlight in both the homewares and jewellery ranges. Each agate is unique, making each piece one-of-a-kind.

The Blue collection is a compilation of classic shapes and pieces from Dinosaur Designs collections such as Ocean, Dream, and Modern Tribal, recast and brought together in a unifying colour palette. Blue is available now.

Shop online.

Tags agate, agate homewares, design, dinosaur designs, dinosaur designs blue, homewares, interiors, jewellery, resin, resin homewares

Art Designers Homewares Interviews

The Finders Keepers founders who made markets seriously cool

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date February 4, 2015
No Comments on The Finders Keepers founders who made markets seriously cool

Struggling to find a suitable market to sell their wares, fashion designer Sarah Thornton and jewellery designer Brooke Johnston, decided to take matters into their own hands. Creating what would become the extremely popular Finders Keepers market, the seven-year-old event now runs bi-annually in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

Sarah&Brooke-finders keepers interiors addict — Sarah and Brooke

“We dreamed up the concept of collaborating with like-minded emerging designers that sold really unique up and coming designs,” explains Sarah. “We then started really small with 20 designers and it all snowballed organically from there. The ‘design market’ was not yet a thing in Australia.”

Having met after Brooke moved to Sydney and started dating Sarah’s cousin (they’re now married!), the girls had an instant connection. Similar creatively, they started Finders Keepers as a hobby, not paying themselves a wage and working in their spare time.

“There was no real business plan or financial plan in place,” says Sarah. “We had no idea what we were doing! As we grew, we needed more time, resources and staff and had to grow up in so many ways. It’s been such a crazy journey but I do believe if we hadn’t started it out of passion alone, I don’t think we would have started it at all. You sometimes need to go into these things blindly and put your whole heart and soul into them!”

Strong supporters of independent design, everything on offer is from a small business owner and mostly handmade or sourced and made in Australia. With their products ranging from fashion, jewellery, homewares, art, lighting, plants, beauty and food products, the girls pride themselves on showcasing not just amazing goods, but having a beautifully curated event.

“While Finders Keepers is primarily a design and art market event that brings together talented designers from all around Australia, you will also find live music, workshops, inspiration, food and beverages and great locally made products to take home. We have a passion for bringing independent design to the forefront and creating a platform for emerging designers, artists and musicians to showcase their work in a supportive and creative atmosphere.”

With upcoming winter events in May (Sydney) and July (Brisbane and Melbourne), the girls don’t plan on slowing down. “We’ve been working on getting Finders Keepers to new states and even looking overseas as a one-day-dream. We just want to continue holding great inspiring events and helping small business owners grow their own little dreams too.”

For more information.

Tags art, beauty products, Brooke Johnston, design, design market, designer, fashion, finders keepers, finders keepers market, food products, homewares, jewellery, lighting, market, plants, Sarah Thornton

Interiors Addict

Gift guide: Jen’s jewellery picks for every taste

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date November 26, 2014
No Comments on Gift guide: Jen’s jewellery picks for every taste

On the basis that most of our readers are female and may be looking for gifts for sisters, mums, daughters and friends this Christmas, I took great pleasure in rounding up four Australian jewellery pieces. I’d be delighted to receive any one of them, just so you know… Whether she’s more boho or loves the trend for fine jewellery, I have you covered!

Clockwise from top left:

1. This faceted necklace from Miss Kelly Made in Tasmania is a ridiculous bargain at just $27 and comes in many other colours.

2. I love Claire Aristides‘ delicate pieces and this one has diamonds so, frankly, what’s not to like? $465.

3. I have several of these bestselling Samantha Wills Bohemian Bardot rings. Because you get addicted to collecting them and she keeps bringing out more and more in different colours. A lovely gift and it comes in a gorgeous carved timber box. $79.

4. Alexandra Redmond’s handmade pieces are colourful and beautiful. I’m not far off my first purchase. This Disco Nights necklace is $119. And it contains by favourite colour combo of navy and fuchsia!

Tags alexandra redmond, boho, bracelet, christmas, claire aristides, cocktail ring, diamonds, fine jewellery, gift guide, gits, gold, jewellery, miss kelly made in tasmania, samantha wills

Homewares

Have You Met Miss Jones’ annual warehouse sale

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date November 25, 2014
1 Comment on Have You Met Miss Jones’ annual warehouse sale

It’s that time of year again, with Have You Met Miss Jones’ annual warehouse sale starting next Wednesday 2 December!

Now in a bigger and better location, the three-day sale will offer more than 50% off hand painted retro pottery, bone china lamps, modern lacquer boxes in pop colours, hanging planters in geo shapes, and lots of gift items. Having visited last year and arrived home with bags full of bargains, I can promise that this is a sale you don’t want to miss!

Also on sale is their jewellery brand Hello, offering multi-stranded beads in summer colours, arm candy bracelets, beaded clutches in boho styles and lots more. Their prop cupboard is getting a clearout too, with bird cages, vintage bottles and other collectables also up for grabs.

The Have You Met Miss Jones’ annual warehouse sale will be held from 3 -to- 5 December, from 9am-to-5pm at 9/80 O’Riordan St Alexandria, Sydney.

Tags bone china, ceramics, design, hanging planters, have you met miss jones, have you met miss jones sale, homewares, interiors, jewellery, pottery, sale, warehouse sale

Furniture Homewares

Stylist and travel blogger Kaspia’s Sydney pop-up store

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date November 20, 2014
No Comments on Stylist and travel blogger Kaspia’s Sydney pop-up store

For three months, local intrepid stylist and travel blogger Kaspia, will be transforming Sydney’s Yellow House into a pop-up shop and gallery.

In collaboration with Afghan Interiors, the pop-up shop, Kaspia’s Caravan, will feature a unique collection of tribal homewares, furniture, rugs and jewellery, all sourced from over two decades on the road!

Kaspia’s popular travel blog documents her adventures across the globe to places like Uzbekistan, Guatemala and Iceland, while simultaneously exploring the world of unusual interiors, tribal styling and adornment.

Particularly interested in Central Asian interiors, which are proving increasingly popular, she hopes to bring a little bit of Asia to Sydney homes. “Back in the late sixties and early seventies, thousands of British and European young people came to Australia via the overland trail through Afghanistan, Pakistan and India,” explains Kaspia. “There is a resurgence of interest in the aesthetic of that time, the romance of it.”

Kaspia’s Caravan opens on Monday 24 November at the Yellow House, 57 Macleay Street, Potts Point. Regular workshops and talks by leading artists and designers will be held throughout the pop-up’s duration.

Tags asian homewares, furniture, homewares, jewellery, kaspia, kaspia's caravan, pop-up store, sydney, tribal homewares, yellow house

Homewares

Faceted handmade clay dishes and wall hooks from Tasmania

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date October 23, 2014
3 Comments on Faceted handmade clay dishes and wall hooks from Tasmania

After featuring her gorgeous homewares on one of the first ever Olivia’s Fab Four and having recently showcased her work on Covet My Coffee Table, it seemed only fair that Patricia Kelly of Misskelly Made in Tasmania got a post all to herself!

The maker of edgy but simple jewellery designs and interior wares, she creates all her products by hand, predominantly from polymer clay. Embracing colour, but also appreciating basic white, black and nude tones, it’s her faceted dishes that we are particularly obsessed with. Having taken off in the last six months, each dish is handmade from scratch from the colour mixing to the moulding (no moulds are used) and finally to the cutting (for the faceted features). Perfect for display or storage, each dish measures about 8cm in diameter and stands at around 3cm tall. Coming in a range of colours too long to list, they are $24.95 each.

Another of her products worthy of mention are the faceted wall hooks, which are ideal for displaying jewellery. Coming as either screws or clear plastic hooks (so they can be removed from your walls without damage) they’re available in sets of three for $35.

Having now run Misskelly Made in Tasmania for a year and a half, it was being a stay-at-home mum to young children that gave Patricia the spare time to map out her future career and revisit her creative ambitions. Since then, she has never looked back.

Visit her website.

Tags clay homewares, clay jewellery, design, homewares, interiors, jewellery, misskelly made in tasmania, Patricia Kelly, polymer clay

Homewares

Mediterranean inspired ceramic homewares for your Aussie home

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date September 4, 2014

Inspired by her recent trip to Turkey, Geneine Honey of LoveHate has created a Spring/Summer collection reminiscent of the azure waters of the Mediterranean, the pink hues of a European sunset and the brilliant shapes found in foreign architecture.

Bringing these themes to light through the use of raw materials and industrial processes, LoveHate’s latest edit features ceramic homewares, jewellery, leather bags and their first foray into fashion.

However, it is the ceramic homewares that are particularly worthy of note, with this season’s offering featuring entirely new shapes and designs. Made from strong earthenware clay, and finished with high quality glazes, the collection includes new hanging round planters and sitting round planters in various sizes and a collection of gorgeous ceramic bottles – The Polka Dot, Braid and Sea Anemone – in shades of cream matte, fairy floss, charcoal and limited edition gold.

All products are available to purchase online. For more information visit their website here.

Tags ceramic, fashion, Geneine Honey, homewares, jewellery, leather bags, LoveHate

Homewares Kitchens

Online shopping fix: Sourced & Shared

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date August 13, 2014
1 Comment on Online shopping fix: Sourced & Shared

When Megan de Beer left South Africa for Australia, she was determined to bring part of her hometown with her. So with a love of design and six years’ experience as an art director behind her, she decided to create Sourced & Shared. The Sydney-based online boutique sells an eclectic mix of home decor, bags and jewellery, all made in Megan’s native South Africa.

“South Africa is a huge cultural hotspot,” explains Megan. “We have nine official languages and an unusual mix of people sharing the same space. So it’s not surprising that in this wonderful country I gave my heart to design. There are just so many gorgeous, unusual goodies to be found around every street corner.”

Designing a lot of the products herself, as well as showcasing products from other South African designers, Sourced & Shared features a curated collection of homewares for the kitchen, living and bedroom, and personally I can’t go past the cute cheese holder (above)! Aiming to support small businesses, Megan also has taken great care in picking her designers, making sure she sells homewares from a range of South African artisans and makers.

Sourced & Shared ships around the world with free Australian shipping for orders over $75, and free international shipping for orders over $150.

Shop online.

Tags art, candles, dining, homewares, jewellery, kitchen, megan de beer, online shopping fix, sourced & shared, south africa, south african designers

Homewares

Olivia’s Fab Four Insta-Finds 13.08.14

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date August 13, 2014

Olivia’s Fab Four is a weekly post that features my favourite finds on Instagram for the past week. To be in the running, all you have to do is hashtag your product photos #oliviasfabfour and tag them with my handle: @oliviashead.

Here are this week’s beautiful products (clockwise from top left)

1. Heart Stacking Charm, $5, from pony&pressed. @ponyandpressedstudio

2. Round Metal Basket, $49.95, from Rustic Sands. @rusticsands

3. Vintage jugs, now sold, from Roses and Rust. @aprilsloves

4. Succulent Pouch, $15.95, from My Little Empire. @my_little_empire

I’ll be back with more next week! Olivia x

Tags homewares, instagram, instagram competition, jewellery, my little empire, olivias fab four, pony and pressed, Roses and Rust, rustic sands, vintage

Homewares

Dinosaur Designs reduced by up to 80%!

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date August 1, 2014

For many years, my Mum and I have visited this sale and after having come home with bags full of goodies each time, I can confidently say that this is one of the best sales in Sydney!

With up to 80% off homewares and jewellery, the sale I’m talking about is the mammoth annual Dinosaur Designs sale. And for three days next week (Friday 8 to Sunday 10 August) you can get your hands on beautiful resin pieces at a fraction of the original price. So, whether you have a bit of a bangle habit (like Jen) or a penchant for their vases (also like Jen!), you’d be mad to miss it!

Where:

Dinosaur Designs (back entrance)
585 Elizabeth Lane
Strawberry Hills NSW
Ph: 02 9698 3500

When:

Friday 8 August: 8am to 6pm
Saturday 9 August: 10am to 4pm
Sunday 10 August: 10am to 2pm.

The sale will also be online here.