Saturday, December 12, 2009

Rolleston Market

Tomorrow I will be back at the Rolleston Christmas Market. Come down for crafts, fresh produce, food and coffee. It is held from 10am till 1pm on the grassy area next to the Rolleston Community Centre. If it's raining, it will be held indoors at the stadium. Click here for directions.


As usual I will be offering a 10% to anyone that brings along any old candles for recycling.

Friday, December 11, 2009

I <3 Felt Showcase

Now that market madness is behind me, I've had time to put together a showcase from Felt. I have no theme, just found things I liked!

















Friday, December 4, 2009

Felt featured seller

I have been lucky enough to be profiled on the featured seller section of felt. In it I talk about what I make, and where I get my inspiration from. I also mention a couch which is part-way through it's second re-covering. It's had quite a life, and anyone who spent any time at my Hereford St flat will probably remember it. It's about to move to it's next, much more grown-up stage of life. I will post before, before and after pictures when I finally finish it. Watch this space!

The Night Market last night was a great success, thanks Lucy for yet again doing a fantastic job of organising it. If you weren't able to come along last night, and still want to do a spot of craft shopping, or maybe would like a piece of art for your wall or a gift, head along to Art Attack, held at Thorrington School from 11am-5pm Saturday and Sunday. My candles and paintings from the recent exhibition will be there, along with many other great paintings and handcrafts, delicious food, music and raffles. It is a fundraiser for two Cashmere High School students.

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Upcoming Markets and Events

I've got a busy few weeks ahead, so I thought it would be a good time to list all the places you can find rose among thorns goodies. Firstly, no matter where you are in the world, you can buy them from felt. If you would like international shipping prices, send me a message and I will let you know the prices for where you live. You can also purchase my mini teardrops from Sanderson China and Pottery in Waikuku.

If you feel like an outing to a market or art and craft exhibition, you have the following to choose from:

29th November: Rolleston Community Market
A great community market featuring local crafts, food and produce. It is held from 10am till 1pm on the grassy area next to the Rolleston Community Centre. If it's raining, it will be held indoors at the stadium. Click here for directions.

3rd December: The Night Market
Hot on the heels of Craft2.0, Felt is proud to present The Night Market, a Christmas shopping event on Thursday 3 December from 6pm till 10pm, for those who like something different. Featuring some of the best and brightest of the Christchurch craft community, The Night Market is a treasure trove of beautiful handmade products, including jewellery, accessories, candles, books and all manner of gorgeous Christmas decorations and gift ideas. Head along after work or make a night of it!

5th-6th December: Art Attack
Art Attack is a new Art and Craft exhibition to be held in the Thorrington School Hall on the 5th & 6th of December 2009 as a fundraiser for two Cashmere High School students. Jasmine is to attend Space Camp at Nasa, USA and Hope to Shanghai, China with Cashmere High School Music Tour.
There will be a large variety of paintings sculptures and crafts for sale. Also featured are the finalists of the Art Attack Students Art Competition. There will be delicious food, music, raffles and much more.
As this is an exhibition I won't be there during the day. If you are interested in participating in this event, contact Maree through the event page, or email me and I will send you the details. It's a great opportunity to sell some of your wares and help raise funds for the girls. While it's on, you could be at home creating more crafts, or outside soaking up the sunshine. It's up to you!

13th December: Rolleston Community Christmas Market
A great community market featuring local crafts, food and produce. It is held from 10am till 1pm on the grassy area next to the Rolleston Community Centre. If it's raining, it will be held indoors at the stadium. Click here for directions.

If you come to either of the Rolleston Markets, or the Night Market, bring along your old candles for me to recycle, and receive a 10% off discount coupon for rose among thorns. If you have any old tealights, please bring them, as I have starting making recycled tealights and need some more.

Sunday, November 22, 2009

The re-Hashed Stash

I know, it's been a couple of weeks since Stash reHash, but it's taken me that long to photograph my new acquisitions. I've even half made a new project already – I'll tell you what it is in another post. You may notice a theme, it wasn't intentional, really, each item was a stand alone purchase!

Deidre did a fanstastic job organising such a great event. I enjoyed perusing the wares and finding treasures to add to my stash, and I'm pretty sure the stall-holders had a great time purging their stashes. I'll definitely be back for the next one, to find yet more things to add to my stash.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Stash re-Hash

This Sunday, the inaugral Christchurch crafty supplies market, Stash re-Hash will be held. It will be at the Scottish Society Hall on the corner of Edgeware and Caledonian Roads in St Albans, Christchurch, from 11am until 2pm. There will be fabric, yarn, haberdashery and other crafty supples up for grabs. I can't wait to see what exciting goodies are to be found. If you are even remotely interested in crafty things, it's an event not to be missed. For more info check out the wonderful blog all about it.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Weekend in Nelson

I had a great weekend in Nelson. I spent some time with my family, and enjoyed the glorious sunshine the region is famous for. I didn't take many pictures during the trip, so thought I take this one of the view from the lawn of my childhood home on Monday morning. On Sunday I went to the Motueka Market, then to the Ngatimoti Festival to see the lovely Justine of redflax

Before I went I picked up my paintings from the framer for my art class exhibition. Here are the photos I promised. The exhibition is now on at Gallery O in the Arts Centre.


Tuesday, October 27, 2009

New Stockist at Waikuku

For the first time, rose among thorns candles are available in a retail store. My mini teardrop candles are now being stocked by Sanderson China and Pottery, at The Mill, 1573 Main North Road, Waikuku. There is a cafe next door, and it's only half an hour north of Christchurch. While you're there, pop in to see the Wee Room Gallery, where my friend Clare exhibits her paintings.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

The Fabulous Harbour Kitchens of Lyttelton

I was privileged enough to be involved in the production of this fabulous book, Harbour Kitchens. It is a joint fundraising project for the two primary schools in Lyttelton. Thanks to all the wonderful people involved, it has become a cookbook to rival anything you might find in the bookstores. Fabulous photography, mouth watering recipes, and designed by the talented Kim Hickford. It is much more than a recipe book, it has been described as a snapshot of Lyttelton, it's people, it's food and what makes it special.

I can't wait to get my copy and try some of the delicious recipes. It would make a fantastic christmas gift, you can buy if from the Lyttelton Farmers Market, selected shops in Lyttelton and through either school.

Monday, October 19, 2009

Exhibition Time

It is time again for the annual exhibition for the art class I attend. It is also that time for the last minute rush/panic that always seems to accompany such events! This year there has been the inclusion of a black and white themed wall, with artists able to paint anything of their choosing onto a 40cm x 40cm canvas. I wanted to do one but unfortunately I didn't have time. This year I am fortunate enough to be able to include my candles in the exhibition, in addition to the two paintings I have done. So I've been replenishing my stocks and planning how it's all going to look.

So if you're in Christchurch between the 27th of October and the 2nd November, pop down to Gallery O in the Arts Centre to see a wide range of paintings, from beginners through to experienced artists. If you haven't seen my candles, or would like to see them again, this is a great chance to have a look at them, and smell the different fragrances.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Rolleston Craft Market this weekend

This Sunday I will be debuting at the Rolleston Craft Market. It will be my first outdoor market, so I have my fingers crossed that the weather improves! It will be on from 10am till 1pm at the Rolleston Community Centre. Find out more on the felt blog here, or click here for a map.

As usual I will be offering a 10% to anyone that brings along any old candles for recycling. I am planning to start production of recycled tealights soon, so used tealights will be very welcome.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Spring and Smart Snappers

Spring has well and truly arrived in Christchurch. I work quite close to the Botanic Gardens, which is a great place for a leisurely stroll in my lunch break. The daffodils are just starting to come out, along with the fragrant daphne by the river. The magnolias are out as well, so I took some photos to use as inspiration in my next painting for my art class's upcoming exhibition.

I also entered my recycled cassette card purse into the smarten your snapper competition. I road tested it with my metro card, the local equivalent, and it did a great job! It's also fantastic for keeping all those extra cards you seem to acquire, like loyalty and membership cards. It makes a great business card holder too!

Sunday, August 23, 2009

We have a winner!

After a successful response to my survey, I held my first prize draw. The winner of three mini-teardrops and a plate is Prue McStay aka Citrus Daisy. Thanks to everyone who participated.

The most popular fragrance was Vanilla, with a clear margin. Second equal were Frangipani and Orange, which puts Orange first on the list as the next fragrance I'll introduce to my mini-teardrops range. Third equal were Chocolate, Christmas Spice and Ylang Ylang. There's christmas sorted!

I have also just got a shiny new facebook fanpage. When I reach 100 fans I get my own url, so encourage your friends to become fans as well.

This week I have also been featured in the Felt newsletter (thanks Lucy!) My mini-teardrop candles are in the winter warmers with a touch of spring section. Stuck for gift ideas for fathers day? Why not get him something handmade, have a look at felt's Fathers Day showcase for some ideas.

Friday, August 7, 2009

Twice the cute

After re-learning the art of crochet, collecting my old stash of yarn from mums, and discovering a large selection of blue yarn within it, I knew exactly what to do. Find a pattern for some cute baby item, expand my repertoire, and make something for my friend Maria who is expecting twin boys. My crochet book only had one baby item in it – this very cute 'who' inspired hat! The stripy design made it perfect for using up my oddments of yarn. I made the light blue one first which was an exercise in what not to do. After I learnt from those mistakes, and produced a much less lumpy looking second one, I unpicked the first one and did it again. It looks a lot better second time around!

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Felt sale now on

For a limited time, selected items have been reduced in my felt store. Some are ends of lines, so get in quick so you don't miss out. Shown above: pair of tapered red and white candles; reduced from $24 to $20, tall ice candle; reduced from $36 to $30, green and white diagonal striped candle; reduced from $12 to $10, large blocked striped candle; reduced from $36 to $30. Offer ends 24 Aug 2009.

Monday, July 27, 2009

Candles, Cake and Tupperware

This Saturday I will be hosting a Tupperware party, and featuring rose among thorns candles as well. It will be an opportunity to learn some new tricks and discover new kitchen gadgets, as well as some old favourites. You'll also be able to see the entire rose among thorns candle range up close and personal. You'll be able to smell all the scents, and see how they look lit up in all their glory. I will also have a prize draw on the day, of three mini-scented teardrops and a candle plate.

I will also have my candle recycling promotion – bring any old candles, and get a 10% discount coupon. This can include: candle stubs, dripped wax, used tealights and any other candle you simply don't want any more, but would like to recycle.

It will be from 2-5 Sat 1 August at my place. For more information email me on rose (at) roseamongthorns.co.nz, or use the contact me option on my profile page.
Feel free to bring a friend.

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

For when inspiration strikes...

On the weekend I popped out to see if I could track down the magazine that Emma from freedom creative had featured in a blog post. As a side note she has featured one of my candles in a recent post on her fave felt items. Thanks Emma! I got sidetracked checking out the new shops at Westfield, and was browsing in gorgeous organising mecca kikki-k when I saw these inspired little notes. Just perfect for when you're flicking through a mag, such as frankie, and you see something you just love... or want to buy... or that triggers an idea for a new creation. Indispensable for any creative person!

Monday, June 15, 2009

Craft 2.0 roundup and Knitting in Public

After a mad few weeks, Craft 2.0 finally arrived. It was great to finally give my wares an outing for the world to see. I got a great response, the crochet mix-tape purses were a hit (pun intended!) It's inspiring to be surrounded by so many talented crafters, and a rather delectable looking cupcake display. Thanks to Lucy and Sue for organising another fantastic Craft 2.0.

The candle recycling also went down a treat. I am now the proud owner of a large quantity of boxes of candle ends from the local convent, all ready and waiting to be recycled into lots of new candles. If you have any old candle drips, ends, ugly or broken candles or tealights, trade them for a 10% rose among thorns discount coupon. Trade any used rose among thorns candles for a 20% discount.

On Saturday I joined the hordes at the Dux for the annual Worldwide Knit in Public Day. I re-acquainted myself with the art I learnt a very long time ago, and knitted what looked the beginnings of a very small scarf. Definitely a skill I must use more, I'm sure it won't be hard finding some nice things to make.

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Candle Recycling and Craft 2.0 this Saturday

Only 2 days to go till the big day! I've been busy making lots and candles and getting myself organised.

Come down to Our City O-Tautahi, on the corner of Worcester Boulevard and Oxford Terrace on Saturday to check out all the crafting talent on offer. It runs from 11am till 3pm, with goodie bags for the first 50 through the door. Get there early though, there was a big line last year. It is also totally free to get in, which means more money for you to spend on all the lovely crafts. I will be downstairs in Gallery 1, to the left of the main entrance.

I have a candle recycling promotion, you will receive a 10% rose among thorns discount coupon. Just bring in any old candles, candle ends, used tealights or chunks of wax that have dripped, to be made into new candles. A great way to trade up to some new candles while still being kind to the environment.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

First things

Now that my craft fair debut is less than two weeks away, I thought I might share what I've been up to. Currently my life seems to be revolving around making and testing and making more candles.

I have been making mini-teardrop candles, in various colours and fragrances. After a few false starts in getting the fragrance to actually work when the candle is lit, i think I've got it sorted.

In preparation for Sue's profiles of us crafters on the craft 2.0 blog, I took some photos. Here is one of the ice candle in action.