Hot off the Press!

Yikes, where did May go? Thought I'd better squeeze in a post this month before it ticks over to June 1st tomorow. I can't believe we are 1/2 way through the year, but I guess it has been kind of busy lately! I counted up that since February 22nd earthquake, I've had 12 markets... TWELVE! That's busy and wonderful all at the same time. Great for Christchurch that there has been such a creative scene. I've got 5 lined up for the rest of the year and there is another 5 or so to add to that! So if you are in Christchurch there are plenty more opportunities to get your handcrafted shopping fix!


In May the studio was humming as there were 3 markets that I attended, so I am taking a break from markets in June, to catch up on building up stock levels, an exciting commission { accounts / paper work - better put that in, incase my husband reads this } and working on wholesale orders - Yes, you read that right... I'm going to start wholesaling, just small to begin with. I've got a very long list of requests to supply to some wonderful stores, but I'm a one woman band, with 3 young kiddies and I do need to sleep ( contrary to popular belief that I don't need and sleep!).


So anyway - exciting news this week. Yesterday I was in the Christchurch Mail newspaper on page 4! The lovely Cate Broughton came over last week to interview me about my Emerge range, kind of like an update after my article in Zest Magazine ( 27 July 2011). It's been 10 months and I can't believe how much work I have packed into those months. Imagine what I could get done it this was Full time...!

I've also been contacted by TVNZ Breakfast show on TV1, and I'll be filmed next week (all going to plan) to be part of the reporters round up by Lacie Wilson. Pretty exciting to say the least.


I've also had fun making a new range of earrings and necklaces that I've called "Lovebirds" and to celebrate over 1100 likes on Facebook, I'm setting up a wee giveaway. Details will be posted in next few days.


Keep warm x Gill

May's TV Debut & Markets.

I'm nervously counting down the days until my segment airs on Hearts in Crafts on TVNZ7 ( episode 5 ) May 5th, Saturday at 6.30pm.

It's a wonderful 13 part series showcasing some of New Zealand's creative and forward thinking people. 
From the TVNZ7 website:
 "Hearts In Crafts is the first of its kind, a show all about embracing New Zealand's appetite for craft; sharing the stories and meeting the personalities of some of this country's finest crafters. 

While reflecting on traditional crafts, Hearts In Crafts reveals emerging and contemporary crafts, and most importantly profiles the people passionate about craft. From the internationally renowned craft masters whose craft is their life's work; to the exuberant hobbyist who can't get enough; to the environmental saviours turning trash to treasure and the meeting places where likeminded crafters gather to share and learn. Crafting knows no bounds as viewers will discover over the course of our 13 part series."

Coming up in just 6 days is my first Market in May. It's the fun filled Sumner Rocks Village Street Party!

When: Sunday 6th May, 11.00 am 4.00 pm
Where: Wakefield /Marriner/ Nayland street precinct, Sumner Village ( Streets closed off, entertainment galore!)

Then the new monthly shopping evening, complete with bubbles and nibbles - all for a Gold coin donation!

Shop Me Pretty

When: Friday 18th May, 6.30 - 9.00pm
Where: Ohoka Hall, Mill Road, Ohoka

And to finish off this busy month is the wonderful...

'Winter' Encraftment Market

When: Saturday 26 May, 10am - 3pm
Where: Jack Mann Auditorium, Canterbury University, Christchurch

So all in all, May is shaping up to be pretty busy, well the lead up is already busy with the studio overflowing with drying pieces, bisqued and glazed designs. My kilns are cranking 24/7 as I build up stock!

All this info is up on my website plus more! ... Markets & Fairs

See you at the Markets... or on TV. Please visit my FACEBOOK page for some feedback. x Gill

The TV shoot! {Hearts in Crafts TV series}

Crew setting up  - Makoto telling cicadas to be quiet!

 On Friday 17th February 2012 at 1pm, Bronwyn, Tim & Makoto (all working for Whitebait TV) arrived at my studio for an afternoon of filming in the new Mudbird Studio. I was fortunate to be chosen to appear in the 13 part TV series called 'Hearts in Crafts' which will be showing on TV 7 in April (TBC). My segment is part of the series called 'Planet Saving Craft' and the intention for the afternoon was to have a chat about my Emerge range which is made from liquefaction silt from the Christchurch earthquakes in 2010-2011.

Tim filming

After Makoto on sound got the cicadas to quieten down in the silver birch tree above my studio, we got on with the interview with TV-Tim behind camera.

Bronwyn checking frame before we started.

Myself and Bronwyn.

 Now normally I'm behind the lens, so when faced with a TV camera trained on me... I froze. More than once and there were plenty of takes, lots of 'sorrys, pulled faces & a few laughs'. My mind went blank more than a few times - darn nerves! But with the relaxed and friendly Bronwyn interviewing me we got there in the end. She promised she'd make me look good! ;-)

Chatting to Bronwyn

Interview time

After the interview we moved inside the studio to move right through the process of making an Emerge bird. We started work on the wet bench, wedging clay, mixing in silt, rolling, cutting, stamping. Then smoothing off and into the kiln (Luckily I had some I had prepared earlier!) Then some glaze work on the other work bench and to top it all off, some creative shots of my Emerge range and other product in my studio.

View through the plants - wedging clay

It was quite a lot of fun after I got past my nervous state. It was a beautiful warm sunny day and I couldn't have asked for better weather. 

My son being camera-man after it all wrapped up.

The studio was light & airy and I felt so fortunate to have such a amazing work space. I've decorated it with many inspirational pieces - my love of old things has certainly had a huge influence, and I like to display some of the old objects I use to make my designs. It's a place I want to be, a place I want to work - which is a good thing.

My husband kindly took the photos of the shoot during the afternoon.

 And I took these ones below before the shoot to give you all a better picture of my space and surroundings. The studio is 10sq m , and we have 1/4 acre section with 100's of native plants and different fruit trees. Our house is a tiny 80sq m so it's heaven being able to work in my studio space uninterrupted. 

Inside looking into our yard.

The business end & creative space for hand-glazing and making jewellery etc.

Wet bench, working with wet clay etc.

View inside

View inside

Garden Space.

Mudbird Studio  - work in progress.

See you next time, Gill