Brand Expert Nadia Jonker: Craft and DIY

Showing posts with label Craft and DIY. Show all posts

3 "No Sew" Craft Projects with Skinny laMinx

Somewhere along my creative journey I haven't managed to learn how to sew. I can do the odd thing here and there, or add a button when needed. I have a fabric collection and a rather lovely sewing box, but to date no major project has been made. Never mind powering up a sewing machine (I tried once - ended with a bobbin hitting my head). With that thought in mind I have created three super easy and fun "no sew" craft projects with Skinny laMinx's DIY Squares / Fat Quarters (best word combo ever).

It's Making Friday and the ideal day to push aside the norm of desk work, shake off the bore of digital and get your mind engaged in a colourful and creative way! Let's make...

Three Super Easy "NO SEW" Craft Projects:

Square Gift Wrap:

No cutting required - add your gift and fold it, lastly secure with a pretty pin or brooch.

Wrapping on the run!

Gift or Decor Bow:

This is my personal favourite (totally bias). It is so easy - I cut the size with pinking shears (so fancy) and cut a thin piece of fabric and tied it around the centre. You can add a dot of Sew Simple glue from Bostik if you want to secure the pieces in place or add a stitch or two to secure it.

Brooch Hoop:

Embroidery hoops are available from most haberdasheries or hobby shops. This is beyond easy - you just secure the square within the hoop, tighten it and cut off any excess fabric. You can add ribbon through the top to hang it up. Ideal for showcasing your favourite pins or brooches.

With your little scraps from the above - thread them through large coloured paperclips which are lovely as bookmarks or keeping your place in your diary. Works very well in my Filofax. Or perhaps even cut a tag to add to a gift. Once you start cutting, sticking and having fun - you really can come up with so many ideas. Now, just imagine if you can actually sew!

Skinny laMinx is one of my favourite local creative businesses and I admire Heather and her team's work so very much. In fact... I use the business as one of the branding examples at my creative business workshops - the team kindly sent over a range of elements to showcase their inspired look and feel. Additionally, Making Friday (or any creative time) is key to innovation and development within business. It enhances your thought process and allows your mind to break free from the parameters we face daily. I truly suggest freeing up time to MAKE... you might just discover your next best seller or if all else fails you will get to enjoy some time out and who can argue with that!

Making Friday has taken on a range of shapes within the Skinny laMinx brand - from inspiration through to products... just take a look here or here.

Meet Free Monday Giveaway

In 2015 Meet Free Monday carried on (I assure you) and when I got a gap to blog about my day I did (click here, here and here). This year I am trying my best to keep this institution in place, but at the moment I have to also be flexible. If all else fails at least one Monday per month has to continue to be meet free or else! If you are new to this idea - it's a play on words and is based on the concept of keeping one day a week free of meetings and appointments in order to plan, get your mindset right and work through those things that never get done. For me, it's part of my mental health plan as a creative business owner - it means Sunday nights don't feel quite so suffocating and the week starts off in peace.

Today... I have the loveliest giveaway to kick off the week and hopefully to inspire you to plan, get creative and have a well mapped out year and creative business success. Planning is fundamental and digital is useful, but paper holds the promise of creativity and a way to disconnect, if only for a (pretty) second or two. One of my clients that I am currently working with owns a beautiful shop called La Maison which is undergoing a transformation both physically and online. The new look isn't far from being complete. Francie the inspired and wonderful mind behind La Maison is offering one of you this fantastic planner by Kaisercraft. She has a fantastic eye for selecting the best on offer from the various craft brands around the world - you can get in touch with her on email. Her shop is in Durban - visit her Facebook page and see some of the lovely things she sells and makes!

It's a minty green shade called Breeze and is made from PU with a magnetic clasp. It includes the planner which is filled with a selection of dividers, plain pages, calendar / list pages and clear pockets. It isn't dated so you can use it as needed. It's a great size measuring 22cm x 23.3cm x 4.3cm and offers ample space for either modern memory keeping or planning. In fact, I am quite envious of the winner already. I found these pretty images on the Kaisercraft blog showing how you can decorate your planner (accessories / stationery not included). Below are the giveaway entry details - don't miss out!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway Info:

This is a local, South African only giveaway.

Winner will be contacted via email and will be chosen using Rafflecopter. Decision is final.

Sometimes Rafflecopter experiences technical difficulties like all modern technology. If you can’t enter for some reason, try again later and it should work. Only Rafflecopter entries will be accepted.

Above photos are a visual representation and colours / patterns and contents might vary slightly.

Best of luck!

Craft Haul

Hello there and hello to 2016 too! Somehow my holiday is over and I am expected to return to normal life and work. Yikes! I am confused as to how we have to recover from over three hundred days of madness in a mere two weeks. It makes no sense to me - aren't we suppose to have a longer break? Much the same can be said for weekends too.

We were really fortunate to have time away with family and friends in Cape Town. To ease the stress of a long year I decided to invest in some new crafty goodies. You know... I had to and they are total necessities that are required to sustain life (that's my story and I'm sticking to it). I spent a rather long time in Cape Arts and Crafts and In Good Company much to the sighs and side glances from my family. I dream of visiting these places in anticipation of my trips to CT. As fellow stationery enthusiasts you can understand how absolutely fun it is to know you have permission to shop. In addition, I can justify it because I actually ensure I use the items partly for personal use and for gifting and snail mail. No stationery hoarding here!

Now that I have explained why I went crazy in craft shops, I will actually show you what I bought. I could have added heaps more to my baskets, but had to reign it in or else I would be eating beans on toast for the rest of 2016.

Shopping List:

Cape Arts & Crafts:

Simple Stories - SN@P Magnetic Page Markers, Insta Quote Stickers and Insta Squares

Simple Stories - So Fancy Bits and Pieces

My Mind's Eye - Market Street by Jen Allyson Flair Pins

KaiserCraft Hello Today Clear Stamps

In Good Co:

Doughnut Lipbalm / dotcomgiftshop

Washi Tapes

Floral Table Confetti / Ginger Ray

The biggest question I get is... "But what will you do with it?" and I am happy to show you what I have already gotten started on in my Filofax.

Have you bought any lovely new stationery lately and from where - I would love to know?

P.S. In addition to my business related Instagram account (click here) I also have an account dedicated to planning and how I use my Filofax - @nvdmplans (click here). Pop by to share in my crafty journey.

Christmas Country Fair - Demo

After yesterday's sad post I am back with a HAPPY and cheerful post today. Just in time to really get excited for the week that lies ahead. I am honoured to be hosting a demo at this year's Christmas Country Fair at Collisheen Estate next week Thursday 29 October. This annual event is lovingly organised by the Christmas Fair Fund - a group of volunteers who put the entire fair together. It's an NPO so the ladies work their hearts out to make the event a wonderful success and a merry blessing to those less fortunate!

I will be sharing my insight and tips on wrapping and packaging, along with how to create a gifting experience. Giving gifts is one of my absolute passions and wrapping them is possibly one of my absolute favourite things. The demos are being hosted by a range of talented ladies including Patricia Lewis and Joani Mitchell.

Tickets are very limited for the demo and are purchased prior to the event.

To buy your ticket at R350 contact Michelle Blake via email (click here) or on 083 284 9059 / visit their Faceboook.

Your ticket includes entrance to the fair (lots of beautiful things for sale), the demos, a shopping bag, bottle of water, glass of bubbly and a light snack. The morning kicks off around 8:30am on Thursday 29 October at Collisheen Estate.

I was interviewed this morning on Life & Style fm and will check and see if I can share the link with here - should they have a recording. You can also see the feature here.

(Photo taken by Derryn Schmidt for Ideas Magazine.)

A Papery Parcel

Papery and pretty... a rather lovely combo if you ask me. Yvette Mommsen has consulted with me a few times with regards to her online shop - ArtEsense, which stocks a mix of local decor, gifts and accessories. Earlier this year she spent some time preparing a few media / influencer packs to share the story of her brand and business. I was lucky enough to receive one - Yvette created a variety of paper items with her striking branding to share the message of what she does and sells. Included in the papery parcel was a notebook (hooray), a bookmark, voucher, postcard and the sweetest envelope with her business card inside. The package was informative, but also mindful of her budget. Thanks for including me Yvette!

There are several items in the shop that are perfect gifts - especially with the festive season fast approaching. My favourite is the three charm necklace. If you are after a local gift then support ArtEsense - click here to visit the site or follow along on Facebook.

Cape Town - August Trip

Daniel and I headed to Cape Town earlier in August for a bit of fun paired with work. Despite the freezing weather (brrrrrrrr) we had a great time. I was also lucky enough to celebrate my birthday while there and had an awesome day with family and my best friend. On the day we headed to Treat Cafe - a personal favourite (who stock The Velvet Cake Co) and I was so tempted by their cake tasting menu. In the end we settled for lemon meringue which turned out to be incredibly delicious (as expected). In the evening we opted for Tashas in Canal Walk and once again we enjoyed an amazing meal. I was so spoilt by my in-laws and Cape Town friends. It was different to have a birthday away from home, but I feel like I got to celebrate for longer. The exciting part was my gift from Daniel and my friend Claire - which was Filofax Saffiano all the way from London / I'll be sure to post about it. I also got some lovely Typo stationery, flowers and a treat or two from Rifle Paper Co. In my element!

In between the cake eating I did manage some work and loved meeting several Cape Town creatives for consults. It's really inspiring to be able to work in another city and assist far and wide. I hosted the sessions at Brooker and Waller and just look at that scrumptious scone I snacked on.

In Good Company was a must-visit and I always look forward to popping in to spot what's new. I adore all the ban.do and Kate Spade items (Washi book shown above is from there)! Eeeek - I'm in love! It was with great excitement that I visited the Watershed - the space has such an international feel to it - while still being focused on our wonderful local talent. Over and above that there was so much else that we managed to do, which included a trip to The Village Idiot, A private wine tasting and a visit to my favourite shop - Cape Arts and Crafts (Canal Walk). In terms of a holiday - there wasn't much rest, but who can complain when it's filled with so many exciting things. I really suggest checking out all of the above places - if you haven't already. Cape Town is a treasure trove of local coolness! I shared a few other snaps via my Instagram - on my business account and personal.

A Package to Post

*When I'm not working with creative business owners and brands - I like to take a little break and send snail mail. This global revolution has sparked off an industry that has built new businesses, websites and inspired several books (like this one). Earlier this year I wrote an article for Ideas Magazine to share and educate fellow creatives on the art of correspondence.

I'm just about ready to post off this snail mail to a friend. I haven't taken part in much swapping or mailing this year, so it was really nice to take some time out and get creative. I've seen a few ideas on Pinterest using a folder to package up pretty things for your penpal. I had a ready-made folder which I decorated and added the envelopes to. The Pukka tea is for the receiver (I don't want to mention her name so that it will be a surprise) to enjoy while opening / reading the letter I sent. I filled each envelope with an assortment of papery things like stickers, Project Life Cards and a few other flat stationery items. I used mostly MT washi tape bought from Washi Bug. It works so well, sticks consistently and the colours are beautiful.

I added the gold Chinese style knot button which allows the folder to close. The details are a mix of washi tape and I used lots of Amy Tangerine stickers.

I've been loving the tassel trend and they are so easy to make. I found some really cheap wool in a local haberdashery and made a few to add to gifts. The Typo paper bags / envelopes are perfect for wrapping too.

I found this vintage floral print style hanky at Pep (love a random bargain), it was only R4 and I used it to wrap up a bunch of smaller stationery items. The pattern is bright and happy - a lot like Cath Kidston (on a budget). The plain kraft circle tags are from m.studio.

The lovely heart tag is from Millamae - it's the perfect base for decorating.

I hope you enjoyed seeing inside my snail mail envelope before it sails the seas and heads faraway.

Etsy Craft Party 2015 - Photos

I feel as if I can honestly say that this year's Etsy Craft Party has been the best to date! It was a wonderful event and it was all thanks to the incredible people who took part, invested in the night, and sponsored goodies. The party was fueled by getting together, sharing and spreading joy through making, as opposed to a focus on competition between brands. Businesses from far and wide came together in a colourful, yet harmonious mix which meant that the attendees were spoilt! It's an honour to host this annual event and to my knowledge our Durban party is still the only one in South Africa. I don't have enough words to say THANK YOU to the incredible people who made the party possible and showcased how our creative community can collaborate.

Below are lots of photos and that's not even half of them - visit my Facebook page to see even more incredible shots by the talented Eileen of Brightgirl Photography. She out did herself - she captured the night with ease and the result is a vibrant array of shots that are an absolute delight to browse through. The second star of the night was Denise of Freshly Found who hosted the DIY. Her impeccable professionalism, paired with her lovely personal touches allowed crafters to really get creative. The theme set by Etsy was Paper Takes Shape (Kaleidoscope: Paper Taking Shape) and Denise created a craft that each attendee could personalise. The DIY was a paper terrarium or 'Curatorium' as dubbed by Denise. Terry Angelos, artist and all round creative owner of Anthology provided the beautiful venue, which was the perfect setting and backdrop for our festivities. Having the party within Windermere Centre also proved to be a wise choice as they assisted with chairs, ample parking and very helpful car guards. As a bonus Domino's Pizza treated us all to slices of fresh and delicious pizza - straight out the oven as their Windermere branch is upstairs in the centre.

If I could thank each person involved every day for the rest of time... I most certainly would. Of course I had plenty more helping hands including my dear mom Ellen, Nicola from Ask Ashe and Claire (and her mom Moira) who works with me. Without you... it wouldn't have been possible.

The brands and incredible creative businesses that were involved went above and beyond to spoil the attendees. THANK YOU so much - you made the event a true party! The giveaways and goodie bags were amazing thanks to your generosity, which left me in awe and filled my heart with gratitude.