It looks like great things are happening in Linden folks. First there was Whippet, (after some teething problems they’ve finally hit their stride) and now there’s the lovely Ceramic Factory.
The owner, Rial Visagie, has designed a wide selection of quirky and retro ceramics and it’s the perfect place to shop for presents. Apart from the retail store they’re also a wholesale supplier to lodges, hotels, restaurants, interior designers etc.
Go check it out: 59 4th Avenue, Linden.
I recently spotted these lovely, fresh geometric bowls on the House and Leisure site. They’re by Carla da Cruz a ceramic artist based in Durban, South Africa. Along with making ceramic artworks, she also makes Token, a range of ceramic jewellery, accessories and decor items.
e-mail: tokenceramics@gmail.com
http://tokenceramics.blogspot.com/
You can also follow her on Pinterest.
I went to the lovely Irene Market in Pretoria on Saturday. The market is set between giant trees on the grounds of the Smuts House Museum 40 km north of Jo’burg. It’s a great morning out and the antiques section of the market alone makes it worth the trip.
We had scones and homemade lemonade at the little restaurant and even though the bulk of the market sells the typical flea market wares, there are some great finds in between.
The market is held on the second and last Saturday of every month.
(Oh and it’s dog friendly.)
Partners Norman Meyer and Abrie von Wielligh have nearly 30 years of combined furniture industry skills and international qualifications in joinery, cabinet making and carpentry.
As passionate nature lovers who find inspiration in natural surroundings, the Meyer von Wielligh approach to furniture design favours the gentle lines and intricate textures of nature.
“Nature provides an array of colours, textures and materials that enhance creative design possibilities. We enjoy a design challenge, especially if we can play around with beautiful woods and interesting finishing,” says Abrie. “We believe that integrity and quality are paramount to our business approach, from design and manufacture to delivery and after-sales service.”
Make sure to catch them at the Design Indaba Expo 1 – 3 March.
http://www.meyervonwielligh.co.za/
via Visi
Emma-Jane Harbour from http://www.emmajanenation.com/
Amanda Sevasti http://amandasevasti.com/
Jono Hall http://allyoucaneatforfree.wordpress.com/
Last night saw the launch of House and Leisure‘s annual Food Issue and Trends dinner that took place at The Beach in Braamfontein. It was a beautiful evening with gorgeous food by Lara from the Food Goddess. Thanks for spoiling us House and Leisure.
Bon Journal Notebook by Essie Letterpress R199 buy it HERE
Wolf & Maiden wallet R350 from Africandy
Owls R180 for the pair from Nice Find
Skermunkil Design Studio ceramics R200 each @ Kalkbay Co-op (from next weekend)
Dor&Kie Imbuia faset ring R180 from Hello Pretty
Diana Ferreira Vase R308 from Africandy
Paper Jet Fridge Magnet set R159 from Citymob (5 days left)
Sessi Bee Fox and Polar bear bowls R325 each. Available from Vamp.
12 South African Craft Beers R340 from The League of Beers
Remember to buy from local suppliers this Christmas!
I’ve featured the talented Elise Wessels here before, but since she has a brand new website up and she’s currently having an exhibition at Wolves I thought I’d show some of her fantastic ceramics.
Check out her website http://blackfan.co.za/
Cats by Gillian Greer
I just love all these beautiful handmade tiles by Southern Art Ceramics. Gerrit Oosthuizen heads up the company situated in Hermanus and they’re known for designing and producing beautiful, customizable handmade tiles. I can spend the whole day trawling through their lovely tiles.
Some of the artists they work with include Gillian Greer, Sim Cqushuza, Gerrit Oosthuizen and Hele Oosthuizen.
http://www.handmadetiles.co.za/
Or join their Facebook Page.
Next time you’re in Woodstock check out Wolf & Maiden at the Woodstock Exchange 66 Albert Road.
“We’re an all-encompassing creative studio that designs and manufactures beautiful handmade products, from honest organic materials, that are built to last.
We are on a mission to improve the things and spaces you use every day. We design and manufacture furniture, lighting, home wares, hand-illustrated fabric, clothing, accessories, jewellery and stationery, as well as empower up-and-coming craftspeople, designers and artists. We also do bespoke pieces, interior design and decor and installations.
Our vision is to challenge the ordinary; to enhance and beautify; to reconsider the things we already know and utilize in our daily lives; to invite the ‘extra’ordinary into our environments.”
All images via: http://www.wolfandmaiden.com/Join their Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/WolfandMaiden
Katherine Jollye is an architect who’s always busy making new things. I’ve featured her lovely Christmas cards here before and this time I chatted to her about her cool new range of ceramics.
When did you start venturing into ceramics?
Ceramics is a new endeavour for me, and so far I’m loving every moment of making them. An architect by trade, these are a way for me to express my creativity and focus on some of the details that fill the spaces I create. These are the first in the range, with a few more design that will be ready to go in a few weeks. New pieces will be added regularly, and I’m already planning to extend the range to include other items of tableware.
Where did you get the inspiration for this range?
I have always loved ceramics, especially old dinner services and tea sets. This love comes from my mum and grandmother who passed on the habit of turning things over to see what make they are. It was inevitable that at some stage I would want to make my own. The faceted cups are a current day take on nostalgic shapes that we all grew up with. The textures are influenced by daily objects that I come across. Their familiarity is what endears them to me.
Where can we buy it?
The range is so new that I have not finalised stockists yet. However they are available from me directly, and I can ship to anywhere. Email kate@ka-ad.com to order.
I chatted to Sera Holland the talented graphic and textile designer based in Cape Town who has recently returned from a stint in Ireland. Sera designs and creates bespoke fabrics which she makes into handmade products such as cushion covers, tea towels and napkins. She’s also just launched her new wallpaper range.
Tell us a bit about your background? How did you get into textile design?
I have been a graphic designer for over 10 years working in the design and advertising industries and I always wanted to make something useful as well as pretty, instead of working so hard on things I never really got to enjoy after they were done.
I found a sweet little course which was all about printing onto fabric by hand using different techniques which I really enjoyed. One of the designs I came up with then was my origami birds but back then I was cutting out each bird individually with a scalpel out of acetate (which is really not easy nor fun) and it looked pretty handprinted and messy too. Being the perfectionist that I am, I wanted to do it right and so began my quest and discovery of digital printing onto fabric.
Having the background and expertise in graphics and knowing how to set up artwork made it seem so easy for me to do. When my sister’s wedding came along I designed her and her husband a very special design inspired by their obsession with their 3 dogs. And I learnt to sew so I could give them cushion covers, napkins and 3 doggy bandanas as their actual gift. It was then that I realised what I could do and how much fun I had doing it, it wasn’t just designing the fabrics, but it was making them into something purposeful too that I and everyone else could love.
I love the beautiful bespoke wooden lettering by Tigermouse Design.
“Tigermouse Design was established by Andrew & Marija Van Rensburg, two freelance graphic designers who have a great appreciation for tangible designs. After months of planning and preparation Tigermouse Design was released from its cage in August 2011, with a desire to see unique wooden lettering made available in South Africa and the world.”
The process:
“Tigermouse Design focuses on true craftsmanship with all our words being handcrafted. Each word takes shape on-screen using our preferred selection of typefaces. The final design is printed and transferred by hand to the wood surface, giving a clear line for the trusted Bosch jigsaw to follow along.
The word is meticulously cut out, ensuring no rugged edges. An electric sander is then used to smooth everything out. And after a thorough wipe and possible splash of paint or polish your Tigermouse piece is good to go!”
Monya Eastman from Stokperk will come to your place, measure it out, talk ideas and types of wood and create the perfect piece of furniture for your home. No more buying a clunky piece that’s too big for your space. I like that.
” I used to be a corporate girl, stuck in an office, daydreaming about making beautiful things. Then one day we renovated our home and I finally got my chance. Frustrated by not being able to find the kind of furniture I was looking for in the world of shops, I made a few drawings and got someone to build my ideas from scratch. And that’s how Stokperd began. This is probably where I should also explain what Stokperd means – it’s the Afrikaans word for hobby (or stick horse if you translate directly).
So this is me now, riding off on my stick horse…into the great big unknown.
In addition to creating beautiful things I generally just like to get my hands dirty. I grow stuff; I have a garden full of cherry tomatoes, rocket, fat purple aubergines & loads of vetplantjies. I’m also partial to winter, old things, small towns & the Karoo.”
All images via http://www.stokperd.com/
Maureen Visage, a talented ceramic artist living and working in Cape Town tells us a bit more about her work:
“My work is hand built and therefore each piece is unique and made with love. Love and fun are overriding themes: Love of my surroundings, my city, its people, the sea and land, its animals, flowers and trees and I depict these using vibrant colours and playful themes. My main focus is figurative pieces but I also have fun with vases, plates and tiles.
I currently work in Green Point at the Barbara Jackson Ceramic Studio. Work may be found at Africa Nova, Kalkbay Modern, The Potter shop and Dorp Straat Gallery in Stellenbosch, amongst others.”
Check out Maiden Name’s cute new online shop or catch them at the City Bowl Market tomorrow, 14 Hope Street Cape Town.
“Maiden Name was started with the hope that it will grow into a much loved shop and brand. Every product is hand painted and made with lots of love. Maiden Name pieces are all made to order and because it is handmade it might not be perfect, but each piece is slightly unique. Maiden Name consists of two categories. Somethings for you, where you will find jewellery and accessories and Somethings for your home, where you’ll find decor and items for your home.”
Join their Facebook page here.
