Treehouse Life

Hello all,

A LOT has occurred since my last post....so much that I doubt I can summarize it all easily here.

March was spent enjoying the company of my good friend from Winnipeg in our cozy house by the sea.  At the end of March, we had to leave our home on the coast as it was becoming to awkward to live so far from the city.  We managed to house sit for friends in Auckland over the course of March-April...they being nice enough to allow us to cram all of our stuff into their garage.  I was able to use the old granny flat at the back of the garage for a studio...this flat had been lived in by all of the couples sons over the course of many years.  It was truly a boy cave and I really enjoyed retreating to my cave to work every day.

Isaac continues to work for Meadowlark finishing jewelery.  He is also getting out to the wood shop when he can to continue his training as a furniture maker. 

Once May rolled around we were searching hard for a new place...which proved difficult as what we required and what was available did not match up.  We managed to stumble upon the most incredible 3 floor studio in the bush..and I am very happy to say it has become our new home!  The house was built by a sculptor and 2 journeymen from Germany.  It is incredibly unique and features all the details we love so much.  We are literally still pinching ourselves to come to terms with the beautiful place we now get to live..thank you God!  There is a lot I could say about the house but I would rather let the pictures do the talking...enjoy!

Kitchen

The Studio...2nd Floor.  Divine light! Note that the doors are 13 feet tall!

My new Studio!

Studio looking up to 3rd Floor

The bedroom.

The view out our bedroom window.

The house is only a small drive outside the city center, so we are able to commute in easily and still have access to a natural, more laid back life.  The place is surrounded by native NZ bush...I am still so grateful that I get to hang out with birds and go to sleep amongst the treetops. I also am blessed to have the most incredible studio space!  A far cry from the boy cave I was using before.  After an incredibly hard year of transition it feels as if we have finally come home.  Fingers crossed.

More changes are in the mix.  I have decided to take on a full time day job to help us continue to stabilize financially and to get out of the house for a change!  Ironically, it is at a leather store...a perfect fit and I am just giddy everytime I get to sell leather to someone...I am so weird!  It has been a huge relief for both of us...Isaac can now focus more on building his own creative business and I can step back from Spiro a bit, allowing myself to go back to a place where i can resurrect my creativity and inspiration.  Churning out orders has dampened my heart and I need to be able to play again.  It is a relief to be able to enjoy Spiro rather than depending on it to pay our bills.  I have many ideas...already I have a new shoe design in the tube and am leaning back toward creating one of a kind beautiful pieces.  Stay tuned...more to come.

I was also able to find a part time job teaching soft leather craft via a really cool art studio in Auckland.  I am crazy excited and will begin teaching a few weekend classes over a few months.   Anyone keen in Auckland to learn more about leather craft should come out to play!  I will let you know more about the classes very soon.

We were also fortunate to be featured in the very lovely 'Extra Curricular' Magazine'!  If you haven't checked it out you should give it a read.  The magazine is based around crafty creative people and looks into their creative process and projects.  Thank you so much Ellie for the special feature and blog post!  We appreciate you:)

I have to say that I feel incredibly happy and content.  It is as if our lives have finally come together and life is making sense. 

I'm sorry I have been so bad at corresponding over the last little while.  In a way, life has been so stressful that I have been unable to share and too tired to function.  I feel more alive now then I have in awhile...it still amazes me how life can turn around and present you with a beautiful home and perfect job.  We are truly blessed and I feel ready to find my feet.

Love Barb and Isaac:)

An Update....FINALLY!

Hey all!

SOOO much has been happening and it has been crazy around here.  We had a wonderful extended family Christmas with the Morton clan in Opunake...a tiny surf town in NZ.  This was my first summer Christmas and I actually really enjoyed it though I did miss the context of snow and cold and cozy homes which really is Christmas for me in a lot of ways.  It was really fun to enjoy a Christmas day water fight...and I spent a lot of time getting to know family members I did not know which was great.  New years was also fun with heaps of food and fireworks on our deck...several of which went awol and barreling toward our neighbors homes...luckily nothing was damaged in all the excitement though we did have a good laugh about it!

New Years on our deck.

We received our friends Matt and Karin in from Canada the end of December and  it has been great to catch up and to re-experience NZ through their eyes. Matt was our clever photographer who originally photographed our shoe designs.  His lovely wife Karin is the beautiful blond model in so many of our photos.  They are both very talented people and if you have a moment you should check out Matt's photography collection here.

Karin and Matt fresh off the plane

My parents also arrived here from Canada Feb 6th so I have had an influx of Canadian warmth to keep me going!  It has been really wonderful to see my parents again as it had been a little over a year since I saw them last.  They are enjoying the momentary break from the cold and we are enjoying showing them the sights of NZ as well as spending time together catching up.

Showing mom and dad our beach

Mom finding shells

Beautiful sunset

We decided to have Christmas together here in NZ , so we enjoyed an amazing dinner (courtesy of my mom), gifts (complete with several squirrel themed items which I was VERY happy about) and played vintage Christmas records which were always played over Christmas when I was a  kid.

Christmas in Feb

Presents! 

End of January we helped to move out our good friends Gem and Nathan to their new home in Auckland.  We were sad to see them go but are happy for their new adventures.  Together they create 'Hunter Gatherer' goodies.   If you haven't heard of their crafty wares, you should check out their quirky design and accessory work here.

Hunter Gatherer

Isaac and I have been VERY busy as we are also preparing to sell our wares at the upcoming festival of world music and dance  in Auckland called Jambalaya.  You should definitely check out this festival if you can...when I found it I drooled over the line up as I am a HUGE world music fan.  In essence, Isaac and I really just wanted to attend so we decided to also set up shop as our pieces really fit into the overall feel of the festival.  The festival also features workshops which include Tango, Swing, Beatboxing, Salsa, Hip Hop, Dance Hall, Contemporary, A Capella Singing, Samba drumming, African, Flying Trapeze and many more.  If you have a chance please come round for a dance, a workshop and a bit of a browse as it would be lovely to see you.  Festival information can be viewed here.

Another gorgeous sunset

We also are thrown back into a season of transition as we sadly have to leave our beautiful home on the coast as we can no longer afford it on our own.  This has been hard on us but we always knew this day would come so we are trying to be grateful for our beautiful summer and are searching to find a new place to live in Auckland city for April.  Both of us are excited for the change as it will be lovely to see our friends, have access to art and music and also be closer to Isaac's current work at Meadowlark.  We feel a bit torn to leave the beach as we are pretty tied to nature but as we have literally lived on the coast for a year over a variety of locations, I think I can give it up for the time being.  So...if you know of a 2 bedroom place with a garage in the city for rent...let us know!

Last one

We are back in a tight place financially and have been praying that our needs would be met.  Amazingly within a week of finding out we had to move we were featured like crazy on Etsy and I sold a few pairs of shoes.  We are so grateful to the Etsy community for their support!  Thank you Etsy for being so wonderful!  One piece that I was particularly honored to have my mukluks featured on was a handmade portrait of Mabel Pike...a Tlingit Native elder in Alaska who creates incredible moccasins.  Please take a moment to view her story here.   My parents arrival meant lots of food to eat...they are really so lovely and generous!  I seriously have gained five pounds since their arrival!  Please keep your fingers crossed for us that everything will come together.  I feel a surprising amount of peace about it all as we have really gone through this all year and have never lacked a place to live or food to eat.  I am looking forward to getting into a new place and NOT moving for 2 years....sigh...that would be great.

Shoes that I made for my friend Layce

Anyways...that's about us.  Hopefully I can see a few of your faces in the near future or bump into you at Jambalaya.  Thank you again for all your incredible love and support!

Love...Barb and Isaac

New Winter Creations!!

Hey guys,

I know...I am in trouble...I have not updated you since the holidays and a LOT has occurred...for the moment I have to say that there is too much to report...though we are alive and well and several pounds heavier post holiday feasting.  I will give you a proper update once I sort out all the details...

In the meantime I wanted to share with you a new creation...my very first winter leather and possum fur muff!  I have had this idea for a really long time and wanted to come up with a really beautiful muff/bag combo which would practically suit the cold winter gal who still wants to be fashionable.  The piece was hand created entirely and I literally hand pieced it together.  I lined the inside with almost am entire possum hide which is ridiculously soft and supple.  I also included a front pocket to practically store all your goodies.  I would love to hear your thoughts on the piece...it was a lot of fun to make and I am proud of it!

Go to my etsy shop to view this creation and more new stuff....

Christmas Madness...

Merry Christmas everyone!  Thank you for your amazing support of Isaac and I and our creations this year!  We couldn't have done it without your help.

We are gearing to enjoy family Christmas in a few days...it should be really interesting to experience my first beach Christmas...I will let you know how it goes.

I just wanted to share these photos of a pair of Deer baby moccasins I crafted today for my sister in laws new baby (due in Feb).  I was quite happy with them...even my sad beading attempt...I may have to start crafting more of these in the future!

Have a lovely Christmas everyone! 

Love Barb and Isaac

Craft Fair Trades are the Best!

Isaac and I had a super fun time at the Auckland Art and Craft fair.  Thank you so much to everyone who came out to support us!  The event started really well as the event coordinator (Jess) was kind enough to make mention of us on the radio.  We were really honored and it was incredibly encouraging pre-fair.  Thanks so much Jess!  Jess runs a really cool online store for NZ handmade called FOXES. If you have a hankering for some hand made or still need some Christmas presents you should check it out.  She is an amazing lady who runs many Craft focused events in Auckland.

Of course....between the two of us...we still managed to forget to shoot any pictures of the event.  This is a constant trend with us and it's sort of funny as I have no event photos to share.  Instead, I decided to share with you the AMAZING trade scores I received at the Craft fair.  Trades are so much fun and very important to Isaac and I as we are always broke but still have our eye on other peoples nice creations.  I always feel very honored to take away a piece of someones art.  There are so many amazingly talented people around and I wanted to take a moment to rave about a few.

Firstly...we did a trade with our friend Louise who is the creative force behind 'Bibliographica'.  You may have seen her work around town as she hand creates amazing leather hand bound journals of all shapes and sizes as well as tiny book necklaces, earrings and a beautiful assortment of vintage accessories.  She is an amazing craftswomen who pays close attention to detail.  When I look at her work, I feel like I am transported back in time as her pieces and artisan-ship reflects the medieval age when books were works of art, hand crafted out of the finest materials and by expert hands.  She also works with beautifully aged and supple leather.  Isaac and I both chose small journals which are very lovely and special.  I have been admiring her work for awhile so I was very excited to finally own one of her creations! Here is a photo of mine:

Isn't it beautiful!  Get to her shop quickly and buy one for yourself.

Next on the list....a gorgeous black velveteen bunny made from vintage materials created by Melissa Wastney of 'Tiny Happy'.  Check it out:

I have to say I am IN LOVE with this bunny.  I have a quirky passion for stuffed bunnies and squirrels (my friends are well aware and laugh at my obsession).  I think this is partly due to the fact that I REALLY want a pet dwarf bunny and have been trying to work Isaac down into letting me get one.  He tells me I really want a baby...I tell him...no...just a bunny.  He's actually the clucky one!  Anyway...Melissa makes beautiful hand sewn accessories of all kinds. Her work is very delicate and finished, and she in person is an incredibly warm person whose genuine loveliness reflects in all she creates.  The bunny brings me back to childhood and holds a lot of whimsy for me.  Thank you so much Melissa for your beautiful creation!  Please check out her store for other great creations...Now...to get Isaac to give me a real bunny...

Lastly I received a beautiful hand created ceramic ring by Vivienne Frances Long.  Vivienne is the creator behind 'Ceramics Can Fly' and creates really fun, quirky animal  inspired masks, necklaces, rings and more.  Her work is very conceptual and 'outside the ceramics box'.  I really like her fresh approach as her work is often fun, beautiful and thought provoking simultaneously.   Here is my new ring:

Isn't it beautiful!  I am afraid I may break this piece of art but she assured me that it was strong and able to withstand my clumsiness.  Go to her blog to check out more of her great work.

Hooray for trades...I am grateful.  A perfect end to a fun craft fair.  Thanks again for all the support!

Auckland Art and Craft Fair

Medium Fringe Bag

Ok...if you haven't done your Christmas shopping yet, come out to the Auckland Art and Craft Fair this Saturday.  We will be there hawking our wares as well as many other talented artists.  This is a great chance to support the handmade community in NZ...handmade are always the nicest gifts! 

Here are the fair details:

When: Saturday December 11
Location: Aotea Centre, Auckland City
Time: 11am-4pm
Cost: FREE

I have been working on many new bags, clutches, tiny keepsake bags, cuffs and earrings for the event.  It would be lovely to see your faces and to hear your thoughts on my new creations.

Mini Keepsake Bag

Medium Keepsake Bag

Thoughts On Creating and Selling

William Morris

This may sound strange...but I feel a bit weird trying to promote myself.  I know as a self employed creative I have to be part of the money driven world if I want to sell anything.  I just find it hard.  I know I should start a facebook page and update my blog and do promotions and twitter constantly but I just can't seem to bring myself to do it.  Its honestly that I feel a bit akward and sort of weird singing my products praises.  I kind of just want to quietly make things in a corner...and if they impact someone who chooses to buy them that's great.  I really like being connected to my process and to other people...I find it hard to think...'will people buy this or that' or find my inspiration through current trends.  I am not trying to sound arrogant here...I just find it really hard to make and sell stuff in a profit before people focused world.

Morris and his good friend Edward Burne-Jones

Morris' Wallpaper Design

A painting by Morris

One of my big hero's is William Morris who was the founder of the Arts and Craft Movement in Britain in the late 1800's.  I wrote a research paper on his life and found myself really amazed by his spirit, writing and charisma.  He was the kind of person who swirled revolution around himself..who really set out to be different and found people following him.  He lived in the midst of the Industrial Revolution in Britain, and witnessed horrible factory working conditions and the literal destruction of the land around him by belching, dirty factories and mines.  He was a major advocate of hand craft, artisan-ship, beauty, joy in labor and people before profit driven societies.  He wrote amazing poetry, novels and political/philosophical works.  He was also prolific as an accomplished architect, painter, furniture maker, illustrator, designer and even weaver!  Ironically, he was a gifted business man, and created products that the public really desired.  This frustrated him as he found himself attempting to retain his principles within a capitalistic profit before people structure.  In short, in order to function within the framework of society he had to play by the rules and adjust his process to reflect this.  Toward the end of his life he abandoned business to become a socialist.  He realized that rather than attempting to fit within the current economic structure, he needed to pull down the structure itself and begin again.  His end aim began pushing towards a socialist, people before profit society where he felt his process could function with integrity.

Here is an excerpt of Morris' thoughts on factory production:

"We should be the masters of our machines and not their slaves, as we are now. It is not this of that tangible steel and brass machine which we want to get rid of, but the great intangible machine of commercial tyranny, which oppresses the lives of us all."

These are the words of his student Walter Crane concerning Morris:

"As an artist, no doubt at first he saw the uglification of the world going on, and the vast industrial and commercial machine grinding the joy and leisure out of human life as regarded the great mass of humanity.  But as an employer he was brought into direct relation with the worker as well as the market and the public, and he became fully convinced that the modern system of production for profit and the world-market, however inevitable as a stage in economic and social evolution, was not only most detrimental to a healthy and spontaneous development of art and to conditions of labour, but what it would be bound, ultimately, by the natural working of economic laws, to devour itself."

Now I am not saying we need to pull down society as we know it and become socialists.  I am only trying to express that I understand exactly how he felt.  Convicted but trapped within the current system.  Desiring to create and sell pieces to sustain our life, but overwhelmed by the hoops we need to jump through.  This is my beef...I really feel uncomfortable with the current system of economy.

This is why I love handcraft and its movement toward a more sustainable, people loving economy.  I am glad to be a part of this change.

I do not want to be part of a manipulative marketing world that essentially coerces people into believing they 'HAVE' to have this product when they really should be paying their rent.  I know I have to do some amount of   marketing/selling, but if so, I would like to do this in a respectful manner.  I do not want to push or prod or try to be something I'm not.  I think that people are lovely just as they are and shouldn't have to try to be 'cool' or fit in to a trend.  I really want to celebrate individuality and the beauty of choice.  I want women and men to feel comfortable with themselves and realize that they are valuable,  incredible beings with lots of good to offer the world.

I am not trying to sound haughty or better than anyone....this is something that I really wrestle with and want to shine light on it.  I understand that marketing and selling is part of life.  I just want to be real and not feel pressure to change myself in order to make some money.  I need to eat and like having a home but would really like to accomplish this in a way that I feel comfortable with.  Is this so hard?   I am writing this rant as I do feel the pressure...its certainly lots to think about and really stirs inside of me.  What do you think?