Silk and Wool and More

What a busy few weeks I've had! My shop is going ok with 4 visitors yesterday which is great for a monday. I spent the weekend at Castlepoint Beach tutoring a Silkpainting workshop to a group of women from all over the Wairarapa. It was lovely but busy. Great company and all my meals supplied - what more could you ask for! We made brooches out of the silk though some kept their piece as a scarf or headband. I love painting on silk and hope to more soon when there is a spare moment.

I have also been knitting and felting bangles after seeing the idea on the net. I have made some smaller ones too to go on a long lace or strap around the neck. I found some 70's crochet patterns and have been trying them out with a windmill looking flower that will be either a brooch or be sewn on to a cushion.

Sold

We had the opening of the tutors exhibition last evening and I sold my crocheted wire and wool vessel - yay! Encouragement to make some more. Back to work!

"What We Do"

I work part-time at a community Arts work space and this week all my work colleagues and I are exhibiting our own work at Aratoi Museum of Art and History in Masterton. The opening is on friday 9th July at 5.30pm and you're all welcome.

The shop is going well and I have had visitors from Christchurch and Auckland this week. I have made some lovely neck warmers from a wool/bamboo blend in muted blues and greys.

Also am in the process of finishing some more felted bags for the shop, will post some pictures when they are ready.

Freshly Baked Brooches

Working with the much loved peggy or granny square, depending on which side you butter your toast, I created a few new brooches to adorn winter coats, hats or bags. A two dimensional aspect was reached with the addition of, also much loved, buttons. All one offs and available from my backyard headquarters.

Studio Shelf Dweller

Just finished a bunch of flower brooches all made with woollen fabric or old blankets.

Great for going on a winter coat!

Making a Shed a Shop

Yesterday was by first day of business and although I had no sales I did have some visitors. Today the weather is not suited to being out and about unless you are a duck or very keen.

When the rain did ease up a wee while ago I had a visit from a friend who I was printing some Carterton cushions for. They turned out well and are going to going into her new gallery in Carterton called Red Moa. It will be opening soon and will be fabulous!

It was fun yesterday setting up the shop as being inside is a bit of a novelty after years of doing outside markets and having to contend with all sorts of weather. So calm reigns supreme in my small but perfectly formed retail outlet.

Open Tomorrow

The ramari textiles shop will open tomorrow at 10.30 until 4pm. You'll find me a t80 Park Road, Carterton. Also open on Carterton tomorrow is agnescoy.co.nz and harmanandharman.net.nz

All filled with beautiful creations our businesses have become a trio called Made In Carterton and actively promote each other and our wonderful community.

Call in and say hello.

My Website

I am in the process of creating my website for the purposes of online purchasing.

www.ramaritextiles.co.nz

Ramari Textiles Shop

My new shop is nearly ready to open and it looks like it will be next weekend - 5th or 6th June.

Yay it's taken a while but today I sanded and scrubbed the floor which was the last major job. Now I have to fill it with all kinds of colourful stuff and wait for punters to come in and be amazed (hopefully) and spend some money.

Also this week I was featured in a Wellington magazine called Fishhead. It was in an article about Carterton and all the arty crafty things happening here. Grab a copy if you can. Also featured were Agnes Coy and Harman and Harman also known to me as Alison and Lisa. We have started "Made In Carterton", banding together to promote Carterton and each other. Look out for our cards in information centres, cafes and retailers around the Wairarapa and beyond. A new gallery, Red Moa, is opening soon in Carterton next to Bambino Cafe. I am printing some of my Carterton cushions for the owner, Andrea. Thanks Andrea for adding to the creative community and making our town even more interesting.

Its all go thats for sure and the weather is decidedly cold but that is good because it means snow is falling somewhere and I like snow.

Better go and feed the chooks now as they go to bed early these days and best not forget the cat!

Balmy Autumn and Embroidery

I have been making the most of the beautiful weather we have had lately and getting lots of painting done on my new shop and I will put the last coat of paint on tomorrow and then a quick paint on the inside and I can start decorating and getting set up. Its all go soon.

I found some embroidery transfer books from the 70's, I think, and have been stitching the designs onto scrap pieces of linen to use in an artwork. Am looking forward to experimenting with them and paint. Also have been stitching thick watercolour paper on the machine to see what happens - so far so good - will post some photos when they are completed.

My lovely friend Al gave me a whole beautiful roll of brilliant blue rick rack which I love. It's just waiting to be made into something but so far I know not what and is sitting around looking beautiful. Many thanks Al!

Shop and Wabbits

Have spent the few months busy with making things for markets and orders which was fun but I am glad to have some time to do other chores. I have been bottling tomatoes from our garden and shelling beans to add to the larder. We grew pinto beans and am trying the scarlett runner beans too. The flower garden is still looking colourful and todays rain is welcome if not inconvenient.

My Ramari Textiles shop project is taking shape with cleaning out and painting the last two jobs to complete. I have choosen colours and sorted fittings and lights to enchance it's small but perfect interior. I have lots of stock to fill its shelves including Wabbits. Made from recycled vintage fabric and old woollen blankets with a wool stuffing these soft toys have been popular with children and adults.

I will have a definite opening date soon when I am closer to the state of being ready. So more imformation in my next post.

Greytown Arts Festival

I have had a great weekend being part of a Art and Garden Tour in Greytown. I didn't see many of the other events on offer but had a lovely social time selling my wares at Westwood Country House. By all accounts the weekend was a huge success even though the weather was totally erratic at times. I was joined by two very talented friends, Janet Green, a potter from Masterton and Alison Norris-Baber who has a creative textile business called Agnes Coy. Both make amazing pieces that inspire and bring joy to those who know them.

I created some new cozies and cushions for the day and took a few pics for the memories.

Also added a photo of beautiful Taranaki Hydrangas.