Ingrained

'Ingrained' designs contemporary jewellery with particular emphasis on nature and personalisation. My vision is to create meaningful jewellery with a long lasting appeal. We gained a loyal following through our 'name on rice' jewellery and that is how the name 'Ingrained' was born. For that I'm thankful to all the people who have supported me. I receive great pleasure making personalised pieces and especially receiving feedback from fans, sometimes it's a simple expression of gratitude, other times my pieces have brought tears to someone's eyes. It is fascinating that a piece of jewellery can have that effect. I’ve always believed that jewellery design can be more than just creating something with superficial appeal. 

Right now... I am thinking about Summer and how nice it would be right now in this freezing cold apartment. That and of course the meaning of life, did someone say 42? 

Clicking on... Hazel Loves Design actually, brimming with talent and inspiration.

Following... I keep tabs on various blogs from time to time but nothing I follow religiously.

Thinking about... Where Ingrained is heading, particularly with upcoming craft markets this year.

Listening to... An Electric Heart, emerging pop duo hailing from Napier, New Zealand.

Saving for... We are going to be buying a car soon, small but super roomy. Is there such a thing?

Obsessed with... Art, Jewellery Design, Cocker Spaniels.

Reading... Quake Dogs – Heartwarming stories of Christchurch dogs.

Doing... Putting the finishing touches on an order to go out today.

Excited about... Upcoming craft markets!

Find Ingrained on Facebook

Odi Boutique Jewellery

Audie Wilkinson - her name is derived from the latin verb, to hear - a self made, self taught Dunedin jewellery designer who has recently moved and now lives with her family in Greytown, Wellington. 

Audie has combined an entrepreneurial spirit with creativity since she first sold her jewellery designs at an Otago University student market day. She wasn't, however selling fashion accessories to her peers; she was eight years old. She now sells jewellery from Wellington to New York and everywhere in between.

The Odi range of contemporary jewellery encompasses the visual, the tactile and the iconic. Handmade, authentic and versatile, they can be worn equally well with young high street fashion as with classic timeless styling.

Audie's range of jewellery includes necklaces, pendants, earrings, rings and hair accessories. Each item finely Handcrafted by Audie herself and made contemporary by a range of subtle vintage-feel colours, and variation in tactility of material. 

Odi jewellery was used in a UK designers photo shoot by
American photographer of Luminescence Studios

Floral band vintage jewel rings

Right now I am... working on a piece that has been in my collection for a while now and is really popular, I'm working on creating a higher end version by changing and upgrading all the materials I use to make it.

Clicking on... Pinterest OMG eye and mind candy! I'm one of those people that needs fed with information all the time in the form of visual content and Pinterest does just that. I'm serious when I say I'll sit on the computer emailing or whatever I'm doing and ill also have the television on and YouTube up as well, I know crazy! I'm a bit of a dreamer I live in my own little world. but besides getting lost in beautiful photos of exotic places Pinterest is also great for finding supplies and getting inspiration.

Thinking about... ways to grow my business and what my next move is, I already sell online to many countries including USA, Canada, Australia and Spain but I'd really love to have stockists internationally as well. I'd also love to head over to Australia to a large fair I think it would be a great start for exposure

listening to... Lana del ray, I think she's amazing, and I can really relate to her way of thinking, music for me is important - it has the ability to change your mood or the way you think! I quite often listen to music when I'm working, I find it helps me get into what I'm doing with out interruption. I like a wide range of music you couldn't put a stereo type to what i listen to.

Saving for... hmmm I don't know, the future, what ever happens to pop up I'll be sure to have savings aside so when the time comes I can do it. I feel some kind of travel maybe on the cards, either national or international to get my brand more exposure.

Odi Boutique Jewellery at the Masterton market

Obsessed with... Gemstones, I like the ones that you set that are faceted with a point back and also cabochon form, I have plans to bring them into some new work, my focus with gemstones is shape and colour to achieve a certain look Im going for. I always go for something different and unique

Reading... Well, yeah not the reading type but I will read some things like a blog post that a designer Ii follow has written that's of interest to me, I'm a shocker I quite often loose interest half way down the page and give up really not a reader.

Doing... More physical activities lately, I've never really been a fitness type of person, but lately I've realised I need to in order to look after myself, especially my arms and also found it to be a good motivator, sometimes you need this when you are self employed and work from home.

We live on an orchard, it has big tree lines of poplars and out the back is lovely and peaceful there are lots of birds and rabbits, its nice to take a bit of time out and go for a walk, I take our dog ''Barbs Girl'' with me, she spent her life on the high country in Wanaka before coming to live with us. She was part of our rather large team of dogs while we we living on a farm in Wanaka, she's now a retired family pet.

Deco diamond earrings

Excited about... Odi jewellery constantly growing, it been eleven years since I first came up with the printed leather earring, I look back and see how much I have evolved and grown and how many thousands of pieces I have made, it's a really nice feeling knowing that people are wearing your designs. 

Lately, now that we are living in wellington i have had the opportunity to get out and do a few markets, and being approached and getting to meet people that have been following me and already have odi pieces is such a great and rewarding thing. 

Audie - the maker

You can find Audie's work on Facebook, Etsy and her website.

KIWI TOUCH - Just a little bit cute

Just a Little Bit Cute is my space where I like to share things that have a little cuteness.  I used to say (and still do) ‘awww that’s a little bit cute’ and it kind of steamrolled from there.  Sometimes I get so inspired by cuteness that I go as far to make things usually from upcycled materials and sell them at markets. Sometimes this is where I bite off more than I can chew as time is very precious. What with a part time job as a Product Buyer, Mum to a two year old, wife to a very understanding Hubby who knows all about things that are just a little bit cute (he has heard me utter this enough!) and I not only write for my own blog, but Hazel Loves Design and Baby Bites too.

Right now I am....enjoying the peace and quiet while Miss 2.5 and Hubby have nana naps.

Clicking on...Pinterest

Following...a million blogs and only really reading a handful, that’s why bloglovin is great, keeps me on track!

Thinking about... miniature fairy gardens    and miniature everything, because miniatures are just a little bit cute…..

Listening to...the rain on the roof, very relaxing after a 30+ degree day yesterday

Saving for...renovations – we are waiting for EQC repairs so we can finally renovate our teeny tiny bathroom and so Miss 2.5 can have a bath (and just quietly me too).

Obsessed with... miniature fairy gardens

Reading...gossip mags, am going through one of those phases at the moment where I am getting seduced by magazine covers, reading it in 5 minutes and then feeling a little bit let down and like I’ve eaten too much chocolate cake….a little bit sick!

Doing... This photo a day challenge = makes you see the world in a whole new way, my ‘take time to smell the roses’ project for 2014

Excited about... miniature fairy gardens – my new project, keep an eye out for the latest ‘cuties’ on the market circuit….now where have those miniature toadstools gone?

Most photos by Utterly in Love

{KIWI TOUCH} Minsi Design

Minsi Design is a graphic design firm based in the South Island of New Zealand, owned and operated by me, Kate O’Connnell.  As well as graphic design I specialise in creating customised prints, posters and canvases for my clients.  I also sell a range of art prints, calendars and posters online and in selected design stores, and paint contemporary female portraits.

Right now I am inside on a rainy windy day with the fire going in mid summer, eating Whitestone Totara Tasty cheese on crackers. 

CLICKING ON: Pinterest, I waste a lot of time looking for ideas for my home and for design inspiration.

FOLLOWING:  Balanced Wellness by Sam Ward Martin, and anything design, vintage and interiors related.

THINKING ABOUT: Where to take my business this year, what to try next, and how I can make some time to start painting again, step away from my mac for a bit.

LISTENING TO: lots of random songs that encourage me to keep running and not stop and walk, ie eminem, lorde, and some others I won’t admit to.  And Matt Corby.

SAVING FOR: A trip to the UK to see Poppy, Dan and Em.  Will only take 10.5 years at this rate.

OBSESSED WITH: Art, design, mid century furniture, interiors, 2nd hand shops, old character houses with tiled fireplaces, navy blue and mint green.

READING: Anything random I grab from the library, Hazed, Homestyle and Your Home and Garden.

DOING:  Lots of designing at the moment, new designs, new ideas.

EXCITED ABOUT: Hopefully renovating another 100 year old villa this year, and moving forward in life and business.

You can also shop Minsi Design on the Emporium. 

{KIWI TOUCH} Inkee Press

Inkee Press Design Studio is your solution to beautiful brand styling for savvy business owners and bloggers. Owner Janelle has over nine years of experience in the graphic design and printing industry, and prides herself in providing design that will brighten your business at an affordable price, in a timely manner without compromising on quality or professionalism. 

Full branding project completed for Australian online store dedicated to bringing you gorgeous and stylish children's accessories, clothing, decor, stationery and toys. 

A6 Christmas Cards completed for Early Buds who put together 80+ christmas packs for premature babies and their parents currently in care.

Another awesome branding project I had the opportunity to create for Nettle And Wolf who create stylish and wearable garments for babies and kids. The project included logo design, invoice and swingtag templates.

Right now I am... Listening to Dido, drinking a mocha and catching up with New Years bookings.

Clicking on... Pinterest, obsessed with Pinterest and I get a lot of my inspiration from there too.

Following... Eat Drink Chic, I love Amy's blog and style, if I could be half as good as her I would be a happy camper. 

Thinking about... The New Year, my resolutions, and how I can improve on my business services to my customers in all their branding requirements. 

Listening to... 90's music! I made a playlist of 90's music as I had my sister and cousins over for Christmas and love how it takes me back to when I was a tweenager :)

Saving for... A pasta machine, I love italian food and would really love to try making my own pasta.

Obsessed with... Pink and gold, and everything to do with glitter and confetti!

Reading... Mostly parenting magazines as I'm still in holiday mode. 

Doing... A lot of washing, I have two kids and with all this rain it has made it hard to keep up with it all.

Excited about... Our new print store, making it super easy for our customers to order online. Your order is followed through personally by myself, free printed proofs can be requested before you place your order, and your printing will be lovingly wrapped in some pretty packaging tied with string and delivered to your door in a timely manner. Usually with two or three working days.

Double sided DLE gift voucher design for Perch Home.

Christmas postcard design for Steeped in Beautea's loyal customers, something different to the traditional Christmas card look, but rather something that reflected the overall look of their existing branding, also completed by Inkee Press.

Inkee Press is also your one stop shop for all your printing needs, order your printing online and have your pretty print package and some extra goodies delivered right to your door.

{KIWI TOUCH} Kotsu + Pandemonium

Tali and her younger son, Sai

I moved to Christchurch from Australia with my young family in January 2013 and started my two little labels: Pandemonium (quirky, modern, handmade jewellery) and KOTSU (hand printed homeware).

Geometric earrings in bright colours

Square necklaces 

Drop necklace with gold leaf

Right now I am.... catching up on emails and Facebook gossip, drinking a glass of red and congratulating myself on getting all my stock ready for the Christmas rush.

Clicking on...Pinterest, Brain Pickings, Etsy and various design blogs.

Following...Humans of New York, Bookhou, Colossal, Umbrella Prints.

Thinking about...new materials for Pandemonium, new products for KOTSU and Christmas!

Listening to... Lorde. I’ve just bought her album and it’s on constant replay!

Saving for... A holiday to Bali next year.

Obsessed with... QI – I can’t get enough of Stephen Fry at the moment.

Reading... My Humans of New York book which just arrived today and (very slowly) a Florence Broadhurst biography.

Doing... Usually dishes, washing, cooking, grocery shopping, picking up toys, general parenting etc but all the while thinking, dreaming and scheming.

Excited about... All the new friends I am making in New Zealand and all the old friends (and family) I will see when we head back to Australia in November.

"Coeur de la Ville" - "The Heart of the City" 

Accent cushions - Flamingos in Grassmere Ponds Pink, Fab Four in Waitomo Black 

and Hornsea Tea in High-Vis Orange

{KIWI TOUCH} Meys Made - Cool Crochet For Cool Kids

Meys Made is my little Kiwi owned crochet business that caters for children aged 0 – 6 years old. All of the colourful and modern crochet items are handmade by me, right here in sunny Blenheim, New Zealand. I aim to keep kids looking cool yet staying warm in a modern and bright way.

Right now I am... pulling my hair out trying to set up a website for my business. In hindsight it would have been easier to pay someone to wave their magic wand and make it appear. I think I need to stick with the crochet!

Clicking on... Pinterest. I pin all kinds of creative ways to make my house beautiful and organised. Meanwhile my toddler makes my house more messy. 

Thinking about... what items will sell at Summer markets. Tossing up between Christmas presents for next winter, or bright and light summer headbands, sun hats and bags. Less time thinking, more time making.

Listening to... Spotify. I only recently discovered it. I'm in heaven. Every possible genre is right at my fingertips. I'm a music geek so discovering Spotify was a pretty big moment in my life.

Saving for... more yarn. I should stop buying yarn so I can save for a relaxing tropical holiday. Or a bigger house that will store more yarn.

Obsessed with... my two girls who are 2.5 years and 6 months old. Both are going through a particularly adorable phase that I can't get enough of.

Reading... the same book I have had next to my bed for well over a year. Apparently it is not one of those "can't put it down" story lines.

Doing... I 'should' be folding the washing. But that can wait. Instead I will pin ways to neatly fold a queen sized sheet. 

Excited about... my best friends wedding later this year. I moved away from Dunedin a little over a year ago and I can't wait to get back down there and catch up with all the special people in my life that  had to leave behind.

Find Meys Made on Etsy or Find Meys Made on Facebook

{KIWI TOUCH} Bonjour Sweetie

Today I am super duper excited to introduce you to Jayne from Bonjour Sweetie, I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the intricacies of her work which I was lucky enough to stumble across on Etsy, but more excited to discover were kiwi grown! 

Right now I am.... wondering if it is possible to devise a diet that consists of eating cake. There’s the juice detox diet, the no-carb diet, the fasting diet and the cabbage soup diet – why can’t someone make up a cake diet? 

Clicking on... When in Auckland – witty GIF’s that make me smile; Bakerella – great recipes from a sweet gal; Metservice – they have time lapse webcams so you can see what the rest of the country looks like, from Paihia to Kaikoura to Queenstown – it’s brilliant! 

Thinking about... other designs that I can make for my necklaces and box dioramas. I have so many ideas but there’s just not enough hours in the day! 

Listening to... I listen to a bit of everything when I’m in the mood to listen to music, but one of my favourites is Foo Fighters. 

Saving for... a holiday to anywhere! Bora Bora looks nice, but Eastern Europe would also be great! 

Obsessed with... Zombies! Books, TV shows, movies – you name it, I’m all over it! I’ve even made some zombie necklaces, which I love... not sure about other people! 

Reading... Zombie books, but when I can pull myself away from them I get into Camilla Lackberg – she’s a Swedish crime writer and I really love all of her novels. 

Doing... actually I’m not doing as much creative stuff as I’d like to be... I must do more! 

Excited about... dare I say it... Christmas! My favourite part is the cooking and festive spirit, plus there are some great pre-Christmas markets that people can get along to, such as the Auckland Art & Craft Fair at the Aotea Centre and Kraftbomb in Grey Lynn – fun for everyone and it’s shopping made easy! PLUS season 3 of The Walking Dead comes out on DVD this month... it’s the little things!