Frank giveaway & #the_paper_series winner?

Well, it was my turn to be at the judging end of the competition with Frank this month and I must say it wasn't easy. So I decided to set some criteria and yay have selected a winning entry.

I have chosen @wendypaulamuses as the winner and this is why.

Wendy went all the way with the paper theme- upcycling an old book into a tent! And such a lovely vintage-style tent too, with flag and fancy tent top to boot. The flag seems to be blowing in the wind and you can almost hear the circus music!

As for the photo - I love the casualness of the composition. It’s as if Wendy is saying " ta da, just finished -  what do you think?" And the tones are a calming palette too, that go with the vintage theme.

Well done Wendy! I appreciate your efforts to make this lovely creation from flat pieces of paper- so creative! You are the winner of this lovely journal from Frank Stationery

There were also so many other imaginative entries and each had something special about them. But of course there are a special few I'd like to mention.

These colourful entries by:

@englishgirl14 with such a beautiful array of colourful stamps 

@_thelucky44_  whose colourful paint box and hand decorated stationery grabbed my attention

And below some carefully composed vignettes with clever compositions, item combinations and tones:

@24cherrys - a mysterious and moody vignette

@simmykins - a modern flatlay with gentle colours

And finally cannot leave out these talented and skilled artists:

@fourcornersdeign - a master (or should that be mistress!)  of storytelling!

@hellolaurajane whose skill and patience to cut out these intricate and lovely shapes is admirable!

@thestoyofvintage handmade vivid lapis lazuli journal project with a bird theme, which I am just a little partial towards!

Thanks for playing along – it’s always so exhilarating to see what ideas people come up with. 

Thanks also to Frank for the lovely prize. So great to collaborate with a team who are socially conscious and give back to society! 

Till next time – Claudia x

Frank & the potential of the pencil

In this fast changing digital world, we forget about one of the greatest technological marvels invented - the humble pencil. Such a simple tool that helps us to learn, dream, design, remember. So how exciting this month to be collaborating with a New Zealand based online stationery company Frank that not only has beautiful and simply crafted products, but is ethically conscious.

Run by the couple, Jess and Jason Holdaway, the Frank brand is ‘Frank Socially Conscious Stationery’. Jason and Jess believe that everyone deserves an education and want to do their bit to ‘disrupt the poverty cycle’.  With every purchase, they give back to those struggling with poverty and so for every piece of stationery you buy, Frank will give away the equivalent to those in need. 

Read more about their admirable business philosophy in their branding profile and watch this video to see how customers have helped them help others.  

For stockists of Frank products around New Zealand visit 

http://www.frankstationery.com/pages/stockists or if based overseas, simply order online .

Frank have generously donated this month’s prize for the Instagram photo challenge which is this lovely  XO notebook. Filled with inspirational quotes and with 150 plus pages to fill, it will make you want to fall in love with writing again.  

To be in to win this lovely journal, enter the @adi&bert challenge on Instagram. 

The theme for this month's challenge is inspired by Frank and is all about that other amazing technology – P A P E R! 

Entry details:

1. Follow @frankstationery & @adiandbert

2. Tag a friend & invite to join

3. Post a NEW pic featuring a paper theme to #the_paper_series

Comp is open worldwide  and closes Sunday 16 August. As Jess and Jason are so busy having to fill double orders with every single purchase, I will judge this month's winning entry.

So do get clicking and join in the fun of #the_paper_series

- Claudia x

Joyful jugs #thejugseries winners

Jay from @foundbyher who collaborated on this month's competition, sums up the entries so beautifully that I will let Jay's kind words complete the post. But first, thanks Jay for a fun collaboration and for providing such a beautiful antique piece for the winning entry and also for the additional runners up prizes! Also, selecting the winners must have been difficult, so thanks too for doing the hard task of judging!

You can find Jay on Facebook, Instagram and through her website Found By Her  where she blogs about the vintage pieces she finds and also sells through her online shop.

Claudia x

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Jay from @foundbyher

"Thank you to everyone for joining me and Claudia in this challenge. It was wonderful to get so many fabulous and creative entries, but also to receive such lovely feedback about how enjoyable the challenge was for many people.  I really loved the many sentimental stories these jugs evoked: memories from childhood, about much-loved and much-missed relatives, or even about comforting cups of morning latte. Choosing a winner and runners up was so difficult, I could have chosen so many more, but I managed to whittle all the gorgeousness down to 3 winners.  

As a thank you to everyone who entered, I would like to extend a 15% discount on any purchases over $30 to use in my Etsy shop, Found By Her - just use the coupon code: 15OFF!  I will also feature the winners and many more of my favourites on my blog in the near future.

So to the winners……

Lisa from @donnelday

This photograph really spoke to me with the jug gently shining out from the moody background.  I love how Lisa captured the jug, which had belonged to her grandmother, and made it the “hero” of the image.  Lisa, I hope you enjoy your prize!

Wendy from @wendypaulamuses 

Wendy’s photo was one of the first entries and it really stayed with me the entire competition.  The colours are just perfect: from the whole comforting, milky feel of the composition down to the way the rim matches the print on the cloth. 

April from @aprilsloves

Anyone who knows me or follows my feed would see that I’m a big fan of the “imperfectly perfect” and April has certainly captured my heart with this shot! Love the chippy old chair and the fabulous old zinc garden jug.  The colours were also beautifully chosen to create that dreamy, spring-like tone but also allow the jug to become the feature. 

- Jay from @foundbyher 

Well done to all the winners and thanks to everyone who played along. Such a joy to see all your lovely entries. 'Till next month - Claudia x

Maker Space - Five Questions for Michaella Mazzoni

I am always inspired by young women who push themselves creatively. One such young person whom I recently met through Instagram, is Michaella Mazzoni. Michaella hails from Australia, but has current roots in London.

Like so many artists who cannot earn a living by art alone, Michaella has to fit art around her busy life. She works as a client relationship manager in the fine arts industry - so mixes with artists, collectors and gallery personnel daily. She also runs the lifestyle blog Mazzonisays http://mazzonisays.com/. Her website covers topics such as Fashion, Hair + Beauty, ‘How To’ tutorials and Recipes.

Michaella is also a watercolour artist which of course is why I wanted to include her in my Maker Space this month. I like the way Michaella renders her watercolours which tend to be of simple every day products and food.

Michaella has kindly offered to share her responses below to some questions about her love of art and inspirations.

1. Tell us about your art background and how you became interested in water colours? Do you use other mediums and which do you prefer and why?

MM: I suppose it all started when I was tiny, all my best memories from my childhood include crafting and painting in one way or another, like my crafting birthday parties and making dresses for my doll’s out of tissue paper and wet wipes.  When I started working, I went into buying but after a few years was drawn to the art’s industry. Working in the arts, I am fortunate enough to see fantastic artworks daily which inspire me to continue working on my own projects.

Until recently, my primary mediums have always been charcoal, ink and pencil however I love with watercolours that you can be spontaneous and less controlled than with a detailed pencil drawing. The spontaneity and vivid colours is largely what drew me to watercolours, I love everything to be bright and colourful with my recipes and the things I wear and make so it feels like a match made in heaven! I also love how with a watercolour the colours have a bit of their own mind and blend together on the page.

When I am sitting down to work, I always have some good music playing in the background and a cup of tea next to me. I tend to work by balancing on top of a small mountain of cushions on the floor and paint on the coffee table. I think it is important to be mentally clear so that all my focus is on what I am painting and find that the more I paint the more this can happen for me.

2. What inspires you and what tips or tricks can you share that help you into a creative mood?

MM: I get a lot of enjoyment from baking, cooking and crafting and love how a combination of paper or of ingredients can create a beautiful looking meal or gift; this also inspires me to put the everyday objects or ingredients down onto a paper in a similar way. I think there is a purity in the happiness that a good meal can provide that isn’t tied to anything more complex or requires much thinking, it is just pure loveliness – for me, this is what I try to aim for with my paintings, simple and happy. My boyfriend, who I live with, is also an artist and is a constant inspiration and encouragement for me to keep painting. 

3. Do you sell your art or work to commissions? If so, how do you stay motivated and keep on track to meet deadlines having a day job as well?

MM:I have worked on a few commissions and worked with other artists on small projects. As I am studying a bachelors in Social Psychology which I do while working part time so setting aside time is something I am used to having to do! I set aside certain times, usually in the evenings after dinner or on the weekend which is dedicated to painting or crafting.

4.  What have you picked up from the art industry or artists you've encountered, that has been valuable in your own approach to art?

MM: From working with different artists and being exposed to different bodies of works and exhibitions, the most valuable thing that I have learnt is that there is no ‘perfect’ illustration or painting, everyone has their own style. Even within an artist’s portfolio, the style of their works and mediums can change throughout which has encouraged me to continue experimenting with mixed mediums, which I have been doing recently with pencil and watercolour.

5. Where would you like to be in 5 years’ time, creatively?

MM: I would love to expand mazzonisays and am hoping that this will have happened in 5 years’ time! Ideally I am looking to create my own workshops in the weekends or evening which combines different elements from my website, for example baking in the morning and then creating a watercolour of the finished product in the afternoon. I have started a series of watercolours of the ingredients most used in my recipes. I would like to continue with this and would love to collaborate with companies and websites (like this one!) that I admire.

To see more of Michaella’s work, visit her website http://mazzonisays.com/ and on Instagram at @MAZZONISAYS

Winner of #thespoonseries

Yon Kavvas from @claybirdceramics has deliberated and as quick as a wink, come up with a winner for this month's comp! I must say this was a favourite of mine too, so I am delighted to announce that the winner is @kraig_at_the_warehouse.

Craig was a winner of #7vignettes the first time he joined in, so definitely a creative with an eye for mood styling to watch. We love your entry Craig - Congratulations!

Yon's response -
"This one made we go - wow! The composition of clover, pea tendrils, snail shell, shell spoon even down to the withered background. It had an old world flavour and subtly that made me feel transported to another time. Thank you for this wonderful picture. You are my winner."

And of course we always have some special mentions.

So well done to all of you:

@bymeeni - who also got a special mention last month!

Yon remarked - "Gorgeous handmade spoons. Like me, I'm a sucker for a handmade spoon no matter what the medium is. Beautiful intricate work here. "Sew clever" indeed, @adiabert!!"

@angelastynandco

"Lovely trio of old silverware with the simplicity of the twine wrapped around the neck of the spoon. Simple. Elegant. And just so."

"The blue/white/gold combination from @smallacornsamanda. The textures, patterns and bling of the gold made for a wonderful scene. Beautiful spoons too!!"

And @katherinedorrington - I really loved this one. Id say these were "bloomin' spoons"!" 

Thank you to everyone who entered and to Yon Kavvas @claybirdceramics for judging and providing the prize. I could definitely see how passionate people were about their spoon collections. Loved this month's entries!

Hope the rest of your month is fabulous.

- Claudia x

Porcelain delight for June

I must be missing playing with clay, because this is the third time I am teaming up with a ceramicist to run a competition. 

I'd like to introduce you to Yon Kavvas, the creative maker of Claybird Ceramics.  Yon has been playing with clay on and off for 10 years now. She studied hand building, slab and slip casting techniques using all three methods when making her porcelain ceramic range. Her designs are fresh and simple and have a genuine handmade quality. The bowls emblazoned with gold lustre are especially beautiful.

Yon has a studio in Auckland, New Zealand and I have seen her lovely work first hand at local markets. 

To see her work for yourself, visit her website http://www.claybird.co.nz/ and follow her on Instagram. Yon visits markets and has products in stores all over New Zealand including Little Beehive Co-op(Nelson), Hapa (Christchurch), Madame Fancy Pants (Wellington), Black Barn (Hawkes Bay), The Mandarin Tree (Gordonton),  Mixt (Auckland), The MarketNZ (online), Alex and Corban Home (online) and a few more to come.

This month, you could win a lovely spotted spoon made by Yon by joining in my IG monthly photo challenge. To celebrate her lovely design, I am bringing back the popular #thespoonseries tag again!

So  join in on Instagram. Snap pics with your phone or DSLR and join in the fun! 

Please follow these rules to enter:

1. Follow @claybirdceramics & @adiandbert

2. Tag a friend & invite to join

3. Post a NEW pic featuring a spoon theme to #thespoonseries

Comp is open worldwide  and closes on  Sunday 14 June. Yon will judge the winning entry.

Yon and I will be on IG looking out for your entries and featuring our faves!

-Claudia x

#thebotanicalseries winner

Congratulations to @ruby_and_ivy for being judged the best entry to #thebotanicalseries photo challenge on Instagram this month. Well done!

Aimee, my guest judge from My Beloved Style website, loved it and says this about your entry.

"The winner is @ruby_and_ivy. I loved the pics entered. The bright colours appealed to me of course as I just adore bright colours and the dahlias in this image are just so lovely! Who doesn't love a flatlay of flowers on a special plate with a beautiful floral backdrop!"

 

@ruby_and_ivy wins this lovely print provided and photographed by Aimee. This gorgeous print is the work of the talented Lee Sinclair of Cloud Nine Creative. Lee is an artist who Aimee has supported for many years and whose botanical artwork is beautiful and a perfect prize for this month's theme. 

 

There were so many beautiful entries, but these photographs  too deserve a special mention.

@bymeeni Aimee says "I am now in love with lilacs, and that wreath WOW!"

 

"@anniefrank50 I just loved your pics with the lovely descriptions and notes on each flower, a real botanical series!"

 

 

"@petiteharvest I just loved this shot, the dried hydrangea is so lovely and looks almost identical to the one I have at home"

 

 

"@fourcornerdesign your entries were all perfect and I love the simplicity of buttercups!"

"@atelier_cocon_m I loved all of your images and this one with the breadstand is just so pretty and unique!"

"It has been an absolute pleasure to work with Claudia this last week or so, thanks so much Claudia for including me, I LOVE your work and it has also been an real delight to see so many beautiful photos of flowers and leaves and just botanical goodness in general. Thanks so much to everyone who took part and I hope everyone continues to post pics to #thebotanicalseries - the collection so far is stunning" @missaimeefleur


Likewise Aimee! Thanks for organising and mailing the prize and judging the winning entry (which must have been tough!).

The response to this month's challenge has been wonderful and it's been so lovely to see everyone's beautiful takes on the theme. Thanks to all who participated. I look forward to seeing next month's entries when there'll be a new challenge.

Claudia x