No more Havelock Jiggle

Apologies for another workroom story.  Peter managed to squeeze in time to put together my beautiful solid oak sewing table.  It has been lying in pieces since for ever.  It has moved house in pieces four times.  So no more jiggling and bouncing sewing table.  This one is heavy and does not budge an inch.  I love the legs they remind me of Robbie the Robot from Lost in Space.

Spot the difference

 The photo above is my stall at February Martinborough, which I decided looked just way to plain and needed to be brightened up.  So I added some bunting, a couple of new table covers and some of Peter's reclectica furniture and voila.

 A much more brighter and interesting stall.  The fair goers seemed to like it too, Peter's furniture was a big hit.  We came home with only two small notice boards.  All the rest are off to new homes.  One little map table is even on its way via suitcase to Christchurch.  Lucky it had removable legs.

What do you think of our first suitcase table?  Especially designed so that the legs can be unscrewed and placed in the case to be carried home.

"reclectica"

 Coulter and Coulter now has a harder firmer side, "reclectica".  An eclectic collection of furniture both new and restored.  Every piece in the collection is created from re-purposed items or renewed items.

 From the very little bling boxes made from recycled timber and vintage fabrics to beautiful bits of New Zealand's past restored to new life.

 All available from our new Felt shop "reclectica".

The madness that is Martinborough Fair

 Martinborough Fair takes place in the beautiful Martinborough village twice a year.  And it is a very, very busy occasion, two hundred plus stalls.  In order to get my stall set up I had to turn up early in the dark at 4:30am, yes I did really say 4:30am.

 There was however a flaw in my cunning plan.  I had hired tables to use on the day, instead of using my own, so there was more room in the car for stock.

 What I had not figured out was that the people supplying the tables did not open till 6am.  It was nice to have an hour to wander around, watch the sun rise and see other people setting up.  Next month I will not be as early.

 As always at Martinborough Fair it was all worth it.  Thank you to all the lovely returning customers that came back to buy more stuff and thank you to all the new customers, hope you come back next time.  I do however think my stall looks very boring this time.  So I have a few plans and changes to make it more appealing next fair day.

 Added bonus I was just a few steps away from the jazz band and got to enjoy their playing.  Also a big thank you to Keriann from Sweet Mary, who ran my stall over at the Craft and Design Market, while I was away.

Almost forgot to mention that we got to stay in a tiny bit of paradise.  I would recommend Ambrosia Cottage as the most relaxing bach I have ever stayed in.  I am not sure why its not the poshest and did not have the best view.  But I felt the most relaxed I have been in years while staying there and I would love to go back again.

Peter Has Been Busy Again

 Peter has been busy in the garage again.  First he made me this most fantastic little fantail.  I have been waiting for about three months, I think its worth the wait.  I would like a matching friend for this one little fantail.  Hope it does not take another three months.

 He also had a lot of old offcuts of wood cluttering up the place, which have now been converted......

 .............into this tidy tiny little console/desk tabley thing.  I love it.

 Hopefully all these projects will come together by this weekend and our first unveiling at the Craft and Design market in Havelock North.

 Last but not least a tiny little bird house shaped notice board.  

Changes in Work Spaces

While reading about the changes to Peter's work space you should listen to this music.  Its what was playing as I was taking the photographs and is strangely evocative of the atmosphere in his room.  Cool, chilled and relaxing.  The new shelves are made from two drawers from an old desk and a couple of wall units that were taken out of our bathroom, when it was renovated.  I think this is one of the best re-purposing projects he has done so far.

A bit of a contrast to the way my new workroom space looks.  This time you need to listen to this music.  Again we have used a couple of old drawers.  These ones were picked up at a garage sale in the museum at Palmerston North.

If you think the above looks like a jumble its not.  Everything is laid out where I need it.  Fabric is stacked by project it will be used for.  Ribbons, threads, buttons and bits and bobs all stored by project type.  I can not wait to get started on printing the pile of blankets below.  It has taken a lot of will power not to just drop all sewing and do the fun bit.

Earlier last year I made a huge decision to leave the safety of paid employment and work full time for Coulter and Coulter.  A decision that I have not regretted even once.  Even when standing in a field at a country fair  freezing cold, soaked to the skin and up to the knees in mud.  Even when I have worked seven days a week, about 15 hours per day for the last four weeks with only two evenings off.  I am so glad I made that choice.  So a big thank you to all you lovely customers that have supported Coulter and Coulter last year.  I am really looking forward to bringing you lots more hand printed loveliness in the future.  Hopefully in warm, dry, un-muddy fields.