Rondavel {interview and giveaway}

Happiness is not a goal, but a by-product - Eleanor Roosevelt

I'm sure this quote applies directly to the couple I am featuring today, Kate and Chikondi, the owners of Rondavel Soaps. They have such an interesting story about how they started their business and I couldn't wait to share it with you! 

Chikondi and I were living in Malawi, from when our first son, Jesse, was six months old. After reading the ingredients on many baby products - packed with petroleum-based byproducts - we decided to start making our own bum balm for his nappy changes.

This was so effective (with only two ingredients: macadamia nut oil and raw beeswax), and popular with friends, who suggested we start making other natural products like soap, using Malawi's rich and wonderful natural resources. With a combined background in Nature Conservation, Botany, Chemistry and farming, this was a great challenge, and I really enjoyed working with small-scale farmers and rural communities where marvellous plants like Baobab trees are found. Jesse is now eight, and we returned to South Africa (now with three boys) in June 2012 to spend more time with family and try the soap business here where the market is so much bigger than in Malawi!

What sort of products do you make? Do you also provide services?
Other than wonderful handmade soap, we also make lip balm, eczema balm, beeswax candles, and I am thinking of a gentleman's old-fashioned shaving range, but our main focus really is the soap. Soap is such a fantastic medium to experiment with, for example, using goats' milk instead of water to make a creamy, ultra-moisturising soap, infusing indigenous plant materials and oils into the soap, like Honeybush tea and Cape Chestnut seed oil.

 Designing and making the packaging is also exciting, with great potential to give a 'feel' to the soap before you use it. At the moment we are trying to keep up with demand, so don't provide any particular services, although we do make custom soaps for customers who order a whole batch, like a Backpackers Lodge in the Drakensberg who we make an all-purpose hair and body soap for. They like that is biodegradable and doesn't affect their wetland water purification system.

Where do you find inspiration for your creations?
One thing that living in a remote country like Malawi taught us is to Look Around! Inspiration is everywhere. And the more close to home, and to your heart, the better. I have a great love and attachment to South Africa's rich flora and wild places. This inspired our Local Landscapes range, where we centred the theme, and the ingredients, for each soap around a particular area we have visited and loved. For example, our Cape Chamomile and Geranium soap is inspired by the Fynbos of the Western Cape, with wildcrafted and indigenous essential oils sourced from S Chicken Naturals, an old family business in the Cederberg that source and cultivate plants like Cape Chamomile and Buchu sustainably.

How do you perceive the South African creatives/design landscape?

Compared to Malawi, the design landscape here is immense! It was a wonderful surprise to see how much it had changed and grown in the eight years we had been away. I have lived and travelled in the US and the UK, and personally think that there is a wider variety of materials, ideas and inspirations in developing countries like South Africa, and although the tilt can be Western, I think the vernacular is being interpreted in exciting ways here.

What are some of the challenges of being your own boss?

Well, we both think we are the boss, so that is challenge in itself! No, it is wonderful sharing a passion for Rondavel together, but we never seem to get away from talking about work, or both get time off together. One day I am going to count how many times a day we say the word 'soap'!

What is your favourite colour/ material to work with, and why?

Does creamy handmade soap count? For packaging I enjoy working with the natural textures of recycled papers (we use recycled sugarcane fibre paper for the Landscapes series). I also love using strips of local Shweshwe fabric like ribbons, and combining them with my watercolour illustrations of memorable places.

What would you do if you won the lotto?

Shout Hooray! And then buy a big doublecab diesel bakkie, throw the kids, camping and soapmaking equipment in the back and head off around the country using only the backroads. We would explore beautiful places, relax, and make soap with the aromatic ingredients and involving willing locals we find along the way!

Where to from here?

Don't ask me! I find it hard to think big, at least in business. Chikondi is better at planning our future growth, I am just happy that more and more people - here and around the world - are using Rondavel soap and loving it! In the short-term, when the mad Christmas rush is over, I will be working on some new Landscape soaps...am thinking Bushveld with Acacia ingredients, and a Mistbelt forest inspired soap - since that is the area where we live!

What has been your proudest moment since you started?

There have been lots of small-but-meaningful Proud Moments along the way: from using a bar of our first batch of successful soap, to seeing my drawings on printed soap wrappers, to seeing Chikondi in The Mercury, a Durban newspaper that wrote a story about Rondavel in their Network section. Lots more to come, I hope!

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All pics supplied by Rondavel
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Aren't they so inspirational? I just want to start making things now!

And, guess what, you can win a hamper of their goodies!

Kate and Chikondi have been so sweet to giveaway 

this enamel bowl filled to the brim with their goodies! 

You will get the following flavours:

Baobab and African Bluegrass
Naartjie and Mieliemeal
Cape Chamomile and Geranium
Karoo Lavender and Honeybush
Blue Mountain Sage
Aloe Ferox and African Basil

All you have to do is fill in this rafflecopter form! A winner will be chose next week Wednesday.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

fraai meRaai Ontwerp {feature}

Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. 

If you love what you are doing, you will be successful - Albert Schweizer.

These words couldn't ring more true about today's featured artist - Cornea from fraai meRaai Ontwerp. I am very excited to share this post with you as I have known Cornea for a very very long time - from grade one. In fact, I think we were in the same home class every year as our surnames both started with W - and I have just loved tracking her progress from small beginnings to her now opening her own shop! I love a good success story and showcasing how truly awesome the South African design scape really is. Enjoy!

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Fraai MeRaai started when you started planning your own wedding, right?  Please tell me more about this.

When planning my own wedding last year I went to the a very famous Bridal Expo - the idea was to tie down some great suppliers and spend big bucks on all things pretty and totally unnecessary...BUT to my disappointment I was overwhelmed with wedding planners and photographers bombarding me with flyers, brochures and business cards. 

As a graphic designer i was very annoyed and cought myself wondering what I would have done differently. We had some cake, entered a few competitions and left with a bag that could - on it's own - be responsible for global warming! Yes - a paper trail to be ashamed of...

Since I was already designing my own wedding stationery and DIY gifts for the bridal party, I thought I might as well fill the gap in the market and start advertising it. Believe it or not - this idea aided in funding my wedding! YAY! Now, the little idea has exploded into a business I never would have thought possible. 

I am so overwhelmed with the interest, but so thankful as it forced me to quit my day job and persue my passion! My only regret - not having the products and ideas (I currently have) for my own wedding which was in February of this year. Haha

What sort of products do you make? Do you also provide services?

 The main attribute is that I do custom designs for each client. This means that I design all their chosen products to suit their theme and colour combination of the event. Some products include Tank tops & T-shirts, Carry Bags, Drinky Cups, Badges, Boutonnieres, Vintage Sashes, Garters, Dresses and underwear.

Where do you find inspiration for your creations?
My inspiration? Well a simple answer will be: "in all the pretty vintage things". I love DIY, so I am always on the look out for new ideas in magazines and on websites, also my clients have the most wonderful ideas and sometimes a simple "Meraai can you make something like this" enquiry can be responsible for a whole new product line!  Most importantly, when I see something that inspires me to create a new product, I ALWAYS try to do my own concept -  in my own style to make sure it is unique to Fraai Meraai Ontwerp.

You recently decided to do this full time. What are some of the challenges of being your own boss?
True. This is all new to me. People don't always understand that I am one person responsible for everything from admin and invoicing, to marketing, designing and actually producing the handmade products. It's a big learning curve and I struggle to prioritise between when I should pay attention to what. I trust that I will master this in due time, and that having an assistant of sorts would be a great help to myself  and the business.

How do you perceive the South African creatives/design landscape?
I must say, since starting Fraai Meraai Ontwerp I have been exposed to local talent that I never even dreamed of seeing in SA. We are a nation truly blessed with original thoughts and ideas - in my opinion - the mass produced products of America and China will never portray the love and passion we as South African designers capture in our work.

What is your favourite colour/ material to work with, and why?
Oh hello turquoise! It's my happy colour! Materials...hmmm...I would most definitely have to say the Pertersham and Cotton ribbons I use for the boutonnieres :) I don't like working with Satin, but in some cases it really adds that special shine to a product made for a wedding.

What would you do if you won the lotto?
I have a big dream of having my own wedding venue. Designed in my taste and according to what I was looking for when searching for venues. It will be the perfect "one-stop-bridal-spot" and OOPS -  I have already said more than I should! I am currently working towards the dream :)

Where to from here?
I hope to move to a bigger premises and employ more staff. This will also allow me to expand the product line and open franchise studios all over SA for design interns and students to gain experience,helping me help them through job creation and exploring the local talent.

What has been your proudest moment since you started?
Proud moments are those when I am asked to be featured on blogs or websites. I will never get tired of that - it's such a compliment! PROUDEST moment...when a client emailed me saying the following "On a flight for a business trip to Cape Town, the air hostess noticed my Fraai Ring and asked me: "I love your ring, where did you get it - from Fraai Meraai???" I know it's something small, but being noticed means the world to me!

 

Happiness Is... {feature & giveaway}

Hello lovelies, I hope you all had a fantastic weekend! I sure did! It was eventful, including almost being in an accident that would have been fatal. Thank God for His grace and for keeping Flip and I safe. Moving swiftly along and to get out of that somber mood, I'm featuring the gorgeous Fathima K from Happiness Is... today. She really is a treat and will have you oogling over her beautiful designs and creations, such as iPhone covers, in a jiffy. Enjoy!

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1. Happiness is... is your personal blog as well as your graphic design brand's name. Please tell me more about this. How long have you been doing this?

I've been blogging on Happiness is... since 2009. I'd started a few blogs before that and could never get myself to post regularly, until this one. It started out for two reasons: one was to promote some little felt goodies I was making and selling at Durban's I Heart Market, and the second was to try and bring more positivity into my life, hence the title. 

As I kept going with it, it also became my creative outlet to balance my work life. Last year I left my job to start my own business as a freelance designer and illustrator and thought I'd keep the name for that as well since it already had a little bit of recognition. However, I would like to change the name for my brand purposes, as soon as I can come up with something I like!

2. What sort of products do you make? Do you also provide services?

On one end I'm experimenting with my own creative products which is mainly stationery at the moment, and I sell that on Hello Pretty. I sell on Society6 which is a really cool international site that allows you to sell your designs on products which they create, like iPhone and iPad covers, prints, cards, t-shirts and tote bags. I recently also started a store on Creative Market selling stock graphic elements and illustrations that you can buy and use.

On the other end I offer graphic design and illustration services and consulting. This ranges from branding for small businesses to wedding stationery and commissioned illustrations, and more. I'm always keen to try something new!

How cool are these iPhone covers?

3. Where do you find inspiration for your creations?

Mostly from nature. I love plants and nature in general, and when you really look at the details, it's truly amazing. I'm also inspired by other illustrators and designers; looking at their work always gets me motivated to be better and do more. 

4. What are some of the challenges of being your own boss?

Being my own boss is pretty cool, but what's sometimes tough is probably having to play all the roles you'd find in a company. In my own business I'm not just the designer anymore, I'm also the secretary, client liaison, art director, conceptualiser, and even accountant (well... more like Excel spreadsheet-er, haha!). That's pretty much the reality of being a one woman band, but I enjoy that. I like that I'm responsible for everything, so if something gets stuffed up I have only myself to blame, and if stuff goes well, that's mine, too. I kinda feel more fulfilled handling more roles, but it does take up a lot of time and requires planning and discipline. 

5. How do you perceive the South African creatives/design landscape?

South Africa at the moment is so full of the most talented, amazing creative people! And not just graphic design, but illustration and craft as well. There seems to be a lot going on, it's really great. I do find that many creatives aren't very open to sharing knowledge and collaborating, and I find that a pity. Working together makes everyone better! I think we need to work on developing a more sharing culture. 

6. What is your favourite colour/ material to work with, and why?

Hmm... My favourite colour in general is green, probably a lot to do with my love of nature. I absolutely love luscious green landscapes. My favourite materials are probably my Pentel brush pen (it's like a pen with a paintbrush tip!) and watercolours. I'm not a watercolour expert, so I enjoy experimenting with it and love that you aren't always 100% sure what the end result will be once the colours blend and dry. I especially like mixing those two mediums, I like the contrast of the harsh black ink and the soft watercolour.

7. What would you do if you won the lotto?

Oooh, I wish! How much is the lotto these days anyway? I think I'd first give a chunk to my folks, as much as they need to be comfortable and go on a nice holiday. Then donate a fat chunk to an animal rescue/rehabilitation organisation... Or maybe even start my own, haha! The thought of starting a shelter for strays has crossed my mind several times! Then I'd use the rest on cool art supplies and handmade goods and save some so that I can work less and spend more time on making :)

8. Where to from here?

Onwards and upwards! I've got a book full of ideas for little projects and products that I want to work on, so I hope to slowly achieve all those. I'm about to launch a wedding stationery template range, which I'm very excited about! And I hope to grow my business and be able to collaborate with other creatives who have products, I'd really love to expand my work onto mediums other than paper.

9. What has been your proudest moment since you started?

I think since this was my first year on my own, every time I landed a client for a project I was excited about, it was an achievement. Being able to do work that you really enjoy is a great privilege and I appreciated that every single time. But overall proudest moment was probably last month, which was my one year freelanciversary! Very proud and grateful to have made it through what is usually the toughest phase of a new business or starting anything new.

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You can win! 

Fathima has kindly agreed to do a special giveaway for The Sun House readers.
You can stand a chance to win your initial in an A6 size monogram watercolour and brushpen illustration worth R200!

Fathima drew one with my initial as an example.

 All you have to do is check out her collection of products on Society6
and then leave a comment here on what your favourite product is.

You can also check her out on twitter, facebook &  instagram.
And make sure to check out her blog!

Good luck!

I Do Décor {interview & giveaway}

 

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picture from here

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South African wedding planning and assistance company I Do Inspirations have recently added a new offering to their stall, and are now selling pretty wedding goods on their I Do Decor online shop. The owner and creator of I Do, Pippa van den Berg tells The Sun House that the company provides an online space for brides-to-be (and grooms-to-be) to get ideas and inspiration for their special day, but that it has so-much-more behind the scenes.

1. I Do is your brainchild. Please tell me more about it.

Myself and a friend started I Do Inspirations in 2011. We provide on-the-day wedding coordination as we believe it is so important to be able to handover this function so that the wedding couple, their family and friends can relax and enjoy the day, knowing that everything is being taken care of. I think that couple’s should be involved in the planning of their wedding day as it’s such a personal thing, and you want your guests to feel that the day is unique to the couple getting married. But it’s important that on the day, you are able to be fully present in what is happening and not worrying about suppliers arriving on time, setup and the flow of the day – let someone else manage this for you!

After some time, we found that we were getting so many requests for wedding venues in South Africa, that we decided to add this to the website. Visitors are now able to search by region through an easy to use map, or by category – Beach, Bush, City, Country, Winelands, or Intimate.

2. What is your favourite trend in the wedding industry at the moment?

I just love the use of bright colours and patterns, and my favourite at the moment is definitely the use of the pattern, chevron – check this out to see what I mean

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picture from here

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3. And what should rather fly out the door?

The feeling that you have to stick to age-old wedding traditions. I believe that a wedding should completely reflect the couple who are getting married. If a white dress or a formal ceremony is just not you, then don’t do it! Be true to who you are and do what you want, it is a celebration of the two of YOU after all, if that means you get married under an arch of multi-coloured balloons by a river, or have a picnic with your close family and friends, then do it! You will enjoy it so much more if you are doing what you love, and your family and friends will remember it because it was so uniquely the two of you!

4. What are some of the challenges of running I Do?

Can’t really think of any :-)

5. How do you perceive the South African creatives/design landscape?

There is an endless supply of creative inspiration in South Africa. In terms of weddings, we are blessed with so many different types of places to get married, that you really are spoilt for choice! Our wealth of culture also provides unlimited ideas and opportunities to get creative with weddings!

6. What would you do if you won the lotto?

Open up a décor shop with a coffee shop so that I could meet with clients, drink cappuccinos, and discuss their ideas in person - with direct access to the products :-)

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picture from here

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7. Where to from here?

We have just launched our new online décor shop, I Do Décor, where we source wedding and event décor from all over South Africa, giving customers access to sought-after products in one online shop. We endeavour to stock relevant and useful items to assist customers in creating the look and feel that they envision, and enable them to give their event or wedding their own personal touch.

8. What has been your proudest moment since you started?

Every wedding we have helped coordinate I have been extremely proud of. I love putting together wedding ideas and inspiration on our website, and now being able to give people access to buy some of the things to bring those ideas to life, is just great!

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To celebrate the launch of I Do Décor, they are running a competition on their website.

You can win up to R1 000 in decor for your big day!

Check out below for details and make sure to enter!

This includes:

The fabulous prize consists of the following:

• 25 x red striped paper straws
• 3 x giant red balloons
• 10 x paper heart cut-out lanterns
• 1 x heart hessian cake bunting
• 1 x 20m bright pink & white bakers twine
• 10 x rolls of washi tape in mixed colours and patterns
• 1 x medium wall quote (Once in a while right in the middle of an ordinary life, love gives us a fairytale)
• 1 x wooden dove with crystal
• 3 x turquoise blue paper parasols
• 3 x white round bamboo paper lanterns

T's&C's apply

Met Liefde {Interview}

When two creative minds met at a braai the flames for a new business started burning. Finding out that they lived in the same complex, they made the transition from acquaintances to friends to business partners. Met Liefde was born. I spoke to Lia and Claudia to find out more about their business.

C: It was wedding time for both of us, I had the wedding decor under control, but still needed stationary/invitations made. So who else than the wonderful & talented Lia (who is an amazing graphic designer) to design them. So Lia did me a huge favour, so when it came to her important day, I just returned the favour by lending her all my decor.

And the rest is history...

L: We just connected on a personal and creative level from the very start. We got excited about the same beautiful things and we both share a passion for hands on design and true creativity. We always said that ‘one day’ we are going to start a business together and not so long ago that one day actually arrived. It’s been a wonderful journey so far.

How long has Met Liefde been running?

C&L: We’ve been dreaming about it for about 2 years and only started putting the prettiness into action in Januray 2013, so its still a little baby!

What sort of products do you make? Do you also provide services?

C&L: We design & make table décor (for now). We have a lot of beautiful ideas that are still banked and we can’t wait to produce them all. Products include fabric runners & napkins, wood napkin rings, coasters, placemats & fridge magnets & also painted bamboo utensils.

We don’t provide laser cutting services, but if there is a special request for a product we’ll always try and make it happen. 

Where do you find inspiration for your creations?

C: Colours, blogs, photography, retro, nature & bunting. We bounce everything off each other & then after brainstorming we sometimes find the best ideas.

L: My brain collects creative information from everywhere, nature, magazines, blogs, travelling, good food, random conversations, colour and art. It then mixes it all up and stores it somewhere cosy where it grows into ideas. Every now and again I’ll get a brainwave out of the blue from my creative chamber then I quickly put the idea on paper and make it happen.

What are some of the challenges of being your own boss?

C: We are responsible for everything: hopes, dreams, finances and creative juice. This is our baby now & we have to carry & nurture it through teething problems etc.

L: We’re both juggling full time jobs and dreams at the moment, so I think it’s important not to lose sight of where we want to go with ‘met Liefde’ and work hard to make all our dreams a reality. There is so much still to learn and the best thing to do is to take it one challenge at a time! 

How do you perceive the South African creatives/design landscape?

L: I’m quite excited about what’s happening with local design at the moment. For a while the design scene has been taking off and it’s great to see that creatives aren’t nervous to start their own businesses and to follow their hearts and dreams anymore. They are not scared to take risks for what they believe in. It ‘s causing such an exciting movement in the cities and it’s spreading like a wild fire through the whole country. I’ve been to Italy and Switzerland recently and realised how much we as South African designers have to offer. South African design is at a very exciting place and growing rapidly. In a developing country there is a lot of opportunity and it’s great to see how the designers are using it!

What is your favourite colour/ material to work with, and why?

C: Beige/Grey/Blue/Green/Coral! Fabric (I studied fashion design & I get extremely inspired by fabrics & prints) the texture & feel is just amazing & wood (natural & nature, say no more)

L: I don’t have favourites, but I do get excited about interesting colour combinations that just ‘sing’ together be it brights or naturals. I love getting colour inspiration from nature. You can never go wrong by stealing a little from the Creator Himself ;)

What would you do if you won the lotto?

C&L: Quit everything else & just run this wonderful little gem. We would love to employ some people from the community & let them help us create something wonderful and truly South African. Creating jobs is definitely high on our priority list and close to our hearts.

Oh, and maybe a shopping spree, a trip around the world in a hot air balloon, free Gelato for everyone & world peace.

Where to from here?

L: Infinity & beyond! We want to go big, keep on creating and be innovating, make homes prettier, people happier, collaborate with other creatives and expand.

C: We are looking at more stores & markets where we can sell our products. Santos in Parkhurst is currently stocking ‘met Liefde’ products and we have a big market coming up in October – November. If you know of some amazing places & spaces, please let us know!

What has been your proudest moment since you started?

L: The amazing response that we’ve had so far! We’ve been able to connect with so many great people and met Liefde has been so very blessed from day one.

C: When our facebook page & all our images went up!!

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Met Liefde is currently running a giveaway on their facebook page. Check it out. 

Maiden Name {interview + giveaway}

The South African design front is exciting me more and more everyday! I love how talented the people are and I love sharing it with you. To prove that local is always the lekkerest, Ingrid Auret from Maiden Name shares her inspirations behind her creations, her love for design and what it's like to be your own boss.

In her own words Ingrid describes Maiden Name as - a business that was started with the hope that it will grow into a much-love shop and brand. Every product is hand painted and made with lots of love. Maiden Name pieces are all made to order and because it is handmade, might not be perfect, but each piece is slightly unique. 

Maiden Name consists of two categories, somethings for you - where you will find jewellery and accessories and somethings for your home - where you will find decor.

SFL also had a quick interview with Ingrid to find out about the person behind the brand.

Ingrid, design is booming in South Africa. Why did you start this business?  

 I always knew that the 8-5 desk job is not  for me, so after 2 years of doing the desk job thing as an exhibition  stand designer (which I absolutely hated!), an opportunity to do an  internship at a local decor magazine popped up and I grabbed it. 

It was very stressful to leave the comfort of a monthly salary, but I was only 23  with no expenses or responsibilities other than rent. I figured rather do  it now while I only have myself to worry about. After a month of interning  I got the opportunity to start doing freelance exhibition stand design
work for a company in Holland (very lucky!) So left the magazine and  started my freelance venture, very excited! 

I then also had time to pursue  my biggest dream of starting a product range (Maiden Name). I consider  myself very lucky and making very scary decisions, which turned out to be the best decisions I have made so far in my life. I am now excited about  'work' everyday and I also love exhibition design (which I am still doing freelance).

Not a lot of people have that kind of moxie to do their own thing. What are some of the challenges of being your own boss?

The biggest  challenge is definitely the financial aspect, it is very stressful! But that is all - other than that, being your own boss is great, if you are driven,  motivated and have enough self control to get up early (business hours)  and work till late (non business hours).

 You have to be willing to put in a  lot more hours than you get 'paid' for.

You create these amazing, handmade items. Where do you get your inspiration from?
am so inspired by any form of  design, and especially here in our own South Africa, we do it so well and  after a recent trip to Europe I learned that we are SO up there, if not better, at being designers and creatives! I am extremely proud of where  South Africans are at design wise. South Africa and South Africans inspire me.

Ditto! We have amazing talent in this country. What is your favourite colour to work with?
White white white!

White always stays stylish and modern and goes with anything. Although I  have a personal obsession with black at the moment, we just painted one of our walls black and I cannot stop smiling about it!

Black eh? Hope it's a chalkboard wall. So, what would you do if you won the lotto?
Buy myslef and the boyf a small,  old Victorian house in Tamboerskloof that we can renovate and make our  own. And then see the world, I would travel. It is worth so much more than any earthly belongings.

I am so in agreement with you. Traveling is one of the greatest things about life. But tell me, what has been your proudest moments since you started?
I was out for drinks with friends around the middle of last year, had to go to the loo and as I
entered another girl was leaving the bathroom. She paused, pointed at my  satchel and said: "That's Maiden Name".

I was so excited that someone in a  random place recognised the Maiden Name satchel!

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Ingrid was so awesome that she is giving away two of her stunning handcrafted items - a coathanger, which I am absolutely drooling over, and a to-die for bowl with a little kitten in it.

How to win:

(only mandatory entries)
*Like Maiden Name on Facebook
*Like Second Floor Living on Facebook and leave a comment to tell me that you have entered.

But wait, there's more:
(make sure to leave a comment for each entry, mkay?)
* Share this post on Facebook. Just click on the Facebook icon in the bar at the bottom of the page.
* Follow Maiden Name on Twitter
*Tweet about it - just click the Twitter icon in the bar at the bottom of the page.

 
May the best one win! Good luck!
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*All photos via Ingird Auret
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ClayHouse Designs & giveaway

             Ceramic tags by Dionne Barnes

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When a hobby meets passion and creativity, the opportunities are endless.  Cape Town-based Dionne Barnes has combined these factors and found ClayHouse Designs, a fun ceramic gifts and decorations company, which products are sure to add some whimsy and talking points to your life. SFL probed a little into Dionne's life to see what makes her tick.

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Why did you start this business?

 Ceramics started as a hobby. It was an opportunity to do something totally different from my "routine" day job. I started an evening class with my Mom which also gave me a wonderful chance to spend some time with her. It's in these classes that a love for clay developed. A passionate teacher & now friend taught me the ropes and never in my wildest dreams did I think it would become a career. I still don't really regard it as a job but more a passion. I had a few items for sale at a florist/gift shop in Somerset West. The owners (now friends), were always so supportive & encouraging of my work, they put me into contact with their friends, from there one thing led to another and its turned into a little business.

Where do you get your inspiration for the things you create?

I think really anything & everywhere. My clients, friends & family. I often have someone saying you know we would really like a small bowl for a gift for a friend, or I really like the colours blue and grey and this sparks an idea. I love hand-made items so sometimes a piece of fabric or a beautiful sheet of paper will give me inspiration for a colour combination. I love texture and the way clay allows you to imprint/impress into its surface, so I am always on the lookout for textured objects to use.

Explain a little about your process. 

"If clay teaches you anything it's patience" this was a remark my teacher often used and it's so true. Working with clay can be a lengthy process and, at times, its a very frustrating medium. My preferred method is hand-building, so from the raw clay I roll it out, cut my desired shape, wait for it to dry, and work off all the imperfections. Fire for the first time to +\-960 degrees C (bisque fire), decorate, glaze and fire a final time (glaze fire) to about 1200 degrees C. At any stage in the process an item can crack and even if and when it makes it to the final glaze firing there is no guarantee of success. So it can be rather tricky, but it is a wonderful feeling to open the kiln door and success!!

What has been your proudest moment since you started?       

When a client phoned me up, out of the blue, several months after they purchased some of my bowls and said how they look forward to using my bowls every morning at breakfast! It was so wonderful to hear that they enjoyed using them just as much as I enjoyed making them!

Any words of wisdom?

Try to spend some time each day/week doing what you love. I believe if you are passionate about what you do it will show in your product/service. 

If you have or are starting a small business do not underestimate the power of the Internet, blogs and social media. Some of these tools are free and if suitable to your business, can be very rewarding as it puts you into contact with clients/customers and they can give you wonderful inputs & feedback!

Where to next?

Well that's difficult to say, I try not to think too far in advance. My business is small and this allows me to shift & change as I want. I really enjoy this flexibility. Currently, I am having so much fun making my ceramic jewellery, so perhaps a few more items in different shapes to add to the collection. Who knows where the journey will take me next?

***this giveaway is now closed****

Oh goody, here comes the fun part! You can stand a chance of winning this whimsical hand painted Cheeky Bird  ceramic bowl and these super sweet ceramic earrings, worth almost R200! All courtesy of ClayHouse Designs.

Makes your Monday less blue, hey?

How to win:

(only mandatory entries)
*Like ClayHouse Designs on Facebook and leave a comment to tell me what your favourite ceramic design is
*Like Second Floor Living on Facebook

But wait, there's more:
(make sure to leave a comment for each entry, mkay?)
* Follow Second Floor Living on GFC 
* Follow SFL on Twitter 
*Tweet about it
* Pin a photo from ClayHouse Designs to Pinterest (tell me that you have done this)
May the best one win!
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*All photos via Dionne Barnes
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