Things We Love

Embroidery workshops – Hong Kong

Embroidery is back in vogue. The gentle art of embroidery has found a new generation of career artists open to using more modern and creative ideas in their work. Australian textile artist and designer Cath Derksema of Prints Charming, has been creating hand-painted and embroidered linens that are attracting attention in the art world and taking embroidery firmly into the future.

Cath will be working with KPC’s vibrant wools and organic cottons at two fun creative workshops in early October at Mirth and the KPC Yarn studio.

Spaces are limited so go to stylebrief.bigcartel to secure your place.

Embroidery Workshops:

Date: October 2, 2015

Time: 10 am – 1 pm

Cost: US$150

Where: Mirth

The Mezzanine Floor

Yip Kan Street

Wong Chuk Hang

Hong Kong

Tel: +852 2553 9811

Number of seats: 8 places available

and

Where: KPC Yarn Studio

1/F Novel Industrial Building

850 – 870 Lai Chi Kok Road

Lai Chi Kok, Kowloon

Hong Kong

Date: October 4, 2015

Time: 10 am – 1 pm

Tel: +852 2371 7675

Number of seats: 8 places available

What is included:

Learn blanket stitch from scratch, or brush up on your embroidery skills from one of the best. In the three-hour class, Cath will encourage students to explore their sense of colour with KPC Yarn’s wonderful hues. You will be provided with a linen sampler and a hand-painted panel which can be used to make an original cushion for your home.

A selection of healthy and delicious snacks from Moxo Living and refreshments will be provided during the workshop to keep you happy and hydrated.

Japanese shibori dyeing workshops in Hong Kong

I started out learning how to dye fabrics naturally from my mother when I was five or six. In her work she taught me that sumptuous colours with depth can be created from ingredients like beetroot, onions, coffee and tea. I love the way dyeing can make something very special out of anything that might be lacking a bit of originality.

Now that anything real and organic is on the rise, the beautiful art of Japanese shibori dyeing which involves folding, twisting or bunching cloth then dipping in indigo dye, is more relevant than ever. Australian textile artist and designer Cath Derksema of Prints Charming uses the shibori technique in her work and the good news for us in Hong Kong is Cath will be coming in early October to teach this highly addictive craft at Mirth in Aberdeen and the brand new KPC Yarn Studio in Lai Chi Kok.

Workshops have limited places so visit stylebrief.bigcartel to secure your place.

Shibori Workshops

Where: Mirth

The Mezzanine Floor

Yip Kan Street

Wong Chuk Hang

Hong Kong

Tel: +852 2553 9811

Time: 10 am – 1 pm

Date: 3rd October 2015

Price: US$170

and

KPC Yarn Studio

Where: 1/F Novel Industrial Building

850 – 870 Lai Chi Kok Road

Lai Chi Kok

Hong Kong

Tel: +852 2371 7675

Time: 2 pm – 5 pm

Date: 4th October 2015

Price: US$170

Number of seats: 8 only per class

What is included:

Enjoy three hours of absolute fun creating and engaging in the many facets of shibori dyeing. Cath will teach you the various steps involved in resist-dye shibori techniques such as tying and clamping; everyone will leave with their own over-sized hand-dyed muslin scarf, and Cath encourages you to bring any of your own pieces, think pillow slips, jeans, white t-shirts and linens that you might be interested in reinvigorating through this old-world approach. I can have napkins, silk scarves and pillow cases for purchase if you let me know in advance.

A selection of healthy snacks from Moxo Living and refreshments will also be provided thoughout the day.

Deem – the next chapter

Debra Little is closing the doors on her beautiful atelier on Hollywood Road… Deem. Debra has a unique collection of furniture, accessories and one-off furnishings… so don’t delay if you want to buy any of her pieces. My firm favourites are her white and gold brass trays in a variety of sizes and her single candle holders with a second usage as vases are exquisite. Pop into her 252 Hollywood Road store in Sheung Wan this weekend June 13 -14 for refreshing spritzer and nibbles to celebrate Deem’s four fun and fabulous years. But do hurry as the doors will close in July. If you want to keep in the loop with what Deborah is doing next with Deem send her an email at info@deemlimited to find out more about their next adventure.

Artistic Adventure

Join textile artist Natalie Miller, nutritionist and yoga instructor Alexis Smith and myself for a six-day artistic adventure at Ban Sairee, a luxury private beach front villa in Koh Samui, Thailand. Learn weaving, crochet with KPC Yarn, macramé, natural dyeing, skipping, yoga and more while nourishing the body with nutritious and delicious food. This six-day retreat is a learning experience and an adventure. It is an inspiring vacation where you learn skills that are not only good for your health but good for your soul.

When: Tuesday November 10 – Sunday November 15, 2015

Where: Luxury private beach front villa Ban Sairee, Koh Samui, Thailand If you book and pay by August 7 you will receive a 10 percent discount

Your Week Includes: Six days, five nights luxury accommodation

• All meals using only fresh whole foods free of processing, preservatives, colourings, flavourings and additives. Food likes, dislikes, allergies and sensitivities are catered for.

• Daily morning exercise class ranging from yoga to resistance bands, hill walking and skipping. All classes are tailored to suit all fitness levels

• 10 x three hour classes in weaving, macramé, screen printing, crochet and dyeing.

• Educational talks on all things health

• Cooking demonstrations

You also have full use of all villa facilities including swimming pool, kayaks and private tennis court. This is a prospective itinerary. It is subject to modest modifications, dependant on local weather and the desires of the group.

There are only 14 places and they are booking up quickly so don’t delay.

Please email alexis.smith@me.com with any questions or to request a registration form

Cool Crochet

I’ve worked with designer Sarah Coates, in collaboration with KPC Yarn, on beginner-to-intermediate crochet workshops for May 2015. The classes are to be held at the Ap Lei Chau Inside store, Hong Kong, on May 5th and 19th and our instructors are experts in their fields. The first workshop introduces the fun, and simple, task of the classic Granny square cushion cover with colours from the 100 percent organic cotton Gossyp yarn range to choose from. We have all the tools you will need plus a pale-grey linen cushion cover and cushion for the squares to be sewn on.

In our second workshop you will choose from the 100 percent organic cotton Gossyp range again and master a Granny square mandala stool cover. We will again be providing all tools, including the stool. These are booking up fast so for more details please visit KPC Yarn.

Pimary

I love finding quirky shops and while I was out sourcing in Sham Shui Po the other day I came across Pimary. Former retail merchandiser for high-end boutiques in Hong Kong Dora Lam, decided it was time to open her own atelier selling all things hand-made, ecofriendly and vintage. Her space is reminiscent of little boutiques that you find in the back streets of Tokyo. The wooden boards she sources from the US are well priced and smell delicious. If dried flowers and whimsical style is your thing it is definitely worth popping in.

Learn weaving and macremé in Hong Kong

I love weaving and macramé – I’m into eccentric style-driven pieces that take a slash of inspiration from the patterns of the seventies and are turned into an artfully crafted object or original, wearable item. I’ve always liked the work of talented Australian multitasker Natalie Miller – fibre artist, weaver, architect and interior designer – and the great news is I have arranged for Natalie to come to Hong Kong and teach new and wonderful things to a small group in a limited number of classes in May 2015. KPC Yarn is collaborating with their beautiful wools and cotton yarns in many colour variations, and classes will take place at the Mirth lifestyle store in Aberdeen. If you want to pick up extra wool or cotton after the class Mirth now stocks a large range of KPC Yarn – including some of my favourite colours. Places are booking fast so visit stylebrief.bigcartel to secure your place.

Natalie Miller is a fibre artist and weaver. For over 20 years she has been a registered architect and interior designer and she loves exploring the different techniques involved in working with textiles. Natalie studied tapestry weaving at Sturt Art and Craft Centre, Mittagong, and she spends as much time as she can in her idyllic home studio located in the stunning Southern Highlands in New South Wales, Australia, creating her beautiful tapestry weavings and macramé pieces.

For more details on both workshops read on below:

Weaving workshop:

Date: 15^th May 2015

Time: 10 am – 4 pm

Where: Mirth

The Mezzanine Floor

Yip Kan Street

Wong Chuk Hang

Hong Kong

Tel: 2553 9811

Number of seats: 14 only ( 9 places left)

What is included:

Enjoy six hours of absolute fun creating and engaging in the many facets of weaving. Natalie will teach you how to warp the delicious wools and cotton yarn from KPC Yarn, roving and raffia onto a timber loom as well as showing you different tapestry weaving techniques.

Natalie will start by exploring the essence of colour, form and texture. You will then be guided through all the steps needed to weave your very own wall hanging – from design through execution and finishing. To let you continue to enjoy your newfound skills you will take home an Ashford timber weaving loom and Amber bobbin along with your very own woven tapestry

Southside Ovolo will be supplying a lovely lunch and a selection of healthy snacks from Moxo Living and refreshments will be available throughout the day. If you want to join us at the end of the class for a complementary (and optional) glass of champagne, while we stand back and take in all the vibrancy of your finished work, that would be great!

Macrame workshops:

Natalie is conducting this three-hour class, which will cover the mechanics of knotting and macramé. You will be taken through all the steps on how to make your very own woven hanging pot plant holder as well as being shown how to manage any future grand-scale ambitions you may come up with.

Rope, glass vase and plant included. A selection of healthy snacks and drinks will be provided.

Date: 16^th May 2015

Time: 10 am -1 pm

Where: Mirth

The Mezzanine Floor

Yip Kan Street

Wong Chuk Hang

Hong Kong

Tel: 2553 9811

Number of seats: 10 places ( 8 places left)

What is included: Three hours of absolute knotting rope fun, creating your very own macramé pot-plant holder. All rope, glass vase and plant are included. Yummy healthy snacks and drinks will be supplied.

Cancellation Policy:

No refunds will be available for cancellation within one week of the workshop. Please take this into account when you sign up for a workshop.

No refunds of any type will be offered for workshops with out-of-town artists.

Words: Ingrid Keneally

Photo credit: Natalie Miller, The Design Files and Bec Taylor

D is for Duchessa

We adore the sublime pieces Hong Kong-based jewellery designer Nerida Aylott is creating at Duchessa Jewels. Nerida started working on her version of faux Georgian/early Victorian Riviere, or Collet necklaces when some stunning original pieces worn in a fashion documentary caught her eye. Her aim was to create sophisticated yet fluid jewellery that could be worn with many looks. She had become interested in historical pieces and spent time researching original works in London. “Mine are copies of these type of necklaces,” Nerida explains. “The original ones were either of semi-precious stones like amethyst, but were often of coloured glass encased in pinchbeck gold (fake gold). The Duchessa Jewels are made of glass or cubic zirconia, which is like a simulated gemstone and the best ‘fake’ you can get before using real stones”.

We love them worn with lace or denim and layered with vintage gold collars or chains. If you’re planning on getting a big dramatic necklace with character these pieces are just so special and they are made with a lot of love.

Praising the ginger jar

Ginger jars, filled with flowers add a touch of luxury and lift the senses. The classic Chinese ginger jar, in vibrant and fresh pastel shades, dates back to the mid-nineteenth century. Their varied sizes also means they are useful to store tea, herbs, spices and trinkets – the ginger they were originally intended for has slowed and nowadays they are known for their decorative effect.

Grouping a few in one colour family together is just one way to create a lovely look on an entrance table or to quickly brighten up a forgotten corner. We love floating a single flower in the lids. Here we have gone for the pretty feel and embraced our favourite flowers – peonies, pompom chrysanthemums, ranunculus and tulips – but you can try anything that is in season, speedwell, hydrangea, lavender or cosmos to name a few. The best place for flowers in Hong Kong is of course the flower market.

Making your own mossarium

As promised here are our steps for making your very own mossarium or terrarium. Our favourites at the moment are the hanging glass spheres which look so pretty styled on a tree or dangling in front of a window. You could even make Christmas themed ones to dress up your Xmas tree if you are so inclined.

Getting started:

1. Place a layer of stones on the bottom of your chosen vase or glass jar. The depth of the layer will depend upon the size of your jar.

2. Add a layer of soil over the stones (we bought our soil from Art Garden ).

3. Plant your selection of succulents and moss. It can be finicky to put the soil around the plants evenly so we suggest to use a small spoon to make it easier.

4. Choose your plants wisely. Try not to mix succulents and moss as they both have different watering needs.

5. We like to scatter a thin layer of stones/pebbles over the soil once the plants are in… this is personal so do as you feel here.

6. Remember succulents only need watering every two to three weeks. Moss just needs a spritz of water every second day or so.

7. Now that you have completed your little mini ecosystem do try to keep it out of direct sunlight. Good Luck!

For all your mossarium needs head to King Yuen Garden, G/ F 223 Sai Yee Street, Mongkok, Kowloon. Tel: + 852 2789 3998 or Wah King Garden Arts Co Ltd. G/F 32 Flower Market Road Mong,Kok, Kowloon. Tel: +852 2380 9129.

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