Studio Sneak Peek : Sharon B Design

A Sneak Peek? What's this? Chatting over tea at HQ one day, we were marvelling at how lucky we are to work with such an array of wonderful designers, and in doing so get to know them, their spaces, people and pets. Suddenly we thought, "We should share them!" and voila! we now have a spot on the blog for Studio Sneak Peeks!

 

With a background in film and advertising, Sharon Boonzaier is an established artist and designer, who explores a wide variety of creative mediums ranging from drawing and oil paintings to murals and lighting. There is magic in the simplicity of her tea-light shades which effortlessly turn her sketches into quiet, contemplative 3D objects.

Sharon often creates artwork that celebrates South Africa’s indigenous fauna and flora and urges the viewer to make steps towards protecting it. She is one of the founding members of The Concious Art Collaborative, a group of artists, designers and film makers who contribute to finding solutions for conservation.

Sharon's studio is an enchanting space to visit! Shelves are stacked high with palettes, textured papers and canvases, and work tables decorated with glass bottles of coloured inks and paintings paused in completion while layers dry. She often holds art classes there, and it's a treat to hear her talk about her own work, the new directions she is exploring and the passion she has for portraying the beauty of nature.

To follow Sharon on Facebook click here
To browse her gorgeous tealight shade range click here

the #RemakeChallenge : Fashion Photoshoot : Liam Power with Gillian Fuller

These are the stunning images from the official Remake Challenge photoshoot held at the Cape Town Fashion Council with SDR Photo / Simon Deiner. All jewellery by Gillian Fuller and all outfits by Liam Power who won First Place in this year's Remake Challenge.

Liam Power and his model at the Remake Challenge Fashion Shoot

For more images of Gillian's designs click here 

For more info on the Remake Challenge click here

the #RemakeChallenge : Fashion Photoshoot : Anke Nel with Karen Emma Schwarz

These are the stunning images from the official Remake Challenge photoshoot held at the Cape Town Fashion Council with SDR Photo / Simon Deiner. All jewellery by Karen Emma Schwarz and all outfits by Anke Nel.

Karen and Anke at the Remake Challenge Awards Evening, image by Marguerite du Plooy

 For more images of Karen's designs click here 

For more info on the Remake Challenge click here

the #RemakeChallenge : Fashion Photoshoot : Nicole Smith with Inge Marais

These are the stunning images from the official Remake Challenge photoshoot held at the Cape Town Fashion Council with SDR Photo / Simon Deiner. All jewellery by Inge Marais Jewellery and all outfits by Nicole Smith who won Third Place in this year's Remake Challenge.

Nicole (right) with her model (left) at the Remake Challenge Fashion Shoot

For more images of Inge's designs click here 

For more info on the Remake Challenge click here 

Browse Inge Marais online at kinshop.co.za

the #RemakeChallenge : Fashion Photoshoot : Kelly Ricardo with Eon Hoon Jewellery

These are the stunning images from the official Remake Challenge photoshoot held at the Cape Town Fashion Council with SDR Photo / Simon Deiner. All jewellery by Eon Hoon Jewellery and all outfits by Kelly Ricardo.

Kelly (right) with her model (left) at the Remake Challenge Fashion Shoot

For more images of Eon's designs click here 

For more info on the Remake Challenge click here

Browse Eon Hoon at kinshop.co.za

the #RemakeChallenge : Fashion Photoshoot : Leandra du Bruyn with Smith Jewellery

These are the stunning images from the official Remake Challenge photoshoot held at the Cape Town Fashion Council with SDR Photo / Simon Deiner. All jewellery by Anna Raimondo of Smith Jewellery and all outfits by Leandra du Bruyn who won second place in this year's Remake Challenge.

Anna & Leandra at The Remake Challenge Awards Evening, image by Marguerite du Plooy

For more images of Anna's designs click here 

For more info on the Remake Challenge click here

A Love of Play

1. Ceramic Bowls by My China, "Loxo in Flight" Card by The Whimsical Collection
2. Secret Ninja Magnet by judith+kevin
3. Ceramic Bunnies by Chandler House, Illustrated Envelopes by Bvbblegvm
4. Lekker Wooden Coaster Set by Mocholoco
5. Sterling Silver UFO Necklace by Inge Marais Jewellery
6. Thought Card by Simple Intrigue
7. Mini Print (set of 3) by JA!
8. Felt Heart String by Skaapie
9. Kudu Cushion Cover by Design Kist
10. "Bon Voyage, Charlie Brown" by Nick Marcus
11. Sterling Silver & Enamel Bracelets by Long Jean Silver
12. Ceramic Bowls by Clay Creations, Placemat by Handmade by Me
13. Stacking Wooden Rainbow by Moko
14. From Aardvark to Zuma by Alex Latimer
15. BoKaap Multi-layered Card by Artymiss

The #RemakeChallenge : And the winner is...

Nikki from Live Eco opens the evening

After months of watching the fashion designers transform their initial ideas into real, wearable garments and our KIN jewellery designers work to complement their ideas, the winners were announced last Thursday night at an elegant awards evening held at Selections Warehouse in Wembley Square.

Tas, Chantal and Karen looking oh-so glamourous

And the winners for the fashion section are (...drumroll...)

Liam Power - First Prize (centre right)

Leandra du Bruyn - Second Prize (second from the right)

Nicole Smith - Third Prize (third from the right

Nikki Stear of Live Eco with Liam Power

Gillian Fuller moments before her fashion designer, Liam, is announced as the First Prize Winner

 

Chantal Louw (centre) with Gillian Fuller, Eon Hoon, Anna Raimondo, and Karen Schwarz  : 4 of the +-120 reasons why we love what we do so much <3

What a wonderful collaboration it has been! Not only did we grin uncontrollabley with pride as our own KIN jewellery designers did what they do best and presented really gorgeous collections for the competition's budding designers, but we also learned so much about sustainability and buying consciously from Nikki of Live Eco and many of the Remake Challenge's inspiring sponsors and affiliates. We can't wait for next year!

All photographs in this post by Marguerite du Plooy

Bon Voyage, Charlie Brown!

With this exhibition, Charlie Brown makes his third appearance at KIN on Kloof and we are, of course, completely smitten with our windows. It is a little bit of a bitter-sweet moment, though, because this will be the last group of Charlie Browns that Nick makes to exhibit. The Charlies are always beautifully created, but the extent of the detail and workmanship of this series in particular is just astounding. Nick has made everything from tiny buttons to textured fur and knitted hats, and incredible accessories of which each Charlie can be immensely proud.

We couldn't wait for the boxes to be unpacked and the new Charlies revealed

 

Nick's window exhibitions are always well conceptualised and they set a beautiful, nostalgic tone for the month with found retro objects and pieces of his own personal Charlie Brown collection to complement his designs. This year Nick has also made beautiful wooden blocks with cartoon strips that make gorgeous, original gifts on their own.

A collage of paperbacks act as a colourful backdrop to the pieces

Nick has been a fan of Charlie Brown, Charlie's pet dog, friends and whole world since his own childhood, and each piece is made carefully and thoughtfully. Nick allows each idea to develop and take its own time, and many of the pieces have a specific story or memory behind them. We think the secret to their irresistible magic is that Nick invests his whole heart into making every figure meet the high expectations of his imagination. Each Charlie has a costume formed and painted completely by hand. Nick has taken the time to make the tiniest details and you'll find yourself exclaiming as you look from one figure to the next, perhaps reminded of characters from your own childhood.

The troupe of Charlies - all ready for new homes and adventure!

Nick's work has attracted quite a following and, unsurprisingly, many of the Charlies sold on the first day of the exhibition. Please do contact us if you would like to reserve a particular Charlie. All the pieces will be on display until 31st October 2014 - they are such a visual treat so be sure to pop into KIN on Kloof this month :)

 And now for the Charlies...

"Bon Voyage, Charlie Brown"

"Hit that perfect beat, Charlie Brown"

"I want you on Team Zissou, Charlie Brown"

"It's Adventure Time, Charlie Brown!"

"Jy's die Swart Kat, Charlie Brown"

"Stick 'em up, Charlie Brown"

"Rawrrr!! Charlie Brown"

"You're an Indian Brave, Charlie Brown"

"You're classic, Charlie Brown"

"You're classic, Charlie Brown"

"You're a Care Bear, Charlie Brown!"

"You're my only hope, Charlie Brown"

"You're Totoro, Charlie Brown"

Snoopy & Woodstock

 For queries, please contact us at hello@kinshop.co.za or on +27(0)76 822 5786.

 There are also some lovely close-ups on our Facebook page :)