La Galería Collaborative Project // Zine

Sometimes life has those moments...something sparks and people who never thought they would be connected are, and the results are beautiful, surprising and quite awe-inspiring. We had just such a start to 2015, when Andrea Velázquez Fossas approached us to be a part of La Galería, an intimate collective art show held at The Wepartist Village, New York. The show takes places every second month, and February's Moments is a collaboration between artists in New York and, now, South Africa. After digital words sent back and forth and Skype calls across time zones and miles of ocean, it has been astounding to see the physical results. Three KIN artists, Elsabe Milandri, Maria Magdalena van Wyk and Nadia du Plessis of Bvbblegvm, were asked to create illustrations or art works, in response to words written by poets in New York, to be exhibited and published in the Zine online.

Illustrations by Elsabe Milandri, Text by Jess Gawrych

Illustrations by Maria Magdalena van Wyk, Text by Hazel Encarnación

Illustration by Nadia Du Plessis,Text by Phillipe Chatelain

One of our highest delights at KIN is connecting people, and we are so proud to see our designers work alongside their international contemporaries. As Andrea says, "La Galería celebrates the power of human connection and creative collaboration" and we feel Moments is such a beautiful, powerful example of this. 

Please take a look at their incredible work and celebrate with Andrea and with us all that can be accomplished by saying "yes" and venturing forth. 

View the whole magazine online here.

See Andrea's photo's from the exhibition night here.

Introducing : Clay Creations 56

Perfect for holding anything from delicate pieces of jewellery to tasty nibbles, Clay Creations 56's ceramic bowls make exquisite gifts. From the smallest bowl to the largest round platter, each piece is hand-formed and has signature handpainted details. Debbi Radomsky chats about how her pieces are thought up, created and loved.

Why did you start making your products?

I've always been a numbers person and financially minded, but have also always had a passion to be creative and work with clay. Since starting, I am completely passionate about my ceramics and find it a good switch off from the numbers world too.

How are your products made?

All hand made - most using moulds to get the basic shapes

 
How did you learn to make what you do?

I attend ceramic classes but work mostly on my own and just use the studio for firing my work mainly.

What is your favourite part of the process?

Seeing how the products come out the kiln as things change when fired and you never sure how the final result will look.

"I am completely passionate about the ceramics range I make and enjoy every moment of my time spent creating each item. I love the creative process and experimenting with new and different techniques. I find time flies when I am creating and I completely lose myself to the outside world."

Debbi Radomsky

What materials are your products made from?

All ceramics made from clay, painted and then clear glazed applied and fired in the kiln.

Which part of the country, and which city do you make your products / have them made?
All in Cape Town

Are there are special care/cleaning methods we can suggest to customers?

I would suggest hand wash as items are delicate, although all products are dish washer (and oven) safe.

February Inspiration

1. Pink Bunny by Sootcookie Ceramics, Two Tone Heart Necklaces by  Inge Marais Jewellery, Card by Bvbblegvm, Wooden Stand by JA!
2. Secret Ninja Card by judith&kevin,
3. "I love you like" Necklaces by Inge Marais Jewellery
4. Postcard by Tatjana Buisson Design
5. Lingerie by Mieks Knickers
6. Flamingo Tie Clip by Eon Hoon Jewellery
7. Original Drawing for #Make1toTake1 at KIN on Kloof
8. Perspex & Fabric Bowties by Tied Up
9. Illustration by Lovely Sweet William
10. Small Wooden Africas by MOKO, Delicious Napkins by Nelle
11. Silhouette Necklace by Offbeat Melody
12. Gilt Bear Cufflinks by Smith Jewellery
13. Heart Studs by Forever Love
14. Illustration by Lovely Sweet William

Fresh in February:

Pop in to KIN on Kloof to be a part of #Make1toTake1 - an epic art swap that will run until the end of the month. Be brave and create a small drawing / doodle / some wise words, and in return, pick an original piece that someone has drawn for you and that's just waiting for you to come in and choose it from our windows. Read more about it here.

February's Windows : Make One to Take One

This month we've decided that our windows need to give away as much love as possible (it being Valentines Month and everything...)

The lovely Tas, who you all know from KIN on Kloof, has been talking about this amazing art-swap concept where art is traded for art and we all decided, it's now time...

And so we present to you our #Make1toTake1 windows!

The Concept

To begin with, we have all been doodling like mad (and forcing our friends to do the same :) and as a result, our windows are full of 100 drawings, sayings, paintings and bits of loveliness. Customers, designers, passers-by, staff - everyone is welcome to take a piece from the window if they make one in return and peg theirs up in its place.

We have a variety of pens & pencils and loads of blank sheets of art paper just waiting for you :)

Be brave, be bold, give a little of your time and give something beautiful to someone you don't even know! There is no right or wrong thing to draw / quote / write, but aim to inspire, encourage and rally everyone's spirits for this wonderful year ahead! And in return, pick an original piece that someone has drawn for you and that's waiting for you to come in and choose it from our windows.
 

Working with Live Eco last year, made us realise more than ever the beauty and importance of recycling, and our beautiful neon strings are actually made from hundreds (for real) of cardboard circles which were thoughtfully brought to us by one of our customers. With creative vision he said, "Can't you use these for a display?" We added a bit of neon paint, a splash or two of glitter and strung them up. Hope you like what your circles grew up to become, Robert :)

Pop into KIN on Kloof to see all this fun in person, be a part of our month of love and #Make1toTake1