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

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 :)

This Fathers day, No more socks or jocks!

1. Wooden Bowtie by Tied Up, Ceramic Balaclava Bears by The Troll & Sootcookie, Big Five Lion Print by Patrick Latimer
2. Dippy Egg Board by Alice May Design
3. Darth Vader Print by Patrick Latimer
4. Triceratops Silver Tiepin by Eon Hoon
5. "Too cool for school" Charlie Brown by Nick Marcus
6. iPad Paper Sleeve by the Wren design
7. Skal Beer Glasses by Spookasem
8. Toy Soldier Cufflinks by Smith Jewellery
9. What to Watch Print by Alex Latimer
10. Leather KompaktII Wallets by Urban Africa, Owl & the Pussy Cat Laptop Sleeve by the WREN design
11. "Icarus" Tshirt by Mingo Lamberti
12. Beer Print by Jaco Haasbroek
13. Ceramic Bunny by Sootcookie
14. Ambigram Letterpress Print by judith+kevin
15. Buffalo Leather & Felt Journals by Wessel Snyman Creative
16. PPC Cement Laptop Bags by the WREN design

10 Birds by 10 Designers

When we asked ten KIN designers if they could each make a bird for our World Earth Day Window Exhibition, all that we specified was that it should fit in the palm of one's hand and be made from a material with which they love to work. The results are incredible - each personality and individual sense of creation is beautifully evident. All the proceeds the birds and MOKO's exquisite houses will go directly to Soil for Life in support of their food-gardens initiative.

Belinda Ormond

One of three delicate ceramic seagulls with oxidised wing-tips sculpted by hand by Belinda.

 Chasteau de Balyon

We just love this happy crocheted parrot created by Cynthia of Chasteau de Balyon

Font and Heart

Melany Hodgson of Font and Heart's bird is made entirely from paper and wire with hand-cut feathers.

Gillian Fuller

This glamorous "Cape Startling" beaded bird is designed and made by Gillian Fuller from high quality seed beads.

Gillian Fuller's intricately beaded "Cape Starling" made from high quality seed beads.

Head on Design

Joanna Orr of Head On Design created a beautiful wooden bird scene that is easily assembled in 4 pieces - too clever!

Henri Kuikens

In true Henri Kuikens style, Jesse Breytenbach skilfully hand-printed a bird for the exhibition.

Inge Marais

No challenge too daunting for Inge Marais Jewellery - she created an exquisite, fully-functioning, brass Kingfisher puppet, with copper feet and st silver pins. Each part is cut and assembled by hand.

Keri Muller

Keri Muller of Simple Intrigue created a beautiful 3D bird with multiple layers of paper - transforming discarded sheet music into a very classy little creature.

Nick Marcus

You may recognise the signature smile of our bright little friend, Woodstock, skilfully sculpted Nick Marcus.

Skaapie

Tamryn Kastern of Skaapie created a small flock of beautiful hand-made felt birds with beaded legs.

And what do our birds nibble on while they expectantly wait to be purchased? Why a bunch of bright hand-made felt apples by Skaapie!

World Earth Day Window Exhibition

 

For this year’s “Green Cities” themed World Earth Day, Dagmar Grimmelikhuysen of MOKO, Soil For Life and KIN have worked together to create a fresh display for our Kloof Street store's window boxes. 

Dagmar installing her collection of beautiful bird houses

Ten generous KIN designers have made unique birds and these hang amid MOKO's handmade wooden bird houses above Soil for Life's garden boxes. The bird houses are wonderfully unusual and feature different shapes, textures, techniques and materials.

Begun in 1970, Earth Day has grown to be the world’s largest secular civic observance and this year’s focus, on the need to create sustainable communities, is playfully illustrated with this collection of unique birds and their homes. 

Prince planting the lush window boxes created by Soil for Life

KIN is proud to be the platform for the collaboration’s message and all proceeds from the sales of the bird houses and the birds will go directly to Soil for Life to support their township gardens initiative.

World Earth Day is on 22nd April 2014 and our Earth Day window exhibition will run from 28th March to 24th April.

All birdhouses by MOKO

Birds created by : Belinda Ormond, Chasteau de Balyon, Font and Heart, Gillian Fuller, Head On Design, Henri Kuikens, Inge Marais, Nick Marcus, Simple Intrigue, Skaapie

In support of Soil for life:

Charlie Brown is Back! The Return of Blockhead.

Making his very welcome return to KIN, is Charlie Brown, together with his best pal, Snoopy. Or rather the range of resin, enamel and dry clay figurines designed and crafted by the devoted fan-boy, Nick Marcus.

With the first range of 20 one-off and totally individual mini statues of Charlie Brown launched earlier this year, the windows now see 15 brand new, unique executions, as well as 15 new Snoopy statues. And this time Charlie is too cool for school as he plays with ‘classics’ like Pac Man, Rubik’s Cube, Lego, comics and dial telephones. There is also a special guest appearance by Woodstock who joins his playmates in the window.

Believing him to be unavoidably loveable, Nick says of Charlie Brown, “he has perfected the art of failure more than any other character out there. Behind all the neurosis, he is just a tender-hearted, good guy that needs a hug. And I think everybody can relate to that.”

All that Nick wants is to find each Charlie Brown a good home and KIN is more than happy to facilitate this for him. Nick says, “KIN is the right place for them. I knew instinctively that they had to be there. And then I met KIN family and they shared my passion for this project, which made me beam with joy.”