Guest Post : Inge Marais on Her Amazing Brass Kingfisher

Inge Marais of Inge Marias Jewellery tells us where she got the inspiration to make such a gorgeous brass, silver & copper Kingfisher for our World Earth Day window this month:

When KIN asked me to take part, I immediately thought "yes!"

Projects like this give you the freedom to explore without economic constraints – i.e. I'm not stressing about whether it will sell because it's for fun and for a good cause (Soil for Life).

For this project I chose to work with the Kingfisher. I chose this little guy because this colourful short little cocky bombshell reminds me of my mom. That's her in a nutshell : “ colourful short little cocky little bombshell”

I'm clearly indulging in being massively sentimental in this project – focusing on memories and family – taking time for myself and things I care about. The next aspect I used as inspiration is an item we collected in Venice – on the weekend that I got engaged. Its a jack in the box – stringy pully man – because of this man my brass king fisher will have flapping wings.

To start to design this guy I packed my bag with my mum-in-law’s bird book – bird watching is massive in that side of the family – stencil, pencils and home brewed coffee – set off to the park with my spaniel, Henk, on a perfect day to draw my design.

I'd like to say a big thanks to the KIN gang for letting me be part of this project – its been personal and indulgent and needs to be done from time to time.

The Making of MOKO's Amazing Birdhouses

Dagmar hard at work

When Dagmar Grimmelikhuysen of MOKO first presented her idea for an Earth Day window, we were immediately captivated by her sketches for the completely unique birdhouse structures that she wanted to create. We had no doubt that her natural enthusiasm and love for what she does would result in the most beautiful window exhibition. The fact that she wanted to donate all the proceeds the the Non-Profit Organisation, Soil for Life, made us glow. We were equally delighted as ten KIN designers eagerly joined the exhibition with their colourful flock of hand-made birds. 

Each structure was carefully planned and assembled by hand by Dagmar. Her designs not only focused on creating exquisite design objects, but also on functional spaces for the birds who are to make them their homes. Size, angle and placement of the openings, space within the structure and durable, interesting materials and ways to hang them were details thoughtfully considered.

Bird houses in the making

Each house was carefully designed, cut, assembled and finished by Dagmar

A Few of the finished houses : (pop into KIN on Kloof before 25th April 2014 to see more!)

Faceted Geometric Houses made by joining together individual pieces wood. They hand on thick strips of white leather.

House with birdie door, with a front perch for cloud-gazing.

Wooden cube house with a crochet cover made from sturdy out-door twine.

The "Weaver's Nest" organically-shaped house hang on a length of thick outdoor rope.

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Soil for Life

"We strive to help people reconnect with the earth, and so we teach as many people as we can how to grow their own food and to care for the earth."

Soil for Life

During the past week you've been hearing us say that the proceeds of the gorgeous MOKO birdhouses and designer-made birds in KIN on Kloof's windows are going to Soil for Life. We want to share a bit more about this amazing initiative that Dagmar Grimmelikhuysen of MOKO introduced us to, and encourage you to have a browse through their own website (here) to see their inspiring achievements and how you can get involved.

Soil for Life is a Cape Town-based non-profit organisation which focuses on teaching people how to care for and build up the soil and grow healthy plants. Their organic food gardening uses low-cost, soil building, water-wise, environmentally friendly technologies in whatever small space is available.

They run hands-on training courses in impoverished communities and provide ongoing support and advice. The practical results are households that can grow nutrient-rich plants and vegetables for themselves, and to sell in their communities - but those who take part in their training also develop a crucial sense of purpose, satisfaction and self-reliance.

Soil for Life

tel : +27 (0)21 794 49 82

email : info@soilforlife.co.za

Follow them on :

Twitter

Facebook

Also have a look at their Home Gardeners Project on GivenGain

Our Mothers Day Competition is up!

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:

We're Celebrating World Earth Day 2014

1. Brass Vine Studs by Tessa J Kelly

2. Tealight Candle Shades by Sharon Boonzaier

3. Veld Cushion Cover by Fabric Nation

4. Brass Leaf Pendants by Inge Marais

5. Faceted Bird Houses by Moko

6. Letterpress Readynote by judith+kevin

7. Bicycles Tablet sleeve by the WREN design

8. Brass Boerboon Studs by Tessa J Kelly 

9. Africa Raw Oak Board by Moko

10. Strelitzia Pendant by Starbright Girl

11. Crochet Animal Toys by Chasteau de Balyon

12. Birdhouses by MOKO

13. Map of the World by Alex Latimer

KIN on Kloof Window Exhibition:
Bird houses 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

Thanks to Ed Basson & Roule le Roux for the gorgeous Tessa J Kelly images