Studio Sneak Peek - Simple Intrigue

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!

Treasure hunter, hoarder, maker of stuff, collector, browser, day dreamer, walker, traveller and owner of a vivid imagination. A lover of all things old and new, colour, silence, design, paper, forgotten items and spaces, the Karoo, buildings and structural lines. Keri Muller is a maker of stuff – a lot of different stuff.

She folds, glues and cuts paper and old books into artworks, traditional origami shapes and more abstract pieces. Collecting and hoarding abandoned objects and books and giving them another life as artworks forms the basis of much of her work. Her range of drawings, thought cards and pop-up cards are light-hearted, encouraging and whimsical.

The rapidity of Keri's thoughts can clearly been seen in her beautiful studio in Muizenberg. Her workspace feels as though it's ready for the next project, the next inspired thought - it has the materials at hand, the space ready. What a treat to visit such a place!

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Celebrating Mothers Day 2014

“Mothers and their children are in a category all their own.
There's no bond so strong in the entire world.
No love so instantaneous and forgiving.”
Gail Tsukiyama, Dreaming Water

1. Ceramic Mugs by My China, Raw Oak Board by Moko, Pop-Up Card by Simple Intrigue

2. Leather Journal by Wessel Snyman Creative

3. Set of 3 Mini Prints by JA!

4. Sterling Silver Studs by Long Jean Silver

5. Hand Block-Printed Cushion Covers by Henri Kuikens

6. Wooden Scrabble Coasters by Mocholoco

7. Letterpress Thought Card by judith+kevin

8. A5 Notebook by Soil Design

9. Ceramic "Paper"boats by Rebecca Townsend

10. Ceramic Teacups & Saucer by Noleen Read; Ceramic Sunlight Soap Trinket Box & Bunny by Homebaked Ceramics at Chandler House; Fynbos & Resin Drops by Daya Heller; Bracelets, Earrings & Necklaces by A Bird Named Frank; Rings & Necklaces by Long Jean Silver; Necklaces by Starbright Girl, Rings by Famke, Porcelain Lovebird Necklace by Sarah Walters

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!

Happy Inspiration for March 2014

"Be who you were created to be, and you will set the world on fire." - St Catherine of Sienna

March at KIN is all about showing off your colours - not just accepting yourself, but really celebrating all the individual qualities, quirks and weird talents that make you who you are. 

1. Cards by Schwarzie
2. Colour-In Postcards by Henri Kuikens
3. Mini Print by JA! (sold in sets of three)
4. Felt Heart String by Skaapie
5. Thought Card by Keri Muller
6. Wooden Rainbow by Moko
7. Notecards by Artymiss
8. Colouring Book by Colour Africa
9. Animal Magnets by Design Werkstatt (sold in sets of two)
10. Notebooks by Font and Heart
11. Stickers by judith+kevin
12. Knitted Octopi by Wolmer

February 2014's Love-ly Inspiration

A Month of Love is all about a bit of fun & frivolity and we're choosing to celebrate it with everyone we love - from our best friends to our brothers to our mentors (because letting someone know how much they mean to you is never a cliché). If you're stuck for fantastic options, pop into KIN on Kloof or KIN at V&A - we love the quest for a perfect gift, and we'll wrap it up ever so prettily for you! If you're too busy to be out & about then do have a browse online at all the lovely pieces we've recently made available at kinshop.co.za.

1 - Perspex Heart Studs by Papertales (with a Design Kist cushion cover in the background)
2 - Just Kissed by Mieks Knickers
3 - Brass & Sterling Silver "I Love You Like.." Necklaces by Inge Marais
4 - I Love You Pop-up card by Keri Muller
5 - Block-printed pouch by Henri Kuikens
6 - Hand-thrown Ceramic Teacup by Noleen Read
7 - Sterling Silver T-Rex Tie-clip by Eon Hoon
8 - Wooden Scrabble Coasters by Mocholoco (on a cushion cover by Skinny La Minx)
9 - Pink Ruche by Mieks Knickers
10 - Sterling Silver Infinity and Circle Rings by Famke
11 - Love is Free A4 Print by Lovely Sweet William
12 - You Belong Here A4 Print by Papertales
13 - Set of 5 Love Tags by Papertales
14 - Resin Flower Studs by Chasteau de Balyon
15 - Small Ceramic Bunnies by Sootcookie

Too Good to Waste

It's always inspiring to see different artists and designers teaming up to support each other and a cause. Keri Muller of Simple Intrigue and Wendren Setzer of The Wren Design are designers who have always focused on re-using materials that are often ignored and discarded but hold so much potential. From 30th Januray to the 9th February they are taking part in a wonderful exhibition in the Clocktower Mall at the V&A Waterfront, Cape Town. Too Good to Waste is the first project to exhibit in the newly-WDC2014-yellow Clocktower as part of the official program of events.

Africa Re-Invented, a sculpture from re-claimed books by Keri Muller

Highly durable PPC Laptop Bags from The Wren Design

As 2014 highlights, we have so much to be proud of in this city and exhibitions like this are a privilege and definitely worth a visit. If you are unsure of the lay of the land, here's a map to show you how to get from our KIN store in the Alfred Mall to the Clocktower Mall.

Both KIN on Kloof and KIN at V&A stock the work of these talented designers, and you can follow these links to take a peek at some of their beautiful pieces online at kinshop.co.za:

The Wren Design

Simple Intrigue

1000 New Year Wishes

To welcome in the New Year, we are hanging one thousand origami cranes in our Kloof Street store’s windows. Each ethereal little bird is a wish in paper form, and we would like to encourage all our designers, customers and friends to pop by, cut a crane free and make a wish for your year ahead. If you’d like to take your wish home for a friend or loved one, well, that’s even better.

KIN on Kloof

This exquisite installation is a collaboration with paper artist Keri Muller who is well-known for her artworks made from old books destined for the recycling pile, abstract paper artworks, and enviable origami skills. The exhibition’s concept is loosely based on an ancient Japanese promise that in folding one thousand origami cranes, one evokes a powerful wish. We would like to set a thousand good wishes free into the world, and it's our New Year's gift to all our KIN to take a small piece of art home with you. We also love the idea that origami cranes are thought to be a compelling lucky charm when hung – so get yours up as soon as you get home :)

Our happy flock of cranes will live in KIN on Kloof’s windows from Boxing Day (Thursday the 26^th December 2013) until the middle of January 2014.