easy access

I have just discovered that you can read the beautiful magazine dumbo feather, pass it on, online! Such a great way to access a popular & hard to get in NZ magazine, & im all for saving a tree!

It costs AU$30 for an annual online subscription, but thats not bad if you ask me :)

Check out their free online trial here.

at HOME

I was flicking through the latest issue of HOME magazine & spied HEAPS of exciting artists & artworks.

The standout artists for me were Areta Wilkinson who puts a new & exciting take on the silhouette which has had a recent surge in popularity, and Andy Kingston whose twists on kiwiana ceramics simple made me laugh.

giddyup horsey!

a modern take on an old favorite - the rocking horse, or in this case the rocking stool.

The 'giddyup' rocking stool by new zealand designer tim wigmore is made from second handle saddles that have been given a new lease of life. the growing concern/issue of sustainability in the design world is addressed by tim through the use of sustainable hoop pine or gabbon marine-grade plywood for the rocking base, stainless steel screws to attach the saddle to the base, & non-toxic (eco-friendly)orange citrus oil (used to polish the saddle). tim says that sitting on the seat is just like riding a horse - it's uncomfortable at first, but becomes more natural the longer you sit on it - so dont be put off! This stool is just plain old fun. image is taken from HOME magazine apr/may 08

hunting trophy

while flicking through the april/may 08 issue of HOME magazine, i came across these 'trophy' hangers by new zealand designer phil cuttance. my first thought was 'where can I buy one?!' they are a quirky/comical take on the traditional deer head hunting trophys that we probably remember adorning the walls of our grandparents houses. in my case we had a bull horn 'trophy' & I remember thinking how ugly it was. these little trophys however are beautiful objects & i would have absolutely no problems hanging a series of these on my walls! my favourite is the 'mouth wide open' hippo & its stumpy hippo body. i love phil's idea of mounting not only heads but bodies as well "when i started cutting the animals' heads off, i didnt want to waste the back ends of them, so thought why not use them too?"- these 'trophys' make me laugh & are a great find for someone who loves the avant-garde & something a little bit weird.

for stockists go to www.philcuttance.com