What do you make?
Zippitydoodahs are handmade from unloved zippers that I have taken apart and reworked into brooches, corsages, chokers and rings. I'm constantly seeking unloved zippers old vintage ones or more modern ones that are surplus from designer workrooms. Zippities can be anything from bejewelled roses to little birds.
I also make homeware like my Morepork Butler doorstops using retro and vintage fabrics, I have amassed quite a stash of fabrics while I have worked in various roles in the textile industry, I just can't bear to see anything beautiful thrown out, hence the challenge to turn textile surplus into useful, desirable objects. I usually let the materials suggest what they want to be, sometimes you get a chocolate fish sunglasses case, or a recycled wool blanket owl hottie cover!
Why would you buy something handmade? Handmade is hot. You're getting a unique and original item made especially with you in mind! It's usually locally made, it's made with love and care by a talented person. I'm all for supporting starving artists and encouraging them to continue with their crafts ;-)
Where else might we see your work?
www.zippitydoodah.felt.co.nz
Kraftbomb market, last Sunday of the month in Grey Lynn, Auckland
Devonport Craft Market, first Sunday of the month, Auckland
Hastings Art Gallery shop
Auckland Art & Craft Fair, Auckland Art Gallery 24th July
And sometimes you can spot a zippitydoodah being worn on Shortland Street!
How did you get into your craft? I have a Bachelor of Design, my major is in fashion. I have worked as a clothing designer, an interior designer and also as a trims buyer and production manager (gosh that makes me sound old!). Zippitydoodahs came about late one night when I was playing with a zip on the couch (I was going through my ribbon embroidery phase at the time) and it became a flower brooch. People started stopping me in the street to ask where I bought it, and the rest as they say is history.
Do you have formal training or qualifications in your craft? I have a Bachelor of Design and also a Diploma of Textile Arts. I've always been making things from as far back as I can remember. When I was 14 I won my first design award, which only encouraged me to do more!
Is there a philosophy behind your work? I like to reuse things in different ways, and use fabrics/items that are currently unloved or might be considered textile waste/surplus from CMT's etc. I didn't set out to be a greenie but I think there must be a little bit of green inside me as I like the thought that I've created something desirable from another persons landfill and made the consumer see something in a different way!
What are your favourite materials, tools and/or processes?
Vintage zips are my favourite, the older style ones with cotton dyed tapes and fine metal teeth. The teeth can be quite sparkly when the tapes are bent just the right way. I also enjoy the challenge of trying to match up colours to create the perfect zippitydoodah. Zippitydoodahs are all hand stitched together, so some days I like to rest my eyes and take time out and create things with my sewing machine. I make all my own patterns for my vintage inspired pinnies (aprons) and the various homewares I make. I like fine tuning the patterns until they are just right.
zippitydoodah.felt.co.nz
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