Te Whanganui-a-Tara

So, we live in Wellington now. Te Whanganui-a-Tara. I would say that it I forgot to post about it but really I just forgot to post at all. I have loved Wellington ever since visiting as a teen for youth group events and drinking late night hot chocolates at Midnight Expresso while feeling impossibly cool (as cool as you can be drinking hot chocolate on a church outing but hey, I was hours from home and walking the streets of a big city while pretending I was in that cafe from the beginning of So I Married An Axe Murderer or living in My So Called Life). Richard and I visited here when we first came back to New Zealand just before getting married and then again after we moved home, instantly falling for the place. We'd often talked about potentially moving here and when it became apparent how difficult it would be to continue to find work in Hawkes Bay we decided to make the leap. I got a job at a great school, found a cute house, packed up the cats and drove on down. 

I really love living here. It feels so good to be back in a city where there is lots going on, new restaurants to try, an old theatre down the street, cafe's to sit and people watch in and interesting people to meet if I'm brave. We know a few people here and I got to drink red wine, chat and laugh with sweet Melissa the other night. Making friends as an adult is a funny and weird thing, don't you think? On one hand it is a bit of a thrill being some place new and feeling like we're on our own but I do miss our friends a lot and am going to take myself out of my comfort zone a bit to find some folks to listen to records and drink tea with. 

My poor camera has been pretty neglected since we've moved, but here's a peek into our new life via my trusty iPhone. 

Jewellery Sale

Just popping in to let you know that we've listed a bunch of wooden jewels in the Etsy shop and they're all on sale. It's almost the school holidays here and to celebrate living through my first term at my new job I hope to work on some new pieces. Or binge watch Pretty Little Liars for two weeks.

I do hope to get back to this space sometime soon, once I've caught my breath a bit. If you're interested, you can check out what my class is doing over at our class blog and student blog roll. The fact that I have students blogging about cat videos, Angela Davis and Rookie might be my proudest teaching moment yet!

Christmassy Stuff.

Image via the always wonderful Abby

Well, I don't have any great excuse for neglecting this poor old blog for so long. I mean, I do but none that I need to bore you all with. Lets just say that life has been life, bumpy and unexpected. There has been lots of things I've wanted to share with you but never the time to sit down and give it the time I would like.

Anyway, it's December. How even did that happen? I thought I better let you know the mailing dates for Christmas orders, if you're thinking of picking up a little something from either of our shops this year. I'm adding a whole bunch of new Watchful Eyes folks over the next couple of days, including our new Speculators series for all the sci-fi fans you might be buying for. Plus, I'm going to list a few one off jewellery pieces in our main store so that we can clear things out for the new collection that we're working on. There won't be anything over $25 in that range so hopefully there will be something for everyone! Please make sure you buy anything you might want in time for Christmas by the dates below. They are all in New Zealand time, by the way.

Christmas Mailing Dates

New Zealand - 18th December

Australia - 8th December

Rest of the world - 3rd December

I'll be back soon with something a little less shop-y, I promise. I hope you're all enjoying the start of December where you are. 

xx

Bliss in a Teacup for Tiny Eyes: She's Here!

I am so excited to announce that the Bliss in a Teacup for Tiny Eyes doll is here and she is a beaut! I am completely thrilled at how she has turned out, it's even better than I imagined and the hand dyed fabric worked exactly as I'd hoped. You can see all the dolls over here on the Tiny Eyes Facebook page and be amazed by Dee's handiwork. Seriously, so so clever. I am blown away by the level of detail that both Dee has worked at, as well as the various designers who created little accessories to go with their dolls. I can't even imagine sewing the mini brooch or stuffed cat that Rhiannon and Emma made, glueing up mini records was about enough for my limited patience for fiddly things. It's hard to pick a favourite, but I have fallen pretty hard for Melissa's Kapa Haka girl.

The dolls are on display at Walton Street cafe in Te Awamutu today and tomorrow if you're in the area, or if not you can always follow along at Dee's Instagram feed - the displays are pretty great. If you'd like to get your hands on one of these beauties, they're going up for auction this Friday over here. Make sure you join the event to nab one!