Feature on Creative - Meet Artist Lara Waldburger

I have a philosophy when buying new stock for The Ruby Orchard... If I wouldn't put it in my own home, I won't put it in the shop... It is that simple!

We don't stock original artwork and this isn't something I have been looking for, but when Lara brought some of her watercolours in to show me I instantly knew it was something I would hang in my home, I know you (our shoppers) are going to LOVE these! 

The seascape and floral watercolours have such vibrant, pretty colours, an abstract twist and are mounted in crisp white frames with wide white mount boards.  We have five going into the shop on Monday! Excited!  Read on to find out more about Lara, the artist behind these beauties! 

Introducing Lara Waldburger

1// Tell us a little bit about yourself

I am blessed to live in the beautiful KZN Midlands with my precious family - my husband, two little boys and i'm expecting a little girl! I absolutely love painting and I always have. I love teaching children art and I run art classes. Taking long walks; devouring a quality novel and sharing a cup of earl grey tea with a special friend ranks highly up there.

 2// When you were younger what did you want to be when you grew up?!

 I wanted to be a teacher like my Standard One teacher, Mrs Horn, and an artist.

 3// What inspires you when painting?

I'm so inspired by natural beauty. Delicate flowers, exquisite landscapes and the sea, oh the sea! I also enjoy painting near my children. As chaotic as it sometimes can seem their energy excites, invigorates and inspires me. We've lived in a temporary, small flat for the past year and I've had no choice but to paint where they play - our dining room table has become my art studio! But they like it and they know to be very careful around mommy's table; I play some Mozart usually, and when I've finished a session they sometimes get to use the leftover of my paint for their own creations at their own table. Their art is the best! Having said that, I am looking forward to my own art space again as of next week when we move to a beautiful, bigger home!

4// What mediums do you work in and why?

I have mostly worked in oils and acrylics - usually on very large canvases, and charcoal; but this year, living in a small space with small little boys I have explored watercolours more avidly, and am smitten. They are sensational.

 5// What are your hopes and dreams for your paintings?

 That my paintings would bring some joy and even a sense of peace and tranquility to hearts; and a reminder of the incredible natural beauty which surrounds us in our beautiful South Africa.

6// Why should our customers buy your paintings?

 I read this quote the other day and it resonated with me. "When you buy something from an artist you're buying more than an object. You're buying hundreds of hours of errors and experimentation's. You're buying years of frustrations and moments of pure joy. You're not just buying one thing, you are buying a piece of a heart, a piece of a soul... a small piece of someone else's soul" As I've said, my favourite theme for my art is that of the natural beauty of nature that surrounds us. Certainly, living where I do, I am very blessed to enjoy such beauty each day, and I'm thankful for that. And I hope that a bit of this transfers to my art, and into many precious and beautiful homes.

7// A little more about you?  What's your - Top Song? Top Food? Top beverage? Top Place? Top movie?

Top song: A Dustland Fairytale by the Killers. Although not my favourite band of all time, I've heard this song sung countless times in my ear by my husband and it is the first one that springs to mind, and warms my heart!
Top food: Sushi.
Top beverage: Champagne of course.
Top place: Cape St Francis in the Eastern Cape.
Top movie: A Tree of Life.

8// And lastly imagine you are heading out for dinner with a bunch of creative geniuses - who would be sitting around the table with you?

Claude Monet; Vincent Van Gogh; Bruce Springsteen; Terrence Malick; my husband, Chris Waldburger; and maybe Jennifer Lawrence and Steve Carrell? These are all just off the top of my head. Not sure how well they'd all combine?

Feature on Creative - Kierrin from Just Dandy

We first met Kierrin, designer, maker and creator of  'Just Dandy' products at The Hilton Arts Festival, she had a stall full of brilliant creative products that immediately caught our eye!  Kierrin went on to attend our 'In Store' Workshop in October and then had a one-one consultation with us to review and improve her range and work through her costings for prepare her for wholesaling.  She is going from strength to strength with her lovely products, which we now stock at The Ruby Orchard - yay!!

Her range of products is vast, we love Kierrin's wood burnt products in particular.  The D’angelion collection consists of 7 angels: Angel of Joy, Angel of creativity, Angel of Courage, Angel of Peace, Angel of Hope, Angel of Serenity and the Angel of Love. They make such sweet gifts or a Christmas decoration.

We caught up with Kierrin this week to ask her a few questions for our 'Feature on Creative' series - here she is!

1// How did your business begin? When / where / how did it all start?

 My Business started in December 2013 on a whim. I had always wanted to own an Arts & Crafts Business and since I was taking a Gap Year, I had the opportunity to start it. Over the last few years, people have shown an interest in buying my artworks and it encouraged me to explore creating things for a wider market. Truth be told, my own business started at the age of 8 when I started making and selling cards to family and friends.

 2// Why do you do what you do?

 I do what I do because it excites my spirit and passion. I have a passion for what I do and I have since I was 18 months old. I do what I do because I want to share my passion with other people and each time someone buys my product, they buy a piece of my passion.

 3// When you were younger what did you want to be when you grew up?!

 Besides the clichéd Ballet Dancer, Actress and singer. I have always wanted to be a business woman and wanted to create something unique. At first I wanted to go into event planning, weddings or stationery.

 4// What inspires you when designing new products?

 A lot of things inspire me. I think about my target market and new trends. I try take my designs from there but key factors that affect the design of new products are nature, the African culture, and dreamland. A lot of my designs come to me in dreams.

 5// What are your hopes and dreams for your products?

 I hope that people will get as much joy out of owning my products as I did out of creating them. My dream was to have my products in a shop like The Ruby Orchard and I was blessed to have been given the opportunity.

 6// What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learnt so far in your business journey? Definitely being organised and taking criticism.

 7// Why should our customers buy your products?

 When people buy one of my products they buy a piece of passion and not just a means to a profit.

 8// What’s your favourite product from your line?

 My D’angelion Collection has to be my favourite product as I designed them, I created the stories behind them, and they are unique and have a special place in my heart.

 9// About you? What's your - Top Song? Top Food? Top beverage? Top Place? Top movie?

 I am passionately curious about life. I love all of the arts. I am a sporty girl. I am a complete socialite.
My favourite song has to be “I see Fire” – Ed Sheeran.
My Favourite food – SUSHI. My favourite beverage - Coffee! (I can’t go a day without it.).
My Top Place has to be The Kruger National Park
My top movie has to be The Lord of the Rings Trilogy!

 10// And lastly imagine you are heading out for dinner with a bunch of creative geniuses - who would be sitting around the table with you?

 • Leonardo De Vinci • Einstein • Jane Austen • Stan lee • Salvador Dali • Bob Marley • Jack Black

Wood burnt block just R40 - in store now! 

Feature on Creative - Sam from Isla Designs

We first met Sam and saw her funky, quirky and cute products at I heart Market in Durban.  I purchased a very handsome monkey from her stand - Isla Designs.  My little boy absolutely loves him, he was creatively named 'monkey' and we always get asked where he came from!  Sam joined us at our June Creative 'In store' workshop to help grow the wholesale side of her business.

Our order was hand delivered by Sam on Monday and is literally flying out!  We'll be placing another order and expanding our range this week to ensure we have plenty of stock for Christmas!

We asked Sam some Questions about herself and her business... she's a G&T girl... so she must be ok!!  Grab a cuppa and have a read...

1// How did your business begin? When / where / how did it all start? 

I had a semi-creative office job, but I felt my creativity wasn’t being expressed enough. I quit my job and in February 2010 I started making soft toys to sell at a few local Durban markets. I’ve always been a little bit creative but when I was in school going off to become an artist wasn’t the done thing! Eventually though art won over in the end – go where your talents lie and you’ll be happy!

 2// Why do you do what you do? 

Every day I wake up and look forward to work. I have never had that doing any other job, so I know I’m doing what I’m meant to be doing!

 3// When you were younger what did you want to be when you grew up?! 

I really wanted to be a game ranger! I love the bush and my best friend and I dreamed of moving to the bush and becoming game rangers. It nearly happened too, but I just so happened to spend a little time in the ranger accommodation at a game lodge and sharing my space with about 20 HUGE spiders put paid to the ranger idea! I am petrified of spiders and that phobia doesn’t gel well with the whole bush life!

 4// What inspires you when designing new products?

 I look to nature for inspiration and then add a little bit of my warped interpretation to it! I love simple things – Scandinavian design and style is me to a ‘T’.

 5// What are your hopes and dreams for your products?

That each person who buys or gets one of my pieces sees the love and attention that went into it, and loves it as much as I loved creating it.

 6// What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learnt so far in your business journey? 

It took a long time to build up my confidence that I was doing the right thing and creating something people wanted to own, but I have finally reached the point where I know that the product I make can not only compete with, but grace the same places and shops as other extremely talented local designers. Knowing that what you are doing is the right thing for you and your life, is in my opinion the greatest thing you can learn.

 7// Why should our customers buy your products?

They are fun, quirky and unique. I take pride in my making my pieces to be of the finest quality they can be, so they can be assured that they are getting excellent quality. Oh, and they will definitely bring a smile to their faces and what could be better than that?

 8// What’s your favourite product from your line?

Can I say all of them?! I would have to say my giraffe toy…I was always referred to as a bit of a giraffe at school because of my height, so I guess I can relate to them!

 9// About you? What's your - Top Song? Top Food? Top beverage? Top Place? Top movie?

I have extremely varied taste in music…my work playlist includes Maroon 5, Eminem, One Republic, Katy Perry, Linkin Park amongst others.

Favourite food is definitely Thai especially Thai curries. Throw a bit of chocolate in and I’m a happy girl! 

Drink of choice is an ice cold G+T with lemon. Although coffee comes in a very close second!

In my early twenties I spent quite a bit of time living in Edinburgh and consider it my second home, so after good ol’ Durbs that would be my favourite place! The Royal Mile is still definitely my top place to visit – history and architecture all in one!

Fave movie is based on of my fave books –‘ Into the Wild’. I always envy the main character and his bravery to leave his comfortable life behind go in search of a simpler more meaningful life for himself.

 10// And lastly imagine you are heading out for dinner with a bunch of creative geniuses - who would be sitting around the table with you? 

 How big is the table?! My design icon is Heather Moore at Skinny LaMinx so she’ll definitely be there. Scandinavian designer Lotta Jansdotter for sure! Liz Stanley who is the creator of the blog ‘Say Yes’ http://sayyes.com/ - her style is awesome. I always love to pick local genius Nadia van der Mescht’s brain for advice and inspiration. Another clever lady at the table would be Denise Kiggan from Freshly Found (http://www.freshlyfound.com/) who has THE most creative mind I’ve come across. And last but not least I’ll throw in Quentin Tarantino…he’s a creative genius and his warped mind appeals to me!

Feature on Creative - Heather from Skinny La Minx

1// How did your business begin? When / where / how did it all start? 
After 10 years of illustration work, I needed a change, so in 2006 I took a half-day job as a comics scriptwriter, and spent the rest of my day messing around in my studio on Long Street. I started blogging about my work, and opened an online shop on Etsy. People around the world started reading my blog and buying my things, and I got some wholesale orders to the USA, and suddenly I found that I was a designer with a design business. By 2010, my business had grown a lot, and I was very relieved when Pearl Thompson joined the business, taking over the operational side of things. Now we have a lovely shop in Bree Street and a super-fab team helping run the show.

2// Why do you do what you do? 
I’ve always liked making things and I’ve always loved beautiful textiles. I think I’m still excited by the idea that a little sketch or paper cutout of mine can get reproduced onto fabrics and sent into homes and stores all over the world!

3// When you were younger what did you want to be when you grew up?! 
I went through a prolonged stage - thanks to a TV show called Quincy - of wanting to be a forensic pathologist. Kids can be odd.

4// What inspires you when designing new products? 
My inspiration comes from ordinary, everyday things like plants, fences, teacups, staircases and vibracrete walls. I usually have a notebook with me, where I make sketches, and I take a lot of photographs of textures, details, juxtapositions and compositions that seem to give me ideas.

5// What are your hopes and dreams for your products? 
To create and produce top quality, internationally sought-after design and products, and to have a good time doing it.

6// What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learnt so far in your business journey? 
When starting out, I think it is a very good idea to keep a job that brings in money that you can use to fund your studio habit without putting pressure on yourself to make things that are economically successful, as this is a killer to creative thought. Another valuable lesson I’ve learned is that you’re only as good as your systems and the people you work with. I’ve been hugely lucky to have an amazing systems thinker as a business partner, and a brilliant, motivated team on our side too.

7// Why should our customers buy your products? 
My designs are individual, simple, clear and accessible, and seem to appeal to people all over the world who share my interest in the shapes, colours and styles inspired by mid-20th Century design.

8// What’s your favourite product from your line?
I can’t pick favourites! They’re all my darlings.

9// About you? What's your - Top Song? Top Food? Top beverage? Top Place? Top movie? 
Top song – currently, it’s ‘Broken Heart’ by Dr Dog
Top food - After a trip to Japan last year, I’m a sucker for Japanese food, and can always be lured with the promise of onigiri.
Top beverage - I like to drink one cup of coffee in the morning, and then pots and pots of tea all day long. Top Place – Tokyo (and New York, and Paris, and…. Of course, Cape Town)
Top Movie – I loved Ice Storm, mostly for the gorgeous architecture, and more recently, Her, for the exquisite styling.

10// And lastly imagine you are heading out for dinner with a bunch of creative geniuses - who would be sitting around the table with you? 
I’d have Jonathan Adler and his husband Simon Doonan, Stig Lindberg, Grace Coddington, Terence Conran, and then I’d have my husband Paul Edmunds too, as he’s much better at making conversation than I am.

Feature on Creative - Stuff from Africa

How exciting our bright & fun new range of gift wrap & cards arrived yesterday! Below Georgina from Stuff from Africa let's us in on their business secrets...

1. How did Stuff from Africa start? 
I was retrenched from working as a strategic planner at a well known Cape Town Advertising agency, and I wanted to do something for myself. And Stuff From Africa slowly began…

2. What is the concept behind the business?
Happy Stationary for happy people.

3. Who are the artists behind the beautiful cards & gift wrap? 
The number of artists is slowly growing.. And we have big plans for the next few years. Adri & Gorge – this is me and a wonderful friend of mine. Karen Vermeulen Maria Lebedeva Patrick Latimer Alistair Ackerman Pete Woodbridge Gemma Orkin And Tracy Paul

4. Describe your business in 3 words?
Bold. Fun. African.

5. Where do you see Stuff from Africa in the next year?
Still designing cards and wrap that appeal obviously, but hopefully lots more collaborations with wonderful South African artists, as well as artists from other parts of Africa.

 6. What is the most valuable lesson you've learnt in running your business? 
Hard work. Just do it. There is no way around it.

7. Where do you find inspiration for your business? 
From the people I work with. South Africa is an inspirational place. So many people being creative and doing it for themselves.

 8. What’s your - 
Top Song – depends on my mood .. But I always like a good boogie in my office, when I need some inspiration.
Top Food - French cooking .. There is nothing like a good rich sauce on a piece of sirloin.
Top beverage – A glass of French champagne, whenever I am offered, I can never refuse. Any offers?
Top Place – anywhere to be honest - when with a good pal or my partner David, or my sister Sam – cheesy I know, but when with people you love, even a bad place can be good.
Top movie – too many.. Here is a mini list - Juno. Shawshank Redemption, of course. any movie by Pedro Almodovar, Schindlers List always makes me cry, that end scene too much. Seabuscuit, I love a good tale. Lots of amazing foreign movies.. I love a subtitle.

9. Imagine you are heading out for dinner with a bunch of famous bods - who would be sitting around the table with you? 
Nelson Mandela, Oscar Wilde, Winston Churchill, Ghandi, Bill Clinton, Leonard de Vinci, Charles Darwin, William Shakespear, Oprah Winfrey – you know just a few unknowns..

Feature on Creative - Nicole from Prêt-à-pot

Prêt-à-pot is a private concern established in 1985 and run by Nicole Kingston.  They are one of our newest suppliers at The Ruby Orchard and the gorgeous products are flying out.  Prêt-à-pot took part in Kamers - The biggest and most exclusive pop up retail event in SA.  You will not find these anywhere else in the Midlands so be sure to pop in and have a look. 

Nicole describes the business and what inspires the work for us...
We are passionate about our customers, our staff and our brand-image. We do not employ mass production techniques, preferring to pursue quality item-by-item through limited quantity manufacturing. Each item is handmade with care so while this does take longer, the end result is worth the wait.

Inspiring our shapes is the everyday environment: sources such as architecture, landscape and nature. We are always evolving and introducing new and exciting forms, textures and colours to our work. We are driven to create beautiful functional pieces that add value and a little bit of lovelyness to everyday life. The collective ability of our staff brings you captivating items.

 Nicole 

I just love these pictures from the factory, truly handmade and every piece unique.




<

We have more stock on the way and will be ordering more very soon!

Feature on Creative - MillaMae

We first saw Millamae products at I heart market in Durban and it was LOVE at first sight. The pretty designs, colour combinations and quirky gift tags were needed at The Ruby Orchard! We are so excited to introduce you to Sarah from Millamae and let you in on her creative business....

1// How did your business begin? When / where / how did it all start? 
Almost exactly a year ago my partner Tracy approached me to join my creative side and her printing experience together with our love for beautiful things. We had a few brainstorms, some late nights, a few laughs combined with great synergy and a steady idea of where we were going and before we knew it MILLAMAE SWEET STATIONERY & PARTY THINGS came to life.

2// Why do you do what you do? 
We want to share our love for colour, stationery and beautifully printed items!

3// When you were younger what did you want to be when you grew up?!
Can’t remember!

4// What inspires you when designing new products? 
Fashion, colours, dreams, nature, ideas that just randomly pop into our heads are the best!

5// What are your hopes and dreams for your products?
We want to add our own splash of colour, fun and creativity into the world (Secretly dream of a beautifully MILLAMAE designed store, can see it clearly)

6// What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learnt so far in your business journey?
Hard work pays off

7// Why should our customers buy your products?
Why not?

8// What’s your favourite product from your line?
We have soft-spot for our cupcake wrappers, they were the first product we developed, otherwise hard to pick a favourite, we love them all!

9// About you? What's your...
Top Song? Just like Heaven- The Cure
Top Food? Sushi
Top beverage? Wine
Top Place? My bed
Top movie?  Amelie

10// And lastly imagine you are heading out for dinner with a bunch of creative geniuses - who would be sitting around the table with you?
Einstein, Marilyn Monroe, Louis Vuitton, Jim Morrison, Annie Leibovitz, Sanrio

Check out the prettiness...

Feature on Creative : Indieberries

Che Dyer is the fabulously funny creative lady behind our latest range of range of quirky cards, love vouchers and doodle books. Her products are an extension of her hilarious blog in which she creates the most amazing cartoon about life happenings.

1// How did your business begin? When / where / how did it all start?
I started blogging in 2010 when I was in South Korea teaching English. I've always loved doodling cartoons and keeping journals, so it seemed like the logical next step to start a creative blog! After I won the South African blog awards in 2010 - my blog traffic increased rapidly and I began to receive lots of requests for personal cartoons, logo designs and funny graphics. I soon realised that people wanted to have a piece of indieBerries for themselves - so I decided to create a range of stationery that would enable them to do just that!

2// Why do you do what you do?
I love being creative - It completely drives me. So creating stationery and witty cartoons allows me to explore that creativity. There have often been times when I have thought about giving up and going back to teaching or corporate design work, but my husband (ever-supportive) has always said, "I won't let you give up on the thing you were born to do". So I guess... I do what I do, because I was born to do it.

3// When you were younger what did you want to be when you grew up?!
Weirdly, when I was about 7 or 8, I used to carry around a tiny little yellow notebook with me where ever I went, and any time we passed the card section of a shop, I would go and sit and write down all the little jokes that I could read in the cards and try to recreate the cards when I got home! Maybe my stationery-creation gene started as young as that! I actually went to university to study theatre - (and psychology to potentially become a drama psychotherapist). Luckily I came to my senses and realised I wasn't going to be the next Charlize Theron so I picked up Journalism and Media Studies at the last minute.

4// What inspires you when designing new products?
Every day life! There is so much amazing humour/ inspiration/ ideas that we can get just by being open to and taking in things that go on around us! Even though I do most of my work on the computer - I am usually way more creative when I am away from the computer!

5// What are your hopes and dreams for your products?
I would like to have a wider distribution of my products, both wholesale and online and potentially create a "persona range" - with one or two characters in different funny situations. I have so many awesome book ideas - but they all take time to create! My ultimate dream would be to have a little brick and mortor shop somewhere selling my own products and doing creative workshops in a gorgeous art space! *sigh*

6// About you? What's your - Top Song? Top Food? Top beverage? Top Place? Top movie?
OOOhhhh top song. That is SO tough. I'm a music magpie - so it's hard to single out one! If I had to pick, I'd say Mumford and Sons - I will wait, because I think it's the song that most epitomises my relationship with Warren.
Top Food - I'm going to go with sushi... or Indian Curries with naan bread with a big glass of red wine.
Top place... also a toughie! I LOVE South Korea for the quirky stationery and the fashion, I love Angkor Watt for the calm serenity, I love Thailand for the crazy bustling and I love our couch... because Sundays with Warren.
I have the worst memory when it comes to movies - in fact, I could watch an entire movie and then only 2 minutes before the end realise that I have actually seen it before.

7// Imagine you are heading out for dinner with a bunch of creative geniuses - who would be sitting around the table with you?
A table of creative geniuses... I'd have to pick Edward Monkton, Keri Smith, Oliver Jeffers and Nick Bantock - because I have a LOT of questions to ask him about Griffin and Sabine.

Feature on Creative: The Streets furniture

2 weeks ago the above arrived in our shop and with great joy we installed it into a special corner of it's own. Dressed with beautiful Urchin Art mugs and Foreva candles this furniture set looked deliciously ready for our guests to arrive! We've had many compliments on our new addition to our furniture collection and it's all thanks to Neil from The Streets furniture. 
We asked Neil a few questions about how The Streets came about and what his plans are for the future. Read on to find out more....

1// How did The Streets Furniture begin? When / where / how did it all start? 
It all started about 4 years ago. I was busy completing my bachelor of music at varsity and all though i love and still compose music, I was not loving the pressure of that particular environment, needless to say I was looking for a new creative outlet. My father owns a large timber mill and I used to enjoy tinkering about in his factory, one day a friend came and saw us and wanted to know if I could build a dining room table, we agreed!and after a loooooong time and many painful mistakes along the way the table was birthed and thus 'The Streets Furniture' began. From then on friends and family started asking me to build furniture for their homes ,which i was happy to do, and now I have my own style of furniture which i supply to people all over the country.

2// Why do you do what you do? 
I do it because I love the medium of wood, I love the ways it looks, feels and especially smells! I guess i'm just a creative person and get a kick out of turning imagination into reality, Its a very satisfying process, especially since what i'm creating is tangible.

3// When you were younger what did you want to be when you grew up?!
I wanted to be exactly what i am now to be honest, a wood worker and a musician. I'm still grappling with what it means to be those things but I feel that in many ways I am living my dream.

4// What inspires you when designing new products?
I enjoy scouring the internet for new ideas, obviously the reclaimed/green furniture is very 'in' at the moment. So I try to incorporate that as much as I can but I especially enjoy the clean lines of steel in conjunction with the unpredictability of timber. Basically if it's going to look good and its made from timber, i'm inspired!

5// What are your hopes and dreams for your products?
Through eyes of faith I see the Streets becoming a well known contemporary furniture brand with range of unique products that are instantly recognizable! A set range of products as opposed to a my rad of different custom made products like i have been doing. I also see several outlets for my own and others designs.

6// About you… 
What’s your - Top Song? where I end you begin by Radiohead
Top Food? Hmm Ive just been to Cape Town so sea food I'd say
Top beverage? Good old coke o cola
Top Place? Anywhere in Switzerland

7// Imagine you are heading out for dinner with a bunch of creative geniuses - who would be sitting around the table with you? 
Steve Jobs would definitely be one of them if he was still alive, his philosophy on design and the general aesthetic of his products are absolutely remarkable, I'd pick his brain about as many things as possible, Thom Yorke and Matthew Bellamy would also need to be there as I don them as some of the all time creative geniuses in music!

Feature on Creative: Savage Jewellery

Our new range of jewellery, designed & created by Nicky Savage, arrived in store last week and just in time for Valentine's day! Sterling Silver hearts, stars and geometric shape necklaces and earrings are all in store now. Read on to find out more about Savage Jewellery...

How did Savage Jewellery begin? When / where / how did it all start? 
It started about 13 years ago in Durban. After completing my 4th year in Jewellery Design I knew I did not want to work in the commercial world of jewellery. Luckily while studying I was making and selling so it was an easy progression as I had already got a clientele base.

Why do you do what you do? 
I love making jewellery and the designing and coming up with new ideas. I knew I wanted to work in a creative field. I studied Fine Art first because I wasn’t sure which field I wanted to be in. It was while at Tech the first time that I got exposed to Jewellery and I knew that it was what I wanted to do. I love the creation of these little bits of adornment that you will have for the rest of your life.

When you were younger what did you want to be when you grew up?! 
I wanted to be a teacher, nurse, fashion designer – I really had no idea what I really wanted to be.

What inspires you when designing new products?
It can be anything from my surroundings. It could be an interesting detail on a building or an interesting piece of furniture. The shape of the pebbles I have collected from the beach.

What are your hopes and dreams for your products?
I hope that when someone buys a piece that they will have it forever. Even though they might not wear it for a couple of years; they will pull it out and wear it again.

About you…
What’s your - Top Song? Top Food? Top beverage? Top Place? Top movie? 
Top song – Massive Attack – Hymn of the Big Wheel
Top food – all food, I love it, just don’t give me offal
Top beverage – White wine a Sauvignon Blanc
Top place – a beach cottage on the South Coast with friends
Top movie – The Pillow Book

Imagine you are heading out for dinner with a bunch of creative geniuses - who would be sitting around the table with you? 
Malcolm Gladwell, Paul Smith, Tom Dixon, Ray and Charles Eames, Yottam Ottelinghi

Feature on Creative: Papertales

 

We are thrilled to introduce you to Anja, the creative behind our new range of beautiful and quirky cards which seem to flying out the store! Anja's cards are sprinkled with cheeky humour and gorgeous designs, perfect for birthdays, weddings and even Valentines day! Read on to find out more about Anja and her Papertales cards...

1// How did Papertales begin? When / where / how did it all start?
It all began with a love story...For our wedding day I made all the decoration, invites and other bits and bobs out of paper. I loved creating things out of paper and finally screwed up my courage, took the leap and started something that is now rooted in passion. http://www.theprettyblog.com/wedding/mark-anja-old-castle-brewery-wedding/

2// Why do you do what you do?
Because it makes my heart smile to come up with weird and wonderful creations.

3// When you were younger what did you want to be when you grew up?! 
Anything that would have allowed me to travel and explore our incredible world.

4// What inspires you when designing new products?
Pinterest, various blogs and humour. My ideas tend to pop into my head just as I am about to fall asleep and I then create and play with designs in my dreams. The challenge is trying to recreate that idea onto paper the following day.

5// What are your hopes and dreams for your products?
I would love to one day have my items in stores all around the world. And maybe even own a little shop myself.

6// About you… 
What’s your - Top Song? "All I want is you" from the Juno soundtrack
Top Food? A am a bit of a fruitbat and am slightly addicted to litchis
Top beverage? Granadilla Martini
Top Place? Definitely Paris!
Top movie? Amelie is my all-time favourite

7// Imagine you are heading out for dinner with a bunch of creative geniuses - who would be sitting around the table with you?
I am fascinated by graffiti street artists and would love to meet some of them in person; DalEast, Faith47,NardStar, Ghostpatrol to mention but a few. (On my instagram feed you can see some of the beauty that our streets hold) http://instagram.com/love4papertales

Feature on Creative: Baobab bags

Bianca from Baobab Bags stepped into our store about 3 weeks ago with these beautifully printed tea towels, aprons and bags. All handmade with love and now in store! Read on to find out how Bianca got Baobab bags started...

How did your business begin? Where/when did it all start?
It all began in 2010 after having studied interior design and working for a range of companies, I started working for a fabric house. I always had a love for fabrics, but there were so many and not enough furniture or pieces to use them on ;)  but having to rep meant living out a bag for weeks on end  and I could never fit enough in the bag I had at the time, and to try separate dirty from clean became impossible! Being the fussy person I am I hated the idea of everyone else having the same as me so thus I decided mass production was not my thing and that there were so MANY different fabrics and now was my chance to use them all. The company closed and it forced me to take the step and follow my dreams, I have since then moved to Ladysmith and run my business from here together with a printing and Embroidery department!

Why do you do what you do?
This may sound cliché but it’s what I enjoy, I have always had a love for sewing and to make life look a little bit more creative. Instead of a boring disposable shopping bag why not be eco-friendly and get multiple uses out of the bag. Make traveling and life a little more fun!

When you were younger what did you want to be when you grew up?
Ooo..that changed by the day from a teacher to an actress ;)

What inspires you when designing new products?
 Friends and family, as well as textures and different mediums be it paint, trims, cloths etc. I’m not the trendiest person; I look at practicality in a creative way.

What are your hopes and dreams for your products?
For people to enjoy the concept of my designs. Too make practical items a little more creative. And for my business to become something amazing.

About you-
Top Song Our wedding song;) Joshua Radin Lovely Tonight
Top food Anything involving seafood-as long as their heads aren’t attached, Ha Ha!
Top beverage Pineapple Juice-my husband got me hooked on those in Thailand!
Top place *HOME* as they say ‘’Home is where <3 (heart) is’’
Top movie I’m very much a ‘chick flick’ kinda girl, so has to be Sweet Home Alabama! ‘Why do you want to marry me anyhow? So I can kiss you any time I want!’

Imagine you’re heading out for dinner with a bunch of creative geniuses-who would you be sitting around the table with you?
Most definitely my grandmother-she has been such an inspiration to me and taught me everything I know with regards to sewing and creativity! And then definitely friends and family, I see them as geniuses -as in a simple conversation with me they can say the simplest comments which lead to the next great idea!

Feature on Creative: Baby Bird Basics

This week we are excited to feature Andrea from Baby Bird Basics, the face behind a exciting new range of baby bandanas that will be in store very soon. Watch this space!    

How did Clever Bird Banter/Baby Bird Basics begin? When/Where/how did it all start?
I started my blog, Clever Bird Banter in 2010 while I was still living in the UK. It was a creative platform for me to express myself and a way for me to document life happenings and things I did/liked/found.

The idea for Baby Bird Basics came about after we moved back to South Africa from London - my experience as a mom has helped me to recognise a gap in the market for funky/different baby-related clothing/accessories that I found were generally limited here, and/or usually quite expensive...

With the initial focus specifically on Bandana Bibs, because they are pretty much a staple in our daughter Addison's day to day wardrobe, and because people often comment on the ones she wears, I decided to make and sell them for others to enjoy too. As of 25th September 2013, we have another little Baby Bird in the nest - Julia - and, as you can see below, she looks equally as cute in her Bandana Bibs as big sister Addi!

Why do you do what you do?
I love being creative - on my computer and in real life - sewing and crafting is a great way to balance out all the hours I spend behind a computer when I'm doing graphic design work! I am also not JUST a mom: being entrepreneurial and creative is something I don't want to 'lose' while being at home with my children - it's also a great thing to share with them and hopefully something they can learn from.

When you were younger what did you want to be when you grew up?
An actress! I loved drama school and up until matric, that was the plan (I am SO glad I never pursued drama/acting beyond school level, phew!)

What inspires you when designing new products?
My beautiful children of course!

What are your hopes and dreams for your products?
I hope to build the business over the next year and I would really like someone to come on board and help with the production side of things so that I can focus on the more creative and business focused parts of running a small business.

About you... What's your - Top Song? Top Food? Top Beverage? Top Place? Top Movie?
Song: Hmmmm, so many, where to start? Chasing Cars - Snow Patrol and Unchained Melody - The Righteous Brothers
Food: I'm a cliche - pizza and ice cream - and all the bad things like chocolate and puddings!
Beverage: am I allowed to say wine?! Red preferably! Top soft drink is DEFINTELY the Orange and Rooibos Ice Tea from Woolies
Place: Ahhhhh, London - my second home - I miss it!
Movie: Again, so many - but I do love 'Beaches' with Bette Middler A LOT!

Imagine you are heading out for dinner with a bunch of creative geniuses - who would be sitting around the table with you?
A bunch of kids - no one can beat a child's imagination!

Feature on creative - John the Potter

One sunny July morning John zoomed into The Ruby Orchard parking lot with a truck full of beautifully glazed ceramics. He was on a selling & promoting road trip around South Africa, something he'd been preparing for all year. This particular visit came with a warning - it was an annual thing and he wouldn't be back any time soon so we'd better stock up big time! And that we did, from little saucers to big salad bowls we filled the store with his delightful ceramics. The success of his products have us hoping with crossed fingers that he will be zooming back into The Ruby Orchard again next year!

Read on to find out how John got hooked on clay....

How did your pottery begin? When / where / how did it all start?
I studied fine art and religion in America and found myself in the ceramic studio more and more.  I spent one semester on the biggest ceramic campus in Pennsylvania this coincided with Americas annual clay bash which happened in Philadelphia that year.  Hanging out with some of Americas best potters got me hooked on clay.

Why do you do what you do?
I have always wanted to be involved in the arts in some way and discovered I am a pyromaniac and pottery brings creativity and fire together, especially in the firing techniques that I use.

When you were younger what did you want to be when you grew up?!
A film director or photographer until I discovered kilns

What inspires you when designing new products?
Experimenting with what can be achieved in the kiln with glazes.

What are your hopes and dreams for your products?
To be used and enjoyed and to make enough of a living to support my family.

About you… 
What’s your - Top Song? Top Food? Top beverage? Top Place? Top movie? 
Top song – swordfish trombones by Tom Waits
Top food – rendang curry
Top beverage – luddite shiraz
Top place – Bettys Bay
Top movie – Dancer in the dark

Imagine you are heading out for dinner with a bunch of creative geniuses - who would be sitting around the table with you?
Tom Waits, Father Thomas Bezanson, Greg Daily and Lars von Trier

Special Feature: Bella Jo Pasta

Today's special feature is the lovely Jo from Bella Jo Pasta. Jo is the most energetic & fun person you will meet in the Midlands and a complete machine in a pair of running shoes! This creative foodie is the face behind that delicious Bella Jo chilli salsa and, good news, she will be at our Christmas Shopping Evening this Friday. Jo will have a range of pastas, salsas and dips available for sale - the perfect Christmas gift for food lovers.

1. How did Bella Jo begin? When/Where/How?
I started making pasta in my kitchen at home when I was pregnant. I have always loved fresh pasta, the texture and simplicity. Flour, eggs and salt with such a wonderful outcome. Way better than the stuff we get in supermarkets. I always wondered as to why we don't eat this pasta at home and why no one is making homemade pasta. Thus I started Bella Jo, we started with the pasta in a variety of flavours including Plain Egg, herb, sundried tomato, Tricolore, Olive and Squid Ink and then started a gluten free range after becoming aware of how many people suffer with wheat allergies. I then made an accidental 'Chilli Salsa' which has become a hit followed by a Basil pesto, frozen meals and spinach pies made with homemade phyllo pastry. It's great to be able to make what I have grown up eating at home and on holidays spent in Greece.

2.Why do you do what you do?
I believe that us as adults and our children should all eat a variety of good food in it's simplest form, none of this preservative and colorant filled rubbish that we are exposed to everyday e.g. fish fingers, chicken nuggets, twinkies!!! Don't get me wrong I like a treat myself, some dark chocolate now and then but overall I like to eat and feed my family tasty food that's well balanced but also exciting. I love plaing around with recipes and being a bit adventurous with ingredients so doing what I do is my way of being creative. Creating new products that people will like to try such as our Squid Ink tagliatelle. I guess cooking is my passion and I want to share that with others.

3.When you were younger what did you want to do when you grew up?
I wanted to be a lot of things. My mind changes on a regular basis, even still today. I would like to be everything but one thing I do remember is that I always wanting to be some kind of superhero, I used to watch Zorro and take my dad's black tie, cut holes where my eyes were and make my little sister carry me around on her back. She was my horse and she had no say in the matter.

4. What is your favourite restaurant?
Ok so this might sound corny but to be completely honest I would have to say my favourite restaurant is my home. I often find that I criticize food when I go out. I find the prices ridiculous and instead I just imitate the recipes when I get home and enjoy it a whole lot more. I think it is also the comfort of being at home especially with a three year old. You can't expect a toddler to sit at a table throughout a whole dinner without a peep. I just feel relaxed at home. But if I must say Taste of Thai in Hilton is a treat for me as I cook more Mediterranean food.

5. About you...What's your - Top Song? Top Food? Top Beverage? Top Place? Top Movie?
Top Song - Safe and Sound by Capital Cities
Top Food - Definitely seafood with lots of garlic.
Top Beverage- Red Wine ALWAYS!
Top Place - Mozambique
Top Movie - Always has been and always will be Pocahontas

6. What's the best thing about your job?
The best thing about what I do is being able to be creative in my own way and to do what I really enjoy. I also get to move around a lot which is great for me as I am a bit hyperactive and I think it would be my worst nightmare having to sit in an office all day. I would probably be quite a mean person. When we make pasta or pies I am always fiddling with dough or kneading or moving racks. It's a lot of fun sometimes.

7.What's the toughest thing about your job?
Sometimes I really don't feel like cooking or looking at food and I still have to do it. I remember once having a tummy bug and the last thing I wanted to do was smell food but I just had to and the worst part was I still had to go home and cook. But that is very rare. I also think that the industry I am in is quite competitive so I always have to be one step ahead. Well I try to be.

8. What is the most exciting case/project you have ever worked on and why?
Learning about pasta and chatting to a few old Italians was very interesting. It's just so fascinating how so many people have different views on the same thing. I mean it's not terribly exciting but it was motivating, also experimenting with different flavours for our pasta. Perhaps most exciting thing is still to come!

9. If a movie was being made about your life, which actress would you want to play you?
I think it would have to Cameron Diaz or Jennifer Aniston. They just seem like a lot of fun, a bit ditzy but funny.

10. Who would you least like to be stuck in a lift with and why?
Most probably Leo, my three year old. We are both so active and I think being stuck in a small place would be chaos.

11. Tell us two truths and one lie about yourself.
I like chicken necks
I am a bit OCD
I love long shorts

Feature on Creative - Alice May

Alice May is the genius behind the gorgeous dippy egg boards we have in store. In week 2 of our 'Feature on Creative' we ask Alice what her hopes and dreams are, what inspires her and even her favourite drink.   Read on to find out more about her history in shoe design and her dinner with Heidi Klum! Wow lucky girl!

How did Alice May Stationery begin? When /Where / How?
I studied graphic design in Cape Town after school but somehow I got into making shoes with a local cobbler and selling them part time. I did this while I studies using Alice May as my shoe and handbag label.  I then moved back to Durban and when I got the job as the shoe designer for a well loved local leather show brand for 6 years.  While I loved my job, the entrepreneur and creative soul in me was jumping out my chest and Alice May was born again as a paper and wood brand!

Why do you do what you do?
I love the freedom of creativity and to express my ideas in beautiful useful ways

When you were younger what did you want to be when you grew up?!

A vet! I adored animals growing up and thought I would be a vet... biology class cured me of that when live frogs were involved.

What inspires you when designing new products?

I love working with paper and wood so I do look to nature for ideas of shapes etc.  I like to be on trend so I'm always watching clothing fashion and even home interior trends to figure out what gals are after.

What are your hopes and dreams for your products?

I would love to be the Crabtree and Evelyn of paper design if that makes sense.  When looking for a beautiful hand cream or bath oil for a special gift, from the product to the packaging, Crabtree is an instant idea.  I would like to be known for that in my paper and wood product ranges.

About you... What's you...

Top song - Our wedding song 2 months ago - Shaun Jacobs - Love Can

Top food - Anything from Sage in Salt Rock! Just beautiful food cooked from scratch and I can sit back in beautiful scenery and have my glass of wine and the world is a perfect place.

Top beverage - pimms and gingerbeer in summer

Top Place - Salt Rock, love my new home town on the beach.

Top movie - Hard one! Haven't seen a good movie in forever.

Imagine you are heading out for dinner with a bunch of creative geniuses - who would be sitting around the table with you?
I actually sat at that exact table you speak of when I was in Milan for a function with Heidi Klum, Roberto and Eva Cavalli and Dinae VonFurstenburg and Sarah Flint. Ain't nothing going to beat that conversation :)

Alice Mays Dippy Egg boards made from solid Oak are beautifully finished come in 5 quirky designs and are available at The Ruby Orchard for R175.

 

Alice May New range of Gift Tags - Hoping to have in stock in 2014!

Feature on Creative - Oak & Willow

At The Ruby Orchard we continually seek to find beautiful and unique products for the store. We enjoy hunting craft markets, using social media and looking at what is on trend in the UK & worldwide to select our stock for the next season.

We love all our products in store but what we love even more is the talent behind the products...
And so to show our appreciation for the talent we have decided to create a new Wednesday creative feature on our blog to introduce you to the talented people that ensure The Ruby Orchard is stocked with amazingly beautiful products!

Our first 'feature on creative' are the gorgeous creative couple from Oak & Willow. We discovered Oak & Willow at 'I heart' Market and now they supply us with the most beautiful and effective wooden signs adorned with lovely sayings and quotes.

Here's what Janice had to say...

When / where / how did Oak & Willow begin?

This is how our business started... Nick proposed to me and three months later we were to have our wedding. Me... being the fussy pants that I am wanted decor exactly how I could see it in my mind. Luckily for me I have a super crafty Dad who loves making anything and has worked with wood for many years. My parents and I set out to hand-make-it all, from the wooden hearts hanging above the dance floor to all the wooden signs.

At the wedding everyone was instagramming this décor and asking where we got it. And it was then that we realized we may have a feasible business on our hands.  So we simply decided to start a little business by hand-crafting wooden décor,

Why do you do what you do?

Because we love being crafty and seeing final products made.  This isn't our full-time jobs actually... we do this on the side simply because we love too.

When you were younger what did you want to be when you grew up?!

I always wanted to be a veterinarian. I LOVE animals but when I realized that you deal mostly with sick animals I learnt that I wouldn't be the best for the job as I would get emotionally-attached to these animals.

What inspires you when designing new products?

Hopeful quotes. I see a quote I love - we make it.  It's as simple as that really.  I also love up-cycling so that also inspires me.

What are your hopes and dreams for your products?

I'd love to see them in more shops like The Ruby Orchard. I'd also love to work alongside wedding planners and brides and help the bride create the most beautiful wedding, I'd also love to be "in the know" with all interior decorators.

About you... What's your - Top Song? Top Food? Top beverage? Top Place Top movie?

Top song - All songs by the Foster the people - great band

Top Food - Hamburgers

Top beverage - Tea

Top place - USA

Top movie - The Notebook

Imagine you are heading out for dinner with a bunch of creative geniuses - who would be sitting around the table with you?

Blake Mycoskie from TOMS shoes in USA, Amy Venter from Jane Sews, Scott Harrison from Charity Water in New York, I wish I could meet Steve Jobs from Apple, and my friend Jess Swart - I love her innovative spirit and ability to dream big.

Below are a few pictures of the Oak & Willow signs that are available at The Ruby Orchard...