Let’s go Shopping!

Dunedin (Friday, 30 November 2012) - When its doors open on Saturday 8 December, Toitū Otago Settlers Museum will boast an entirely new range of custom designed products in its gift shop. Many of the items are locally designed and made, and there is something for everyone, from children to the fashion conscious to the quirky collector.

Museum Director Linda Wigley says, “The shop has given us an opportunity to have some fun with the collection items that people love. Many of the products are inspired by, or depict, specific objects and we’re sure there is something that will appeal to everyone, at every budget.”

There is an eclectic range of jewellery, including Wellington artist Jo Luping’s designs which are based on the beadwork on one of the dresses in the Museum’s collection. Tamsin Cooper’s range of accessories also references detail from a mid-1930s red silk cocktail dress and includes a vintage style coin purse, hand bag, overnight bag, key ring, brooch, jewellery pouch, compact mirror, 100% silk scarf and velvet wrap.

Badges, key rings and fridge magnets made by Dunedin firm Brandwell Moller feature some of the Museum’s best loved objects such as JA, Josephine, the Tiger Tea bus, the Buick and caravan, and the neon signs used to advertise Barton’s Butchery (the pig) and the fish shop in St Andrews Street (Fresh Freddy’s Fish Supply).

Stuart Davis, of Peninsula-based company Leadingetch, has made fridge magnets and bookmarks in rimu and paua, using Josephine, the Buick and caravan and the NZR building for his inspiration.

Kit sets - a model train of Josephine and a paper doll kit set, designed by local artist/illustrator Jenna Packer and complete with dresses derived from the collection – will attract a younger generation, and perhaps those who remember such toys from their own younger days.

There is also a range of Toitū Otago Settlers Museum branded products including notebooks, pens, pencils, sets of colour pencils and a re-usable cotton bag showing an image of an older entrance to the Museum. Brandwell Moller has also created a range of commemorative coins, limited to 50 units. Under the heading reading ‘Opening Day’ an image of Josephine takes pride of place on the front, with ‘8 December 2012’ underneath and the reverse reads ‘Toitū Otago Settlers Museum 2012’ around the edge with the logo in the centre.

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