NZ crafters and designs 'lend a handmade hand' to earthquake relief effort

September 14, 2010 –

The New Zealand design and craft community is banding together to offer a 'handmade hand' to the families suffering after the Canterbury earthquakes.

A temporary 'pop-up' shop on Felt.co.nz (www.felt.co.nz ) is selling donated items from leading craft, fashion, jewellery, graphic illustrators and other Kiwi product designers, with all proceeds from the sales going to the Red Cross Canterbury Appeal.

The "FeltAid" online store at www.feltaid.felt.co.nz is the first 'pop-up' relief fundraising shop of its kind, and as well as recognizing the huge undercurrent of empathy running across the nation, also acknowledges the central role Christchurch and the Canterbury region play in the arts community in New Zealand.

Felt.co.nz has established itself as New Zealand's top selling artisan market over three years, coming third only to Trademe and Sella in the recent NetGuide Awards 2010. Felt is based in Christchurch, while its owner Lucy Arnold also runs the hugely popular craft market there, A Craft Affair , in one of the city's iconic heritage buildings, Our City O-Tautahi.

"Felt's headquarters are still closed and awaiting the all clear, and many of our Felt contributing designers and crafters have also been personally affected," says Lucy. "We're proud to be able to sponsor the 'pop-up' shop concept to help support the relief effort and help Christchurch rebuild."

It's a natural reaction for the craft community to rally together, says Sarah McLeod, owner of Songbird Designs vintage jewellery and a FeltAid co-founder.

"The craft and arts community exists purely and simply because artisans care about putting thought and love into their gifts and homewares for other people. We also strive to help the environment by recycling and upcyling," Sarah says. "So of course we wanted to reach out and help and show we care."

The idea originally came about as crafters and designers discussed different ways they could help in an online blog forum, she says. Dunedin-based knitwear designer Ami Ana came up with the idea of an 'aid' store and the idea snow-balled from there.

"Many of the volunteers didn't even know each another before, but we all wanted to work together," says Sarah. "We've been really overwhelmed by the response and it looks like many of the 1200 Felt artists and designers are planning to donate."

"Now all we need is for the public to buy a bit of handmade love from FeltAid and help us give Canterbury a 'handmade hand'."

So far designers and crafters from the top to the bottom of the country have donated goods to FeltAid, which include; * vintage jewellery * art and photography * knitwear, designer purses and bags * baby and children's clothing * stationary and unique handmade journals * vintage, custom-made dolls and other children's toys * homewares.

Well known designers contributing include A Little Vintage (Auckland), Bibliographica (Auckland), HRJD Designs (Dunedin), Cheek Pinchy (Auckland) and Mousehouse (Tauranga).

The FeltAid store is only open until October 31st. It's the perfect timing to stock up pre-Christmas so get in quick!

All proceeds from the sales of the arts, design and craft products donated will go to the Red Cross Canterbury Appeal. FeltAid chose the Red Cross Canterbury Appeal because of its focus on restoration of the region's heritage and family welfare.

ENDS

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