Author Archive

Twilight Craft2.0

Wednesday, December 16th, 2009

WSW stallAlso almost a couple of weeks ago, Twilight Craft2.0 at The New Dowse on the 3rd was great! There were some lovely crafters, including minu and Little Ladies, and a nice atmosphere, due to live music by Spartacus R, the latest New Dowse’s Late Lounge event. We’re looking forward to future Craft2.0 fairs, “Wellington’s hottest and most fun fair devoted to all things crafty”. We were also lucky to have our stall positioned in the New Dowse’s shop, right in front of a glass display cabinet with funny little creatures in it ;). Lots of time to take pictures.

Spartacus RShop CreaturesShop Creatures

Sticky business

Wednesday, December 16th, 2009

sticky businessIt is a couple of weeks ago now, but I just found these few pictures from our last subscription packaging and labeling gig. Look at how fast their fingers are moving!

Thanks, Libby, for making this job such a much more pleasant experience ;).

The Story of Cap and Trade

Wednesday, December 9th, 2009

This is a pretty descriptive video on how ‘cap and trade’ (the emissions trading scheme) may not be the be all and end all:

Candlelight Vigil for a Real Deal at Copenhagen

Tuesday, December 8th, 2009

The long awaited Climate Change conference in Copenhagen has started for real now. We support 350.org.nz, saying that this week is the time to show the leaders of today that we want a strong response for climate action. Let the world and the New Zealand government know just how many of us are concerned about climate change.

Candlelight VigilAvaaz and 350.org have asked people to organise candlelight vigils.There are 1400 vigils being organised in nearly 100 countries around the world. Bring a candle, and a glass jar to protect it from the wind and a banner with for instance: “the world wants a real deal”. Ask your friends and whanau along (forward this email to a few people you know now and ask them to forward it on).

Wellington’s candlelight vigil is on Saturday, 12 December, 8.30pm – 9.15pm, Courtenay Place (on the square between Burger Fuel and the St James Theatre with an aim to spread people along the length of Courtenay Place).

All I want for Christmas

Tuesday, December 8th, 2009

Jess Chambers and FriendsJess Chambers (she’s a part of our WSW Summer Mixed Tape compilation) is returning to Wellington for a festive season show, featuring Sam Scott as the opening act. That’s gonna be a great night – I think I can’t miss it. At San Francisco Bathhouse, Sunday 13th Dec. Doors open at 7.30pm, gig starts at 8pm. Tickets are $20, available from iticketexpress.co.nz.

Chocolate spice and orange Biscotti

Tuesday, December 8th, 2009

This is from Emma Cowan‘s article on Christmas, “‘Tis the season”, in the latest issue #8 of World Sweet World. We forgot to put the amount of flour in the ingredients list, sorry about that, so here’s the whole recipe.

BiscottiThese snappy biscuits are easy to make; they just take a little time. You bake the dough first, in little log shapes, then slice it thinly and bake it again. This recipe makes around 60.
1. Preheat the oven to 170°C
2. Beat the eggs with the sugar until pale and thick. Add the flour and baking powder, mix together, then divide the dough into two bowls.
3. Add the grated zest of an orange and the almonds to one bowl, and knead until the ingredients are combined and the dough is smooth. Add the cocoa and spices to the other bowl, mix through and then add the chocolate, kneading until combined.
4. Form each bowl of dough into two log shapes, then place on a baking tray with plenty of space between them. Bake them for 25 minutes, then remove to a cooling rack to cool completely (at least an hour).
5. Preheat the oven to 140°C
6. With a sharp knife, cut the logs into 1/2cm slices, then lay them out on a baking tray. Slice on an angle to make long thin shapes.
7. Bake for 15-20 minutes, until the biscotti are dry and just starting to brown. Remove and leave to cool on a rack. They will continue to harden as they cool.

Ingredients

2 cups raw sugar
4 eggs
Rind of one orange
4 cups of plain flour
1 t baking powder
1/2 cup raw almonds (with skin)
1/2 cup chopped chocolate
2 tablespoons cocoa
1 t cinnamon and a pinch of ground cardamom

A new issue of World Sweet World magazine

Monday, December 7th, 2009

Hi everyone,

we proudly announce that the latest issue, #8, of World Sweet World magazine is out now, in shops around the country and some shops in Australia, and available from our website. Here’s a little sneak preview!

World Sweet World Issue 8We have a picnic-set project in store for you, in time for summer – have your own kit stowed in your bag at all times for emergency picnic breaks. We talk about crafty businesses again, in Miss Millie and Lucy Arnold’s article on selling at craft fairs, which is full of inspirational tips to help you get the most out of your crafty day. Also, we’re excited to report that Wellington now has it’s very own weekly craft fair – Frank Kitts Market, starting Dec 12th, underneath Frank Kitts Park on the waterfront. We’ll be there most Saturdays, so do pop by to stock up on mags for gifts, to renew your subscription, or just to say hi.

Last not least, summer is never complete without a soundtrack, so we’ve rounded up a few of our favourite New Zealand musicians and compiled a summer mixed tape (free download!) for you to bike, swim and play to. We’re absolutely stoked to have such talented artists on board and are proud to be able to support their music.

Have fun, and we hope you have a good summer! xx Thomas and Hannah

Flocking for shopping, part 2

Friday, November 27th, 2009

Due to unruly weather in Wellington, Frocks on Bikes had to postpone “Flocking for Shopping” and make use of the wet weather date. The shopping and cycling event is rescheduled for Saturday, the 12th of December now. Join in!

Ply-Ability

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009

There’s a very interesting exhibition coming up at Napier’s Hawke’s Bay Museum & Art Gallery, about New Zealand’s plywood studio furniture history. Ply-Ability opens on the 12th of December and will run until June, so hopefully time enough to venture up to the vintage city for a visit.

From Garth Chester’s significant Curvesse chair from 1944, over DIY pieces, to works by contemporary designers, this exhibition explores the innovation and change in plywood furniture design.  Wellington’s furniture designer and plywood specialist Duncan Sargent has been selected to take part in the exhibition with his Coffee Drawer coffee table – a brilliant piece of work.

Frocking and flocking

Monday, November 23rd, 2009

Hello everyone,

get your frocks on this Saturday and cycle to Martha’s Pantry at 10.30am, to join the Wellington Frocks on Bikes people for cycling and shopping fun. The motto: “Shop ’til you puncture!”. So while you get to see interesting shops with a bunch of like-minded gals, you can at the same time promote Lycra- and sportsgear-free inner city cycling

Here’s the programme for the morning:

Meeting spot #1: Rendezvous at 10.30am at the delightful Martha’s Pantry for a cup of tea and a safety talk (situated just off upper Cuba St on the bypass). At 11am we will set off for a little leisurely cycling to our first frock-stop: ‘Emma’ in Berhampore is offering “nana treats”, so the ride across town will be well rewarded.

Meeting spot #2 and #3: If you’d prefer, feel free to meet us at Emma in Berhampore (476 Adelaide Road) 11.30am; or at Pixel Ink/People’s Coffee on Constable St at 12.15pm.

More info on frocksonbikes.wordpress.com/wellington, under “Flocking for Shopping”.