See if you can spot yourself shopping....

Just a little bit British...

The Great British Encraftment MarketWas a fabulous success with more than 2000 people through the door and supporting our local crafters, here are just SOME of the photos of the day! We have shared an album full of them over on the Facebook page! 

The Cake Eating Company

Where did you come up with the name "The Cake Eating Company"?

Food needs to feed the eye and the stomach, but the stomach more importantly! I wanted an individual name that when people said it they thought about what you will do when you buy something off me- Eat Cake!

What are five words that describe your work?

Sweet, creative, fun, delicious and patience

What was your favourite toy as a child... and now?

I loved boys toys- my favourite was my 'Tomy' trains. I played with them for HOURS. Now maybe my son? He is not a toy but he fits all the criteria! He makes me laugh and I play with him constantly!

What is making you happy right now?

Enjoying the moment. Making plans and dreaming big for the future but being content right now feels pretty good.

What did you dream about last night?

Running a revolution during the if/when nuclear war... We (some friends and myself) have been planning our underground resistance and I can't get it out of my head. I obsessively plan things and they kind of take over my life...even when they aren't real!

What is something that can always make you feel better?

Making dessert. About half way through I end up so absorbed in what I am doing I forget everything else. Then I get to eat it!

Do you do anything crazy to inspire creativity?

Sleep, hah. I have wicked dreams where crazy ideas come to me then I make it and it is always loved by everyone!

Were you popular in High School?

I wasn't popular or unpopular, just average I guess.

What is your favourite quote?

“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”  Albert Einstein

What do you hope to be remembered for?

Being a good person. I think there is little more that I could wish for

My name is Jamie Prouting, 24. I am married with a seven month old boy and two adorably cheeky dogs. I have always been in the kitchen and have always enjoyed creating something delicious and beautiful, then eating it! 

After high school I did an exchange to Brazil and it was quite on the spur of the moment that I decided to enrol at Polytechnic in Christchurch to commence on my return.  From there I worked as a mains chef while I trained but soon realised that I loved ice cream too much not to be in the pastry kitchen. 

I was hired and trained by a Canadian pastry chef who had worked at some prestigious places over seas, she gave me a wonderful foundation training and taught me so much. I worked as a pastry chef and chocolatier for a year and a half then as a cake decorator for six months. 

After the earthquake the only pastry offers I had were out of town and I did not want to leave my husband so I returned to mains and worked as a Sous Chef then Head Chef until I became pregnant last year. Morning sickness does not agree with twelve hour shifts and LOTS of food. 

I started doing my cakes and desserts after the earthquake when I returned to mains to keep myself happy and still involved in desserts. I wanted to make cakes and desserts that used the best ingredients I could find. Unfortunately in New Zealand we seem to be sold an inferior product and told it is good a little too often. I wanted to make things that used real chocolate and butter, no mixes and no essences. 

I was in the process of looking for a premises of my own when I became pregnant and then decided to put it off again. When my baby was two weeks old my Nana died from Melanoma, four weeks later I was also diagnosed with Melanoma, I was told that I had a 20% chance that it had spread. I had two surgeries and spent Christmas wondering if it would be my last. After being told on December 29 (also my wedding anniversary) that my results were clear I decided that I could not mess around any longer and I would put my energy not only into being a mother but also doing the work that I love. If I die young I know that I will have left another tangible legacy for my son, also a delicious one!

Trash Design... aka Mark Catley Design

It's time to meet Mark! 

Where did you come up with the name "Trash Design"? 

Well, it’s good you ask that...as I am currently re-branding from Trash Design to ‘Mark Catley Design’, to make it easier for everyone.

I took the name ‘Trash Design’ from two of my favourite songs (one from the New York Dolls and the other Suede)...and I thought it sounded cool...haha. BUTTT have since been advised to just use my own name...which does make more sense.

So from now on...trash design is no more. It's Mark Catley Design!

What are five words that describe your work?

Hmmmm? Geometric. Abstract. Intense. Repetitive. Wondrous.

What was your favourite toy as a child... and now? 

Child ummmm perhaps my Star Wars figures....or my Koala Bear / Radio...you twisted it’s nipples for volume and tuning.

Now – Either my mac or my record player...but they aren’t really toys.

What is making you happy right now? 

My hot honey, Hannah. Where has she been all my life?!

What did you dream about last night? 

I have geeky dreams. My last dream was that I had a special edition of the latest Depeche Mode album that no one else had. Strange thing is I don’t even like Depeche Mode.

What is something that can always make you feel better? 

Putting on a record.

Sherlock Sparrow

Do you do anything crazy to inspire creativity? Anything crazy? 

I don’t think so. I just flick through design and art magazines. I love magazines. I don’t really use the net or look at blogs which is a bit lazy.  

I find that I get most inspired when I aren’t really thinking about it. I have had a lot of good ideas in the shower or while swimming...or just looking at the patterns in nature while on a walk.

Were you popular in High School? 

Put it this way....I could always be found in the library talking with chums and listening to music.

What is your favourite quote? 

Quote... "there is a light that never goes out”, song title from Morrissey...or how about “Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results“ By Albert Einstein.

What do you hope to be remembered for? 

It would be great to be remembered for my art and design.but I don't feel like I have made anything that worthwhile as of yet.

How about that I was a amazing person really...hahaha. I don’t know.

Have you found our signs?

This year we invited our stall holders to put up a sign in THEIR neighbourhood, these are just some of the fun places they have found to date....

Prudence from 'Crafty Cake Creative' with her sign on her blog!

Can you spot the UNION JACK?

Great British Craft Market

What are you doing June 1st? I know what you SHOULD be doing! You should be heading over to Rangi Ruru Girls' School and checking out our next Encraftment!

Warm up with a delicious coffee whilst you peruse the many gorgeous craft stalls, featuring a British theme.

Come celebrate the Queen's unofficial birthday with some delightful handmade shopping!

Market Currency available via Eftpos in case you run out of cash :)

Street Parking

Free Entry

Each of the stall holders have been invited to put a sign up somewhere in their local area, stay tuned for mayhem as we upload pictures of each of the signs in different locations! 

You can find all of this information and more on our Facebook page! 

Make sure you join and share our Event too!