Familiar Ache is out Now!

I've been thumping it from the car stereo for a couple of weeks now, and figured it was high time I shared it with all of you! Those of you who attended Craft Love Festival will recall listening to the talented Andrew and Victoria Knopp, the duo that make up indie-pop act, The Response.

Based in Christchurch, New Zealand, they write and record all of their material independently. Determined to faithfully translate their expansive albums from tape to stage. The response have craft a live show that utilizes every one of their limbs and will leave you wondering how two people can make so much noise!

Trust me when I say their work is AMAZEBALLS! You can purchase or download CDs directly from their website or on iTunes. If you want to feel more like a groupie, you can purchase their Tshirts on Print Mighty. I'm seriously considering getting hubby one! I especially like this one here:  

I encourage you to listen to the clip below, I feverishly believe you'll devour the tunes as promptly as I have! And when you've finished pop over to their website and see where you can see them live! Although a little birdy does tell me you'll be able to find them at Encraftment June 1st!

{CRAFT LAB} Creative Advertising...

Welcome to this weeks edition of 'Craft Lab', make sure you pop on over and join in our Facebook discussion! Today we are covering the topic of 'Creative Advertising' and pondering the questions:

* What is the most Creative Advertising campaign you have ever seen? 

* Creative Advertising - What works for you? 

* What sorts of Creative Advertising do you wish other people would do more often?

Photo Source

Firstly I guess we need to ask, how do you define 'Creative Advertising'? For me it means all of the 'Out of The Box' advertising ideas that people don't tend to use as a standard. Air New Zealand is renowned for their creative marketing! Sometimes it even gets them into trouble when they take it too far! 

42 Below has an exceptional flair with Creative Advertising which has taken them above and beyond to where no other home brewer has gone before! 

So what tips and hints can you suggest for bringing Creative Advertising to your business?

* Advertise with like minded bloggers, look for bloggers that cover a similar niche to you. Most bloggers will be flattered to be approached.

* Offer giveaways on Instagram, on blogs and on Facebook. You can do this on your own networks, or you can approach like minded businesses. 

* Join associations and networks, and network your little toosh off. Leave your details on forums.

* Enter business award competitions - Should Hazel Loves Design start an Indie Love annual award? 

* Host an event, even just an open home with a 'spin'! I for one hope to Attend Ami-Ana's Moustache party this MOVEMBER... what a fun way to celebrate an open home! 

* A Pop-Up-Store is another way to get creative, is there an empty shop in your neighbourhood? Approach the landlord about taking it on for a couple of weeks! 

* Donate to charities.... Charities like 'The Sisterhood' are great to support, and you never know when it may get 'paid forward'.

* Share products with friends who will use it/wear it, and encourage them to hand out business cards to people who show interest in the items when they are out and about. (Leave business cards EVERYWHERE... in empty trolleys, when you are handing back the bill at Restaurants, in sugar holders in cafes... EVERYWHERE!)

* Teach a class, and advertise it on 'The Sweet Rendezvous'

These are my ideas... so what are yours?

{Black Agnes} The winter collection

Every now and again I receive an email in my inbox which is so fantastic it feels a shame not to share it with you all! Christine from Black Agnes wanted to share her Winter 2013 collection with me! 

The pieces are all so clever and remind me of a favourite Aunt! As a child we spent many hours fossicking in her antique dealership, and I can't help but think of her whilst I admire these pieces! I love the juxtaposition between the history that the pieces evoke mixed with the modern lines. I think they would funk up the work day wardrobe while still keeping it corporate enough for the bosses to approve!

Here are just a couple of my absolute favourite pieces from The 'Black Agnes' winter collection! What do you think? Do you love?

Best in Show

Huia Necklace

Loop Chain Earrings

Velvet Accolade Brooch

Manacle Chain Necklace

Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir

Promanteau Earrings

All of these edgy contemporary pieces are made here in New Zealand! 

You can find Black Agnes on Facebook

The Sweet Rendezvous

I mentioned a few weeks ago that I have been working on a new collaboration with Kate of Kate M Handmade, that collaboration is moving closer and closer to release. So today we thought we'd give you a 'Sneak Peek'.

The Sweet Rendezvous is a website dedicating to showing off the very best of New Zealand's Independent world's events! With musicians, artists, designers, and market holders all invited to tell us about their events.

The website has a special focus on the 'small guy', with stall holders and musicians able to register a profile page and list under each of the markets or gigs they will be attending. 

Registration to founding members is $10 for the first six months and this enables them to list for all of the events they will be attending in this time and also all of the workshops.

Keen to jump on board? Markets and Music Festivals can register here and everybody else can register here.

Whilst we are primarily focussing on the South Island we are also able to feature events further North too. We will be officially moving into the North Island later in the year.

When taking your 'Sneak Peek' just remember that this is still a work in progress, and the official launch isn't until June 1st.

Podgy Panda

A kiwi born artist currently tearing it up in London! Richard Kuoch draw cute and colourful things! Reminiscent of crazy doodles! 

Master Chef 

The Harlem Shake

Engulfed by the Cheshire Cat

Richard was part of the successful 'Bro Town' franchise when he was in Kiwi-Land, so it is little surprise that his ink work is creating a splash in the bigger pond! 

Like features on the covers of super awesome magazines..

And having his artwork forever inked on bodies in Germany...

This is not the last that you will see of Podgy Panda here on Hazel Loves Design! I love Richard's work and I just can't wait to see what he comes up with next! - I wonder if I'll be able to interview him for Hazed one of these days?

All photos sourced here: Podgy Panda