DESIGN CREATE INSPIRE NZ

Hi, I'm Hayley, the artisan maker behind Design Create Inspire NZ.

I design and create unique handmade toys, accessories, native decorations and thoughtful gifts.

Working from my home in Lower Hutt, I take inspiration from my two young children at play and the native flora and fauna surrounding us – my focus is on exquisite detail and quality from beginning to end. I’m passionate about working with natural fibres like wool and cotton and employ tradition techniques such as knitting, crochet and hand embroidery to create my unique products.

My ecological study at University has also driven my passion for natural fibres and my desire to create toys and decorations which celebrate New Zealand's unique flora and fauna. As a family we spend a lot of time outdoors, at the beach or in the bush. It’s how I recharge and it in turn provides the inspiration for my textile art. I'm a visual person and also a passionate photographer.

The rhythmic movement of stitching, knitting and crocheting is so relaxing! I can work at home, around my children’s school hours and it suits us perfectly. I’m that mum that has a crochet hook or needle in my hand everywhere we go from the school gate to the side of the sports field making use of all the spare minutes within our busy schedule.

"I feel incredibly humbled each and every time a creation sells. It doesn’t just sell to a ‘someone’. More often than not I hear the story behind why the customer purchased it. It’s a special birthday gift, or a unique native Christmas decoration bound for much loved family overseas or a special gift to celebrate a baby’s arrival. To be a small part of that is really special and why I love what I do."

My mum is a talented textile creator and I was lucky to have her nurture my creative side from a very young age. She taught me the basics of knitting and sewing and to revel in the joy of making something yourself. Eleven years ago I became a mum myself and this gave me the time and inspiration to completely immerse myself in so many creative endeavours from knitting and crochet to sewing and embroidery. I’m so proud to say I’m self taught. To look back and see how far I’ve come since the beginning; how I’ve evolved and taught myself techniques and processes I would never have dreamed I would be able to do.

Many of my products for sale were first designed and created as gifts for my children and because I enjoyed creating them so much they became gifts for their friends and then evolved into products I now sell. For me the finishing stage is the most enjoyable. I can imagine someone’s joy at hanging a unique NZ decoration on their Christmas tree or a child immersed in imaginative play with one of my pocket pal playsets.

If you're interested in learning more about me and to see what's coming up you can follow me on Facebook or Instagram.