Feature in New Zealand Handmade Blog, 25 Aug 2011

A Conversation with Sara of Linden Sage Designs
It's evident when browsing Linden Sage's creations, that Sara is passionate in her desire to marry the old with the contemporary achieving unique, eco-friendly jewellery designs which utilise vintage trinkets, forgotten treasures, and salvaged jewellery. Here, Sara shares more of her Eco-chic ethos...

Who is Linden Sage Designs?
Hi I’m Sara, the mind behind Linden Sage Designs. I live in Auckland and I design and create all the jewellery and accessories for the shop. I’m not kidding when I say that jewellery making has never been part of my life, but I guess being in the creative line has certainly fueled me towards this creative outlet at this point of my life. It takes a lot of patience, but I find it’s a very meditative and calming process. The moment I realised that I could make jewellery every day and not tire of it, I knew I had finally found my calling.

What’s your “handmade groove ?”
Something precious and one of a kind. Every handmade item has a sense of richness and history.

What’s on your bedside table right now? (hey, no tidying up or censoring)
1. Handmade Living by Lotta Jansdotta
2. Crafty Chica’s Guide to Artful Sewing by Kathy Cano-Murillo
3. The Art of Giving by Liezel Norval-Kruger

Who are your creative role models? What music, books, images, poetry spark your creative fire?
Clean, affordable interior decorating ideas that speak volumes; uncommon colour combinations that shout; music with a mix of pop, rock, folk vibe. Not forgetting simple things like the setting sun, the colour of leaves, what people are wearing and different cultural backgrounds. Vintage objects also have textural appeal for me. They have a story, a patina from years of life and ownership. Choosing handmade is choosing a slower pace of life – it involves a story as much as it is about the maker.

What could you talk late into the night about with like minded people?
Art and craft and basically anything that involves design.

If you could go to three free workshops/creative events this year which ones would they be? What are they about?
The following are not free, but they are on my wish list:

Craft and Hobby Association (CHA), USA holds two award-winning trade events each year, the Craft & Hobby Association Conference & Trade Shows. Usually held in January and July these events are the oldest and largest craft and hobby trade shows in the world.
http://www.hobby.org/
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Art Camp for Women, USA, Oct 2011
http://www.artcampforwomen.com/
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3rd Annual Australia Scrapbook Cruise, Jan 2012
http://www.craftingcruises.com/index.html

How do you balance your creative life with your family, life commitments?
Passion, drive, insanity! Coffee is my first thought of the day. Checking the online shop and emails are next. I create all day long – cooking, shooting pictures, trying out new art forms… Working from home is quite tricky as life and inspiration can get in the way. There is always something to do when you work from home.

What is your favourite creative screw-up?
None so far.

Kitchen table or studio?
It’s the dining table overflowing to the floor. Who wouldn’t give for a studio?

Do you have a wish list? Can you tell us what’s on it?
I really love what I do, so I hope Linden Sage Designs will still be around, and I’d love to add a line of home accessories too. I want to be a better business person and somehow have more hours in my day.

Spring into Spring

This necklace is an indication of things to come...

How grey has it been?

This winter, I have been:

Reading:
Grower's Market - Cooking with seasonal produce
Tana Ramsay's Family Kitchen

Listening to:
Norah Jones, Brooke Fraser & Michael Buble

Playing with:
my Nikon camera to take even better still shots

Spending time with:
Family & friends

Toying with:
A million necklace designs in my head

Looking out for:
New and unusual elements to add to necklaces

And all too soon, Spring will be upon us. I look forward to some green again.

Keep Calm...

To those crafty souls yet to get their gears in motion stocking up for the year end retail madness, I have this simple advice for you - see message below.

And to those who have already started - see message below! Christmas is only 4 months away!