How did your business come about?
I have always been interested in colour - right from the moment I was allowed to buy a large orange A4 lined notebook from our local magazine and stationery store when I was 9. In 2006, I started sewing some designer hankies from my home back in Dunedin. The fabrics I bought wholesale and in bulk, so I could justify getting some pretty amazing threads!
Since moving to Christchurch, I have branched out into making wooden bunting necklaces that are covered in gorgeous papers, and also, painting large wood and geo-shaped beads in a multitude of bright colours. These are all hand-painted in my own garden studio.
Where did the name come from?
I did call myself Genevieve Robinson
- Stylish Handkerchiefs and Accessories for a few years, but that became more
of a mouthful really. I now just design under my own name.
Where does your inspiration come from?
Mostly from the era in which I grew
up. (Ahem - the 70s). Films like Swiss Family Robinson and
the Wilderness Family really inspired me. Wooden A-frame houses and wood in
general, the smell of pine trees, embroidered Swedish patterns in
wild colours, folklore and woodland creatures.
So many things inspire me - but I guess that's how we evolve really. This is my one-off "Fitzroy" collected which is inspired by the character and wardrobe worn by Nina in Offspring.
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What do you love about what you do?
I have an excuse to say "I think
I will buy that", or "I am a writer, so I need stationery." But
I can only say that for so long I guess. I have boxes of unused stationery and
gorgeous pads and pens.
Where do you find time to craft/write?
Mostly at weekends. I promise myself a day a week to sit down and craft
listening to my old Beastie Boys tracks and Digital Trance music. I guess it's
quite therapeutic, which is very important for me, as my day job is as a feature
writer for a busy community newspaper.
How long have you been writing for?
Since I was given the orange journal back when I was a child I guess. I used to write all sorts of nonsense in there. Actually, not that I come to think of it, I used to create some rather hilarious fashion magazines made from an old roll of paper I found as the tip when I was about 11. My friend and I would spent hours cutting out images from books and magazines then sticking them in our own little home-made versions, and sketching in them too.
In 2010, I decided to attend a Creative Writing course one day a week. This was an incredible eye-opener for me and really made me think hard about what I wanted to do. My tutor, Diane Brown, who is also a novelist and poet, suggested I should think about studying journalism. I took her advice and went to study it full-time the following year. I have never looked back.
What’s next for you?
I am not quite sure - but I would love to do a stationery range as some stage. Aside from that, on a personal and emotional level, I still gravitate towards giving something back to the environment - this could be planting a small native plant forest, or helping at an animal sanctuary somewhere. I always said to myself: If I win lotto, I will start my own animal ambulance service for the community, and dedicate at least a year or two of my life to wildlife conservation.
You can find more of Genevieve Robinson's designs here...
Facebook - Genevieve RobinsonDesigns
Email: genevieverobinsondesigns@gmail.com
Giveaway Details
Genevieve has a bunting necklace from her one-of-a-kind Fitzroy Collection for one reader to win. Inspired by the character and wardrobe worn by Nina in Offspring, this bunting necklace is a great accessory for brightening up any outfit.
To go into the draw head to Genevieve Robinson Designs Facebook Page. Please like her page (or if you are already a liker - done!) and leave a comment below the Giveaway post on her Facebook page telling Genevieve why
you think you'd like to wear one of her bunting necklaces. Easy Peasy!
- one comment per person
- you must live in New Zealand
- giveaway closes on Sunday 1st June
Images used with
the kind permission of Genevieve Robinson
