New, new, new, new, new, new, new....

gran's loose change welcomed a new jewellery designer to the family this week. We are excited to introducing two awesome styles of rings by Smoke and Mirrors. Preorder only, make sure you get in quick as there is limited availability!

I chatted to the designer Aju Mathew earlier this week...

Who is Aju Mathew?

I am Indian born, Kiwi bred. I am a Wellingtonian who is an industrial designer by study and a jewellery designer by trade.

Originally from Gisborne but have been living in Wellington for the last 8 years.

What do you do?
I design and make jewellery, mostly fine jewellery but am branching out with contemporary pieces to create a jewellery collection.

What would you ideally like to do?

Travel the world and design stuff while I am doing it. I work off my laptop so this is definitely possible!

Places you've travelled?
Backpacked across India.

Definitely more travelling on the cards.

What inspires you?
I look to nature and the things I observe in every day life for inspiration.

Where will you be in the next five years?

Hopefully travelling the world and making jewellery while I am doing it!

Fave blogs:
Inhabitat (green design blog, comes up with some wicked stuff)
Core 77 (popular industrial design blog)
All Jewellery Designers

There are far too many to list!!

Fave designers:

Far too many to list. The ones who currently inspire me are the following :

Feng Zhu is an awesome concept artist/industrial designer.

Carolyn Tyler - South Pacific Jewellery designer

Best advice you've ever been given?

Design is never about you but always about others.

Things you couldn't live without?

My awesome mates and girlfriend. And probably my laptop.

Words of wisdom for gran's loose change customers?

Buy my rings?

A bird in your hand is worth two in the bush?

Could go on all day.....

It's going to be a GOOD day...

Tune in to The Good Morning Show, TV1 this Friday (or watch it online ) between 9-10am (approximately 9.24am I am told by the researcher) and watch Kelly (*hopefully keep a cool head on live television) chat with Sarah Bradley about shopping for vintage and second hand clothing online. (*And then you'll be so inspired you'll all head to gran's loose change and buy something. Yeah?)

We're loving...

Moccasin style mens shoes and maxi dresses...

Our Baby G...

The beautiful Georgia Davis has become an integral part of the gran's loose change family throughout the last year. We loan her body for product shots, her mind for constant inspiration, her heart for strength and her skills for everything from naming the products, buying for the site to selling at the Little Big Markets. Not only is she a massive babe, she has a heart of gold and despite her reminding me continuously that she is a whole seven years younger than me, we love her to pieces.

What's your full name?

Georgia Maree Davis

What nicknames do you have?

George, Porge, Geo, Georgie Pie, etc

What three things can't you live without?

Friends, family, food.

What do you most like about being involved with gran's loose change?

Watching this incredible business grow and flourish, like a flower, it's amazing and beautiful to see. As well as the delish dinners Kel can whip up after a photo shoot! 

Has there ever been a piece you've modelled that you thought 'holy shitballs, that piece rocks my world and I have to have it'?

That mesh maxi dress! Ohh wow how I loved it (I just checked the sight and it has SOLD!! No suprises there).

Where is your happy place?

My happy place can be anywhere, as long as i'm happy(obviously) with not a worry in the world, there's nothing better then being surrounded by friends and family, or curled up on my bed reading a good book on a Sunday afternoon. Good food, good wine, good company is my ultimate combo.

Who / What inspires you?

gran's loose change Director, Kelly, the 60's era; so much love and peace and music. The whole world inspires me.

Where do you want to be in five years?

Travelling the world please and thank you.

Words of wisdom for glc customers?

Everything passes. Everything changes. Just do what you think you should do. - Bob Dylan.

Market day!

Get there! 9 - 2pm THIS Saturday. Corner of Matai St and Maunganui Rd, Mt Maunganui. Yummy pies, homemade lemonade, kids face painting, a shitload of vintage (not just from glc of course but other awesome shops and people too), clothing, shoes, jewellery. Why would you be anywhere else? It's the third to last market day (which between you and me, means there will be bargains galore as stallholders try to sell most of their stock. Shit yeah!)

A few of my favourite things (for today)...

I die. If I knew where to find these, they would be mine.

Chunky rings and skulls. Yes please!

Second hand books.

Two of my favourite things - wedges and leopard.

I have recently started an owl collection and these pencil jars are so freaken' cute! 

What are you loving today?

The start of something new...

For those of you who follow gran's loose change regularly (and / or from the beginning) you'd know that I work on top of managing the website. I have to. You know, to pay the bills and all that boring kind of stuff. Well, I started work for a fabulous, innovative, fresh, inspiring, kick ass design agency today. I am the new client manager at Family Design Co. We focus on creative and strategic services and I will be doing everything from copywriting to brand strategy, advertising, marketing, event management, art direction, media placement and more. (Check out the super cool webby here). I'm there three days a week and of course, still working on gran's loose change every spare minute. So NEVER FEAR! gran's loose change will still get all of the time she currently does. In fact, we're shooting new product tomorrow night. Hells yeah!

Oh and if you're in need of any design, brand strategy or creative services, contact us at Family Design. We'd love to hear from you!

It's all about Her...

Interview in Her Business magazine. yeow!

Oh, and I had a very exciting phonecall a couple of days ago! The researcher/writer from The Good Morning Show has asked me to feature on the show! So, turn on your TVs and stay tuned to Good Morning between 9 and 10am on Friday 24 February.