Brown paper packages tied up with string

Introduce a few of your favourite things to creative friends this Christmas! We've just listed these packs of issues 15 & 16 plus bookmark, all wrapped up in brown paper with a plain tag for you to decorate. Posted fastpost for your peace of mind at no extra charge (NZ only). 

Beard & Braid

I am so excited to let you know that two of my most talented friends and collaborators have officially launched their online store, Beard & Braid. 

Beard & Braid is photographer and jeweller Sonya Nagels and illustrator/designer Toby Morris, who have both been part of Extra Curricular over the years (who knows how they find the time – these creative high-rollers have their fingers in so many pies it's hard to keep track!) Sonya is a photographer and interned as a jeweller in Amsterdam. Toby works as an art director by day and an illustrator by night. This store features their individual work, as well as prints pairing Sonya's stellar photography with Toby's top-notch hand crafted type. 

They are giving away the limited edition print All day Everyday to their first TEN customers to celebrate the launch. It's a piece that celebrates simple pleasures. A cup of tea and a gingernut. Sitting on the porch. Sunshine. Limited to a run of just ten, each print is individually numbered and signed by both artists.

And they're selling paintings by their sons Iggy (1) and Max (3) too. Why not? It's a family shop. Max is raising funds for a new digger, while Iggy is working towards some new dinosaur toys.

beardandbraid.bigcartel.com

Extra Curricular is going biannual

EC is put together by an incredibly dedicated and passionate team with each issue featuring up-and-coming artists and makers doing what they do for the love of it.

I started the magazine five years ago because I wanted to showcase all the talented creatives I knew and the beautiful work they were putting into the world. I wanted to tell other people about them by creating what I hoped would be a beautifully packaged journal of creativity.

That desire hasn’t changed. The network of contributors has grown and I’m more inspired than ever by all the new people appearing on the scene.

But to do justice to the people we feature, and to allow those who help put the magazine together enough space to tell their stories, we need to put as much care and dedication into our pages as our subjects do into their own work.

So from next year Extra Curricular will become a twice-yearly magazine, down from its current circulation of three issues per year.

The extra time between issues will give us breathing room, and ensure we’re presenting the magazine and who’s in it in the best light possible.

The new publishing schedule will be roughly six-monthly, with an issue due in November and May of each year.

Subscribe here to get each issue as soon as it drops!

The Ritual & Ceremony issue

We're celebrating 5 years of Extra Curricular creativity with issue 16, out this week! Buy here, here or at one of our fantastic independent stockists listed to the right there. Or you could ask Santa for a subscription. That beautiful cover art is by Julia Trybala, who we also interviewed for the issue.

A look inside...

The Extra Curricular Print Fund Sale is on again!

Bag a bargain on Felt or in our store.

Happy Friday: Enemies Yay for your desktop

Cheer up your desktop with some Enemies Yay Love! We turned the cover artwork by Laura Blythman and Pete Cromer into a downloadable wallpaper which will certainly, as Laura and Pete say, make your eyeballs happy. Grab it here.

Contributor series: Jacinta Crane

Jacinta Crane came to our rescue when we needed a photographer in Brisbane to shoot weaver extraordinaire, Maryann Talia Pau at the Finders Keepers markets for the Many Hands issue. (Take a look at some of the images we couldn't fit into the magazine below!)

Jacinta studied photography at the Brisbane College of Photography & Art where she then had her first photography job, leading to a passion for event photography – which she sees as a great opportunity to make connections and keep her finger on the creative pulse.

As well as photographing events, Jacinta also works with marketing and advertising companies and in her spare time she is currently doing a project with friends, setting up photo shoots at various locations and enjoying the creative freedom that comes with that.

Maryann Talia Pau at the Finders Keepers Brisbane

 

jacintacranephotography.com.au

Many Hands Make Light Work

In case you haven't heard, issue 15 is out! Taking its name from the classic proverb, the Many Hands issue celebrates collaboration in all its forms.

Featuring a gang of artists roaming Auckland's streets, a weaver whose project spans the world, a small Matakana bush cabin built by architectural graduates, and the must-have of any creative city – shared workshop spaces – the spring issue is fronted by dynamic cover duo Pete Cromer and Laura Blythman.

Take a look inside below, then grab yours from Felt or Big Cartel, or one of our lovely stockists to the right there –>

extracurricular.co.nz

Contributor Series: Luzette Godinez

Luzette photographed by Jamie Bowering for issue 14

Luzette Godinez featured in issue 14 with her brand Luu, photographed by Jamie Bowering – and now we've convinced her to put together a tutorial for the new issue. Being familiar with her playful geometric style, she still managed to wow us with her amazing piñatas (which you'll soon be able to make too!) 

A graphic designer by day, Luzette infuses her graphic, patterned work with natural elements. We recently visited her stall at the Auckland Art & Craft Fair and alongside her geometric jewellery pieces there were the Luu signature terrariums and air plant-growing pieces of driftwood – definitely one of the more unique displays on offer.

Keep an eye out in the upcoming issue 15 for Luzette's tutorial. (And if you are too lazy/craft-challenged/have a glue allergy, Luu does custom orders too! 

imluu.com

Issue 15: Sneak peek

A first look at our upcoming Many Hands issue - press-passing the cover, illustrated by Enemies Yay duo Laura Blythman and Pete Cromer. Why yes, that IS a beautifully textured cover stock and a spot pink... (I know you appreciate the little details).

SO excited about this one, jam-packed with awesome collaborative talent (we got a bit carried away in fact and had to add extra pages to fit it all in).

Pre-sales will be up soon!

Contributor Series: Jamie Bowering

Jamie Bowering came on board for issue 14 to photograph Luzette Godinez (LUU) and Bevan Galbraith (Captain Ukuleles) - and now we're not letting him go! Jamie has been galavanting around the world for a few years, taking on various fascinating photography projects along the way, such as SYRIA | Land, Cities and People where he spent 2 weeks travelling around Syria, capturing the everyday life of the Syrian people. He is currently working on a couple of projects that are close to being finished - one shot at a Russian summer camp for special needs children and their families. The other, a road trip around the Eastland coast.

Luckily for us, Jamie has decided to come back home to Auckland, at least for the time being. Check out some of his recent work below and head to his website for more stunning imagery.

Finn Andrews of the Veils photographed for Metro

Russian Winter

From the Russian Summer Camp series

From the Russian Summer Camp series

From Syria / Land, Cities & People

From the East Coast series

From the East Coast series

jamiebowering.com

Stockist Series: Culture Kit

One of our latest stockists is Culture Kit in Portland, on the far south west coast of Victoria. Owned and run by locals Jason and Simon Greening, Culture Kit only opened its doors a few weeks ago and offers a curated selection of rad comic books, graphic art, mags and gifts in a sunny spot in the centre of town. Look for the yellow! We asked Simon a few questions about this welcoming little hang-out.

What will customers discover at Culture Kit?
A range of comics, graphic art and alternate style giftware. We have an ever expanding range of comics with something for all ages. Our range of art and giftware is primarily from independent stockists, with 90% of stock in store from either Australia or New Zealand. With a mix of pop culture and upcycled décor we can promise a relaxed atmosphere where the couch is always comfy and the tunes are always playing.

What’s the best thing about coming to work each day?

The sense of ownership. We get to do what we enjoy and build on our own ideas. Getting to talk with people and getting their feedback is great. It is knowing that we can make a difference and put something back into our local community.

What is the one thing you have learnt from opening your shop?
You can make all the forecasts and projections you want but there will always be unforeseen expenses so make a budget then add about 30% on top of that. Small business is hard work but with a lot of hard work and patience it can be very rewarding.

What is the best kept secret in your local area?

Our store! Haha but really it’s our beautiful rugged coastline and surrounding bushland. With all the beaches and surf spots, bush tracks and national parks not even any one local would be able to tell you where all the best spots are.

Culture Kit, 40 Percy Street, Portland, Victoria 3305 Australia

Shop hours: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm Mon - Fri, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm Sat

culturekit.com.au 

Contributor Series: Patti Andrews

You will have seen Patti's work recently in issue 13's Explorer's Guide (we previously interviewed her in issue 12 - the Tall Tales issue). I love her bright, bold style - not one to fiddle about with precise lines, her illustrations have a direct, fresh quality. Here is some of her other work (Patti has worked on some great branding projects as well as commissions and of course her signature custom maps).

   See more at you-are.com.au