Our toys have been tested for  safety at SABS and found to be compliant with European Norm EN71 and universal standard ISO8124. They are non toxic and suitable for all ages. This is fantastic for export to Europe as we can now use the CE mark. It really sets us apart in the craft sector.

We have been at Design Indaba and SARCDA International shows this year and are off to the Grahamstown Festival in June. We will be part of the Fringe Exhibition with an exhibit entitled Free Range Friends. Woo-men is teaming up with Pete Woodbridge Illustration for this event. There will be toys for sale, as well as prints and canvasses by Pete.

We have also been selected to be part of the FIFA World Cup Craft Village on the Grand Parade and will be selling our sporty Soccer Ted toys there during June and July. We also hope our Woo Mama characters will be popular with all the visitors to South Africa.

One of our most popular characters with locals is Bed Head and we recently made the first large ones. These cuddlesome beauties retail for R375 and R450 directly from us or at Baraka in the Cape Quarter.

We recently made improvements to our Mr. Tiny stress ball character which is now selling well at Heartworks in the Gardens Centre.

We started a blog earlier this year in February and are enjoying using it to bring news and pictures to our readers.  www.woomen.wordpress.com

To view Woo-men’s complete portfolio on Cape Town Creatives, click here.

BP EXPRESS and Cape Town Carnival have collaborated to bring you Carnival Couture, a star-studded fashion extravaganza! The lucky few able to secure limited tickets will see 12 of Cape Town’s top designers’ one of a kind couture collections.

The fashion show, taking place at the V&A Waterfront on the 18th March, will mark the inauguration of the carnival weekend – congregating the who’s who of South Africa’s fashion industry to watch models take to the runway in one-off creations.

Each designer will showcase their interpretation of the Cape Town Carnival’s 2010 theme: Rhythm Roots and Boots, with 8 over-the-top Carnival Couture garments.

High profile names involved in the event include Kobus Dippenaar, C-Squared, Carducci Women, Hip Hop, Paul van Zyl Couture, Malick, Elbeth Gillis, Craig Port, Zinzi Couture in conjunction with Uwe Koetter Jewellers, Hendrik Vermeulen Couture, House of Monatic and Rosenwerth.

Tickets cost R120 per person. The show will take place at The Lookout, V&A Waterfront (on the roof of Aston Martin) 7.30pm on Thursday 18th March.

For booking information call 021 405 4473 or email angie@capetowncarnival.com

To view Label’s complete profile on Cape Town Creatives click here

1. The Wren Design
2. Jeanne Wassenaar Wearable Art
3. Woo-men Plush Toys
4. Nuno
5. The Little Black Dress Company
6. Label

Because every girl needs a Little Black Dress

The Little Black Dress company is a boutique-style store located in The Lane, Claremont. The store offers a selection of little black dresses that can be worn to work, a cocktail party or other evening functions.

The selection features an in house range as well as dresses by local designers including Label and TWO.

The little black dress is classic, chic, elegant and timeless. You can dress it up, dress it down, wear it anywhere and always look fabulous. The little black dress is not a passing fad, it is every season’s wardrobe essential.

The Little Black Dress Company is located in No 5 The Lane, Cavendish Street, opposite Cavendish Square.

To view The Little Black Dress Company’s complete profile on Cape Town Creatives click here

Jimmy Choo and Elton John AIDS Foundation have launched a photo competition to support the launch of Project PEP, a charity collection that donates 25% of sales to the Simelela Rape Centre in South Africa. The money goes towards providing the HIV-preventative treatment PEP (which must be taken within 72 hours of exposure to HIV) and counselling to victims of rape in South Africa, which has the highest count of rape in the world.

The proceeds raised by Project PEP will enable the clinic to stay open day and night providing 24 hour/7 days a week access to the vital life saving treatment that has to be administered within the first 72 hours of exposure to HIV.

To enter the competition, all you need to do is take a photo with this theme in mind: ‘You, Your Shoes and 72′ and upload it to: www.jimmychoo72.com/enter-competition

The winners will be announced after the competition closes on 7th December. The overall winner will be given the ultimate Jimmy Choo VIP experience. You will be invited to visit your local Jimmy Choo, pick up fashion tips from our Jimmy Choo stylists and select 7 pairs of shoes and 2 handbags of your choice to keep. Over 100 exclusive Jimmy Choo prizes will also be awarded.

The Antique Linen and Leather Bags are more beautiful than words can truly describe. The textures are soft and as you run your hand over the surface, you can feel the small knots that tied together the threads that are used to weave this fabric over 100 years ago.

The bags are lined with high quality cotton in a colour that matches the woven stripe on the linen. Inside there is large zip pocket and two open pockets that are edged with Persham ribbon. There is also a ring for you to attach your keys or small purse.

I have tried to keep the interior simple whilst applying all the feedback I have received since I started Wren. A good example is in this strap which is extra padded for comfort.

Not only does the bag look and feel beautiful but it also smells gorgeous. In the tag is a small pouch filled with lavender and because this fabric breathes so well, the perfumed lavender scent surrounds the bag.

Visit my etsy shop to see the Antique Linen and Leather Bags in stock.

Blog posted by The Wren Design

These are some inspirational phrases I have found to help me persevere through the process of prototyping.

1. Baby steps often lead to big leaps (ref). This way it never feels overwhelming and there is no space for self-doubt questions such as “what am I thinking?” or “There is no way I can do this!”. Don’t panic, you will achieve your goal one step at a time.

2. Three steps forward, one step back. This is the way it works and although you might prefer to have no ’set-backs’, they are almost always unavoidable.

3. Failure sucks, but instructs (ref). Instead of feeling as though the floor has fallen through and the idea is a flop, one needs to focus on tweaking and moving forward.

4. Stay open to possibility because even if things do not turn out like you hoped or expected them to, there is possibility there. You just have to have your eyes open to see it.

5. When in doubt, simplify (ref). Do not spend days debating, go with my instinct.

6. Keep on swimming (from the simplest source, ‘Nemo’). Keep on Keeping on….

Lastly, it will all be alright.

Blog posted by The Wren Design