Today's Craft Hatch Market featured designer is Puiyi Tiffany Pang of Mutedkowhai. I've spent most of last night reading through Puiyi's blog and browsing her online store feeling overwhelmingly inspired by her delicately crafted jewellery! - Jenny x

Little Bourke Collection by Muntedkowhai [which will be released at Craft Hatch!]

Left: Northcote and Toorak pieces Right: Very sweet Puiyi Tiffany Pang!

Our second October Craft Hatch participant to be featured this week is the label Muntedkowhai. The label was initiated in 2008 in Portland, Oregon by Puiyi Tiffany Pang. Puiyi is a Hong Kong born, New Zealand raised scientist who has returned to her artistic intuitions through Muntedkowhai. We love the idea of a scientist making beautiful craft products in her down time!

As could be expected from a scientist, Tiffany’s beautiful handcrafted jewellery focuses on the hybrid of original and unique designs with traditional methods of textile creations. The attention to romantic detail and contrasts in materials are hallmarks of Muntedkowhai style.

Tiffany has recently relocated to what she describes as “the art mecca of Australia – Melbourne” and we are very happy to have her outstanding works represented in the Craft Hatch Market. Here’s what Tiffany had to say about her process, her work environment and signature style.

“I grew up in an artistic environment, solely because of my creative mother. She encouraged us to draw, paint and make things with our hands. As I grew up, I crafted for my own creativity but it amounted to nothing, as my attention span never lasted long enough to finish a scarf. It wasn't until late 2008 when I started Muntedkowhai, as a creative reawakening initiative to balance my 9-5 science career.

A look at what's inside Puiyi's toolbox and some close ups of her Monstrosity range

I work from my one bedroom apartment, that I share with my partner in Prahran, Melbourne. It is a fairly small apartment but Muntedkowhai has dominated one side of the lounge. It would be nice to have a studio dedicated to Muntedkowhai but for the size and the time I dedicate to it right now, the current situation is just fine. It is actually really inspirational to have my pieces hung up and decorates the apartment in a unique way.

Muntedkowhai headquarters in Puiyi's lounge room- love the doors on the buffet!

A close up of Puiyi's creations that are displayed in her home

Most of my one of a kind pieces are inspired by the vintage buttons itself. I love looking in second hand shops littered with knick-knacks and am inspired by the eyecandy of disorganised beauty of vintage pieces. My obsession with lace and crochet come from my love of european costumes and garments. Muntedkowhai's signature style is the mixture of romantic notions with traditional textile making and simple modern designs. The culmination of looking at textile techniques in a new light, is in itself an inspiration. Muntedkowhai can be quite bipolar at times, there are some bolder and cleaner designs that stem from my love for understated designs. For these pieces, I draw inspiration from old industrial aesthetics.

Ahhhh, so beautiful!

I will be selling a varied range of Muntedkowhai collections at the October Craft Hatch to introduce Melbournians to the different styles of Muntedkowhai.

• The Fitzroy collection- A small collection of simple, bold and understated crochet motif in black paired with vintage raw brass bars. (RRP $60USD)
  
• Knotted Earrings- Chinese knotting is revisited with vibrant blues, raspberries and light heather greys, makes for an original design for earrings. (RRP $35USD)
• Flustered Collection- A series of romantically inspired colours and layers of softly crochet lace make Flustered pieces visually breathtaking. (RRP $60USD)
• One of a kind pieces- One of a kind pieces are centered around vintage buttons, no one piece is alike. (RRP $45 and up)
• Little Bourke Collection- Fun, lightweight and ready for spring with its light colour palette, the Little Bourke Collection is made of crochet motifs in 3D forms. (RRP $50USD) (not for sale on website yet, Craft Hatch will be the first venue for this small collection!)

Make sure you come on down to Craft Hatch if you are in Melbourne!"

Thanks for sharing Puiyi! Puiyi has a really cute blog that you should check out and an online store too.

Don't forget this month's Craft Hatch Market will be held at on Saturday 23rd of October at The State Library of Victoria, 11.00am - 4.00pm!

- Pip x