Kisma Kreative

Open House Invitation

2010-06-14T03:02:00.001-07:00

KISMA KREATIVE
Upcycle Design Studio

Invites you to our open house
at 10 Fitzroy Street in Grahamstown
Daily from Friday 25th June until Friday 2nd July
(Closed on Sunday the 27th June )
From 9am until 4pm each day

Get away from the hustle and bustle of the Festival and grab a cup of coffee while you browse our wide range of fun and functional Upcycled, eco-friendly gifts and accessories.

It’s a perfect opportunity to fill your gift drawer with
button jewellery, bags made from records, chip packets or computer disks, purses made from snack wrappers or juice boxes, clocks, cell phone pouches, note books and fridge magnets made from juice boxes, reused paper, computer bits and many more unusual and exciting things

Visit our website, www.kisma.co.za to get a sneak peak, you can even place orders online
Directions: from the Peppergrove Centre (Pick n Pay), follow African Street past the traffic circle, turn left up Oatlands, then right into Fitzroy. Carry on over the railway and up the hill and we are on the right hand side near the top of the hill, on the corner of Fitzroy and Ayliff. Look out for the sign!

KISMA KREATIVE
is proud to host an exhibition and sale of stained glass work by
ENCHANTED GLASS
on Fri the 25th and Sat 26th June!

Those of you unfamiliar with Beth's stained-glass-with-a-twist will be, well, enchanted with the fairy-land fantasy of Enchanted Glass. From exquisite show pieces to the well-known Guardian Angels and End of the Month Spoons, there will be something for everyone.

ENQUIRIES: contact Tracy at Kisma Kreative, via the website, or at tracy@kisma.co.za; or call 083 522 8932.

UpCycled Noise Maker (Vuvuzela like) -Step by Step project

2010-01-18T22:33:00.000-08:00

I have put this project together very quickly so I hope it's not too difficult to follow. I'm sure you'll get the idea though.

You will need:

*One 2l plastic soda bottle (one with straight sides not so much the curvey bottles)

*Another plastic bottle - 2l or water bottle will do, we need the screw top end and they are
all the same.

* Insulation tape ( try others? - this is what I had and it worked well.)

STEP 1:
Cut the top and the bottom off the 2L bottle
Cut the middle bit down one side so it is open.

STEP 2:
Cut the middle section of the bottle into 3 equal sections.

STEP 3:
This bit gets tricky ...
Take the screw top off the bit you cut off the top of the bottle. Shape one of the 3 sections cut from the middle of the 2L bottle into a tube that fits over the thread of the section cut from the top of the 2Lbottle. The trumpet shaped bit. Tape the tube to the the trumpet shape. Using the top of the second bottle to measure the shape of the tube tape the tube in the middle and at the top. Don’t tape the 2nd bottle to the tube. Remove it and you will have what looks like a small trumpet.

STEP 4:
To add length to the tube, roll up another section cut from the middle of the 2l bottle and insert it into the tube you have just attached. Using the 2nd bottle tape this second tube and fix it to the first one. Repeat this process again and you will almost have your finished vuvuzela. At this point I added tape willy nilly to secure all the bits and neaten it up

STEP 5:
To fashion a mouth piece, use the second bottle. Cut the top off, quite near the top and neaten it up. Tape the cut side - it can be quite sharp. Insert the mouth piece into the tube at the top and tape it in place. I recommend you paper mache you noise maker and paint it in decorative colours and patterns!

Kisma Kreative supports the Grahamstown Feral Cat Project -TNR (Trap, Neuter, Release)

2009-11-16T08:16:00.000-08:00

The need for this project arose out of the community itself, to offer a humane alternative for the feral cats of Grahamstown. Concerned members of the public did not want to get too involved in a hands-on way, but a few were prepared to pay for sterlization of ferals that they had become aware of in the CBD. Due to the many demands made on the resources of the SPCA, they were left with the unenviable task of trapping and euthanasing feral cats because taming them is too time-consuming and not always possible. Already their cattery is full of tame cats looking for homes. Trapping, sterilizing and releasing feral cats back into their environment is a globally recognised humane alternative to simply killing them. After all, these cats have carved out a niche for themselves in a harsh world and have earned the right to life as much as any one of us. In addition, they perform a useful task in controlling the large rodent population drawn to the city by restaurant garbage and student rubbish bins. With few other natural predators, rodents can become a problem. The cats perform this task efficiently and without the negative impact on the environment which poisons cause. If left unsterilized, the cat population can become a problem and disease can be spread among them through mating and fighting, speading also to free-ranging domestic cats. Left to breed unchecked, they also begin to have a negative impact on wild birds and small wildlife in the CBD, and indeed their own lives become extremely difficult. A few individuals have been doing this work here on a small scale over the years, but we hope to work more closely together in future.
Over and above sterilizing the cats, which is funded by donations from the public, and independent of any other organisation, the local SPCA has generously undertaken to assist with vaccination and treatment for parasites.
Lorna Grant and Natalia Kavalenia are the moving spirits behind this initiative and hope to gain the support of city businesses and any members of the public who would like to assist in any way. In addition, we want the public (especially the kind donors of this project - thank you for your vote of confidence so far) and even visitors to view our city cats with pride, because we hope to keep them in good condition with regular feeding and care, as far as possible. It will be an ongoing project, as long as there are feral cats in need of a helping hand, and the funds to assist us to get it done. It won't all happen overnight - cats can be wiley creatures around traps, and time and patience are needed. Whenever possible, we will try to home cats.
We acknowledge with thanks Dr Gilfillan's (and staff's) assistance in this project. If you would like to contribute to this fund, you may deposit any amount into the vet account at the above veterinary practice, as follows: GRAHAMSTOWN VETERINARY CLINIC, STANDARD BANK ACCOUNT 081991215 Branch Code 050917, and be sure to give the reference: WILDCAT ACCOUNT. No donation is too small - or too big for that matter! Donations of food would also be most welcome as some of the cats are stunted due to a poor diet. With no overhead costs of our own, all funds go directly to the care of the cats.We are aware that the animal welfare "pie" is not a very large one, and we do not wish to divert any funds that currently supports the work of the SPCA.
Lorna's email address is: l.r.grant@ru.ac.za, and Natalia's: nataliakavalenia@gmail.com.
Please bear in mind that we do not generally provide an alternative to the work of the SPCA, whose area of interest in animal welfare in Grahamstown is extremely broad. We appeal to you to show these cats compassion should you meet one of them on your rounds of our little city. Thank you.

These two handsome red cats were our first "trappees" in this particular project: the sleepy-looking female was sterilized and homed, and the alert male was returned to his parking lot.

The two tortie kittens below were soon followed by their beautiful caramel-ginger brother, and hopefully soon by their mum and other sibling. they are already semi-tame. One of the kittens was treated for severe diarrhoea and is on the mend.

Discovery

2009-10-05T00:25:00.000-07:00

It's time for a quick update. Things have been happening so fast that I have not had time to post any information. At the moment I am working on a huge order and for this order I need loads of chip packets and chocolate wrappers. I have sent out word and started collecting but being afraid that I wouldn't have enough in time I contacted one or two chip and chocolate manufacturers and I have made a few scarey discoveries.

The chip manufacturer - who were happy for me to come and collect bales of waste...in JHB (helpful?-NOT)- tells me they just dump it in the landfill anyway. "Tons" he says.

The chocolate manufacturer says they distroy thier offcuts and so NO I can't have any and NO he doesn't think it is recycleable.

Niether conversation filled me with any hope that they were trying to change these facts or that they even cared! So all the more reason to UpCycle. We can't let it go to the landfills.

Right, Operation Wrapper Upcycled Products in full swing - - -what this space!!! We have new snack wrapper messanger bags and cell phone pouches almost ready to be sent out into the world.

Anyone who has a collection of chip packets or any snack wrappers please contact me soonest.

Mother's Day Special

2009-04-24T04:36:00.001-07:00

It's mother's day on the 10th of May and don't you think your mother deserves something a little different and extra special to make her smile this year? Well, to make things a little easier Kisma Kreative is offering a 10% discount and free postage in South Africa on all orders placed online between the 25 April and the 5th of May. Remember to place your orders before the 1 of May to recieve them in time for Mother's day. Stock supply is subject to availabilty. Contact me soonest if you have any queries.

New Things

2009-03-27T06:44:00.000-07:00

I finally have a little time to try out a few new things that I've been wanting to get to for ages. It's been so much fun and I'm beginning to remember why I started all this in the first place! The flood gates are only just opening....

Kis 142 - R20.00 each plus. These bangles aren't completely unique you may have seen them before, but they are so much fun I had to try them out. Made from old tape measures, buttons and yogurt cups.

While nosing around the family junk pile (I didn't get this way all by myself you know) at my parents home I found these old PVC pipes. Dad cut them up on the table saw for me, saving my hours of boring sawing with a hand saw. All that was left for me was the fun part, polishing off the old, worn and sun damaged outer layer and then adding a few creative bits. I have more ideas for these though, think of these pictures as a sneak peak really.

Buttons, buttons, buttons!!! This necklace is made with an assortment of black buttons wired up and joined in a haphazard way with chain. There's only one of these so first come first serve.

R95.00 plus R15.00 for postage.

Now here's a little something I've been mulling over for months. Collecting the light bulbs was a little harder than you'd think. The old bulbs are hanging on the end of fine chain and a new, energy saving light bulb is nestled inside the bunch of bulbs. Again there are only one of these at

R250.00 plus R50.00 packing and posting.

A stunning light catcher made from old glass consol bottle lids hung from an only slightly newer, but still comfortably worn metal consol bottle screw top. Although it is a special feature in the garden I made it to go in a window and it won't be strong enough to live outside in the rain and wind. One of a kind at R195.00 plus R50.00 packaging and postage.

Something just for fun. Most of us have a pair of these laying around somewhere. They make a funky notebook and pencil holder to hang up next to the phone or in the kitchen. They have a loop attached on the back to make it easy to hang up. Otherwise use it as a handy cell phone holder, especially useful when charging. Only two available for now at R60.00 plus R20 for postage.

Hmmmm - Now what do you think I'll be doing with these....

A LIST OF THROW AWAY ITEMS WE UPCYCLE AT KISMA KREATIVE

2009-03-04T15:44:00.000-08:00

If you are in Grahamstown and have a collection of any or all of these items then contact us and we will collect or I can let you know of a drop off point in town. Soon we hope to have drop off points in Port Elizabeth and East London.

Empty, flattened chip packets - all sizes
Tetra Pacs - milks and juice boxes
Pull tabs from the top of soda cans
Empty dog food bags - not te paper ones
Old Cds
Stiffy diskettes
Broken wine glasses
Plastic dog food bag handles
Chocolate wrappers
Old photo slides
Old measuring tapes
Broken keyboards, mouses and computer cables
Buttons
Corks
Buckles from old belts, shoes or bags
Worn denim jeans or skirts
used up cell phone sim cards
Plastic shopping bags

The list will keep growing so keep in touch

STOP AND SMELL THE FLOWERS

2009-03-04T05:28:00.000-08:00

What a busy year it's been already! Time to take a moment and catch up.

Due to a huge number of new ideas, new materials and orders, I have had to prioritise my time this year. At the beginning of February I handed my little shop at 127 High Street, Grahamstown over to Jane. She has taken over completely and has renamed it "Green Spirit". Kisma Kreative products are still available from the store, as well as lots of other new green and ecofriendly things. Jane also sells freshly dried fruit and other snacks made locally. If you haven't visited Green Spirit yet, make a plan to stop by.

Last year while working with more and more reclaimed materials it became obvious to me that Grahamstown was desperate to recycle. We set up a small recycling collection business called Recycle 4 U offering the collection of recyclable materials for a small fee. We collected, sorted, picked out the things we could use for upcycling projects and then distributed the rest to recycling depots around town. We built up a group of wonderful like-minded people and it was a pleasure to do our collections.

Right at the beginning of our operation we found out about a recycling collection project that was in the works, involving local recycling businesses and our municipality. This project kicked off its two-bag refuse collection at the beginning of March. So now we can all recycle easily here in Grahamstown and the project provides much needed employment in the sorting of the recyclables. A greener Grahamstown is, of course, a very good thing, and the municipality is to be commended; but it has also made Recycle 4U irrelevant. I plan to keep in touch with all the people who made use of Recycle 4U's services, and to send out a list of the items, both recyclable and non recyclable, that I can use in our upcycle designs. If anyone wants to keep these items we can collect, for free, obviously, and I plan to arrange a collection point or two around town.

I hope to share a stall with Green Spirit at the Grahamstown Festival Village Green Market this year so if you are in the area in July... It's a bit scary as I will have to have loads of stock on hand and you never know what will be the item of the festival until it's in full swing.

So for right now I am still catching up with new ideas and designs, building up stock for all the outlets I supply and preparing for festival stall.

Turning Trash into Treasure!

2009-01-23T22:49:00.000-08:00

All Kisma items are hand-made from materials we gather during recycling collections, resources that would otherwise end up in our ever growing landfills.
Kisma substitutes more traditional materials and craft accessories with regular household trash, developing new ways of working with these materials in order to create original and unique items! It is a challenge we relish, and we are sure that you will find the results inspiring.
Kisma’s aim is to bring recycling into everyday living by making it fun and fashionable. Gone are the days of the obligatory recycled plastic bag macramé pot plant holder.
We offer a wide range of handmade, fun upcycled gifts, funky accessories and other interesting things.