Kiwi Insta-Ingenuity: Help to craft up a storm is just a click away

Little Bee's Alia Bland has a flair for bright, bangin' colour.

Help to craft up a storm is just a click away, writes Pony McTate.

If I'm not crafting, crocheting or coffeeing, I'm checking Instagram to see other people crafting, crocheting and coffeeing (true story - just ask my neglected children).

Instagram is an inspirational hub for those who are creatively inclined. No matter what you're into, however niche, you'll find a bunch of people all over the world who share your enthusiasm. The photo-based nature of the app makes it an ideal place to seek inspiration and connect with like-minded individuals. It's even better when those individuals turn out to be right in your backyard (hypothetically speaking, one hopes).

Two NZ-based Instagram accounts worth checking out are: @thelittlebeenz and @cleverpoppy. Their feeds bring little squares of delight into my life on a daily basis. And they both offer something to people who like what they see and want to craft up a storm themselves.

ALIA BLAND

@thelittlebeenz

Alia Bland is the vibrant force behind the colourful crochet wonderland that is The Little Bee NZ. She lives in West Auckland - in a yurt! - and has been crocheting for a mere four years. She sells an impressive range of her own crochet patterns via Etsy. Homewares, garments and accessories galore, all with Alia's trademark flair for bright, bangin' colour. Her Sunday Shawl has a cult following - 4500 tags on Instagram alone.

Little Bee's work.

As well as selling patterns, Alia runs all kinds of interesting crochet workshops: rainbow rope baskets, rag rugs, hula hoop mandalas and more. Some of the workshops require basic crochet skills while others are open to beginners. They all come with nibbles, lively banter and Alia's gently reassuring expertise. Keep an eye on The Little Bee NZ's website to see when the next one is coming up.

Website: www.thelittlebee.co.nz

Instagram: @thelittlebeenz

Facebook: @thelittlebeenz

Etsy: TheLittleBeeNZ

JULIE STUART

@cleverpoppy

Clever Poppy's Julie Stuart makes DIY weaving easy for us all.

Clever Poppy is an online store and blog run by the ever-serene Julie Stuart, from Auckland's North Shore. Her Instagram feed is a gorgeous fluffy concoction of muted pastels, lush textures and loads of creative inspiration. Scrolling through is like a soothing balm for a frazzled mind.

Julie has tapped into the unstoppable trend for DIY weaving and makes it easy for us all. She has created a range of downloadable wall hanging tutorials so you can try weaving at home guided by her expert help. She's done all the research for you - how to make a basic loom, what kind of yarns to use, where to source them and how to put it all together. She assures me that her projects are easy to do and even a first-time learner can bust out a weaving to be proud of in just a couple of sittings.

Clever Poppy's work.

You can purchase Julie's DIY downloads via the Clever Poppy website. Check out her blog while you're there - it's jam-packed with beautiful, functional home-decor projects too.

Website: www.cleverpoppy.nz

Instagram: @cleverpoppy

Facebook: @cleverpoppy