In an age of iPhones, iPads and a constant connect to the digital world around us, Welly’s Wonders, the brainchild of creative power duo Demelza Haines and Adam Murphy, leads children back to the world of their own imaginations while luring adults back to their youth (with more than a hint of nostalgia too). 

Ahead of her return to Canberra for the launch of her new children’s book Jenkins the Hare this Saturday, Demelza Haines chatted with Anna Riddell about her inspiration for the series. Anna also took time to chat with Kylie Krinas, founder of Wolfie in Manuka, the host venue for Demelza’s launch this weekend.

Based on her own family and friends, the characters featured are the creations of Demelza and have a timeless quality about them that are brought to life, in an exquisite fashion by her husband, Adam. But since the brand’s establishment last year, the characters of Jenkins the Hare and Burton the Brave have been made available in children’s clothing, accessories and artwork. And now for finally, this weekend, they will feature for the first time in the release of a storybook series.

The story of Demelza and Adam is equally like a storybook tale. After completing school at Canberra Girls Grammar, Demelza studied stage management at the Royal Welsh College of Theatre and Drama, and worked for several years backstage on tours across the UK and Ireland.

[pe2-image src=”http://lh6.ggpht.com/-x-GdFeYNFQ8/VFobIk7lArI/AAAAAAAAKxA/u-bbkSLsotA/s144-c-o/Welly_chair_copy.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/108454826374315674707/WellYWonderDemelzaHainesLaunchesChildrenSBookJenkinsTheHare#6078200481256374962″ caption=”” type=”image” alt=”Welly_chair_copy.jpg” pe2_single_image_size=”w614″ pe2_img_align=”center” ]

But it was after her return to Australia that would have Adam and Demelza meet in Sydney only a few years ago. Married within a year they moved to Singapore to follow Adam’s job commitments. What job could possibly take you to Singapore you ask? Adam has been a Disney and Lucasfilm animator since he was 15.

Having worked on some of the world’s biggest film franchises including The Lion King, Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, The Lady and The Tramp, Bambi and Lilo and Stitch, it was in Singapore the couple welcomed their son, Lllewellyn, into the world.

Just shy of two years old, Llewellyn (Welly) is the inspiration for his namesake brand that his beloved parents have created in only the past year. That’s right, as a full time mum, Demelza created an entire brand of Welly’s Wonders that is now stocked in over 40 retail stores nationwide.

At this point I realise it was possible that I may have actually been speaking to Wonder Woman herself.

[pe2-image src=”http://lh3.ggpht.com/-p1wOrGGFNR8/VFobLWSrLmI/AAAAAAAAKxM/OUFQKMNmqTc/s144-c-o/Suprised_Welly_copy.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/108454826374315674707/WellYWonderDemelzaHainesLaunchesChildrenSBookJenkinsTheHare#6078200528866324066″ caption=”” type=”image” alt=”Suprised_Welly_copy.jpg” pe2_single_image_size=”w614″ pe2_img_align=”center” ]

Demelza has an excitement about her and it is this curiosity for life to which she has translated into her characters. She tells of how their life in near the seaside in Sydney and Adam’s commute to work at Fox Studios each day.

“That’s when he does the drawings for Welly’s Wonders, on the train to and from work,” Demelza shares.

“He even knows where all the bumpy bits of the journey are and will stop drawing in anticipation.”

Hearing these small details of an artist at work on his way home—knowing the ins and outs of the bumps of the train—I wonder if the other travellers appreciate the incredible process they witness. It makes you understand and appreciate how the wistful world of the characters truly have so much heart and affect readers and lovers of children’s characters across the country.

Visiting Wolfie in Maunka and speaking to founder, Kylie Krinas, I can see why it has been chosen as the venue for the book launch.

Recently, Kylie made the leap from the corporate world to retail, and what she created is magical. When you step into Wolfie, you are transported to a classic era where toys can be touched, moved and bounced upon. The children’s’ wear will be so popular with the little ones that if they don’t actually wear them out, they will surely be passed down from sibling to sibling with great fondness.  Gentle and beautiful to the touch, the clothing range is, dare I say it, child like. You know what I mean.

On Saturday, there will be a reading of Jenkins the Hare by Demelza at 11am while Adam will be there also drawing pictures to delight. To complete the local affair, Mecca Bah will be serving up coffee alongside Gelatissimo’s ice cream, while cakes decorated with Jenkins will be baked by A Moment On the Lips.

So if you’re yet to discover Wolfie or Welly’s Wonders, get along on Saturday for a morning to remember and discover the fanciful fashions and whimsical ways of Demelza, Adam and Kylie’s creations.

The essentials

What: Book launch – Jenkins the Hare by Demelza Haines and Adam Murphy

When: 11am Saturday 8 November 2014

Where: Wolfie, Manuka Terrace – Flinders Way, Manuka

Web: www.wearwolfie.com.au

In an age of iPhones, iPads and a constant connect to the digital world around us, Welly’s Wonders, the brainchild of creative power duo Demelza Haines and Adam Murphy, leads children back to the world of their own imaginations while luring adults back to their youth (with more than a hint of nostalgia too). 

Ahead of her return to Canberra for the launch of her new children’s book Jenkins the Hare this Saturday, Demelza Haines chatted with Anna Riddell about her inspiration for the series. Anna also took time to chat with Kylie Krinas, founder of Wolfie in Manuka, the host venue for Demelza’s launch this weekend.

Based on her own family and friends, the characters featured are the creations of Demelza and have a timeless quality about them that are brought to life, in an exquisite fashion by her husband, Adam. But since the brand’s establishment last year, the characters of Jenkins the Hare and Burton the Brave have been made available in children’s clothing, accessories and artwork. And now for finally, this weekend, they will feature for the first time in the release of a storybook series.

The story of Demelza and Adam is equally like a storybook tale. After completing school at Canberra Girls Grammar, Demelza studied stage management at the Royal Welsh College of Theatre and Drama, and worked for several years backstage on tours across the UK and Ireland.

[pe2-image src=”http://lh6.ggpht.com/-x-GdFeYNFQ8/VFobIk7lArI/AAAAAAAAKxA/u-bbkSLsotA/s144-c-o/Welly_chair_copy.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/108454826374315674707/WellYWonderDemelzaHainesLaunchesChildrenSBookJenkinsTheHare#6078200481256374962″ caption=”” type=”image” alt=”Welly_chair_copy.jpg” pe2_single_image_size=”w614″ pe2_img_align=”center” ]

But it was after her return to Australia that would have Adam and Demelza meet in Sydney only a few years ago. Married within a year they moved to Singapore to follow Adam’s job commitments. What job could possibly take you to Singapore you ask? Adam has been a Disney and Lucasfilm animator since he was 15.

Having worked on some of the world’s biggest film franchises including The Lion King, Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, The Lady and The Tramp, Bambi and Lilo and Stitch, it was in Singapore the couple welcomed their son, Lllewellyn, into the world.

Just shy of two years old, Llewellyn (Welly) is the inspiration for his namesake brand that his beloved parents have created in only the past year. That’s right, as a full time mum, Demelza created an entire brand of Welly’s Wonders that is now stocked in over 40 retail stores nationwide.

At this point I realise it was possible that I may have actually been speaking to Wonder Woman herself.

[pe2-image src=”http://lh3.ggpht.com/-p1wOrGGFNR8/VFobLWSrLmI/AAAAAAAAKxM/OUFQKMNmqTc/s144-c-o/Suprised_Welly_copy.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/108454826374315674707/WellYWonderDemelzaHainesLaunchesChildrenSBookJenkinsTheHare#6078200528866324066″ caption=”” type=”image” alt=”Suprised_Welly_copy.jpg” pe2_single_image_size=”w614″ pe2_img_align=”center” ]

Demelza has an excitement about her and it is this curiosity for life to which she has translated into her characters. She tells of how their life in near the seaside in Sydney and Adam’s commute to work at Fox Studios each day.

“That’s when he does the drawings for Welly’s Wonders, on the train to and from work,” Demelza shares.

“He even knows where all the bumpy bits of the journey are and will stop drawing in anticipation.”

Hearing these small details of an artist at work on his way home—knowing the ins and outs of the bumps of the train—I wonder if the other travellers appreciate the incredible process they witness. It makes you understand and appreciate how the wistful world of the characters truly have so much heart and affect readers and lovers of children’s characters across the country.

Visiting Wolfie in Maunka and speaking to founder, Kylie Krinas, I can see why it has been chosen as the venue for the book launch.

Recently, Kylie made the leap from the corporate world to retail, and what she created is magical. When you step into Wolfie, you are transported to a classic era where toys can be touched, moved and bounced upon. The children’s’ wear will be so popular with the little ones that if they don’t actually wear them out, they will surely be passed down from sibling to sibling with great fondness.  Gentle and beautiful to the touch, the clothing range is, dare I say it, child like. You know what I mean.

On Saturday, there will be a reading of Jenkins the Hare by Demelza at 11am while Adam will be there also drawing pictures to delight. To complete the local affair, Mecca Bah will be serving up coffee alongside Gelatissimo’s ice cream, while cakes decorated with Jenkins will be baked by A Moment On the Lips.

So if you’re yet to discover Wolfie or Welly’s Wonders, get along on Saturday for a morning to remember and discover the fanciful fashions and whimsical ways of Demelza, Adam and Kylie’s creations.

The essentials

What: Book launch – Jenkins the Hare by Demelza Haines and Adam Murphy

When: 11am Saturday 8 November 2014

Where: Wolfie, Manuka Terrace – Flinders Way, Manuka

Web: www.wearwolfie.com.au