Welcome to our blog!

Hi, I’m Tamzin - wife to Jon and part of the Forlong family team behind The Ribbon Rose. While we have two kids at home, it often feels like we’re raising a third - this shop! It’s been such a big part of our life for so long now that it’s woven into just about everything we do. From conversations around the dinner table to the occasional dash to the shop on a weekend, The Ribbon Rose really is part of the family.

Our journey with The Ribbon Rose started nearly 20 years ago, when Jon’s parents - Stephen and Heather - took over a little corner craft shop in Ellerslie. Back then, it was small, homely, and full of charm - loved by locals for its friendly service and creative energy. Over time, we outgrew that cosy space and moved to a bigger store on Mount Wellington Highway, which felt like a massive step at the time.

Since then, things have only kept growing. These days, we’re based in Penrose in a much larger space that’s packed full of yarn, threads, fabric, paints, beading, papercraft, sewing bits and bobs -pretty much everything a creative heart could want. We’ve grown a lot, but we’ve always stayed true to what made The Ribbon Rose special in the first place: being helpful, down-to-earth and always up for a chat.

This blog is our little corner of the internet to share a bit more of what’s going on behind the scenes. You’ll find updates on new products, handy tips from our team, a bit of inspiration and the odd funny moment from life in the shop.

We’re so glad you’ve found your way here - whether you’ve been part of The Ribbon Rose journey for years or you’ve just discovered us. Thanks for being part of our crafty little community.

Warmly,
Tamzin Forlong