Featured Seller: Sly Fox Jewellery

Twin sisters Megan and Christie Webber from Christchurch grew up in a house that that their dad built and their mum painted. Their mother is an artist who had a paintbrushes in her daughters’ hands as soon as they could hold them, so it’s no big surprise that both Megan and Christie are creatively inclined and now work together in their crafty business, Sly Fox Jewellery.

Tell us a bit about yourselves
Megan: In my spare time I draw, sew, carve stamps, read, and make jewellery. I’m a statistics and biology student at the University of Canterbury, and although these two subjects can be quite removed from jewellery making, they both have their influences; nature and geometry.

Christie: I am studying towards my Masters degree in biology at the University of Canterbury and my love for nature comes through in the jewellery I make, which is mostly animal themed! In my free time I like to collect insects, paint, carve rubber stamps with Megan, read, and sculpt.

What do you make?
Jewellery handmade from a variety of different materials including glass, metal, clay, wire, paint, and items collected from our garden. Many of our items are handmade from beginning to end, we hand sculpt, mould, and paint these pieces making sure each one is unique.

How did you get into your craft?
Megan: Sly Fox Jewellery’s nest egg hatched in the summer of 2009 – what began as making jewellery as a hobby has really grown from there. Along the way Christie joined me and we have picked up a few stockists. Coming from such a creative background it was never a thing that we had to ‘get into’, but rather something we’ve played around with for years.

Your favourite materials, tools and processes?
Christie: I love working with polymer clay. Using my hands to mould the clay allows ideas to take form which is a very exciting process. My favourite tool would be my desktop oven, it is so handy for curing my pieces.

Megan assembling the handpainted flags to create a bunting necklace

What inspires you?
Megan: My ideas and inspiration come from animals, nature, geometry, illustration based art, and whimsical objects. My favourite designers would have to be Sarah McNeil, Devon Smith, and Geninne Zlatkis for illustration. Anna Ruby King and Patrick Irla for jewellery design. And Sabina from Royal Mint for incredibly cute animal figures!

Christie: Nature, colour and art inspire me. My favourite artists are Joan Miró, Charles Harper and my mum Joanne Webber. Hayao Miyazaki films are amazing, with beautiful illustrations that are inspiring. I also follow Memi The Rainbow and Cat Rabbit for a dose of cute and quirky.

What does ‘handmade’ mean to you?
Handmade items begin as a concept and with time and patience become tangible. The process involves authenticity, creativity, perfection and imperfection.

Describe your workspace:
Megan: My workspace doubles as my study space, a room separate from my bedroom. I fill it with inspiration and things I enjoy seeing every day.

Christie: I am really lucky to have my own craft corner with a desk and pin board covered with art and supplies for creating. I often look at it longingly from my study desk as I do university work.

Christie painting intricate detail onto her handsculpted earrings

Five words that describe your mind:
Megan: inquisitive, organised, analytical, shy, and creative.
Christie: spontaneous, creative, adventurous, friendly and perfectionist.

What are you currently listening to? Megan: Lisa Mitchell; Christie: Joni Mitchell

Recommend an album: Megan: XX, by The XX; Christie: Body Talk, by Robyn

What are you reading now?
Megan: A Feast for Crows by George R R Martin
Christie: From Rice to Riches by Jane Hutcheon

A favourite quote:
Megan: “Do not squander time for that is the stuff life is made of.” – Benjamin Franklin
Christie: “Equipped with his five senses, man explores the universe around him and calls the adventure Science.” – Edwin Hubble
 Do you have any pets?
We have a cat named Albert, he is the king of the house. Also Felix, he is a little dog and anyone that meets him is besotted.

What was the last handmade item you bought?
Megan: Some forest themed screen printed fabric from an artist in Greece.
Christie: An art print from Lauren Carney

Where do you hope to be in five years’ time?
Finished university! Working as a scientist and a statistician by day and creating in the evenings. We would love to share a studio space where we could spend time together and work on projects.

You’ll find Sly Fox Jewellery at Craft Collective markets in Christchurch, and of course you can always find them on Felt! We have a fabulous Sly Fox Jewellery bunting necklace to give away to one super lucky person who comments below. The draw is open to New Zealand residents only until Friday 17 August.