After eight years in the Royal New Zealand Air Force as an electronics technician, Ross Heywood completed a bone carving course at the Wanganui Summer School, which led to a jewellery apprenticeship in Palmerston North. Now based in Queenstown, Ross has achieved international recognition for his carving and in 2005 exhibited his jewellery in a solo exhibition in Osaka, Japan. He is the creative force behind Hedgehog Art.
What do you make?
I make handmade sterling silver and sometimes 18ct gold jewellery. I also work with bronze, niobium and once upon a time did many carvings in bone and deer antler.
How did you get into your craft?
As a lad the things that were dear to me were animals, archaeology and making things. At school I took all the usual subjects for a boy from my generation: Maths, Metal Work, Technical Drawing, Physics and Chemistry. Art wasn’t considered a serious option at that time so I did not pursue it. Anyhow on leaving school I picked a trade and joined the RNZAF as an electronics technician.
While based in Auckland I saw someone bone carving in the mall at Takapuna. Gave it a go and was rather good at it. When I left the Air Force, some pottery friends suggested I do a carving course at the Wanganui Summer School of the Arts under Owen Mapp, one of New Zealand’s top carvers. After that the rest is history. My carving skills got me a jewellery apprenticeship in Palmerston North. From there I moved to that suburb of Auckland, Queenstown in the South Island and started to make money bone carving between washing dishes at night.
I have always been good with my hands and I suppose the signs and situations in life lead me full circle to doing what I am best at.
Above: steps in creating the Swiss blue topaz pendant in a sterling silver setting
Do you have formal training or qualifications in your craft?
I am initially a self a taught carver and also have Trade Certificate in Manufacturing Jewellery. Apart from the carving course I did at Wanganui and I suppose my jewellery apprenticeship I have had absolutely no design or art training.
Your favourite materials, tools and processes?
I like working with metals mostly but do enjoy the process of carving bone. I quite like it when I am doing the fine detailed part of the job. Especially when carving, as the object really starts to sing, so to speak.
Is there a philosophy behind your work?
No flowery narrative to my work. Just things that appeal to my eye. I get great pleasure out of creating objects that are not mass produced and will be owned by someone else who appreciates what went into making it.
What inspires you?
Being fond of archaeology, especially Egyptian, the ancient designs in such cultures has led my design direction often. Also Celtic art which probably comes from me being 1/4 Scottish. But in reality anything can trigger an idea: architecture, flowers, animals, etc – after all, nothing is original. The shapes and designs that we create have been here for ever. We just put our spin on them.
Describe your workspace:
A small work bench since you don’t need much room to make jewellery.
Your favourite feedback from a customer:
“It makes me want to cry.” When reading my story on my pet hedgehog Harold. Regarding my jewellery it is always nice when customers come up to you wearing your work and tell you that they wear it all the time.
Claim to fame?
Selling a ring to Heidi Klum’s makeup artist Glenn Marziali and getting emails from him on his fashion shoots.
Do you have any pets?
One cat by the name of Eme who is over 20 years old, eight chickens, and of course my wee boy Harold the hedgehog who is three years old this January and he is still visiting at night for some cat food. And yes, he will still let me pick him up and give him a cuddle.
Recommend an album:
Anything from The Stones, George Thorogood or The Stranglers.
A favourite quote: Open your eyes and listen with your soul.
What was the last handmade item you bought?
A fantastic little felted dog in a walnut shell by Little Felts here on Felt.
Ross has a stunning range of $85 sterling silver earrings and will give away the pair of their choice to one lucky person who comments below. The draw is open to New Zealand residents only until Friday 26 October. Visit Hedgehog Art to see more of his gorgeous designs – which one would you choose?
What wonderful beautiful jewellery you make, I especially like the sapphire and diamond necklace what a piece.
Keep up the great work.
Harold is just adorable!! The jewellery beautiful.
I adore unusual jewelry with a story, and love to buy handmade items. All of your earrings look beautiful, simple elegant and stylish. I can see why people think your work is done with laser as it is so accurate!
My birthday is coming up and I would love a pair of your lovely earrings to wear so everyone can ask where I got them from and I will gladly refer them to you!
Best of luck with the range!
Beautiful creations, very talented!
Your work is stunning, and inspirational. Love it all, but especially the convex earrings – I would wear them very proudly!
Beautiful pieces. I just love the gorgeous hedgehog 🙂
Tino Ataahua! (very beautiful!)
Stunning hand crafted jewellery, would love to see some of your bone carving work. Great site to display and share true kiwi talent.
I now see hedgehogs in a whole new different light! lol, they would scare the living daylight out of me!! don’t think I’m that afraid anymore….
Ka mau te wehi to mahi! – Your work is awesome!
Would just like to thank all the people who have left a comment. I very much appreciate your words. And I wish you all luck in winning a pair of my earrings.
To all the hedgehog lovers out there. Harold has given me and still gives me great pleasure not to mention all the people around the world who know his story. I saw him this morning.
Again thank you all.
Hi, your jewellery is just beautiful. You must be a patient person with a steady hand for such fine detail.
If I was lucky enough to be a winner I would pick the long triangular earrings (Item #117679), which I could imagine wearing every day.
Lovely work and a inspiring story! 🙂
Hi Ross
Great to see your work via ‘featured seller’ on felt! And I am quite a hedgehog fan! I want a pet hedgehog, but alas the local pet store doesnt have any…. 🙂
Gorgeous creations, great to see the shots of jewelery being constructed! very enlightening 🙂
Ross, you’re very talented! I would love #117680, they are simple and stunning! I love that your cat is 20, talk about part of the family x
I have a small collection of Ross’s jewellery and the Bronze Moth is my absolute favourite, I love wearing it. When in Queenstown on a Saturday I always drop by Ross’s glass cases full of tempting jewellery and spy a recent new stunning creation. One day I will be tempted again….I know it! 🙂 Thank you Ross.
as always great designs and immaculately made, hope this site is going to make it for you you deserve some accolades. ( your woody pal )
Beautiful jewellery! 😛
I am the proud owner of a lovely aquamarine pendant crafted by Ross. It is beautifully made and I always enjoy wearing it.
Hi Ross
My bangle is my most admired piece of jewellery. Come to Australia some time.
Stunning
Love the hedgehog, so cute.
Lovely work! The hedgehog is gorgeous!
you just have to love a hedgehog lover
An alchemist using earth’s elements to forge beauty inspired by man’s creative achievements…
What beautiful work. I love the clean lines and simplicity of the stirling silver work. #117680 are definately favourites – the longer the better!
I also totally adore the diamond and sapphire pendant. The colours and the shape (something peacock like about it!). If I ever win Lotto I’ll be straight back to your shop!
Not sure what I like best, the jewellery, the hedgehog or your story.
It’s all beautiful
Stunning design. I think I would wear them often they look just perfect.
What wonderfully inspiring and artful jewelry! Looking forward to checking out your shop!
Stunning original work. I love the geometric lines of the earrings.
It is so wonderful to have a site like felt where people can view so many handmade pieces from our wonderful country. I would so love to be able to create such inspiring and beautiful jewellery. Simple yet stunning.
what a wonderful opportunity. Thanks. My favourite piece though, is the Forest Jasper pendant.
v talented indeed! love love love
Beautiful jewellery…..just stunning. You are obviously very gifted. Absolutely love the pendant.
What stunning pieces, beautifully crafted. What joy it would be to win a pair of these gorgeous earrings!! I’m adding your store to my favourites for sure! 🙂 Thank you for sharing your story with us!
<3 the hedgehog broach 🙂
I love the stainless steel look of your silver earrings, pendants and rings. My favourite pieces are the brushed silver ring with the trapezoid, which I would proudly wear myself, and the heart-shaped pendant, which I might buy for my niece’s 18th birthday. I cannot understand why anyone would wear mass produced stuff from Michael Hill and the like. Yay for handmade!
Gosh your work is beautiful. So pleased to see people doing things that they love.
Immaculate pieces Ross, you are gifted. I also did my manufacturing jewellery apprenticeship at Mount Maunganui..that was 10yrs ago! I am now married with 4 children so this side of my life is on hold!! So nice to see handmade items..so rare these days with technology but I agree with you.. handmade means no-one else has the same piece! Keep up the fab work you are doing, inspirational.
Polish flint looks good enough to lick! Love the lines of all your work.
My dream as a little girl was to become a jeweler. Every time I read a story like this and see a jewellers work, I feel inspired ( and slightly envious ) to pursue it as a career . I love the strong forms of Ross’s work
It’d be like looking through a diamond shaped window…
Such fine craftsmanship Ross- well done for making the career change… all the best.
amazing work and the fact you have a pet hedgehog makes me like it even more.
What meticulous, stunnig work. I love your comment that nothing is ours, it has all been here forever, how very true!
I hope this extra exposure to your store creates some sales for you. Your work is stunning and I am delighted to have found you. Best wishes to you.
I love your designs, Ross – they are clean and simple with a real elegance. I enjoyed reading the story of your personal journey; thanks for sharing 🙂
Awesome work – I love seeing fellow artists work and hearing their stories. And of course I have a soft spot for hedgies 🙂
Great to see photos of the pendant creation, you truly are talented! Gorgeous earrings too 🙂
Hey Ross! Great work getting featured! Your jewellery is looking gorgeous as always 🙂 x Sara
Gorgeous jewellery, love that it’s all about the craft. All the sterling silver earrings are stunning, but my fav would be the 25mm rectangle cut ones.
Hi Ross
Excellent feature. I hope its gets the recognition you deserve. Fantastic pieces (and I have seen them in the flesh,so to speak)
Good luck
Rex
Brilliant work, that’s what I would like to be able to do!
I love silver, especially the brushed items, I love Ross’s hedgehog cards, I just admire his creations! Please continue to be creative :-))
These are gorgeous! If I had my wish, I would have the beautiful Japanese inspired amethyst pendant. But a pair of those elegant silver earrings would be fantastic – i love the shape and the flawless execution. Stunning.