Bianca Escobar, also known as Bee, creates intricate pieces of hand embroidery for her Felt shop Embroider with Bee. Based in Ōtautahi Christchurch, Bee designs and stitches original works, mainly inspired by nature and promoting positive mental health. She also embroiders custom pieces, and has recently embarked on a new project involving creating patterns and teaching.
Umi is a lifelong learner of all things ‘makery’, especially if they involve watercolours, paper, inks or yarns. Working out of her small shed in rural north Auckland, she makes and packages ‘slow’ stationery and art. Umi’s background in science and education fuels her desire for slowing down and really noticing the world around her – be that the path of a busy beetle or the settling of granules in a watercolour stroke.
Christine Brimer’s passion is to weave with naturally coloured wool from New Zealand sheep, producing beautiful textiles inspired by Aotearoa’s light and landscape. Working and teaching from her Niche Textile Studio, overlooking Wellington’s south coast, her continuing exploration of materiality and processes is underpinned by sustainable design considerations and grounded in the natural environment.
Teina Malone creates beautiful, sustainable, handcrafted hair and skin care products which incorporate the goodness of Aotearoa’s native rākau. Still Milly began with Teina’s desire to reduce plastic products and chemicals within her family home. Enriched with her knowledge of Tikanga-Rongoā, her ambition has led her to combine two of her passions: spending time in nature and creating natural and sustainable products.
Helene Hall of heysmartypants takes her inspiration from Aotearoa’s rich culture, flora, and fauna to create her original art, which she makes into stunning prints and stationery. Her unique experiences growing up in the South Island, working in conservation, and love of New Zealand nature are the drivers for her work.
Selma Rainey of Rainey Designs is a self-taught glass and jewellery artist who creates unique, tiny forever flower bouquets. Based in Christchurch, she works alongside her husband Sean producing her miniature pieces of art. Working full time and doing what she loves, she is also a proud mum of two very creative girls.
JungHwa Kim of Studio Star loves to create her soaps and candles from 100% natural ingredients and beautiful local products. Her work as a soap maker takes inspiration from her daily life and a desire to live in a more sustainable way, and she wants her products to bring joy to the everyday lives of her customers.
Tamryn Howard was born in South Africa, but has lived in Aotearoa since she was two and a half. Not so long ago she moved to the United Kingdom with her partner, but they couldn’t stay away! Her stunning Art Deco inspired glass art is designed and handmade locally in Ōtautahi, using the traditional methods of leadlighting to create unique contemporary pieces.
Adrian Woodhouse, the Maitapapa Carver, began carving at 13 years old and came back to it later in life. A chef and an educator, he studied both a Masters and Doctorate of Professional Practice at Otago Polytechnic, where he is now Head of Programmes for the Food Design Institute. His carvings reveal his deep connection with his materials as well as his turangawaewae.
Nina Leesuwantrakul of CodeKiddie, a former flight attendant, found herself changing her high heels for overalls as she navigated her way through the changes and challenges of the last couple of years. Discovering a talent for wooden toy making, she now shares her love of play-based learning through her creations.