Self-taught makers and artists Logan de Ridder and Mirielle Maxwell of Aotearoa Gems were both born in Northland, and now call South Westland home. They have been working New Zealand gemstones for the past fifteen years and have a life-long passion for them.
Shaye Yearsley, creator of the gorgeous skincare range Aporah, trained as a wholefoods nutritionist shortly before getting married six years ago. She says she has always been a little obsessed with making things herself…
Printmaker Emily Cater has a busy and interesting life – which includes performing in a handmade mermaid and mariner dress with her band Mermaid and Mariner! She’s also just taken part in the Auckland Art and Craft Fair and is currently working on some giant landscape paintings and a new zine. These diverse and colourful interests shine through in her gorgeous range of Miss Crow prints.
Bronnie of Cornflake Purl started up her knitted-goods business after relocating to the Manawatu from Wellington when her father was diagnosed with cancer. She confesses she’s a little bit obsessed with music and even more obsessed with coffee.
Sebastian Denize of Hand Cast Pewter has been making medieval-style accessories out of pewter for more than fifteen years. These little historical treasures complete a medieval costume wonderfully, but also looks fantastic on modern coats, hats, bags and other clothing and accessories.
Woodworker Peter Kenney was born and bred in Hamilton. He lived in seaside Raglan for eighteen years, during which time he took up woodturning. His Felt shop, Trees Set Free, is inspired by the idea of releasing the beauty hidden beneath the bark – the colours of the timber and patterns in the grain – and crafting it into lasting items to be used and enjoyed…
BaldMoose is the quirky moniker for jeweller and crafter Eileen Leahy’s eclectic range of jewellery and crochet work. Born in Whakatane, Eileen grew up in Kawerau and then Taumarunui – small towns in rural areas of New Zealand’s North Island. Eileen draws inspiration from her surroundings; New Zealand’s native plants and wildlife, landscapes, and simple things like a flower in her garden…
Louisa Rull, the clever mind and skilled hands behind Felt shop FeltSoapGood, was born in Russia and came to New Zealand eleven years ago. She lives in Auckland with her family of four, her cat and her craft, creating warm, colourful and original things to wear and to share.
Dollmaker Claire Leblond is the maker behind the range of quirky, unique cloth dolls she fondly calls “Susie Dolls”, after her sister Sue. Each doll is one of a kind, made out of a combination of soft cotton, vintage embroidery and upcycled fabrics, and Claire also breathes new life into vintage dolls clothes. She works out of a slightly chaotic studio in her home in Birkenhead, Auckland, with a dog at her feet, music blaring, copious amounts of coffee, and two…