Joanna of Bellwheel is a strong advocate of work/life balance, choosing to work part-time so she can pursue a range of creative endeavours, including making laser-cut jewellery and other products featuring her signature clean aesthetic. She lives in Wellington.
The name Bellwheel was inspired by the kind of timeless and elegant design she most admires; things that are classic, unfussy and functional, like bells and wheels.
What do you make?
I make wooden laser cut jewellery – mostly brooches – as well as making other products including bags, necklaces, clocks and retro wallpaper magnets.
How did you get into your craft?
I’ve always been a maker and creator of various things but I also enjoy the challenges and camaraderie of a workplace. I’ve learned that I’m at my happiest and healthiest when I have a balance between my own creative projects and more traditional employment. A couple of years ago I took the step of reducing my hours at my job in international aid and development so that I could focus more seriously on creative projects, and began the process of working out what that would look like.
A turning point was discovering Ponoko, a Wellington-based company who make it simple for anyone to get their designs laser cut. They have a catalogue of great materials and are very maker-friendly so it was easy for me to try out lots of my ideas. I started with bamboo bags before deciding that jewellery would be my main focus.
I knew that the market for laser cut jewellery was quite crowded though, so I worked to make distinctive designs and material combinations that I wasn’t seeing anywhere else.
Do you have formal training or qualifications in your craft?
Sort of. I originally focused my interest in design on urban design, and got a degree in town planning. In the end I could see that it wasn’t the career for me so I went on to do a graduate diploma in publishing and graphic design. I now use the software skills I learned for graphic design to design my jewellery and to set up the files that enable the designs to be laser cut. The design training also helped me to refine the clean, simple style that ties my various design projects together.
Other than that I mostly learned practical skills from growing up in a family where creativity was encouraged. In addition to their day jobs, Mum is an accomplished textile artist and Dad is a talented photographer. My siblings are also creatively inclined in work and in life, which I think reflects that we spent a lot of time as kids making things and building things out of Lego!
Your favourite materials, tools and processes?
My tools are mostly my Mac and my sketchbook. The ideas tend to arrive early in the morning when I’m just waking up so I make sure to always have pencil and paper close by.
My favourite materials are the various woods that I use in my jewellery, particularly for the way the grain can be incorporated into the design. Right now I’m also exploring the possibilities of other materials, including wool and concrete.
What inspires you?
Architecture is my main inspiration. There’s a bit of a ‘house’ theme that pops up in a lot of things I design. Style-wise I’m a big fan of art deco and mid-century modern; anything with clean, simple lines.
Is there a philosophy behind your work?
I make it a rule to only design things that I would buy – either for myself or as a gift. Even if I think something would sell a lot, if it is not really my style or isn’t something that I would admire then I won’t make it. I hear this over and over from other designers too – to be successful (and happy) you’ve got to stick with what you like yourself.
When I was studying graphic design we were taught to keep taking things away from a design until it looked right, and I still follow that approach. Less is definitely more.
A favourite quote:
“If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them.” Henry David Thoreau, Walden: Or Life in the Woods
Thoreau is my reliable source of inspiration about the importance of making deliberate choices and the value of solitude. This quote reminded me to turn my ideas into action and also inspired my popular “castle in the sky” brooch design.
Describe your workspace:
I’m either sitting at the computer or taking over the dining table with sandpaper, paint, glue and beeswax polish. I have a lovely sunny view out over the city with the sounds of the city coming in through the window.
Your favourite feedback from a customer:
“Growing up we had a tree with a swing exactly like the one in your beautiful brooch. [My sister] is going to love it and it is such a special memory for us”.
What are you currently listening to?
Right now the playlist is a mix of First Aid Kit, The Pierces, Ray La Montagne, and Patrick Park.
Your favourite childhood book?
I mostly remember reading Lego catalogues – I was making a plan to work at Legoland when I grew up.
What are you reading now?
I’ve just finished One Summer: America 1927 by Bill Bryson.
Who is your hero/heroine?
I have to choose two: my grandmothers Cathie and Mary. They were very different in a lot of ways but they were both independent, adventurous and resourceful, and had the courage to make unconventional choices.
What was the last handmade item you bought and what attracted you to it?
It might not quite qualify as handmade (hand powered at least!) but I recently bought a 1963 Olivetti typewriter. It is beautiful, elegant and functional, in the perfect shade of green.
You can see more of Joanna’s stunning jewellery, accessory and homeware designs in her Felt shop here.
Joanna has generously offered one of her lovely Villa brooches (above) to one lucky Felt blog prizewinner. This brooch pictures a typical New Zealand villa beside a cabbage tree, and is made from oak and laser cut white acrylic. It measures 4.5cm wide x 3.2cm high x 1cm thick and is finished with a 100% natural beeswax and manuka oil polish. If you’d like to be in the prize draw, just leave a comment below telling us what inspires you about Bellwheel and Joanna’s story and products. The draw will be made on Friday 12 September and is open to New Zealand residents only.
i love the pureness of the designs, the simplicity & clean lines. i am just inspired by the whole interview! And whole heatedly understand being at my happiest & healthiest when there is a balance between day job & passion. never stop creating your castles in the sky! *:-)
It has been great to read your profile! The fact of Lego play being foundational in creativity is really positive. I like the simplicity of your designs and the memory-provoking aspect is wonderful.
Love the clean lines and colour combinations, and the gorgeous simplicity.
Beautiful work. Love the inspirational quote .. The windows remind me of my grandparents home. Would love to learn how to take my drawings into jewellery.
I just love the use of natural wood and the simplicity of the designs, it is so elegant and yet very modern in style….. Perfect..
It’s simple, it’s beautiful without effort! I love it!
Wow – these are so fabulous! As an artist myself I can appreciate the thought that goes into the design and the time to construct. Just lovely!
I love the sweet simplicity of your work 🙂
It’s the work-life balance part of your story that inspired me the most. The fact that you reduced your hours to focus more on creative projects, and simply allowed your creative ideas to navigate the way is remarkable. I often hear people enforcing the importance of a work-life balance, but very rarely hear stories of courageous people seeking creative outlets, and boldly trusting in their God-given abilities to lead the way.
Ka pai to mahi Joanna!
Several of my colleagues have been the lucky recipients of Joanna’s gorgeous designs. I too love the clean lines and colour combinations. Thank you for sharing your inspirations and showing that better work-life balance is achievable.
Your work is so lovely, i really love the simplicity of your designs. Love that you only make things you would buy yourself.
Wonderful elegant creations. I especially like a wood and wool purse. Very modern and stylish.
Great to see one of my favourite felt shops bellwheel featured. I love the architectural influence in different contexts, the dreamy cloud ladders, as well as the gorgeous window brooches are fabulous.
I think your design are fantastic. I love the combination of wood and crisp white.
Great to read a review of your work.
I love Joanna’s designs for their clean lines and simple imagery. Yes, they conjure strong memories of childhood ideals. A swing from a tree, the lone cabbage tree growing in a garden, and dreaming of clouds … Simple and earthy. I would love to see the retro wall paper magnets made as brooches, gorgeous papers. This post was listed after the closing date but that’s fine as I have admired and viewed Joanna’s work more than a few times on Felt.