auckland

Connecting to the joy within: how an Auckland maker found her way with journals

Guatyen of Mettaville loves journaling, making uniquely hand-bound journals to share her love with others. With the growing awareness of the importance of mental health, she believes that lives can be transformed through the joy and comfort journalling provides. Working from her tiny West Auckland studio, she balances the modern need for technology with retreating to her quiet surroundings where she is most comfortable.

“The rest is just practice, practice, practice.” A lifetime of shaping cane

Cane weaver Sandy Jameson of Almond Seed Handmade tells us her maker journey feels like two bookends at times. “I began weaving as a young Christchurch city girl, and after a long but richly filled break I’ve picked up the cane again as a wise (ha!) rural Aucklander.” Sandy attends her local Pollok Market every month (COVID permitting), and says it’s really cool to engage with her local community and mix with the talented craftspeople and producers there.

Leather and linen: the twin skillsets of Jennifer Strange

Talented Auckland leatherworker and embroidery designer Jennifer Strange says her travels have inspired and helped her learn from the very best. She says she feels truly blessed to have acquired her skills, and to be able to share them. Her acorn logo represents new growth, with the resulting tree becoming strong and dependable – values she connect with. Her experience has shown her that the art of creation is rewarding and teaches valuable life skills – and can be a great de-stressor too!

Shapes of nature: drawing natural forms into stunning silverwork

Suzie Horne of Curlicue NZ produces her wirework jewellery from beautiful Titirangi, West Auckland. When making her jewellery she takes inspiration from the natural environment around her, and places importance on selecting materials on the basis of how local and sustainable they are. Utilising 100% recycled sterling silver wires, semi precious stones, pearls, paua and Swarovski crystals, her pieces often feature the spirals and curlicues that fascinate her.

From Florence to Auckland: the international learnings and local focus of Sonder & Wilde

A lover of the ocean, Rowena Shirtcliff of Sonder & Wilde lived on the sea for three years and visited many remote islands while working as a chef on private yachts in the Mediterranean, Atlantic, Caribbean and Pacific. It was here she grew her appreciation for traditional methods of making textiles, food, and products. Recently Rowena spent time at the Scuola del Cuoio (School of Leather) in Florence, Italy, where she worked alongside an artisan leather worker and learned incredibly valuable skills in construction and finishing. Sonder & Wilde comes from that love of creating and the need for honest, quality New Zealand leather goods.

Tiny homes, but not as you know them: architecture for the imagination

Four years ago Elizabeth Woollard’s trip to France and Italy inspired her with visions of old architecture, flaking paint, interesting doors and vibrant colours. From this fertile ground her creative outlet Tiny House was born. Why houses? Elizabeth says we often find ourselves pondering “I wonder who lives there, I wonder what they do?” She sees her tiny creations, made from recycled New Zealand timber, as big builders of the imagination.