Shiny things: the intricate creations of Magpie Castle

Shiny things: the intricate creations of Magpie Castle

Tuesday, 15 September, 2020 Comment

Austrian born Jinx from Magpie Castle decided to move halfway across the world to New Zealand after finishing school. She’d never been on a plane before, but being adventurous and a bit naïve at the time she thought it’d be a good idea. Her mum’s reaction was: “New Zealand? Do they even have roads there?” But mum always told her to “Live your dreams” as well so that’s exactly what she did, and it all turned out fine on the other side of the world.

Gorgeous glass given new life

Monday, 3 August, 2020Friday, 24 July, 2020 Comment

These stunning moon earrings from Magpie Castle are made from glass cut from recycled picture frames and handpainted with glass paint, then fired to make the paint permanent. The earrings are then soldered using the classic Tiffany stained glass technique with copper foil, tin and silver, producing a truly beautiful result.

Unique wedding bands to treasure

Monday, 9 March, 2020Friday, 28 February, 2020 Comment

Want something truly special for your wedding rings? Textured like beautiful tree bark, this eye-catching set of wedding bands from Christchurch jeweller Sophie Divett is made from sterling silver, and the smaller band is set with a Ceylon sapphire.

Refined design

Monday, 17 February, 2020Monday, 10 February, 2020 Comment

Lovingly crafted from native New Zealand timbers and finished with silk thread, the Wooden Arch Necklace from Gwyneth Hulse Design is a stylish, elegant, and contemporary accent to your outfit.

Found things, natural things, lovely things: the locally-inspired jewellery Hana made

Tuesday, 4 February, 2020Wednesday, 5 February, 2020 26

Hana Makin began her jewellery-making journey in England, but now produces her pieces from her home beside beautiful Petone Beach. Inspired by this and the nearby Zealandia Sanctuary, her work features our fauna and landscape prominently (and in the case of the landscape, literally – small found items often make their way into her work). She’s inspired by found things, natural things and old things, and she loves handcrafting her Hana Made Jewellery in her workshop by the sea.

The Journey

Wednesday, 13 November, 2019Wednesday, 13 November, 2019 Comment

“Oftentimes I will simply work with an idea and let the creativity come to me as I make the piece. For me this part of what I do isn’t work. This is absolute joy! I love being in the studio working on new pieces.” One of the things we love about the jewellery of Sonia Thérèse is the stories she tells.

Every made object carries a story: the sculptural narratives of Nick Duval-Smith

Tuesday, 12 November, 2019Thursday, 14 November, 2019 14

Motueka-based sculptor Nicholas Duval-Smith makes eye-catching bronze sculptures from Oamaru stone originals. His work reflects his love of clean lines, textural contrasts, narrative, and art that can be played with. He has also recently returned to working with ceramics, producing a range of unique, personality-filled porcelain portrait brooches.

An eye for texture: the jeweller shaping precious metals into tiny artworks

Tuesday, 29 October, 2019 28

Sally Herbert of HerbertandWilks Jewellery is a designer and maker of contemporary mixed metal jewellery. While first being captivated by the sculptural properties of cast glass and the lost wax process, she fell in love with jewellery making early on. She considers the medium similar – only on a smaller scale. Her pieces are modern and sculptural, with an emphasis on surface and texture.

A tiny ecosphere in glass

Monday, 14 October, 2019Friday, 11 October, 2019 Comment

This stunningly delicate flower implosion pendant is the work of Waikato glass lampworker Bobbie Pene, and it takes our breath away.

Hand engraved perfection

Monday, 23 September, 2019Wednesday, 11 September, 2019 Comment

We love this sweet hand engraved peach sapphire and rhodolite garnet rosebud ring by Canterbury jeweller Adele Stewart. Says Adele: “They are all different as I engrave each one by eye. I love engraving with a graver – the process, the simplicity, the skill and the result. You just can’t get that bright sparkle and hand crafted feel with laser cut or cast or roll printing techniques.”