Courtenay has been based in Kerikeri for the last three years with my family.

She is finally back making jewellery after a 2 year hiatus to have a baby and am lucky enough to have a studio located on our family orchard, in part of the old barn surrounded by citrus trees. Having set up her studio with her new kiln she is now back to exploring the beautiful potential of enamels.

She discovered the joy of melting metal at a 2 day introductory course at an 'Artists colony' in downtown Los Angeles in 2016. Since then she has completed a Diploma in Jewellery at MIT and Hungry Creek Art school in Auckland.

"I work mostly in silver and enamel with set stones, I have also been known to experiment with many different materials. Most of the stones I use have been repurposed from unworn jewellery. I love giving them a new identity and story - at the same time giving the new pieces a sense of history that can be expanded upon by the new wearer.

The evolution of human culture is the underlying motivation to my work. Human stories and symbols that transcend time and place.
My current explorations are inspired by my time traveling and recognising the symbols and natural inspiration that repeats the world over and throughout time."

My career in jewellery started with bone carving. I soon realised the limitations of bone and my deep need to learn more.

Moving into precious metals and including stones where  appropriate has expanded my design possibilities. I had formal training  and then worked for other manufacturing jewellers.

Since joining the Waka Ama clubs here in the north, as a jeweller I have wanted to create pieces that represent the "tools" of our sport.  I have taken artistic license and transformed the traditional "hoe" or paddle into an elegant piece of jewellery that can be worn by anybody.

I have never before felt so inspired to do a collection like this. The traditional hoe is more slender than what we use today because they sat lower in their waka, so a shorter handle was needed but apart from paddling the waka they also doubled as a weapon!!

Today a longer paddle is designed with one function in mind, power.

We also race single outrigger canoes developed by the Hawaians and Tahitians hence my single "canoe" pendant. The history and cultural significance that shrouds Waka Ama and its connection with polinesia fascinates me.

I am proud of my take on the "traditional Waka" pendant, worn across the chest, again representative of these magnificent canoes.  My use of bronze is intentional so that the wood used to make these canoes of the sea can still be represented by this medium. I do also make these canoes and oars in silver, and if requested in gold.

Louise's work can be seen at The Little Black Gallery during KOAST and during the rest of the year.

Click on the images below to see enlargements of her work and scroll through the slideshow.

Aotearoa Gemstones is a collection of gemstones works made by Mirielle. She specialises in a range of New Zealand gemstones, handcrafting pieces from conception to completion, pieces which can be treasured for generations.

Mirielle has a real interest and passion in Geology and minerals, whcih led her to begin our artistic path.

Click on the images below to see enlargements of some of their work.

Rava Willis designs and makes braised copper and sealed patina necklaces, earrings, broaches and other jewellery.

"I began braising copper after being inspired by nature and by my mother-in-law, an established copper artist. With lots of practice, I settled on a my own style.

All my pieces are unique and individually designed and made by myself, sometimes with designs by my teenage daughter, Maia.

Every piece is slightly different as I make them all by hand, using hypoallergenic stainless steel jewellery findings and waxed cotton twine.

I make my jewellery in the evenings and on my days off. I moved to the Bay Of Islands in 2001 where I work as a dental assistant."

Meet Rina Ward, the jewellery artist or Nostalgem who breathes new life into discarded treasures from the sea. In her enchanting creations, she uncovers the hidden beauty of worn-out and forgotten elements, transforming them into wondrous jewellery.

Rina embarks on a daily treasure hunt, scouring the local shores for nature's washed up gems. After catching waves in Matauri and Taupo Bay, she carefully collects broken kina, pupu & oyster shells, each bearing a unique story of the ocean's journey. These fragments, often overlooked by beachgoers, become the centrepieces of Rina's designs.

But her passion for sustainability goes beyond the shorelines. With a deep commitment to preserving the environment, Rina collaborates with local paua farms, reclaimin discarded paua shell waste. She creatively sculpts these fragments by hand with beach sand clay or dips them in precious metals. Through her artistry, Rina invites us to reimagine the potential of overlooked materials, breathing elegance and sophistication into what was once deemed waste.

Rina's jewellery pieces embody a fusion of natural wonder and human creativity. Each creation carries with it the essence of the sea and the spirit of transformation. With her art, Rina reminds us of the remarkable beauty that can arise from the most unexpected sources. Discover the magic within her designs and embark on a journey of exploration and renewal.

Stephanie has art and design in her blood  as her mother was an both enamelist and a painter.  Stephanie began with formal tuition in jewellery design and making but since then have been largely self taught.

Her work is mainly free form, eclectic, and in mixed mediums - she am very inspired by nature, with my own interpretation.  Having very recently moved to Kerikeri (early August) Stephanie is looking forward to finishing setting up her studio again and producing more work, especially enameling.

Stephanie's work can be seen at The Little Black Gallery during KOAST and the rest of the year.

Click on the images below to see enlargements of her work.