Based in Kerikeri for the past three years, Courtenay Marshall has recently returned to jewellery-making after a two-year hiatus to welcome her first child. Now working from a studio on her family’s orchard; housed in a converted barn nestled among citrus trees; Courtenay is once again immersed in the vibrant world of enamels, reigniting her creative practice with a newly installed kiln. 

Her journey began in 2016, when she discovered the joy of melting metal during a two-day introductory course at an artists' colony in downtown Los Angeles. This experience sparked a passion that led her to complete a Diploma in Jewellery at MIT and Hungry Creek Art School in Auckland. 

Courtenay primarily works in silver and enamel, often incorporating repurposed stones sourced from unworn jewellery. She enjoys giving these materials a new identity and story, infusing her pieces with both history and potential. Each creation becomes a bridge between past and future; inviting new narratives from those who wear them. 

Her work is deeply inspired by the evolution of human culture. Through her jewellery, Courtenay explores symbols and stories that transcend time and geography. Her current focus reflects her travels and the universal motifs; both natural and symbolic—that appear across cultures and eras. 

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

Courtenay will be exhibiting at Stop 43 during KOAST 2025 - buy a KOAST Trail Guide for further details!

Lou Stichbury creates very unique, vibrant wearable art inspired by nature and her homeland. As she has been playing with combines copper, crystals, butterflies, moths & nature. She uses a mixture of science and alchemy to create these magical pieces.

An expansive array of designs, with constant plays on textures, palettes & experimentation. Her one-off pieces are very distinctive and eye catching. They are created with much love.

Lou will be exhibiting at Little Black Gallery Stop 42 during KOAST as part of Rhythm of the North, an exhibition designed to celebrate KOAST - Tai Tokerau Art Trail and our Northland artists.

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.

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."

Rava will be exhibiting at Little Black Gallery during KOAST as part of Rhythm of the North, an exhibition designed to celebrate KOAST - Tai Tokerau Art Trail and our Northland artists.

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.

Rina will be exhibiting at Little Black Gallery during KOAST as part of Rhythm of the North, an exhibition designed to celebrate KOAST - Tai Tokerau Art Trail and our Northland artists.