Grandad's Toki's

My Grandfather passed away earlier this year.  He was almost 80 years old, his lungs started to fail him and he couldn't keep his body running any more.  He was a much loved member of our family and there is still a huge gap he has left behind.

I made these pieces because of him.

Whanau Nui

 I visited him in March and he showed me some stone that he had been given by his Father my Great, great grandfather.  He was a fossicker and jewellery maker it turns out.  I never knew that.  he showed me some of the gems he had found and turned into jewellery too.  He gave me several pieces of raw stone to carve as well.  This piece was the nicest.  He said it came from his Uncle, his Mothers Brother.

Long Toki's and Flower Jade Kuru

These three pieces were made for speakers at a conference.  I love the colors in the flower jade dop kuru.

 The tokis are super long and based on old functional designs that are now displayed in museums and books as historical examples.

First Set of Earrings

Here is my first go at a set of earrings.  It is beautiful stone with some nice cloud patterning in it and is very translucent.

 These were cool to make as they we for a friend to give to her friend for her birthday who turned out to be an old friend of mine as well.

Family Set Smokey Pounamu

I love this set of pieces made for 4 siblings, 1 boy and 3 girls.

What I really like about this set is it is part of a larger family set all from the same stone.

Whanaungatanga - Family

This is a sculpture I made for a friend of mine to give to her midwife as a sign of gratitude and appreciation for her going above and beyond in helping with the birth of their first child.

 This is the first koru I have made and the combination of stone on wood was new too.  It was great to be challenged by her ideas in what she wanted.