Cobble to Taonga
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Cobble to Taonga

At Campbell Carving, we’re constantly amazed by the natural wonders that come through our doors. Recently, a customer brought in a pounamu cobble they found on the beach. What appeared to be an unassuming stone held a hidden treasure trove of colour inside! This particular pounamu revealed stunning shades of green, ranging from deep emerald…

Manaaki

Manaaki

Pounamu, the greenstone of New Zealand, isn’t simply beautiful; it carries deep significance for Māori, representing a taonga (treasure) steeped in tradition and spiritual meaning. This taonga is named “Manaaki.” It’s carved from South Westland hapopo pounamu, its 6cm form has a unique blend of curves and angles. The coolness of the stone, mirroring the…

Tangiwai Roimata

Tangiwai Roimata

Today, I want to share a recent creation: a tangiwai pounamu roimata, a teardrop pendant carved from a particularly beautiful piece of translucent tangiwai pounamu. Measuring just 4cm long and adorned with a sleek black lashing, this roimata is a captivating blend of delicacy and strength. The near-translucency of the pounamu allows light to dance…

Waiora: A Roimata Carved from Douglas Creek Pounamu

Waiora: A Roimata Carved from Douglas Creek Pounamu

The roimata, with its teardrop shape, is a deeply touching pounamu (greenstone) design. The name I’ve chosen for this piece, “Waiora”, means “life-giving water” or “healing water”, reflecting the roimata’s symbolism of support and renewal. This slender pendant, widening towards a gently curved, rounded base, feels soft and soothing despite being carved from stone. The…

Pounamu Comfort Drop

Pounamu Comfort Drop

Pounamu (greenstone) possesses a unique energy, a connection to the land and its history. That’s one of the reasons I love working with this precious stone, transforming it into pieces that hold meaning for those who wear them. Recently, I had the pleasure of carving a small roimata pendant – a traditional teardrop shape known…

Te Oranga Hou
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Te Oranga Hou

Have you ever held a piece of pounamu and felt a connection to the land and history of Aotearoa (New Zealand)? These taonga (treasured possessions) hold stories waiting to be told, and today I’m excited to share two special pieces I carved: a toki and a roimata, both crafted from the same beautiful raukaraka pounamu,…

Ngā Taonga Tūhono
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Ngā Taonga Tūhono

In the embrace of the West Coast’s wild beauty, the Arahura River carves its way through the land, nurturing the Kawa Kawa Pounamu with its pure waters. It is here we find Ngā Taonga Tūhono, “Treasures that Connect”, a set of pendants that embodies the convergence of Māori and Gaelic kaupapa within its carved forms….

Kahurangi o te Manu

Kahurangi o te Manu

Welcome to the serene artistry of Pounamu carving, where the celestial allure of Pipiwharauroa Inanga Pounamu takes the form of the ‘Kahurangi o te Manu’, an 8cm Roimata pendant that is as much a piece of jewelry as it is a narrative of Aotearoa’s soul. This treasured adornment mirrors the delicate beauty and resilience of…