This combination piece was inspired by a carving already in existence. The idea was to create a pendant with both symbols integrated into the design. The pounamu is kawakawa totoweka from the Arahura River. Totoweka is a rare colouring found in kawakawa, it is muddy red brown that shows up really well under a light….
This is what is sounds like, a toki with a pikorua carved into it. The pikorua is on the back. The 5 notches on the sides are to represent whanau members. It is interesting to see some of the process to carve the pikorua into this toki.
This is a set made for the 5 children. 3 kohine and 2 tama. The three roimata are for the kohine/girls, and the two toki are for the tama/boys, who are actually twins. What I didn’t know when I started this set was that the twins had not been born yet! Originally these were going…
This is a set for a whanau of three, Mum, Dad, and Son. Each piece came from the same piece of pounamu, they lay side by side connected until the recent carving process. This is how they started out as rough blanks, chosen specifically for this set, all from the same piece. Each pendant has…
This set is for a husband and wife. It is to connect them with each other and with their three children. They are carved from the same slice of pounamu. They lay side by side, literally connected, for a very long time until they were separated for this set. The three spiraling korus on each…
I am proud of this toki, it is unique, has a meaningful kaupapa, and it will be highly valued. This is a stunning piece of Marsden Flower Jade, with the characteristic deep greens and the orange ‘flower’ at the end. The rough that was decided to be left on give a hint of what this…
Made this for my Dad on his big birthday recently. This is a made from a pounamu that he actually bought for me as a rough block. I have made toki for one of his brothers and two of his nephews from this piece as well. Cool way to be connected with your whanau.
This was a diamond in the rough. The real beauty of this piece of pounamu was only revealed when carved. A large inanga pounamu, this will be a leaving gift for a special member of a team.
The silver on this piece compliments the deep green kawakawa pounamu really well. This was made for a friend of mine to gift to his special person in his life. This is the first time I have used silver in my carvings. Big thanks to Brett from BLJewellery for doing the silver cap.
This toki is made to resemble a modern day wood chisel. An ideal pendant for someone that works with their hands, as well representing leadership, courage, and strength.