Turangawaewae

Pounamu is often used as a way of connecting with Aotearoa and with home. That is what this set is about.

This is a double koru that goes across all three pieces. It represents the different paths we take and how they all lead to or start from the same center, home.

Pounamu from Aotearoa is already a strong connection with the whenua. When pounamu is carved like this, from the same piece, with interdependent designs then the connection between the wearers is also very strong.

The roimata in the middle is for the mother, this is also wear the center of the koru is. Mum is often the center of lives no matter where in the world she is. The two toki are for her two boys, that are on their own journeys now out in the world. This set is about connection with each other as well as with their turangawaewae, their home.

The first steps of carving are often the most dramatic, it is cool to see the original pieces and where they came from in the slice. The roimata came from the along the bottom of the top piece.

Then the main shape for each piece is carved out. This shape will stay with pendant from here on out.

I polish the pendants as this point, before I do the notches for the toki or the design carving. It is easier to polish a simple surface like this.

Carving the design takes about half the time. Getting the drawing correct then slowly carving into the surface with every cut a step forward, as you cannot go back. It is important to take your time and make sure you get it right. Then lots of time sanding to get a smooth finish, so it is ready for polishing and the lashings.