How are you and your whanau? Have you been having covid related symptoms? Or are you one of the lucky ones who hasn't had it yet?
I have heard of many stories of people having a whole range of ongoing issues - if you're one of those - sending lots of love and hugs to you! ❤️
Sorry I'm a little late this month - we went away for a long weekend over Queen's Birthday, a much needed respite, having had a very stressful time recently for a whole number of reasons...
Unfortunately my health problems have continued, we had a leak in our laundry wall - big dramas! We now have half a wall exposed and are waiting on insurance repairs. Our kitchen renovations have been pushed back until August, as I hadn't realised it would take 3 months to make a window(!) And the Huia pipeline roadworks are imminent outside our place (see photos below) and causing our house to shake (feels like mini earthquakes) throughout the day - quite a disturbance! 🤦♀️
Suffice to say my breathing issues and heart palpitations have continued, but they've been the least of my problems! 😮💨
In terms of Curlicue NZ - I'm trying to increase my online marketing presence, am currently going through the process to set up Google Shopping and am really hoping you can help me out?
Some changes:
I've had some interesting conversations and done some research recently around cultural appropriation vs appreciation.... and I have come to realise that my use of some Māori wording and cultural elements in my jewellery pieces is inappropriate, and are not my place to share, as a non-Māori New Zealander.
I’m proud to have been born in New Zealand, however I’m not proud of the history of colonisation and systemic racism experienced by Māori throughout our history.
I am now in the process of removing any reference to Māori culture, wording etc on my website, and other web-shops – however this will take me some time, so please be patient whilst I do this as best I can. 🙏🏼
The main example of this, will be removing the word 'koru' from my pieces featuring spirals... but they will still be the same pieces you love! ❤️꩜
An interesting project I've been working on over the last few weeks - is hand-polishing a piece of Kauri Gum.
A customer came to me at the end of May, saying she had been passed down a couple of pieces of Kauri Gum from her great-grandfather, who had been a gum-digger in Northland. We chose a piece that I thought would be best suited to make into jewellery, and I have been polishing it (using various grades of waterproof sandpaper and water - it's a pretty messy process).
Here are some photos taken before, during and at the end of polishing:
BEFORE: The original piece of Kauri Gum before polishing.
DURING: After approximately 30 minutes and a few different grades of sanding. One of the best things about polishing Kauri Gum? = It smells AMAZING! 👃🏻
AFTER: After the final polish. This takes a couple of hours all up and about 10 different grades of sandpaper.
The next thing to do, will be for me to wrap it in the recycled Sterling Silver wire 'like a hug', and attach it to a Sterling Silver chain. ❤️
I have LOVED this little project, and it has reignited my passion for polishing the Kauri Gum again!
Actually, I think my next 'news' post will be about polishing the Kauri Gum pieces and making them into jewellery... when I get around to it! ❤️
It is Matariki in a couple of weeks - and a new New Zealand public holiday to celebrate the Māori New Year. I understand it's a good time to reflect on the past year, and consider the future, which I imagine I'll be doing a fair amount of! We are also having a family mid-winter celebration, which I'm really looking forward to! What will you be doing? ✨
I really do love to hear from you. If you ever have any comments, questions or suggestions of what to write about on the blog - please let me know! Just hit reply to this email. 😊
I hope you have a great weekend wherever you are, and whatever you're doing! 😊
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