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DESIGNERS WORK AT

The Garden Party

Let us introduce you to some of the creators who make the fabulous, curious and beautiful gifts you'll find at The Garden Party. We are passionate about local, New Zealand made arts and craft, and it's our pleasure to support these small enterprises by bringing their wonderful wares to you. Scroll down to read more about these talented people and the inspiration they get from our beautiful country.

Miriama Grace-Smith

Miriama Grace-Smith contributes her distinct designs to Moana
Road products. Her work is beautiful and reflects her Maori heritage.  Her iwi are Ngāti Hau, Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Toa and Ngāti Porou. 

She comes from a family of artists – her mother, Briar Grace Smith is a
filmmaker, and her grandmother, Patricia Grace, is one of New Zealand’s most
cherished authors and poets. 

She says “I’m Māori, my culture comes through in my work. Where I can, I
like to share our history and stories.”

Miriama Grace-Smith has a background in Fine Arts, earned
from Massey University in Wellington. Drawing inspiration from street art, fashion, personal life, and Māori heritage, her art is predominantly expressed through painting, printmaking, illustration, and fashion design. 

But she hasn’t stopped there, she is also an actress, a book illustrator and has recently designed the top of a Mini as well doing work for Government campaigns.

Her range of products that she has designed for Moana Road is
incredibly popular with both Kiwis and tourists lapping them up.

 

 

See Miriama Grace-Smith Products

Art By Design - Michelle Bow

Michelle Bow, of Art By Design says she "fell in love with clay 35 years ago at teachers college, but it was only in 2001 that I had the opportunity to pursue it as a career."  Initially she sold her ceramic creations at markets and then moved on to co-op stores. She loves not just the creation of her pieces but the seeing people respond and love her work.    "It was a real thrill when other people, not just family and friends, wanted to buy what I made,", she says.
Michelle is most proud of the fact that she makes quality products which connect people. Her work is bought and given as meaningful gifts. It is popular in New Zealand, is purchased by tourists and is also sent overseas.

She thinks a major factor in running a successful business is having a loving, supportive husband who encouraged her 9 years ago to keep going and keep growing.  Maak Bow also started working in clay 6 years ago, has been a finalist in four Portage Ceramic Award Exhibitions and last year joined her as a full-time ceramic artist. The passionate about pottery couple have recently constructed to a purpose-built ceramic studio in the country. 
She proud to be a New Zealander and says "I am constantly inspired by the beauty of this country. My art is heavily influenced by my New Zealand heritage and love for Aotearoa.  I am grateful for the support of New Zealand retailers and their customers who buy kiwi made."

Look at Michelle's work

Flox - aka Hayley King

Flox, aka Hayley King is possibly one of New Zealand's most loved artists.

She says she always wanted to be creative but she was a bit lost at the start. "I really just followed my instincts in the beginning and kept myself busy with the things I enjoyed."

She went onto get a fine arts degree and her first works were large street murals.

Since then she has expanded her range. Flox art work can be found on lightboxes, stencil works, picnic blankets, puzzles. And her range is constantly growing.

All are beautiful and all have her trademark native birds and foliage, depicted using vibrant colours and rich textures. She is inspired by and celebrates Aotearoa’s environmental taonga.

But she stresses that her business is not a solo effort. "I'm mostly proud of my team. They are the absolute nuts and bolts of this biz, I simply could not operate without them."

She says the Covid pandemic has made her slow down for the better. "New Zealand has so much to offer and I'm feeling truly inspired by this wonderful country, both creatively and in my personal life."

She says her current favourite birds are the swallows that hang out in Grey Lynn in the late afternoon and evening.

Shop Flox's Collection

Ronja and her Recycled Rubber Earrings

Originally from Munich, Germany, but now happily settled in New Zealand, Ronja has been crafting lovingly up-bicycled jewellery since 2015, inspired by a design competition to turn trash into treasure.
By using under-valued resources such as discarded bicycle inner tubes to create
her stunningly soft and silky feather jewellery, she aims to highlight the
relationship with our at-risk environment and its resources. With a background
in fashion, editorials and advertising, she has focused her creative practice
around her mantra “we can still use this”.

She is passionate about changing the perception of so-called waste
materials through creative transformation, setting consumers on a more
sustainable path for our future together: "I have found the lens of scarcity to be a great driver for creativity, as it forces me to look closely at all the possibilities
hidden within a material or resource I’m working with.”

As a nature lover, she draws inspiration from the shapes and textures around her, especially all the beautifully timid birds we are lucky to have in this corner of paradise” Ronja says. “I love the spaciousness and drama of the NZ outdoors, especially tramping in the Southern Alps. Having lived here for almost 20 years, I’ve made friends with the ocean, too, and am currently trying my luck at longboard surfing.”

Ronja's feathery creations are incredibly popular (they basically
supported The Garden Party in lockdown) and have been grabbing attention round the world. She makes many variation of the popular feather earring including a
special jewellery edition for Tate Music Prize winner Reb Fountain and of
course our PM Jacinda Ardern making her recycled jewellery a state affair by
wearing and promoting her now famous double feather earrings since 2020.

See Ronja's stunning earrings

Erica's Anoint Skincare Range

Erica initially started her business, Anoint Skincare, as a creative hobby when her children were preschoolers. An impromptu purchase of a large block of beeswax led to the development of a solid moisturiser bar made from Coconut Oil, Shea Butter, the beeswax and Essential Oils. She was part of a Waiheke Island Collective called Upcycle and sold her first Lotion Bars there. The first prototypes were wrapped in greaseproof paper and upcycled maps, sheet music and ribbons.

Nearly a decade on, the business has grown and Anoint has expanded it's lovely range of hand crafted and natural body products to include eye pillows, soap & bath salts. The Lotion Bars are too popular to still be wrapped in upcycled materials. (Erica couldn't source enough of the sheet music and damaged books to keep up with demand.) But she prints her own packaging inspired by vintage designs (in NZ). And the whole range is packaged beautifully using sustainable products like glass, tin and cardboard rather than plastic. Sustainability is an important part of Anoint.

Erica and Anoint have since relocated to Kerikeri where she is building a family home and work studio for Anoint. They will be off the grid and powered by solar, wind and water.

Erica says "Our plans (over the next few years) are to develop an orchard, put in a huge vegetable garden, run some stock, have a house cow for milk and butter and generally be as self- sustainable as possible. We also hope to grow some of our own ingredients like Lavender & Calendula. Our kids are now 12 & 13yrs and have been involved in our business and new build every step of the way."

 

Shop the Anoint Collection

Tanya Wolfkamp - Artful Illustrations

New Zealand illustrator and textile designer Tanya Wolfkamp is a well known name in the New Zealand art community.

Inspired by the father of the arts and crafts movement, William Morris, Tanya belives in his idea that you should have "nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful".  She also shares the philosophy that good art should be available to all, and not just a select few. It is this belief that lead to her pursing a career in applied art.

Based in her Waikehe home studio, she draws inspiration from the same sources as Morris, her work showcasing the aesthetics of the natural world and belief that even the most simple and humble objects should be beautiful.  She also is a proud proponent of the beautiful New Zealand landscape.

Her work features many birds and plants native to New Zealand. Her work reflects her broad creative talent, utilising a variety of different tools and materials to create a diverse range of beautiful craft objects.  Her range includes gorgeous household items such as the Kiwi alphabet card set, bunting, calendars and phone covers.  All of which can be found on this website and are extremely popular sellers for us.

Shop Tanya Wolfkamp's Collection

Kat Quin - an amazing Kuwi

Kat Quin is a busy creative and passionate person.  She is the writer and illustrator of the well loved Kuwi the Kiwi series of books.  For these she has won numerous awards and they feature regularly in New Zealand's best sellers lists.  She is an artist in her own right and works as an illustrator and in a design collective.  She has just released her first cookbook - Kuwi's Kitchen.  Her stunning illustrations are featured on kids products like puzzles and dinner ware.

She is also an official ambassador for the charity Kiwis for Kiwi.  She is committed to helping save our national bird. She donates a portion of each book sale to this charity and has so far raised more than $15,000 for Kiwis for Kiwi - enough to protect 150 kiwi for one whole year!

She lives in rural Waikato with her husband and her 3 daughters, Opal, Florence and Willow. 

This is how she describes her life: "I get to travel around meeting kiwi kids, talking about illustration, writing, book creating as well as helping to educate and raise awareness for kiwi conservation, as part of my role as ambassador for Kiwis for kiwi. I really LOVE my job."

We love Kat's work - it is funny, colourful and yet full of wise advise.  So do kids and adults alike, as her books are one of our best sellers. And we find her commitment to conservation inspirational.  The Garden Party is now also donating a portion of the Kuwi the Kiwi books to Kiwis for Kiwis for the month of October.

Shop Kat Quin Collection

Glenn Jones Design

Glenn Jones design is a dynamic husband and wife team – Glenn and Julia. From their Auckland home they dream up, create and produce some of New Zealand’s finest and funniest art prints.

Glenn is the creative genius behind the art and has worked on successful campaigns for Google, facebook, Countdown, Cadbury and more.  You’ll see his bright, clean designs all over the place.
And deservedly so.

Glenn’s art has, as he puts it “a sense of humour, a hint of nostalgia and always proudly celebrates what it is to be a Kiwi’.

Glenn is a prolific artist and is always producing more work. We sell his art prints so well because they incapsulate how fond Kiwis are of New Zealand – a love of this country often expressed in a gentle, humorous way.

While Glenn is creating the art Julia is overseeing the day-to-day operations, sees the big-picture strategy and keeps their three young kids from knocking on Glenn’s door too much.

Together they make art that makes people smile, and that’s what keeps them happy, their brand very successful and their customers coming back.

See Glen Jones Art Prints

Blunt™ Umbrellas - best in the world!

The Blunt umbrella is taking the world by storm.  

Here, finally is an umbrella that is strong, (really, really strong) looks great and will last many years.  And they have been designed right here, in New Zealand.

Product engineer, Grieg Brebner and Scott Kingston head a small tight knit Auckland company that is changing the way we look at umbrellas.

The patented technology of a Blunt Umbrella makes then different to other umbrellas because the frame has been completely re-designed to create a super tight tensioned canopy that handles wind extremely well and its revolutionary Radial Tensioning System means they are near impossible to invert.  The Blunt tips housed in the canopy pockets give the umbrella its distinctive, rounded silhouette and also makes them safer round people.

As part of the recent movement towards an anti-throwaway culture, the philosophy Blunt has is to provide a quality, functional product that is made to last.

Buy once, buy right.   "One of our underlying philosophies is that if you create a product that's better, you're not going to have so much wasted resourses down the track", Kingston says.

The Blunts have been receiving positive publicity all round the world.  As the Wall Street Journal put it, “the Blunt™ falls somewhere between suspension bridge and NASA space probe."

If you don’t own one already, you’re likely to have seen them parading the streets on a rainy day. They have come to be known as the ‘Rolls-Royce of umbrellas’.

Shop Blunt Umbrellas

Reuben Price -100% New Zealand

Reuben Price started off as a young photographer and art student, travelling the country and the scouring the world for inspiration.  He started a small business - 100% New Zealand,  so he could follow his passion for travelling the country taking photos.  But the product range quickly grew as Reuben could see potential in Kiwiana based art and products.  

Reuben has a great eye and is a wonderful supportor and promoter of New Zealand artists.  He is all about producing Kiwiana with a difference, combining innovation with stunning New Zealand imagery. His products represent our country and it’s something he is very proud of.

The 100% New Zealand workshop is based on Auckland's North Shore and has many state of the art machines so that Reuben and his team can design and produce high quality products,  right here.  The quality and design asthetic remains uniquely New Zealand. But Reuben still enjoys travelling and sourcing interesting and new innovations from round the globe.

Since 2002 the company has quickly grown as a supplier of photographs and related giftware products to leading design and gift shops around New Zealand.  The 100% NZ products are some of the best selling items at The Garden Party

Proudly 100% New Zealand designed.

Shop Reuben Price's Collection

Kate Watts

Kate Watts is an established New Zealand designer with a degree from the Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology. She has been involved in the garment and design industry for a number of years as a clothing designer and has also enjoyed several years working in the wardrobe departments of the Court Theatre and Southern Opera. Her designs are inspired by all things vintage.

Kate recently escaped earthquake-ravaged Christchurch and set up a new, more peaceful studio in Oamaru.

Kate is passionate about quality, service and craftsmanship. All of her designs are hand printed and sewn in the South Island of New Zealand.

Shop Kate Watts's Collection

Ian Blackwell - wood-crafter and creator

Ian Blackwell creates wooden homeware products from kiln dried New Zealand Rimu Veneer, finished with an organic citrus based oil. Because Rimu has such a distinctive grain every one of his products is truly unique.

Born and raised here, Ian has always felt passionate about New Zealand and our ‘can do’ attitude. He tries to infuse a slice of Aotearoa into every piece created.

His love of New Zealand timbers took over from his original career in footwear design, and he and his wife Kitty now work from their studio on Auckland’s West Coast, designing products which are then lovingly created by their talented team in Riverton (outside Invercargill).

Cut using the latest laser technology, every product is then assembled and finished by hand, so the team approaches each piece with great care and attention to detail.

Ian says ‘I feel privileged to do what I do and love representing this land in my work,’ which is why this company is proud to be New Zealand made.

Shop Ian Blackwell's Collection

Natty Design by Cat McKay

Natty is a one woman show, Cat McKay, a Wellington based creative.

She began making jewellery from old vintage books, which she would sell at weekend craft markets. Her pieces proved to be popular, as there quickly grew a demand from local shops to sell her beautiful work. Natty is now a full time operation for Cat with a bespoke shop, workshop space and several stockists across New Zealand.

The name Natty is an "old school work you don't often hear among the living", as Cat explains. "Your Great Grandmother may have used it when she wanted to express how jaunty your Great Grandfather's suit looked on him." And it suits the business perfectly. Natty's pieces emanate retro charm while maintaining a unique, quirky element that keeps them very much current.

Like many New Zealand artists, Cat takes inspiration from the beauty in her natural environment and she uses many natural products such as polished woods in their work.

She says"
I am inspired by everything! The Nature range illustrates native NZ flora and fauna and our products strive to celebrate Aotearoa, providing beautiful mementos without being overtly ‘Kiwi’. Other influences draw from popular culture, my memories and my life, to create humorous, fun illustrations to put a smile on your dial. I feel extremely lucky to do what i do as a small creative business and it is only possible with the great support from all of Nattys lovely customers and stockists."

Shop The Natty Collection