Workshop Manager & Tutor - Christchurch

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"My curiosity for jewellery came at a young age, however the fire under my passion was not lit till 2009 when I melted sterling silver for the 1st time, watching sliver gracefully roll around in the crucible is when I fell heart and soul in love with the jewellery making process.

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I thoroughly enjoy teaching, the best part for me is when I watch a student admire a finished piece, seeing that look of pride and happiness on their faces, and knowing that feeling, brings me great joy to know I helped them achieve that feeling."

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Tutor - Wellington

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I trained as a scientist in wildlife conservation. Then after years of running on the hamster wheel, I was burned out. In a slightly unpopular move, I went to back to 'school' to study very useful, highly employable art.

I found my soul. 

My jewellery is often simply joyful.  Materials, texture and colour lead my exploration. I recently developed my own stained glass course and have a certificate of Adult Teaching. I love teaching different jewellery techniques and bouncing ideas of my and students. Variety is good. The best thing is watching others catch the bug (I do warn them that it's contagious). I enjoy dreaming up new ways of showing how to do something. I love that teaching nudges me to learn something new for my students. Once I teach them, I'm inspired by what they make and want to make more! They're having fun and I want to go play too.

Workshop Manager & Tutor - Wellington

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"My love of jewellery making started young, watching my mother make jewellery and my first ring felt like a kind of magic. After studying silversmithing 13 years ago I never looked back. I make jewellery under the name chewychewy and after making jewellery full time I'm currently taking a hiatus to raise a small human. I've been teaching for a couple of years now and I will never get sick of watching students fall in love with jewellery making and walking out the door with something they made."

Mason & Collins  & Wellington Studio Administrator

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"I have always felt I was a creative person but could never find my medium - I am terrible at painting and drawing. Then one day I sat at a jewellery bench and something just clicked for me and I realised I'd found "it".  I started making jewellery full time in 2019 and have not looked back. There is something about waking up with an idea and being able to hold it in your hands by the end of the day that I find so satisfying and fulfilling! I love working with texture in metal and crafting one of a kind pieces. 

 

Along with teaching at Workspace since the start of 2021, I also run my own jewellery business called Heavy Metals Jewellery. "

Tutor - Wellington

 

"Kia ora, I’m Keri-Mei Zagrobelna (Te Āti Awa, Whānau-ā-Apanui, Greek/Italian), a contemporary jeweller, artist, and mentor based in Te Whanganui-a-Tara. I graduated from Whitireia with a BaPPa in Visual Arts in 2012, and since then my work has taken me across Aotearoa, Australia, Europe, and the United States.

Alongside my full-time art practice, teaching is a deeply important part of who I am. I’ve had a long and meaningful relationship with Workspace Studios — first as a resident artist, and now as one of our most experienced tutors. I teach Level 2+ and mixed-level classes, and I mentor artists through the Kapeu Residency.

My practice is grounded in adornment — jewellery is my language, a way for me to explore whakapapa, environment, and interpersonal connection. I also enjoy working across other forms, including installation, sculpture, photography, writing, and digital moving image.

I’ve been fortunate to work on major public art projects and to take part in mentorship programmes including Handshake and the Toi Māori Whakakai initiative.

At the heart of my teaching is a belief in nurturing curiosity and confidence. I love supporting students to trust their instincts, expand their skills, and find joy in making.
My long-term dream is to establish a scholarship, Moanaraoa, for young Māori pursuing contemporary jewellery."

Tutor - Christchurch

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Coming of age in the 80’s I was drawn to post punk music and associated thrifted and DIY fashion.  As such jewellery was an aspect of self-expression I related to having grown up around my Irish grandmother’s rosary bead collection. I was given a set after she passed, a long string of black hand-carved wooden beads, which I wore occasionally, and always hung on my bedroom wall of various flats. After it was stolen during a party, I was mortified. Some thirty odd years later, I finally took classes at Workspace studios to learn carving wax and had my designs cast, recreating the memory of my grandmother. I was hooked pretty quickly, and returned to learn silver fabrication. As a support tutor, my role at Workspace Studios is one of the most meaningful jobs I ever had, where I am continually inspired by and learning from both the amazing staff and students.