Narelle gets crafty with old jewellery

SAM BAKER/Manawatu Standard

BAUBLES AND BEADS: Playing with beads has become more than a hobby for Narelle Satherley, whose Mixjar jewellery line is taking off.

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All girls love pretty things, but there are those who have a talent of turning something pretty into something fabulous. EMMA GOODWIN chats to Narelle Satherley who has found a penchant for creating jewellery and has started a new business.

When did you start making your jewellery?

I started at the end of last year, so it's all quite new really. I had a random idea to make something for myself and it just grew from there. People have asked me to make pieces for them once they've seen some of the stuff I have done. I love it and haven't been able to stop.

Where do you get your materials from?

I buy a lot of costume jewellery and old necklaces and things from second-hand shops and take them apart to create something new. I also buy a lot of new beads or necklaces as well. Sometimes people have things that they want me to recreate something from.

Where do you sell your jewellery?

Most of it has been sold to friends at the moment, but I also sell some on Trade Me and on Felt, which is a new website that deals with handmade crafts. I am also talking to a few shops for them to stock some of the range.

You must have an artistic side?

I'm a graphic designer by trade, so yes I suppose I am quite artistic generally. It's fun playing around with ideas and seeing how they work. Plus, if it doesn't look right, you can pull it apart and start again. I get ideas all the time – see things and colours and get inspiration from there. The process can take over a little though. As I'm working from the kitchen table, the beads can take over the house sometimes.

Can you see the business growing?

I'd love to do more of it. It certainly is getting bigger and it would be great to get some more outlets to sell from. Whenever I wear a piece I always get comments on it and often people ask me to make something for them. I'm looking at increasing my marketing and with my graphic design skills that shouldn't be too hard.

Obviously each piece is original, so do you run out of ideas?

No, not really. As I say, I see things every day that inspire me. Also people may have an idea about what they want, which helps. Also colours are a big thing, I can see something in a second-hand shop and think of beads I already have and how it will work. I usually lay things out first and see how it's going to work before I start putting the bracelet, necklace or earrings together.

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