Hello friends, welcome to my website, Tania Mallow Jewellery. I’m glad you found me here in my peaceful little corner of the world.
At Tania Mallow Jewellery, I aim to capture nature's inherent elegance through the enduring art of impeccable craftsmanship. With over twenty years immersed in the world of jewellery making, I design and meticulously craft each piece to be a lasting treasure.
My Journey
My creative journey began organically, in my father's garage, when I experimented with wire and glass beads. This early exploration ignited a lifelong passion. Even as a young girl, selling braided wristbands to my classmates, I felt the pull to share my creations with others. Formal training with renowned Goldsmith Chris Schweder in 2001 provided the technical foundation for my artistic vision.
My brand
In early 2005, I saw an opportunity to create high-quality, handmade jewellery that blended exquisite design with accessible pricing, leading to the birth of Tania Mallow Jewellery.
Making the jump
In 2019, I took a big step and decided to make jewellery my full-time pursuit, drawing endless inspiration from the beauty of our natural landscapes, the charm of native birdlife, and the refined simplicity of classic contemporary aesthetics. Collaborating with clients to bring their unique jewellery ideas to life is also a deeply rewarding part of my work.
For more than two decades, sharing my creations in galleries and stores across New Zealand has allowed me to build wonderful connections with those who appreciate handcrafted artistry.
The process of bringing a piece to life, from a simple idea on paper to the final result, is incredibly fulfilling. It's a journey I truly cherish.
Feel free to explore my store and, if you have any question, please get in touch.
My Creative Process
Discover what goes into making my beautiful pieces, as I answer questions posed by my very own friends and loyal followers of Tania Mallow Jewellery.
“You're such a nature lover Tans, and I can see so much of that in your jewellery. What role does the environment play in your creative process?”
I have always loved the outdoors and nature, so it plays a huge part in my creative process. It’s usually when I am out walking in nature, at the beach, or even just around our local neighbourhood that I see something that sparks my imagination. For example, a particular leaf shape, a flowering plant, a piece of driftwood, the shapes and textures in rocks, or the birds that visit me in the garden all offer endless inspiration.
“I feel like you see the world around you through the lens of a creator, seeing the potential to turn everything inspiring into a creation. With so much beautiful material for inspiration out there, how do you choose?”
I know! I feel so blessed to live in this beautiful country and have so much inspiration in my surroundings. Choosing a new subject can be challenging, but I usually make something new if I have enough requests or a particular shape or form has been hovering in my mind for some time, until one day I decide to make it come to life.
“Have you ever been impressed by some of your customers’ creative ideas when working on custom pieces? Do you find inspiration in those conversations?”
Absolutely. It’s amazing to hear and see people’s ideas. Because everyone is so unique, I’m often impressed by the ideas they have based on a personal interest, passion, or meaning. It's a really enjoyable process working together with someone to come up with something meaningful for them. Their ideas, coupled with my understanding of the creative processes, are the key to getting it right.
“I have always loved your sketchbook and seeing the way you capture an idea, turn a moment into an object on paper. Where do you go from there? What are the next steps for bringing this concept to life?”
I have so many ideas floating around in my head, some of which occasionally get put onto paper! From an original sketch along with notes on size, texture, and any other details, I use a combination of techniques such as wax carving and hand forming materials to make up the foundation of a piece of jewellery.
“You're such a methodical person in life, is that the same for your jewellery-making process? Or does the process take on a life of its own?”
This can really vary a lot. Often, it is quite organic. It might begin with a gemstone from my collection, which will grow into a ring or pendant. Recently, I made a simple bangle featuring a beautiful, rich red Carnelian at the centre, which can be opened to allow for easy putting on or removing. The idea evolved from the gemstone itself and my desire to create a bangle with some colour. From there, I worked with the silver wire I had on hand to form the bangle, adding the feature of it being able to open for a better fit.
When it is a custom piece, I will usually be more methodical because there are timelines and specific guidelines to work to.
“You've been making jewellery for such a long time, and you've made some incredible things. My wedding rings for one! (I adore them, btw) Do you continue to find jewelry making rewarding and challenging?”
Yes definitely! Jewellery making can be very challenging, and learning to overcome those challenges or sometimes fixing something which didn’t quite go to plan is all part of it, making it even more rewarding to see the piece come to fruition.
One of the best parts is learning about what a certain piece of jewellery represents to someone or the story behind how it came about.
“I cherish all of the pieces you've made for me over the years and so do my friends and family, the people I've gifted your pieces to. How does it feel to know your creations have literally become heirlooms for people, and truly valued parts of their lives?”
I absolutely love this aspect the most about jewellery making! It is so incredible to think that some of my creations will be passed through generations, and this fills me with joy. My niece will certainly inherit quite a collection of my own special pieces one day!