Jenny Pattrick was an award-winning jeweller before she was a best-selling author. Her distinctive silver jewellery is prized for it’s use of New Zealand paua, pounamu, and natural fibres in striking pieces. Several of Jenny’s pieces are now held in the Pacific Rim Collection at Te Papa Tongarewa.
“I live in an old villa overlooking Wellington waterfront. This piece in silver and pounamu celebrates my home and city.”
‘Home to Harbour’ – winner of IBM Award at NZ Academy of Fine Arts, 1985
“Japanese jeweller Aya Nakayama conducted a course in Christchurch which I attended. She taught the art of Kumihimo – braiding silk. The technique marries wonderfully with shell.”
From Pacific Rim Collection, Te Papa
“The curve of paua shell fits the human body beautifully. I like to work with old shell which has the strength and thickness to withstand continued wearing.”
‘Flights of Birdsrings’, from Bone Stone Shell exhibition 1987 and featured in Kalidescope programme
The sterling silver and paua bowl piece on the Home webpage was bought by the NZ Government for the Princess of Tonga’s wedding in the 1980s.
Jenny Pattrick 