It is no wonder Christine Hafermalz-Wheeler’s exquisite jewellery pieces take off on journeys around the globe with their new owners, people who will love and cherish them for both their exceptional skill and the heart that has gone into their creation.
Christine elevates jewellery-making to an entirely new realm, each piece being wearable art that transcends traditional jewellery boundaries. With over fifty years of experience working with materials ranging from simple shells to the most exquisite gemstones, she crafts bespoke masterpieces that are not only stunning to wear but also reflect a profound understanding and appreciation of both the wearer and of the natural world.
There are not many true goldsmiths like this in the world today, due to the lack of in-depth training opportunities now available to take jewellery-makers to this level.
Christine’s workshop is a little different from the jewellery studios of the 18th century. Electric lights have replaced the crystals placed near windows, but most of the tools and techniques remain the same. There is no 3D printing or casting here. She prefers to work everything with hand and heart so her pieces feel alive and vibrant, evolving during the making.
Traditional training involved a three-year apprenticeship, five years as a journeyman working for others, then masters’ school, before finally being permitted to set up alone and officially call herself a goldsmith. By being recognised as an artist, Christine circumvented these strictures, starting at 18.
A recent arrival in Christine’s workshop is apprentice Tessa Friedrich from Berlin. Hailing originally from the movie industry, Tessa answered an urge to create with her hands by studying jewellery-making in Germany. Visiting New Zealand, she was overwhelmed when introduced to Christine’s work. “I'd never seen anything like it,” she says. “My training had been basic, and I was blown away by the explosion of emotions and techniques in her work, the way she melds metals, stones and materials of all kinds into each piece. I am learning about the infinite possibilities, which is an absolute gift.”
Christine and her husband David have been concerned for some time that, as their generation ages, precious skills and techniques in the crafts are not being passed on for younger people to carry forward. “The education system in creative industries has changed,” explains Christine. “It's all gone to the head and out of the hand, resulting in simplistic, less constructed designs. We are really keen for others to learn before these skills are lost, and it is a joy to find someone with the same love for jewellery-making as I have.”
Christine and Tessa’s work, which includes transforming people’s old jewellery collections into new exquisite pieces, can be viewed by appointment.
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