Aimee Gruar
AIMEE GRUAR
The Jewelry Edit had the opportunity to talk to Aimee.
What was the first piece of jewelry you remember buying for yourself?
I found, rather than bought my first pieces of jewelry - shells from the beach at Pakiri in the North of Aotearoa/New Zealand where I grew up, and they formed perfect rings for my little fingers. Later in life, I splashed out on a silver ring embedded with a large faceted amethyst.
Where do you look for inspiration when designing pieces?
Inspiration comes in many forms - I have an active mind that receives ideas from multiple sources, and generally when I am not expecting it. I was going through boxes of old fabric and lace remnants at a garage sale when the idea of using them to create feathers landed. Mother Nature provides endless inspiration – the complexity of patterns and the incredible colour ways found in living things is mind blowing.
What’s your favorite type of material to wear/work with?
The pieces I create are typically made from vintage lace and fabric that I fasten together on my late mother’s Bernina sewing machine.
How would you describe your personal style?
Quirky, relaxed, ready for action.
Who/what are your biggest style influences?
I don’t follow fashion trends. To reduce my carbon footprint, most of my clothes are sourced from charity shops where I enjoy rummaging through a wide variety of design styles.
What’s the most special piece of jewelry you own? What’s the story behind it?
My partner bought me a very special circular pounamu/greenstone pendant for my 50th birthday. Its shape signifies life’s continuous flow, and it has a concave back which my thumb enjoys rubbing.
What’s one piece of jewelry you wear often, that you can’t live without?
I wear my pounamu every day, and often team it with another pendant carved from Pururi wood by my cousin. They like hanging out together around my neck.
What does New Zealand mean to you?
HOME, this is the place I was born, where I have always lived, and where I can’t imagine ever moving away from. I love its rich culture, easy access to stunningly beautiful forests, lakes, mountains, and picturesque coastlines. I feel truly blessed to live here.
What is something special or unique about living and creating in New Zealand?
We have an abundance of flora and fauna here that are unique to these shores. In particular, the bird life, which is celebrated throughout the world via our diverse range of artists.
Why do you think it’s important for people to wear/own jewelry?
I believe it’s important for people to feel good about themselves. One way to help achieve this is by embellishing ourselves with objects of beauty.
What draws customers in to purchase jewelry from your collection?
Feathers have universal appeal. They have many different meanings, and have been used to adorn humans across the world since the beginning of time. Huia feathers symbolize leadership and mana (prestige), and were traditionally worn by people to indicate status. I hope my feathers are purchased by people who appreciate their unique beauty, and that they help raise awareness about the fragility of life, and the importance of looking after our precious endangered species. Huia are now extinct – the last official sighting was in 1907.