More Maori Design Meanings

The Mere is a leaf shape or spatula form of short ‘club’ or ‘Patu’ that was used in close Maori combat. It was used in an upward jabbing motion and opponents were struck with the sharpened edge. The Mere is often a symbol of rank and was regarded as the most valuable possession a warrior could own. The Mere is now used ceremonially as part of a Haka or Maori dance.

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You may laugh at this but one of my Mum's cousins is called Mere. Cousin Mere was Miss Canterbury & Disco Queen of New Zealand many years ago.
~Mimzy

Maori Design Meanings

The carvings based on Maori design in particular have special significance. The meanings of some elements vary from region to region but all share common roots. Most carvings combine elements of mythology which interact with each other to tell a story. Each element has its own specific meaning and the way they are portrayed or combined is what gives a carving its own special character. Whakairo (maori carving) is done on skin, wood, bone, stone, and pounamu (NZ Greenstone or Jade). You will find these designs throughout Maori art.

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Have you ever wondered what the Maori designs used in Maori carved jewellery mean? This article cover some of the more common designs

~Mimzy

Maori Bone Carving History

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Carving, whether on wood, bone or stone, was an essential part of the Maori culture as it served as its written language and told tribal histories in pre-European times before the Maori language was translated and written by the European settlers. Maori carvers were held in high esteem as the historians and master craftsmen of the tribes. The tribal stories and how to carve them were handed down from generation to generation, as were the artefacts that contained these histories. What we refer to as Maori Bone Carving Jewellery today came from more humble and practical origins. Because bone was more robust than wood but easier to work than ‘pounamu’ (New Zealand Greenstone or Jade), bone was carved into implements to use in everyday life.

You can't get any more 'Kiwi' than this jewellery. I guess making jewellery runs in the whanau (family) my Uncle and Great Uncle are both Maori Bone Carvers.
Here's an article about how making implements became the maori carving bone jewellery we see today.

Maiden NZ Jewellery Now on It's Own Domain

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Finally! Maiden NZ Jewellery is now on it’s own domain maidennzjewellery.com. For years Mum hosted my website on one of her sub-domains however earlier this month I turned 22 and Mum bought me maidennzjewellery.com as a birthday present. Mum is practical like that… always looking for ways to get me off my chuff and doing something with my life. (you know how mothers can be)

Well here's my new website... there's still quite a bit to do but it's a start. Tell me what you think (~be gentle with me~)
-Mimzy