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It's no secret, I love pots. So when Ross Palmer sent me an email early May to see if we were interested in selling his work I quickly checked my calendar and booked in a road trip to view his work and newly built studio.

I was in for a treat. My day was spent with Ross and his wife Annie, and together they shared tales of pottery, inspiration, blessings and loads of love that resulted in new dreams. 

Ross began making pots with the best of them, starting his career in the 60's. He enjoyed potter life for a good forty years but when his first wife became unwell he put the wheel aside and became her carer for ten years.

It took love and encouragement from his new love, Annie to get Ross back with the wheel and about three years ago he started potting again.  Together they created their dream of establishing a gallery in their idyllic rural Taupo setting. They purchased land, built a house and studio/gallery and the rest they say is history.

Ross is creating new designs with new glazes similar to the colours of the autumn day I visited. The colours are rich, deep and warm in colour. The pieces he creates come in varying sizes and styles...beakers, mugs, cereal bowls, jugs and pitchers, salad bowls, platters, teapots, and vases.  We have a lovely display of them in our window at the moment so next time you are walking past be sure to check them out. If you cannot stop by the store I have added some online for you to view.

Ross and Annie’s path is filled with desire to create days filled with adoration, kindness and love; I was blown away by these emotions. I left the studio feeling blessed they shared their story, their home, and the pottery with me.

I hope you enjoy the pots they shared.

Welcome to the blog of Kina  - a place to share my travels around New Zealand making connections with artists we represent at Kina NZ Design + Artspace.

Luella - As the owner of Kina, I have been privileged to visit our creatives in their studios and I will be using this blog to share some of those stories with you. I have been establishing relationships with Kina artists since 2001. I worked alongside the previous owners of the business and have continued to grow the ethos of Kina.

My most enjoyable aspect of Kina is the people – supporting my team, listening to my clients and learning from my artists - developing lasting relationships with all.

The women I surround myself with are crucial in the running of the business and without them, the door would not be open. They each hold various roles, supporting and influencing Kina along the way, making it one of the best in the country for homeware and art.

Sonja - has been with Kina for just on ten years. Her role is to manage the arrival of all the beautiful objects that you see in our space.  She establishes whether the items we have on display are perfect in their creation and is the quality control expert. Her attention to detail with wall displays and stock management is integral to the overall running of the store, she is my super assistant! 

When not working at Kina Sonja can sometimes be found in her home studio creating with clay. Sonja graduated from Otago Polytechnic Art School majoring in Ceramic Arts. Her bright, colourful quirky works have been found on the shelves in like-minded stores around the country and her signature style is to make you smile. 

Judy - is my loyal Saturday woman and has been for many years. She swoops in and makes sure the entire space is gleaming. She manages a crowd (and patient customers) with ease, making sure their store experience is knowledgable and fun. 

Saturdays at Kina is Judy's creative outlet, as she also has a 9-5 at one of the local eye care centres. Along with the rest of the team Judy is a talented creative in her own right. She is a star with a sewing machine and also likes to get creative in her kitchen with treats for us all. 

Tabatha - is new to our team, joining us in May 2018 to cover for Maternity Leave. Tabatha keeps you up to date with what is new in store via our Facebook page and sends those informative emails out each Tuesday and Saturday.

She is also a talented artist graduating with a Doctorate in Fine Arts from Elam School of Fine Arts, Auckland University, 2015. Keep an eye out for her exhibition with us during the Powerco Taranaki Garden Spectacular this coming October 2018.

These three women are super special to me and have become part of the extending Kina family. They are supportive of the business, my family and each other - it's a real pleasure to say they give Kina substance and are essential in creating the heart of the business.

I hope you enjoy the stories I share.