Celtica ~ About ~ Celtic Jewellery from New Zealand

In 1979 I was asked to make a house sign for a workmate.The house was called Tara and my researchs for a design lead me to the Book of Kells (at Christchurch Central Library) and the exqusite and incredible artwork of the gospel manuscripts. Many years later I became a bonecarver at the Christchurch Bonecarving Studio at the Art Centre, Christchurch New Zealand in partnership with my father, Jim Timings, who wrote this book on bonecarving..The studio is now run by Ben Te Karu, a very talented carver.
My interest in Celtic design came from my exploration of my ancestral history and the creation of bonecarvings with Celtic motifs, based on that earlier experience.
After several years as a bonecarver I decided to make jewellery in silver to explore the fine detail of Celtic design.I am essentially self taught with silversmithing,wth the valuable aid of the Christchurch Silversmith's Guild and it's very talented members,based at Connexion Gallery in the Art Centre, Christcurch.I evolved my own techniques for making jewellery, making special blades for carving the wax that I make the originals from.
Some "masters"-from which I make copies-take up to eighty hours to finish..
In fact I was the first person in New Zealand to make Celtic jewellery-"beware of cheap imitations"- and have an artist's commitment to making the best quality work possible rather than just copying someone else's design.
And like all artists I've had my experience with the "rough and tumble" of the business world....