Fresh off her outstanding success at the 2023 Florence Biennale, we caught up with Stacey Whale to discover what visitors can expect at her studio and boutique in Upper Moutere this summer.
Stacey Whale describes herself as an artist and designer of fine jewellery. Her studio, located in the historic old post office in the Upper Moutere Village, offers a warm, inviting atmosphere that reflects her artistic journey.
"It has a beautiful interior with vibrant velvet fabrics lining two feature walls," she says. "The space is adorned in patterns and pays homage to my early background in textiles."
Stacey’s boutique is open five days a week, and on days when she’s unavailable, her husband steps in to greet visitors. The studio provides an intimate glimpse into her creative world, offering guests a chance to connect with her jewellery and the craftsmanship behind it.
"I want visitors to exclaim, 'Wow, it’s beautiful!' when they see my work. It’s very important to me that everything I make is beautiful."
Triumph in Florence
In 2023, Stacey and her family spent 15 days in Italy, where she participated in the prestigious Florence Biennale. The event, judged by an international panel of 10 experts, brought together outstanding talents in art and design from around the world. Stacey emerged as the ultimate Gold Winner, taking home the coveted Lorenzo il Magnifico award which combined the two awards of Jewellery Art & Design.
You can read more about her challenges and triumph to get to Florence here.
What’s New This Summer?
Stacey is especially excited to showcase her award-winning collection, Natural Instinct. The collection includes a necklace, cuff, bangle, ring, and earrings — each a high-end, commissioned, and ongoing exploration of organic forms. "I get bored making the same thing twice," she explains. "Each piece is a variation and a limited edition."
Since moving to the region in 2018, Stacey has been refining her craft and expanding her studio’s capabilities. "This year, I’ve invested in new machinery and brought all the trade work in-house, which is fantastic," she shares. "I enjoy using a variety of techniques — it keeps the process exciting."
There are plans to offer behind-the-scenes experiences, allowing visitors to see the creativity behind Stacey’s jewellery. While those plans are still in development, Stacey is eager to begin creating more sculptural work. "I’m inspired by the flowers of the dogwood tree in my garden. I want to go big and then refine, refine, refine!"
This summer, visitors to Upper Moutere can look forward to discovering Stacey Whale’s purity of thought and exquisite talent, beautifully expressed in every piece she creates.
Stacey Whale
https://www.staceywhale.com/
Photos supplied
