The former nurse of nine years to Sir Tim Wallis had already had an adventurous life before settling in Wānaka 11 years ago.
Originally from Canterbury, she studied fine arts, then travelled the world with her partner Jeff Forsee, studied nursing in Invercargill and then moved to Blenheim for her career in health.
An advertisement to be the personal nurse of Sir Tim Wallis is what brought her to Wānaka where she took up pottery and got to know the renowned aviator and entrepreneur.
Just months after his passing in October 2023, her own father died in a climbing accident on Lake Hāwea’s Breast Hill climb.
It was at that point that she took a break from nursing and assessed her own life.
"Having Tim die was a life changing thing and then I lost my dad not long after that as well. So I felt like I needed a break, so I had a small period just doing the pottery. Which was really nice because I was just my own boss, and I could schedule things when I felt like it.
"And that gave me the freedom to accept these opportunities with Minaret when that came up."
"I’ve always been outdoorsy, always loved outdoors. Living in Wānaka has been really great for that. Every day off I was just out in the mountains either climbing or tramping or snowboarding."
It was also Wānaka which inspired her side dish, of making pottery at home in her Hāwea studio.
She describes her work as earthy tones, minimalistic with creative and unique carvings. She has managed to make a living off commission pieces and the odd restaurant asking for her work.
She learned the crafts in Hāwea by booking in a short course with Bellbird Pottery, then before she knew it she bought a kiln and she was making pottery every week.
"I never really had the opportunity or pursued it earlier in life, but when I moved to Wānaka I just felt like I was missing that creative outlet."
She laughs when she thinks about her early pieces in 2016.
"I think about the gifts I was giving away as wedding presents and what not and I was so proud and they weren’t great. There has definitely been a progression that’s for sure."
So much so, she is now approached for pieces and has barely had to advertise.
"I guess people started asking me to make things for them and that’s when I put a price on things then I started markets, ... and doing bits and pieces."
While she enjoyed nursing and helping others, she is at a crossroads on her nursing registration coming to an end and says she will likely pursue the pottery and guide touring for now.
"I can be out there in the evenings and run classes, so there is more flexibility of it."
