Artist Interview : Cheek Pinchy
Kirsten Turnbull is the creative Auckland artist behind Cheek Pinchy jewellery. A regular at lots of the Auckland markets, her work is unquestionably unique and one of a kind with lots of her pieces one off’s that can’t be reproduced. Her work includes brooches, earrings, necklaces, wristbands and art-cards. We are really thrilled to have her join us for the first Fair!
How long have you been creating jewellery? From an early age I believed that the only folks who were creative could draw an ideal pony out of their heads. I lived a lot of my life believing I didn’t have a creative bone in my body! I have attempted diverse little projects over the years but never with much success. I actually had no aim that other folks would see them let alone wish to own any! Ideas have always bubbled about in me though which was about two years back that I started the beginnings of Cheek Pinchy. Was just the best time I think!
How did Cheek Pinchy jewellery start? It was about two years ago when I was full time at home with my beautiful girl and I actually needed to have a creative outlet. I had been collecting vintage fabric and bits for years and thought I would like to have a go at stitching but my skills are Terribly limited! I was finding it too maddening and realized my enthusiasm lay with putting colour and pattern together instead of with sewing. The idea to start one off collage cards using vintage images was born! Within a few months Toggle had started selling the cards and Esther Lamb inspired me into the market scene. During the last two years I have experimented with all types of projects including wall blocks and snow globes and now have a full jewelry range. I wouldn’t ever have thought two years ago that I might be doing what I am doing now! It has certainly been a private expansion journey and I’m slowly getting over my bashfulness and underconfidence!
Describe what you create? A lot of what I create now is the Cheek pinchy jewelry range. It’s a full range that includes brooches, rings, earrings, necklaces and bracelets. The photographs all spring from vintage books and have been set onto a beech plywood base. I’ve got a choice of jewelry that utilises limited numbered reproduction images and also some one off items. The latest reproduction range is made of typically bird, floral and botanical pictures. When I get time I love continuing to form one off cards and wall blocks in a collage style.
What inspires you? I am inspired by the support of my folks, the grace of creation and the legacy of my granny who always discussed the 1950′s and 60′s as ‘the golden days ‘. I have a love of all things vintage and a selected obsession with all things related to deer, birds, army and nautical themes! Also I am galvanized by colour combos and the way that different colours stimulate strong emotive reaction in folks.
What are your favorite materials to use? Why are they your favourite? My favourite material to use is vintage books especially children’s books. I adore opening them up to learn the damp, earthy smells, the yellowed and stained pages, the front cover inscriptions and ‘extra ‘ illustrations their child owners have given them over time.
What would you say is your largest feat to date? I suspect the previous couple of years have seen my largest achievements that being tackling the job of motherhood, coming to terms with issues of my own youth and chasing my passions through building Cheek Pinchy. Apart from all that I was a bit of a whizz at jazzercise in the 80′s. Complete with my hot pink lycra tights, leotard and leg warmers, I was a force to be reckoned with!
Do you have any future plans for your jewellery? I find making future plans for Cheek Pinchy a little scary as I’m astonished by what has happened in the last few years already. I really have some other product ideas floating around but am going to let things grow organically at this point.
Where are your fave places on-line? I expert all over the place online typically blog jumping but I usually check in on the latest systems on Post Secret and captivating finds on Etsy.
What type of music do you enjoy listening to while you work, if any? I have got a terribly eclectic musical taste but my favourite music to work to is super kitsch 80′s pop! Nothing really gets you going like Spandau ballet, Wham!, Cyndi Lauper, David Bowie, Culture Club, Duran Duran…did I mention Jazzercise earlier.. ?
Buy Cheek Pinchy Jewellery on Toggle.