Introducing: Cre8

Sandra and Jonathan Cowley moved to the Hibiscus Coast a year ago and already they are making their mark, sharing their creativity with the community.

The couple opened Cre8 in Whangaparaoa (next to Gusto) last month – a business bursting with colour that provides an opportunity to decorate a wide range of ceramics and make your own mosaics and glass pendants.

Sandra, a former florist and photographer, is running Cre8, along with studying for a Diploma in Art & Creativity by correspondence. Cre8 is also the supplier for the Californian brand Duncan Ceramic Art, throughout NZ. Qualified designer Jonathan made the company’s logo and also designed the distinctive painted feature wall at Cre8.

Sandra says that having children aged eight and 18 months helps her to know exactly what the youngsters will enjoy when it comes to planning Cre8’s fun activities – including school holiday options and birthday parties.

Cre8 takes care of everything, including the invitations, for birthdays. Guests make their own pieces and also contribute thumb or hand prints to make a unique gift for the birthday boy or girl.

The studio is predominantly a drop-in – with no bookings required to take part, it’s an easy option for those with pre-schoolers.

There are also options for adults, including Ladies Nights. “I’m only too aware of the need for parents to have time out,” Sandra says.

She says the process of painting and making is not only creative, it’s also therapeutic.

Her first experience of ceramics was learning to make pots at night classes as a hobby. “You leave everything else at the door and sit down and immerse yourself in what you’re doing. That’s what’s so good about anything artistic.”

Youngsters can get their hands on 36 colours, and feel free to make as much mess as they like, using their hands, brushes, sponges, stamps and stencils. Adults have an even larger array of Duncan colours to choose from.

“Anything is possible,” Sandra says. “It’s up to you and your imagination.”

Cre8 is set up with furniture sourced from local hospice shops, painted by Sandra and Jonathan. A huge variety of slip cast ceramics – everything from mugs and plates to teapots, figures, frames, tic tac toe sets and moneyboxes – are available ready to paint and Sandra is expanding the range all the time.

Finished items are glazed and fired by Sandra and Jonathan, ready for collection.

“It’s lovely to see people’s faces when they see the finished pieces they’ve made.”