The Wobbly Pot x CommonKind
This summer, you’ll find CommonKind products sitting amongst the stunning selection of local ceramics, jewellery and crafts at The Wobbly Pot, the new boutique on the block in Paekākāriki on the Kāpiti Coast. This is the first time we have had our full range of blankets and our pēpi sleeping bags available in a store, and a lovely wee store it is!
Sharon Bryant and her husband Stephen have had a home in Paekākāriki for 30 years, splitting their time in New Zealand with Sydney, Australia for the past 20. In 2023, the unique village of Paekākāriki, with its deep connection to the arts, called them home and they returned to live here full time. On returning, they decided to purchase the abandoned shops on Beach Road in the heart of the village to preserve the building for future generations. It wasn’t until the process of refurbishment that Sharon had the idea to open her own store in one of the shops—and, of course, it had to be a pottery shop.
The Wobbly Pot, 10 Beach Road, Paekakariki
While she wears many hats, Sharon is a part time potter. She finds creating pottery to be a grounding practice where she can hone into one thing, and let stress fall away in the process. Making a beautiful piece of pottery that someone wants to take home is an extra gift on top.
Sharon’s vision for the shop was to extend beyond simply being a pottery shop, focussing on showcasing local makers with complimentary perspectives across a range of mediums.
“I wanted my store to support local artists, so I invited the potters in the village and a few from the Kāpiti Coast to be a part of the store and launched from there. I also sought out other talented crafters from the Kāpiti Coast who I thought would complement the idea of local, slow making and sustainable.”
Like us, Sharon has a bit of a soft spot for wool. One of the first crafters to be stocked in the store was Alexis Hawke, who refurbishes vintage fabrics, often using woollen blankets.
“I loved the idea of childhood memories of a woollen blanket being made into something functional when it was at its end of life of being a blanket. The idea of using wool in fabric just makes sense to me, it has been the backbone of our country for many generations, it's environmentally friendly and it lasts for many years”, says Sharon.
Sharon Bryant from The Wobbly Pot and Kelly Olatunji from CommonKind
Talking to Sharon, you can feel her passion for her community, and the importance of supporting artists and makers over mainstream alternatives.
“I love knowing that these pottery pieces, blankets, clothing and jewellery sustains an income for locals and that people will use, cherish and pass on to the next generation… like me, because I still have my mum's casserole dishes, and grandma's hand knitted blankets!”
Pottery and wool are the perfect complement to each other. There’s something about drinking a warm cup of coffee in a handmade pottery mug while snuggled under a woolen blanket that feels so cosy. Be sure to head to The Wobbly Pot and find some unique gifts for loved ones this summer.
You can find The Wobbly Pot on Instagram, @wobblypot_paek for opening times and to sneak a peek at the beautiful products on offer.
