About
My name is Sonia Joy Parker
Creator of en Joy
I've given my all to many different jobs over the past thirty or so years, from being a legal secretary, to dragging tree branches, to learning the art of barbering and haircutting, but I've always yearned to also do something creative, physical and unique that would align with my energy, essence and pretty simple, homely Kiwi lifestyle.
While giving friends and family haircuts, and learning the craft of lashing and wrapping stone necklaces in the last few years, it was clear how much I like taking care within the details of lines, shape, and colour, to make something special and individual.
The Earrings
en Joy came about shortly after this road trip, the name Joy being very personal to me - being my middle name. I came up with the idea whilst on a five-minute drive home at lunchtime from work one day, and within a week I was cutting and sanding, and have been every day since.
Wood and trees give me so much joy also, visually in all their giant and glorious forms, their stages, strength and pure beauty.... the way different barks feel, the changes they bear and adapt to, to the tiny growth lines and swirling curves you see in their cuts. Being in the bush, and around trees is definitely one of my happy places.
I always like the way earrings can shine or pop, create a bit of drama, fun, elegance, or really make a statement. Accessories and jewellery, whatever type, are such a personal way to express your identity, fashion and individual personality.
Having a friendly way, and being such a chatterbox, someone's earrings are also an enjoyable talking point, or way to give a compliment - brighten someone's day.
Not being one for diamonds myself, nor for hippy threads, but a love for all things earthy, and all things Kiwi, I came up with the idea to make my own style of New Zealand wooden earrings - natural and simple.
There is such satisfaction in visualising an idea in my pieces of wood, giving them a fun, new existence from my very own design and hard work - for somebody else to choose and treasure, to suit their own personality and look.
I take time considering what other people will perhaps wear and appreciate in my earrings, with different cultures, fashions, and ages - this helps in the whole creation process.
I love the entire process of creating en Joy earrings - from wood searching, eyeing pieces for shape ideas, the cutting, shaping, sanding, polishing, assembling, to taking the photographs, the admin, logo, website, cardmaking, wood storage and organisation, and then the packing process, and customer or client friendliness. Perfecting all the various, sometimes fiddly techniques and steps, for smooth and organised processes and systems throughout is another enjoyable aspect for me.
This new enjoyment in my life gives me an exciting, new, active meditation and outlet to fill spare time and headspace, and aligns perfectly with my simple style, with my belief and connection with universal energy, with keeping busy, giving, having a purpose, engaging in the moment, living with mistakes, and now to finally having some individual creativity in the day to truly “enjoy”.
The earrings are fashioned from the likes of:
- driftwood
- a house-truck benchtop offcut
- tree pruning jobs
- a chunk of ironwood lamp post
- a piece of an old Dunedin villa windowsill
- a broken outdoor chair
- even a piece of my neighbour's firewood
I hope you love my handmade wooden earrings, as I do. I will be continuously on the lookout for special wood to expand my collection, and en Joy creations.
