Last updated September 2026
Hand-painted jewellery is light, colourful and one of a kind, but the base, the seal and the fittings decide how well it lasts. Here is what to look for, with pieces from Timaru’s Crafts Bucket, where mandala artist Vinitha Sarath paints earrings, bracelets and pendants by hand using the same dot technique as her wall art.
★View the Best Gift Shops in Timaru→Jewellery painted by a mandala artist
Crafts Bucket started with wall art, and the jewellery grew out of it. Each design is built from tiny dots of acrylic paint placed one at a time in rings around a centre point, the same way Vinitha paints her larger mandalas, just at a much smaller scale.
That means colour and detail you do not usually get from cast or stamped jewellery, in pieces that are light enough to wear all day. It also means two pieces of the same design will never be exactly identical.
What is in the range
Earrings
The earrings are the biggest part of the collection. Styles include round mandala dangles that move as you walk, teardrop shapes, and designs finished with a small sparkling gem. Colourways range from blue and purple through pink, red and copper to deep viridian green. They are made to be lightweight, so a statement size does not pull on the ear. You can browse the current pairs in the earrings collection.
Leather bracelets
The hand-painted leather bracelets carry a small painted mandala on soft, fully adjustable leather. They are a unisex fit, which makes them one of the easier handmade gifts for men as well as women.
Pendant necklaces
The pendants are painted on wood and hung on an adjustable cord, with finishing options that include a centre bead, a metallic bead, a hanging tassel or a silver chain. They are light, layer easily with other necklaces, and suit everyday wear. See the pendant necklaces for current designs.
How each piece is made
Every piece starts as a plain shape, usually wood, or leather for the bracelets. Vinitha marks the centre, then builds the design outward ring by ring with dotting tools of different sizes, letting each layer dry before the next goes on. The finished piece is sealed with a protective coat so the colours stay bright and the paint does not rub off against skin or clothing.
Because the work is done by hand in small batches, a design may come back in a new colourway, but the exact piece you are looking at is the only one.
Custom colours and matching pieces
Because every piece is painted by hand, colour is not limited to what is on the website. If you have an outfit, a wedding palette or a favourite colour in mind, Crafts Bucket can paint earrings, a pendant or a bracelet to suit it.
This also works well for matching sets: a pair of earrings and a pendant painted in the same colours, or pieces made to go with one of the studio’s mandala wall artworks. For bridesmaids or a group gift, ask early, as several matching pieces take time to paint and dry properly.
When you get in touch, it helps to send a photo of the colours you want to match and say which pieces you are after. Screens show colour differently, so a photo of the finished piece in daylight is worth asking for before it ships.
Choosing a piece as a gift
Hand-painted jewellery takes the guesswork out of gift sizing, since earrings and adjustable pieces fit almost anyone.
| Buying for | A good starting point |
|---|---|
| Someone who loves colour | Mandala dangle earrings in a bold palette |
| Someone who wears little jewellery | A small pendant on an adjustable cord |
| A man, or anyone who prefers simple pieces | An adjustable leather bracelet |
| A matching set | Earrings and a pendant in the same colours |
Think about the colours the person already wears rather than your own favourites. If you want something in a particular palette, ask Crafts Bucket about a custom piece, and allow enough time before the birthday or Christmas.
Looking after hand-painted jewellery
- Take pieces off before swimming or showering, and let leather dry naturally if it gets wet.
- Put jewellery on after perfume, hairspray and sunscreen.
- Store pieces apart so painted surfaces do not scratch against metal jewellery.
- Wipe with a soft, dry cloth rather than jewellery cleaner.
Where to buy
The whole handmade jewellery collection is available through the Crafts Bucket online store, with Afterpay at checkout, and orders ship across New Zealand and internationally with tracking. The studio is private rather than a shopfront, so the best way to see the pieces in person is at the markets and expos Crafts Bucket attends, including lifestyle and home shows in Christchurch.
For questions or custom orders, email in**@*************co.nz or call 027 337 2933.
