A day in the life of our studio | Oronegro Blog #1
Introducing Our 'Day in the Life' Series: Packing Hei Toki Pendants for a Local Surf Club
Welcome to the very first video of our Day in the Life series, where we take you behind the scenes at the Oronegro studio. This immersive experience is all about the sounds of our workshop and the everyday tasks that help bring our handcrafted, 100% New Zealand pounamu pieces to life. In this debut video, follow Manu as he carefully packs an order of 32 identical Hei Toki pendants, specially crafted for a local surf club.
The Hei Toki: A Symbol of Strength and Resilience
Our Hei Toki pendants are inspired by the traditional Toki blades used by Māori to carve waka (canoes) and whare (homes). These Toki were more than just tools—they were symbols of strength, resilience, and the art of shaping one's environment. In our studio, we see the Hei Toki as a symbol of progress and forward motion. It serves as a reminder to the wearer that life is a journey, and just like a carver shaping their masterpiece, we are all sculpting our own path.
Connection Through Shared Craft
This particular order of 32 Hei Toki pendants is carved from the same stone and strung with identical cords, adding a meaningful layer of connection between the recipients. Although each pendant is identical in size and design, the shared experience of wearing one brings the surf club members together in a unified, symbolic gesture. It's a reminder of their collective strength and a commitment to moving forward as a team—much like the carvers who, through their craft, shape their future.
Immersive Sounds of the Studio
In this video, we’ve captured the ambient sounds of our studio—every task, from the rhythmic packing of each order to the careful preparation of the stones, adds to the peaceful and meditative atmosphere of the workshop. The sounds are an integral part of the craftsmanship process, and we’re excited to share them with you. It’s not just about the visual beauty of the pieces, but about the subtle noises that make up the everyday life of the Oronegro team. We hope you find the soothing sounds of our workshop as calming and immersive as we do.
A Journey in Every Pendant
While these Hei Toki pendants may look identical, each one carries a unique significance for its wearer. Whether given as a gift to commemorate a milestone or shared among a team to symbolise unity, the Hei Toki reminds us to keep carving our life journey, and to do so with purpose and strength.
This is just the beginning of our Day in the Life series. We invite you to follow along as we take you on a journey through our studio, sharing the day-to-day tasks that go into creating meaningful, handcrafted 100% New Zealand pounamu pieces. Stay tuned for more behind-the-scenes moments, stories, and, of course, the sounds that make up the heart of Oronegro.
