Born in the Hills – Whistle & Pop
Bex Hayman is a whirlwind of vibrancy, creativity and passion. While she laughs that her pre-children singing career is currently on hold, in the last five years she has gone from strength to strength with her business Whistle & Pop.
Inspired by her rural life, farming alongside husband Tom and their three children at the top of the Hakataramea Valley, Bex Hayman’s Whistle & Pop is a beautifully curated collection of jewellery and accessories designed for the ‘adventurous country men and women’, or anyone with a penchant for our local rural landscape.
‘It all started when my husband Tom and I got married. I gave him a sterling silver dog whistle rather than a ring, which is where the “Whistle” of Whistle & Pop came about. “Pop” represents the bullet design jewellery inspired by a love of clay bird shooting and the idea of hunting and gathering. Whilst I can’t say I was very good at either, I loved (and still love) the idea of creating jewellery that was stylish and elegant for everyday wear.
‘Each of my pieces begin with an idea that is used on a day-to-day basis on-farm and is turned into an elegant piece of jewellery or accessory. Whether it be a cattle tag made of sterling silver that customers can engrave with their pet cow or station name; or a sterling silver dog whistle, designed to make an everyday item beautiful, the products must speak to the local landscape and speak to those who value our unique environment.’
Her latest releases are also about putting a modern and rural spin on timeless designs and materials. ‘The huggie style of earrings (where the little hoop essentially hugs the earlobe) are very on trend but we have given them a rural theme with bullets, stags and whistles, and they are proving really popular, while the freshwater pearl collection is about reminding us of our roots – of our clean, green, rural New Zealand landscape and that we all need sun and water to grow.’ Embellished with a ‘wee sun’, the collection draws on the traditional popularity of the freshwater pearl that transcends generations, while giving it a ‘modern edge’.
While Bex designs the products herself she collaborates with local photographer and designer Dana Johnston to perfect the imagery before turning it over to a trusted supplier to bring the design to life. ‘Wherever possible I like to collaborate with people from my community to help me achieve what I do,’ she comments.
‘When I started five years ago I had the dream of creating not only a jewellery accessories brand but to also create a community of like-minded people that love and appreciate country life, showcasing the amazing things about rural life and what it has to offer here in New Zealand through our designs. Collaborating with other like-minded and local artists is part of this and I am excited about some of the collaborations we have planned in 2023.’ Past collaborations have included candles and scarves, and like Bex, we too are excited to see what is next.
‘My aim is always to create products that are enduring and timeless. We are proud to be farmers, and we love our animals; I like to think we can add our little bit of country flair to everyone,’ she laughs. Running a business from the depths of the Hakataramea Valley has a multitude of challenges but none that hinder Bex. ‘I wouldn’t live anywhere else,’ she enthuses. ‘Living here breeds innovation. I draw from this unique, rugged, remote place every day.’
