Ruru Artisans at the Old Packhouse Market in Kerikeri

Come see Ruru Artisans at The Old Packhouse Market in Kerikeri, Bay of Islands, which represents the vibrant spirit of New Zealand's artisan community. This bustling market, held every Friday evening, Saturday, and Sunday offers a unique blend of fresh produce, local crafts, and a vibrant atmosphere that attracts both locals and tourists alike.

The Old Packhouse Market in Kerikeri, Bay of Islands, represents the vibrant spirit of New Zealand’s artisan community. This bustling market, held every Friday evening, Saturday, and Sunday offers a unique blend of fresh produce, local crafts, and a vibrant atmosphere that attracts both locals and tourists alike.

The attraction of the market’s lies in its diversity, with a warren of stalls filled all kinds of treasure, from locally grown and processed fresh produce to handcrafted goods that include our own hand crafted printed products. There are also ceramics, jewelry, textiles, and woodworks that all showcase the creativity and skill of local artisans.

As you enjoy the live music and entertainment on market days, savour the aromas that waft through the air as food stalls tempt visitors with delicious treats. From freshly baked bread to gourmet cheeses and mouthwatering street food.

For Ruru Artisans, the market offers a unique platform to showcase our talents and connect directly with customers. We can take cash, EFTPOS, or direct credit transfers, which suits the many overseas visitors we see every week. This also offers a valuable opportunity for us to build our brand and increase visibility. By interacting with customers directly, we share our passion for our craft and build relationships with potential buyers. The market fosters a sense of community among other artisans by providing a space for us to network, share ideas, and learn from each other. This collaborative spirit has leds to new opportunities and collaborations.

Engaging with customers at the market has allowed us to get direct feedback on our products. This is helping us to refine our designs, improve our craft, and better understand the needs and preferences of our customers. In doing so, the market provides a vital source of income and allows us to pursue our passion for creating while earning a living from our craft. Also, showcasing the talents of local artisans encourages the consumption of locally produced goods. This supports the growth of small business locally and strengthens the local economy.

TH Pullan & Sons proof press test

17/10/2023

It is always exciting making something work that was destined for the scrap heap. In this post, we test the now operational Pullan proofing press.

Printing the Tui and Duck pieces

08/12/2023

As we have been sorting out various mechanical and technical issues, printing the bird series has been delayed for seems like forever. But this week, we have take off! The first off the press are the large Tui and Duck prints, which sport one colour so far.

Reworking Existing Iconic Children’s Book

22/11/2023

The Boy and the Taniwha: This reworked book design was exhibited at the Bodleian Library at the Oxford University, United Kingdom, and is catalogued in the feature publication Heroic Works, for the Designer Bookbinders International Competition 2017, edited by Jeanette Koch.