Village mailbox makeovers
Julie Jones and Sheryl Barlow have been splashing their artistic magic all over Arvida Te Puna Waiora, the retirement community they proudly call home.
These two craft ladies have painted eleven letterboxes, with six still waiting for their colourful makeover.
“We did craft work back in Whangarei before we shifted here. So we painted our own one and another resident saw it and basically it evolved from there,” Sheryl explains. Armed with acrylic, water-based paint and a nifty silicone spray to keep their masterpieces safe from wild weather, Julie and Sheryl have made the Kerikeri village’s letterboxes shine.
Though the designs are inspired by Austrian visual artist Hundertwasser, each box gets its own personality boost. Julie reveals, “One resident liked one of the English football teams and wanted a jersey added. Another resident is into marching and so we added some marching boots. So the letterboxes are bright and colourful and have their own little stamp on it.”
Julie, the calligraphy tutor for 30 years, sands and primes the letterbox, leaves it to cure for 24 hours, and then Sheryl helps to paint them – the pair make sure to fit in a few bowls games between brushstrokes too. It’s all about balance!
Their creativity sparked when Sheryl had some leftover bamboo, Julie eyed it up and said, “oooh I could paint that.” Next thing you know, bamboo was perched on a garden stake in soil. Now, they’re painting everything from bird houses to coasters to placemats.
Feedback from residents? “Oh they’re absolutely loving it. I delivered one letterbox the other day and two residents saw it and so they’ve ordered for theirs to be done too.” Bright and colourful is the only way to go, as Julie and Sheryl wholeheartedly agree. So, if you want your letterbox to stand out, take a leaf out of their book - get crafty, get colourful, and let your personality shine right on your doorstep.