Beads, bush teas and oils from Jimboomba will become part of the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games merchandising thanks to local Indigenous artist and businesswoman Nikki Chenoweth.
Ms Chenoweth has been engaged by GC2018 master licensee MATEVENTS as a sub-licensee with her Bush Therapies brand to sell Indigenous beaded art such as keyrings, cufflinks and pendants as well as magnesium oil and several varieties of bush tea.
After crafting her unique millefiori cane designs from polymer clay for more than 20 years, Ms Chenoweth is excited to take on the challenge of creating tens of thousands of pieces for the Commonwealth Games.
“Creating each cane for the beading is a totally hand made project and no two pieces will be the same,” she said.
“It is just like creating a rock candy, once the pattern is formed it is then stretched and cooled several times before being cut and baked.
“I’m so proud to that all this will be hand-made right here in South-East Queensland and that’s what (the licensee) really liked about it as well.”
The beads will have a Queensland theme based around water, flora and fauna, but particularly influenced by Ms Chenoweth’s language groups; Guugu Yimithirr, Kalkadoon and Nyamal Nyamal.
“My bush remedies are inspired through this as well, as these are skills I’ve been taught from a young age,” she said.
All work will be done in house, at her Jimboomba shop, until the operation becomes large enough to require a move.
“My current operations have just become ten-fold,” she said.
“I’m really just embracing it and by early next year we will have approved products that are ready for distribution.
“This is just an invaluable opportunity, a huge legacy for someone like me, with the potential to move with some big business players.”
The Gold Coast Commonwealth Games will run from April 4 to 15, 2018.
