Welcome to Sonia Therese Design

It's not just about jewellery, you know. It's about passion, purpose and being present to the immense beauty in the world as a way to be connected!

Learn more about what drives the founder, Sonia, to make these precious treasures and how you can be part of the story to make a better world for all of us.

Sonia Therese jewellery is proudly hand-crafted and designed in New Zealand using sustainable materials and processes. Each and every piece of jewellery is made to order; made especially for each person to reflect their unique gifts and presence in the world.

My Story

Kia ora, my name is Sonia and I am the founder of Sonia Therese Design.

When I was a little girl, I was "that" child, always going through her grandmother's jewellery box, taking out all the pieces and trying them on, holding them up to the sun and watching them sparkle. I remember being particularly fascinated by my nanna Cis's beautiful crystal broach and earrings. I dreamed of a magical world full of colour, elegance and beauty. I distinctly remember how beautiful I thought she was when she wore them, and how beautiful I felt when I would sneakily wear them myself.

Over the years jewellery became deeply symbolic to me as well as profoundly beautiful. In my teens and 20's I would collect jewellery as I travelled; each piece told the story of a place and time and the people I was with. Whenever I wore that jewellery I was immediately transported back in time.

I never intended to be a jeweller. Although deeply passionate about creativity, I failed art exams at school and failed to gain entry to college to be an art teacher. I instead aligned myself with Mother Earth, specalised as an Engineering Geologist and spent several years working around the world. In 2001 I embarked upon a long pathway to gain my doctorate. I became a mother, and then the challenge of parenting alone - none of which left much time for creative endeavours.

Then, in 2010/2011 everything changed. Now living back in New Zealand, my city was rocked by a devastating series of deadly, devastating earthquakes. I lost my business, watched my friends leave and witnessed my whole community broken apart - physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. But in the years that followed the earthquakes I discovered a profound beauty in broken things! I began creating again. There was no plan or strategy. Just a deep need to create beautiful things; beautiful things happened to be jewellery!

The journey began, making beautiful and meaningful adornment from broken things - broken wood, recycled metals, bio-resins. I taught myself how to make what my mind imagined. I was blessed with many doubts, mistakes, cuts and bruises. And I discovered the gift of story telling, infusing powerful legends and wisdom of my ancestors into the pieces I made - specifically the stories of my Maori ancestors who have guided me on my pathway.

Now, I clearly see my purpose. The power of intention, the influence of story and meaning, and the impact of connection and beauty to change the whole world. My mantra of #believeinthebeauty guides me every single day. Pausing to see the beautiful imperfection of the world, in all it's glory, is a gift. Seeing that same imperfection in one-another allows us to value diversity, unique experiences and feel connected. Being present to that same one-of-a-kind beauty that WE bring to the world. When we belive in the beauty of ourselves, appreciating our "faults" as unique gifts, then the entire world begins to change - OUR world changes.

My Brand

Believe in the Beauty - Jewellery to celebrate the beauty of Connection

believe in the beauty brand story

There is an immense and profound beauty in our world, and in humanity. We are each part of a global whanau (family), and as a result we are all intimately connected. Jewellery artist, Sonia McManus, creates unique, soul-infused treasures that are intended to connect us through the beauty that we see in the world, in one-another, and ultimately, in ourselves.

And this beauty is not a polished, unblemished kind of perfection. Instead, this is real, raw and distinct beauty; a beauty that is embellished with flaws, scars, pain and growth. It is a beauty that is powerful, personal and deeply individual. Just as we marvel at the beauty of a single snowflake, or feather, or pebble upon the beach, so too do we see the miracle in ourselves.

Each piece of jewellery is lovingly hand-crafted; made slowly and intentionally; love and purpose artfully infused within. Made by hand, every piece celebrates the marks of creation and reflect the unique individual contribution that it's wearer also makes to the world. These pieces have an organic presence, they are bespoke, timeless and one-of-a-kind.

These treasures are steeped in masterful storytelling with each piece reflecting a wisdom from ancestors, guardians, Gods and Goddesses. "I make jewellery to honour our collective story, tied up in my own Maori heritage; where I have come from. These stories are what tie us together, give us common purpose and a collective sense of our world." Although often told from a Maori perspective, these stories are universal and resonate deeply with people from around the world. "Story is how we make sense of our place and our purpose - our ancestors freely offer wisdom for our pathway into the future, if we can pause and be quiet long enough to listen. My jewellery is a totem of this powerful connection."

Ultimately borne from the rubble of devastating earthquakes to hit New Zealand in 2010/11, Sonia Therese jewellery uses materials that are recycled, repurposed, re-imagined. This jewellery is a compelling antidote to fast and unsustainable consumer fashion.

Being present to the beauty within and around us allows us to change our world; ultimately the more often we remember this beauty, the greater the impact we will have on our future - individually and collectively. This jewellery is more than adornment. It is the ultimate statement of intentional connection.
Sonia Therese