Hello I am Nicole from eksterhuis. I am a out of school care supervisor in the day but at night I become a crafting junkie. I have always been into making things. I still have my mum remind me of felt pen stained sheets from drawing watching Saturday morning television. Not a lot has changed, only last year I received some pretty nasty burns from hot glue gunning in my PJ’s! When not teaching or crafting I am with my Clydesdale horses (I often think of Etsy as my Clydesdale horse fund!)

I live just outside the shattered city of Christchurch New Zealand. I moved back here after living in Manchester, England for 8 years. I am currently living at my parent’s house I decided to move back to Christchurch between the earthquakes, and with tickets booked we came back anyway!

The name eksterhuis is 'magpie house' in Dutch. I was born in The Netherlands and my mum is Dutch. I liked the sound of the name. I used to Etsy under the name YellowSquirrel but with the return to New Zealand a name change felt necessary.

I make all sorts of jewelry things. I am always thinking of new things to make. I love Mad Men and Joan Holloway is a bit of style icon to me! I am pretty much mad about the 40s and 50s and collect vintage hats and have quite a collection of over 50 considering how I never wear them! I have recently started making knitting needle bangles which were harder than I thought to make and have ruined many a good needle in the process of learning!


Nicole x