Small Pleasures by Venus Sunrise

Wake up your outfits with beautiful handmade clay goods by Venus Sunrise 

There's something special about the sunrise. Whether we're up for it or not, we know its beauty will be unmatched— it's as if each ray of sunlight is a beautifully unraveled brush stroke ready to reveal and masterpiece unlike any other. Soft to the eye, much like a cloud that passes through untouched forests. This unparalleled feeling of peace has only been matched by certain tiny pleasures in life, Venus Sunrise being one of them.

Handmade in small batches, Venus Sunrise is a Maui-based jewelry label founded by creative visionary, Kenzy Nigbur. Each dreamy piece is a labor of love unlike any other. Nigbur’s first collection brought us to our knees with their intricate details and an effortless combination of shapes and color— from mustards, warm hues of terra cotta and pops of green to neutrals like warm nudes, browns, and black, each piece in this collection is made to inspire (and elevate any outfit!). Venus Sunrise blossomed into fruition when Kenzy became a first time mama. After working as a floral designer for nearly 5 years prior (and a damn good one at that!), Kenzy became a stay at home mom to take care of her little babe. Shortly after, Kenzy tells HOKU that she stumbled upon the polymer clay community and instantly fell in love. Venus Sunrise was the creative outlet that ignited her creative fire and after a year of perfecting her craft, Venus Sunrise went into full bloom. Her mission? To to create pieces with lasting quality that effortlessly make a statement.

Nigbur tells HOKU that each pair of earrings are made with polymer clay, a vinyl like material that can be baked in the oven. Polymer clay is unlike ceramic clay in the sense that it is very light weight when cured, making it perfect for statement pieces that won’t bother your earlobes. Cute, comfortable and made with quality, not only are Venus Sunrise’s pieces absolutely to die for (I can attest to this!) but at every corner of her label, Nigbur strives to be as conscious as possible. When creating her pieces, Nigbur tells HOKU that no material is wasted “All my clay scraps will always be used for something, whether that be mixing a new hue or adding detail to a slab, I am always ensuring materials never go to waste. As for the metal components that are used on the pieces- I try to support smaller makers that I have found on Etsy that can provide what I need  rather than buying from a large corporation.” And that’s not all, Venus Sunrise goods are also packaged in a recyclable Kraft jewelry box (which she recommends using to store the pieces in when they aren’t being worn) and all of their card stock is printed on recycled paper. Oh, and even their tissue paper is acid free. Venus Sunrise is a small label with a team of one, which means it will only continue to grow in the realm of sustainability— Nigbur has made it a priority to constantly look for ways to make her process more sustainable and she mentions that she’s avidly looking for more sustainable options when it comes to the cotton and her padded envelopes.

With a mission that is focused on the quality and effortless appeal, Venus Sunrise hits the mark every. single. time. Each Venus Sunrise piece is made to make absolutely anyone feel beautiful, and trust us— they do! With a combination of earthy tones, unique shapes and exceptional craftsmanship, Venus Sunrise goods are sure to dominate your wardrobe with a statement no matter what time of the year it is!

Photos were shot on film using Kodak Portra 400.

Words: Kiana Kanoa

Model: @beatrice_eva

You can keep up to date with Venus Sunrise’s latest collection here and follow them for updates @venusunrise