A Farewell to Love Winter: Celebrating Our Final Christmas Market in the Sapphire Room with a General Collective Favourite

As we celebrate the festive season, our Christmas market in the Sapphire Room at Ponsonby Central takes on special significance. This will be the last Christmas market we hold within the Sapphire Room after 9 wonderful years in this space. We’re excited to host an incredible lineup of talented vendors, while also preparing to say farewell to one of General Collective’s long-time favourites: Love Winter.  

For nearly a decade, Delwynne Winter of Love Winter has been a cherished part of the General Collective community. Her beautifully handcrafted jewellery, warm smile, and boundless creativity have lit up our events since her very first stall at the inaugural General Collective market in Ellerslie back in 2014. For context: stalls back then were just $40 – a nostalgic reminder of where we began and a testament to how much General Collective has grown, thriving alongside an incredible community of makers and creatives while taking on the growing increases in expenses that come with hosting larger, more vibrant markets! Since that day, Del has been an enduring part of our journey, participating in an astounding 41 events (and more that we didn’t even record before moving to a vendor portal!). Her artistry and commitment to her craft have been inspiring to watch, and her presence has always been a highlight of every market day. Beyond the markets, Del has enriched the General Collective family, and we're so grateful to have shared the Love Winter journey from start to finish. In 2018, Del co-hosted the General Collective Christmas party with Claybird Ceramics and Blanc Industries at their shared makers' studio, Takapuna Makers Co. Her dedication to the General Collective community has been clear in moments like these, as well as in the friendships that have blossomed along the way. One memorable highlight was hiking the Milford Track with Stacey Pinique (co-founder of General Collective), Yon from Claybird, and Wendy from Nannestad & Sons – all valued members of the GC community.

For me personally, I hold several Love Winter pieces in my own collection – each one a treasured reminder of Del’s incredible talent and the journey we’ve shared.Now, as Del steps away from her jewellery-making passion to focus on her health and wellbeing, we are reminded of the bittersweet beauty of change. It’s hard to imagine a General Collective market without Love Winter, but we are so proud of the legacy Del has created and her decision to prioritise what truly matters. We also recognise the many other vendors who have supported and contributed to the General Collective journey, with special mention of Claybird Ceramics and Nannestad & Sons, who were part of a friendship group formed during the GC early days – with Love Winter being the last one standing.

Ponsonby Central Christmas Market

We can’t wait to see you there. ❤️

– Rose Barbarich, General Collective