A Propmaker’s Story – About me
So who the heck am I, anyway?
I’m Becky. A big “Hello!” and thank you for visiting my little place on the internet. This is me with my bestie, Jelly.
I was born in the UK, and relocated back to the UK after many years in New Zealand, so I am just a little bit Kiwi too.
I’ve worked in theatre, film, TV and events in New Zealand, predominantly in props, set dressing and construction, but with a hint of costume thrown in for good measure. I also designed dressing rooms for internationally touring music artists when they performed in New Zealand! A jack-of-all-trades, indeed.
I started off in the creative field many years ago, having completed a bachelor of science (of all things) at University College London. I started making and selling hand made jewellery at dance parties, and also provided hand painted decor. Being a propmaker wasn’t something I even knew existed back then!
During my time in London I also taught basic computer skills and then ran a vinyl sign shop. I then took a break to visit New Zealand and – quite accidentally – fell into life there. And stayed for 21 years!
At first, I worked with other creatives as a performer (goodness knows how, as I am far more comfortable behind the scenes), and I worked up to producing my own special effects fire and blacklight performances for corporate events. But as clients got to know me and my skills, I was offered more and more design work instead. Fine by me!
So, I slowly carved out a niche for myself, and before I knew it, I had spread into other sides of the industry and was the go-to props master and prop maker for most of the professional theatre (and opera) companies in Auckland. Through my theatre contacts, I was eventually invited to work casually on film props, and so I also became a film propmaker too!
Turtle puppet made for “The Sea” by Red Leap Theatre Company
Large Crystal Geode – made for Power Rangers Dino Charge – TV Series.
2.5m high Indian Archway – for corporate sponsors of the Diwali Festival in auckland.
As well as my hands on fabrication and design skills, I have always used the computer as a tool, and create all my own imagery, design my website, and I still enjoy drawing digital plans and drawings if required.
Working in the creative field is an absolute joy, and making, adapting and designing things is what I’ve been doing for over 30 years.
My focus is now on creating unique and beautiful characters for your home. I believe in re-using, recycling and repurposing, so I incorporate that wherever possible. I am very lucky to have some wonderful friendly local upholsterers who save their offcuts for landfill for me to collect.
In addition to my menagerie of beasts, I also make and supply decorative mouldings that are perfect for furniture upcycling projects and adding a bit of pizzazz to craft and decor projects. You can find them here.
If you are interested in seeing some of the props, costume and event decor that I have designed and created over the years, you can have a nosey around my facebook page, which was created as a personal portfolio in memory of my time as a propmaker and event designer in New Zealand.