Art and Crafts

Allan and Andrea have been creating our garden of sculptures since 1993. We started with a bare paddock . Today it is an established garden with paths and ponds and full of art at every turn. Allan O’Loughlin is a sculptor of steel. He has created the most amazing collection of his sculptures /art you'll see in a garden setting. It is unique,quirky and entertaining. There are sitting areas throughout, a grand table under a massive steel chandelier, all created by Allan. When you visit you are welcome to bring a picnic and relax in the shelter of our garden. “The Rusty Acre” has been developed mainly due to my passion for home decor and restyling furniture , I just like nice things. I am a registered nurse and have a busy job in a operating theatre, The Rusty Acre gives me that chance to free my spirit and to express to myself. My shop is full of beautiful home items, soaps, candles, jewelry, french furniture and personally collected brocante items. I love the feeling you have when you buy something special and it gives you that nice feeling inside every time you look / smell or touch it. I hope to offer that to my customers when they visit The Rusty Acre.

Handmade wedding and event signage, personalised gifts, home decor and more!

So many new products! Featuring our newly released keepsake boxes More ideas and designs coming! So many wedding signage and so little time wouldn’t change it!

Gifts and Items to hire for themed parties

Art has always been a passion of mine. As a child I loved to draw and paint – it was an escape.
As life went on: marriage, having twins and emigrating to New Zealand from the UK took over and there was little time for pencils and brushes.
It is now that I have time to begin my journey……..
I started with Folk Art, I loved the specialized brushes and clean lines and shading required. I then tried applying these disciplines to canvas and board using a variety of mediums. Favouring Acrylics.
As I have not had any formal training, I try to imagine the finished painting then work out how to do it.
I gain inspiration from many sources: nature, glass, fruit, flowers, landscapes, buildings and historical landmarks to name a few. But I am always willing to try something new – go in a different direction.
I have recently produced a collection of unusual abstract works called ‘Industrial Chaos’ inspired from childhood memories of my brother’s profession as a tool maker.
This has led me to even more abstract works, which I am enjoying very much but I still love to paint landscapes and still life.
I am actively involved with the Rangiora Art Society and am President of the Kaiapoi Creative Arts section of the KWMC.
Local exhibitions are the main avenue where I present my work. These are wonderful opportunities to network with other creative people in my community. Of which there are many.
I am available for commission work.
I feel incredibly blessed that I am able to express myself by way of a brush. The journey so far has taught me a lot about myself and everyday I look forward to what it brings creatively.

I am a working artist working in encaustic, acrylic and oil paint. I run classes for adults in Encaustic art. I paint animal portraits in acrylic on commission, including expressionist portraits. I take School Holiday Childrens art fun days most school holidays and host Arty Birthday Parties. I run adult fun art days which are perfect for book groups, plunket or mothers groups etc , from my beautiful lifestyle block in Clarkville, just north of Belfast. I am also a Suzuki piano teacher. Please check out my website