Yalada
My name is Alison Creek, and I am a proud Kuku Yalanji and Kaantju woman.
Born and raised in Mossman North, Queensland, I found solace and purpose in the art of jewellery making.
My journey began amidst the vibrant colours and textures of the Daintree Rainforest.
Growing up, I witnessed the artistry of my grandmother, who also found strength and joy in creating intricate seed jewellery.
Inspired by her resilience, I began exploring my own creative spirit. The rhythmic process of collecting seeds, carefully drilling them, and meticulously assembling each piece became a form of meditation.
Jewellery making teaches me patience, focus, and the importance of honouring ritual and tradition.
My designs are a testament to my grandmother's legacy and a reflection of my own personal journey.
My Jewellery tells the stories of my country, my people, and the enduring spirit of the KukuYalanji and Kaantju.
Through Wawu MINI, I hope to share the beauty and significance of Indigenous art with the world, one exquisite piece at a time.
The material I use, sea beans, red seeds and burny beans, give me a sense of hope, to keep going and to share my grandmother’s storytelling from the Torres Strait islanders -her childhood background and culture-where the matchbox bean is used in dancing.
The intricate paintings on the seeds contribute my personal style to the traditional materials.
The Journey of Sea Beans
The Land and Sea Connection
For the Kuku Yalanji people, who are both rainforest and saltwater custodians, every element of nature is sacred. The rainforest provides food, medicine, and materials for survival, while the ocean offers sustenance and spiritual connection. Sea beans embody this harmony. These remarkable seeds grow on vines deep in the rainforest, within pods that can stretch up to a metre long. When these pods fall, the seeds begin a journey—washed down rivers to the sea, carried by tides, and eventually returned to shore.
This journey mirrors the Kuku Yalanji way of life: interconnected, cyclical, and deeply rooted in respect for nature.
Cultural Significance
Sea beans like burny beans and matchbox beans hold special meaning in Kuku Yalanji culture. They are symbols of resilience and adaptability—qualities reflected in their ability to survive long ocean voyages. Traditionally, these beans are collected from beaches as part of sustainable practices that honour both land and sea..
In crafting these beans into jewellery, Alison continues an age-old tradition of storytelling through art. Each piece is a reflection of her connection to Country (land), a celebration of natural beauty, and a way to share her story with others.
The Artistry Behind WAWU KANKA Jewellery
The transformation from seed to jewellery is a process steeped in care and creativity. The burny bean’s smooth surface becomes a canvas for intricate designs or is left natural to showcase its earthy elegance. Matchbox beans are strung into necklaces or bracelets that carry not just aesthetic value but also cultural significance.
These pieces are more than decorative—they are storytellers. They speak of rivers winding through rainforests, tides carrying seeds across oceans, and hands shaping them into art that bridges past and present.
A Shared Spirit
When you wear a Wawu Mini piece, you carry with you not just a piece of nature but also a piece of culture—a story that connects you to one of the world’s oldest living traditions. These creations are made with respect for the environment and with gratitude for what it provides.
Every purchase supports a local Kuku Yalanji artisan and her family in preserving their heritage while sharing it with the world. It’s not just jewellery; it’s a journey—a connection from rainforest to reef, from tradition to modernity.
Explore the Wawu Mini collection today and become part of this timeless story.
