tell us about what you create

My jewellery is about achieving beauty through detail and the relationship of a piece to the body. I like to create pieces that are if not a part of the body then an extension of it, complementing the body’s lines and forms while also being comfortable and long wearing. At the same time I design my pieces to stand out (or what’s the point of wearing jewellery in the first place!).

what made you start making your pieces?

For as long as I can remember I’ve had a passion for jewellery but been dismayed by the fact that what was available didn’t suit my style. I decided the best way to remedy the problem was to make my own jewellery!

what is your inspiration / influences?

I draw my inspiration from anything I find beautiful. It all gets absorbed and combined in my head, filtered through my own style then manifests itself as wearable art. I try not to think too much when I design a piece lest I get trapped by a concept. I find I don’t always need to understand my motivations to produce something wonderful. Besides, people shouldn’t need a reason to produce pretty things!

what materials do you use?

I like the juxtaposition of leather and silver. The leather is comfortable to wear and visually very bold while the silver adds a touch of elegance. These materials also have the added advantage of being long lasting and timeless. Occasionally I use brass if I want a piece to have an antique quality about it.

why did you choose in.cube8r?

How could I not? Isy is a genius as is her concept!

where else can we find you?

www.skadijewellery.com
www.etsy.com/skadijewellery
www.madeit.com.au/skadijewellery

tell us about your background

My creative background actually lies in performance. I had never imagined myself as a visual artist or crafter. Then some years ago a medical issue prevented me from being able to perform. I was desperately missing having a creative outlet. Then a couple of years ago a friend suggested I try beading. I decided to buy myself a “how to” book to get started, and when I saw what was possible using wire and beads I quickly became addicted, and haven’t looked back.

tell us about what you create

I am primarily a jewellery maker. However, recent opportunities saw the need to diversify, so I started making my “Bagettes”, which are all adorned with my “jewellery”. This is what I currently have on display at in.cube8r in The Valley. I use recycled sterling silver, and where possible, source other recycled or locally handmade materials to work with.

what is your inspiration / influences?

I have a passion for silver, and love handmade glass beads. I’m inspired by beauty, colour and texture, and often find that the design of a bead will inspire the silver work I put around it. I am strangely obsessed with swirls, spirals and flourishes, for which the silver wire is the perfect medium. Lately I wake up in the middle of the night and find my head filled with shapes just crying out to be fashioned in silver.

what materials do you use?

I use recycled sterling silver, and where possible, source other recycled materials and locally handmade beads to work with. To adorn the Bagettes, I use a tarnish resistant silver or gold plated wire. I am continually expanding my skills, and am now looking beyond wire work towards silver smithing. I can’t wait to learn new ways to manipulate this beautiful metal!

why did you choose in.cube8r?

I haven’t done a lot of selling yet, and was looking at ways to get my creations out there in the public eye. A friend told me about in.cube8r. What an inspired and sensible concept, and a wonderful commitment to spreading the locally handmade message!! The website made it so easy to apply, and Vicki gives such a warm and enthusiastic welcome. in.cube8r is a beautiful store in a fantastic shopping precinct, and I’m excited to be a part of it!

where else can we find you?

The second Sunday of each month I can be found at Village Life Market at Northey Street: http://www.nscf.org.au/?page_id=997
Photographs of my work can be viewed on my Ish facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ish.handmade

How do  you find your inspiration?

I have always done some sort of art and craft: particularly sewing, spinning and weaving. However, I took a ceramics elective at Seven Hills College and found that I loved ceramic sculpture. Then with my young children, I was unable to manage the clay drying process and so I started working on smaller pieces at the kitchen table. Those pieces then turned into jewellery pieces, for which I won an award at the Shorncliffe Potters “Expressions” exhibition for “Most Outstanding Work” in the jewellery and accessories section. Most loved were the ceramic Heart Necklaces that have become most popular. This year I again won the same award for my Lady Beetle Necklace.

Why in.cube8r?

My partner does shift work and my children play alot of sport on the weekend, so I cannot hold a permanent spot at the markets … in.cube8r does that for me!!!

What are you working on at the moment?

Some new glaze colours have arrived that I’m experimenting with. And my ladybeetle, bird, treeman, angel and mermaid pendants will feature more in the upcoming months, as well as my goddess wall plaques.

Tell us about what you create?

I create hand built pieces in clay and also hand painted silk. My range is always evolving from silk scarves, ceramic bottles, jewellery, buttons and mini ceramic women!

What’s your inspiration?

My work is inspired by nature and natural forms. Colour, texture and flowing lines are important. My work is influenced by my childhood years which were full of art, craft and music!

Why in.cube8r?

It’s a great concept and a fantastic environment to display and sell work in! You feel supported rather than cheated! You get the feeling you’re part of something much bigger!

What got you involved in opals?

John grew up with opal; his father was involved in Lightning Ridge through the 60’s & 70’s. The family still has a mining claim and camp at Grawin, Lightning Ridge. We traveled around the various opal fields of Australia and dabbled in our holidays.

We were always saying “one day we will go opal mining”.

In the late 1990’s we had the opportunity to become involved full time, we sold our business (a hairdressing salon), stored our furniture, tenanted our house and went.

Huge learning curve, but love it.

How involved are you in the process?

We mined full time in the Winton area for 7 years, then started cutting & polishing our own Boulder opal instead of selling in the rough to opal dealers.

These days, Boulder Opal Mines Australia, our jewellery & gift business has grown; we get out to our mine in the Winton area for around 3 to 4months each year. While we are out west we usually buy some rough opal from our miner mates. We bring all the rough opal back then “hands on” using lapidary equipment shape, polish and design each piece. We have a professional jeweler that adds the silver or gold to our designs when necessary.

We retail our pieces at Eumundi market on the Sunshine coast & Eagle St Pier market in Brisbane, also through our website www.boulderopalsauatralia.com

What are your most popular pieces?

Well, that’s a difficult one….our Boulder Opal pendants set in sterling silver have been huge lately, but in saying that, so have our business card holders, letter openers and bottle stoppers. We are finding the more creative we become with different ideas; more interest is generated in our work.

Are you interested in any other gems/minerals/stones, or is it opals all the way!?!!

Our expertise is opal & we really are passionate about it, although

we have recently been experimenting with new jewellery designs combining colored sapphires, pearls, peridot & emeralds with boulder opal.

Tell us a little about yourself and how you began making jewellery:

Originally from Melbourne, I trained in the food industry, developing recipes, preparing food for magazine shoots and finally in my own gourmet food shop.

Once my children were born I became a stay at home mum, part time worker and developed a love for craft! I began doing cross stitch, which was great, as I could sit while my kids napped and do a few stitches, without having to set up a big production and then pack it all up half an hour later!!

As they grew and moved into school I had more spare time, and with that moved onto mosaics. I’ve continued dabbling on and off over the years, and still have a number of projects in my head I’m yet to complete. Time and space have been the barriers.

Moving to the Gold Coast meant a life change for us all,( we’ve lived here 14 years now), and some five years ago we began our own manchester and linen business. My love for creativity turned to merchandising the store – great cushion display- and putting together a well coordinated range when ordering stock This together with my ‘family comes first values’- meant there was no time left for anything else!!

About two years ago ill health forced me to stop and rest, my creative self resurfaced, and so began my passion with jewellery design and making.

Here was a medium I could work on anywhere, did not take up a lot of space ( although this has gradually increased over the years), and I could fully express myself in a way that truly reflected who I am! It was soothing therapy for me initially, however my love affair has continued to grow.

Is this how you came up with the name Love is…. ?

Yes, it’s about being truly happy in life, and to do this we must follow our dreams and passions. For me love is designing and creating jewellery, for someone else it’s something different. We can spend as much or as little time as our busy lives allow, however it is most important to make some time for this to happen!!

What inspires you in your designs?

This is my philosophy and the basis for my creativity:

“ A jewellery collection created to nurture the soul and bring joy to your heart”

I then combine a passion for romantic style and a love of vintage gardens to create a collection of soft feminine designs.

I like to create one-of-a-kind pieces, and make sure to add a little of my own quirkiness to each design.

Do you prefer working with a certain type of medium?

I feel most inspired working with softer shades of colour – in glass, pearl, lampwork and crystal beads, and using antique gold and silver plated medium. These combine beautifully and allow me to keep my prices affordable – a very important criteria for my work. My vintage collection includes necklaces, bracelets, rings brooches and earrings.

Do you have a signature style/design in your work?

My favourite work, and what I term my ‘signature design’, is my woven ribbon bracelet. I hunt around in old haberdashery shops, card shops and fabric stores collecting unusual pieces of ribbon and then design a bracelet around each piece. I may add simple additions such as tiny ribbon flowers, vintage buttons or charms, or something more bold like a vintage focal piece – it all depends on the ribbon I’m using!!

What does the future hold for Love is…???

Currently I am working on a new collection initiated for some friends who love sterling silver. I call it my ‘Paris Collection’.

I am following my love for Paris – its elegant and stylish lines, and my favourite actress – Audrey Hepburn, as inspiration. It’s a range of simple elegance, with of course a hint of vintage! I’m working with sterling silver, pearls, crystal and semi precious beads creating a collection of necklaces, bracelets and earrings.

I would also like to work more with metals to create my own cuffs and filigrees, and do a course in lampwork to create my own vintage style beads. Phew!!- can we add a few more hours to each day please??

My immediate business plan is to have my web site up and running asap to showcase more of my work to a wider range of people.

Any final thoughts??

I hope Love is.. – my passion in life, inspires others to follow their life’s dream!!
It’s never too late!!
Love is….

Libby Lucas
Ph: 0411 297 530
Email: libby.loveis@live.com.au

What’s your history?

I’m a Kiwi but Australia has been my home for a while now. I left New Zealand 15 years ago after graduating as a Graphic Designer and made my way to London where I started my career as a Designer. After seven seemingly endless cold dark winters I was longing for some light, colour and sunshine and it was time to return to home to the Northern Hemisphere.

How did you get where you are now?

On returning to Australia I started my own business, Deborah Batchelor and Associates (DB+A Design) and relocated with my daughter to lovely Brisbane. After moving here I found that unfortunately I couldn’t wear any of my metal jewellery because it reacted with my skin in the warm sub-tropical climate. I searched everywhere for something beautiful to wear that used other materials but couldn’t find anything that was my style. So I just made what I wanted to wear and I always called the strands of ribbon and semi-precious gemstones ‘Rock Ribbons’ and the name seemed perfect! I’ve now branched out from my original ‘ribbons’ into necklace lariats, earrings, rings, bracelets and silk adjustable solid necklaces.

Your main ingredient or choice is pearls, any particular reason?

There are many materials that I combine to use in my ‘Rock Ribbons’, silk, paua, lava stone, mother of pearl, resin, satin and pearl. But my main love is pearls, their luminosity, sheen, range of colours and different shapes all combine to something magical. They are such a versatile and beautiful item, and range in price from affordable to out of my league! Pearls are a little out of fashion at the moment and I’m doing my best to create an inexpensive modern take on the traditional pearl necklace and bring them back into fashion.

Any new work/ideas in the plans for the future?

In my jewellery I have been using a mix of satin ribbon, semi-precious gemstones and pearls. In my continuing search and experimenting with new materials has lead me to ‘Kumihimo’ braiding. The term Kumihimo in Japanese language means the gathering of threads. The literal translation of Kumihimo means the coming together (kumi) of threads (himo). I have been working on a new collection called ‘Blossoms’ which are a necklace and bracelet set, weaving together 8 strands of 3mm satin ribbon. Each necklace is highlighted with a hand crafted murano glass teardrop pendant and finished with a sterling silver or gold filled magnetic clasps. I’m always thinking of the next collection and next I’ll be doing some Kumihimo braiding that combines double strands of silk and seed pearl beads.

Is this your full time gig?

Even though ‘Rock Ribbons’ isn’t a full time job for me, Mumma first and ‘DB+A Design’ and ‘Rock Ribbons’ fighting it out for second place. I’m constantly thinking up new ideas, colours and finding new materials to use that are in keeping with the ‘Rock Ribbons’ idea!

You can find me through my Etsy online store and I have a market stall at the local ‘BrisStyle’ Indie and Twilight Designers Market.
Online Store: http://www.etsy.com/shop/RockRibbons
Markets: http://www.bris-style.com/
Blog: http://rockribbons.wordpress.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/RockRibbons?ref=ts
Email: deborahannbatchelor@gmail.com

Where does the name come from?

The name Kimono Reincarnate actually came a while before the business. I had started collecting vintage kimono and obi textiles
with the intent of making bags and jewellery from them, but was still too scared to cut into these gorgeous fabrics. I was thinking about how I wanted to give a new life to these fabrics, and the name Kimono Reincarnate was born. I registered the name first, knowing I wanted to use in the future, then came the blog and then later the business.

Tell us about your past

What now feels like a few lifetimes ago, I used to be a professional photographer. When the analogue world of photography first starting
moving towards digital it was a huge investment to make the switch. I wanted to take a break, travel and think about what I wanted in life. I soon found myself in Japan and loving it. I had planned to stay there for a year, but that stint soon turned to three years. I had fallen in love with the culture, the food, the people, the papers, the fabrics, the sense of design. I did come home to Australia for four years but then moved back with my then new husband for another three years. It was the second time living in Japan that I really learnt about the vintage textiles, started sewing with them and entered the fabulous world of blogging.

anything new you’re working on at the moment?

Yes! And I’m very excited about them! One of the new ranges that I’m just releasing now is part of a “Cities of Japan” series. The first city I’ve worked on is Kyoto – such a gorgeous traditional city, the one where we chose to spend our honeymoon. Inspired by the bamboo grooves, tea houses and geisha, it’s a range of brooches and brooch/pendants. They are made with hand-coloured, laser-cut bamboo and vintage kimono fabrics. In the range so far are kokeshi dolls, butterflies, origami cranes, teapots and what I call my “Zen Garden”. The Zen Garden was inspired by the round windows looking out onto the gardens of tea houses that I visited in Kyoto. The next two cities to come are Tokyo; inspired by cosplay and crazy fashions from the streets of Harajuku, and Osaka; which will have a real modern, technological edge to it.

Another range I’m working on is my “Kimono Inspired” pieces. These are digital images I’ve created and will be embedded in resin and encased in silver.

And other exciting news… my husband is also designing a men’s range for the collection. I just need to give him a break from looking after our one year old (he’s the stay-at-home-dad), working on my website and accounts, so that can can start creating some of his new pieces!

highlights for your little business?

Well those firsts are always such a rush aren’t they! The first sale, the first stockist, the first time you run into a complete stranger on the street wearing one of your pieces… and recently, the great reception I had at my first trade fair! The Kimono Reincarnate range has now gone national! But I think for me (and sorry this is going to sound sappy), the highlight has been coming back to Australia to find such a fabulous and supportive crafting business community and the resurgence in people wanting handcrafted pieces. Without that, Kimono Reincarnate wouldn’t be where it is today!

How did Harlewood studio begin?

Harlewood Studio evolved when Sue Harle and life partner Brian Wood had completed a full time jewellery and silversmithing course at the “Jam Factory Workshops” in Adelaide.

They decided to combine surnames and creative talents and move to Queensland where their studio was born with our motto “Designed to be Different”

Sue: what led you to glass bead weaving ?

My love of colour and background in silversmithing and jewellery as well as in fashion, inevitably led to my passion for beading.

Sue: what are your favourite pieces ?

I love to create objects and jewellery with small, glass, Japanese cylinder and seed beads using ancient stitches such as peyote and brickstitch. They allow me to design and execute with precision the clean, abstract pieces with spirals and zig –zags often taking dimensional shapes . I am inspired by the Art- Deco period in particular and prefer a strong or monochromatic colour palette. The colours and finishes of the beads vary everytime they catch the light whether it be in sunlight or candlelight.

My beaded jewellery is designed to become “Your favourite pieces” to be worn everyday but special enough to take you through to the evening.

Brian: what is the inspiration behind your jewellery?

My love of music, science fiction and the quirky aspects of life combined with a dark sense of humour are representative of my individual style of jewellery.

I am passionate about the truly handmade, it makes the difference between Art and mass production and has an intrinsic value to most of us. Simply a creative gesture which gives shape to the imagination.

Brian: what type of materials do you prefer to use?

My main medium is sterling silver for its intrinsic properties. Where possible I like to combine it with recycled materials, circuit boards, LP records, vintage lino, and pretty much anything that speaks to me.

The jewellery I like to make usually has a message, either in the honesty and integrity of materials chosen or the form of the piece itself.

Tell me what inspired you into making bangles?

I have never liked to wear a watch, but I really like to wear bangles on my left arm. I think I like the way they respond with your activity, dancing wildly with big hand gestures, resting while you work at the computer, the odd ‘clank’ to remind you they are there.

How easy or hard is the process?

The process of making things in resin isn’t hard, it is just a bit fiddly. There are safety precautions to be taken, and measurements of the two parts of the resin needs to be accurate and then you have to wait while the piece dries (which is a hard part when you are starting out). I found bangles were a great item to make while my kids were young and sleeping – you could pour while they had their afternoon nap and then demould when they went to sleep at night. The *worst* part is the finishing – sanding away bits that were overpoured in the mould and then buffing the finished piece with nine grades of sandpaper! I am self-taught in all of this, so I haven’t yet looked into machine-based finishing (fingers crossed!).

Are there any secrets about your processes that you wish to share?

Secrets? hmmmmm I don’t think there are any great secrets in what I do. I am always looking for something new to put in a bangle, and to date have used spice powders (paprika, turmeric and chilli) to colour bangles. And I really want to work out the way to embed coffee beans (perhaps with the title “In case of emergency, suck bangle”?)

Is this your only job, or do you have something else that gets in the way of your passion!?!!

Yes, by day ecologist for the Government, by night mother and bangle designer!

find whizzbangle at in.cube8r fortitude valley.