It’s always an honour to be part of the annual Flame On exhibition at Kirra Galleries in Melbourne. I am excited that this year I’ll get to see all of the work, as it is starting soon, and we are heading to Melbourne in the school holidays.
I am still working on the jewellery for Flame On. I am liking this design, and hoping it will all work out beautifully by the time I am finished!
The view from my studio today is all about the recycled glass beads that I have made for the Flame On exhibition opening at Kirra Galleries in Melbourne on July 13! I have some solid ideas for the jewellery, and now I just have to make it happen! I like to take my time with this part of the process, because it’s really important that when someone is wearing the jewellery that it sits nicely and feels comfortable.
I have a range of Moet Champagne bottle jewellery available on my website and in my Etsy store now. This glass is such a lovely olive colour, and beautiful to work with. And, it has a really great story! An item destined for the bin, recycled into beautiful jewellery. What’s not to love?
I’ve been busy making beads for a few projects that I am working on. I need to find time to actually make some jewellery now!
I’m busy getting ready for the Etsy Market on June 12. Read all about it here!
I have several photographs of the work that I have at Red Poles. I couldn’t make it to the opening of the exhibition, so I am looking forward to heading to McLaren Vale at some stage to see all of the work on display. This exhibition is on until July 31.
Artist Statement
I was born and lived on the Yorke Peninsula for all of my childhood. My adult years have been spent in a variety of locations, and I find myself calling Murray Bridge home now. As I was driving back to the Yorke Peninsula earlier this year I noticed how similar the colours of the landscape were. Same blue skies. Same green trees. And the brown of the river matched the brown earth of the paddocks that had been harvested. I have tried to capture those colours in my work for this exhibition, using all sorts of recycled glass to make the glass beads. My dad collected the pale blue wine bottle that I used for some of these beads. My husband drank the beer that made the brown beads. My mum and I enjoyed a glass of sparkly that I used for some of the green beads. My children didn’t even know they were contributing when I let them have some juice! My home is my family and they are all part of this work.
In my studio today I am working hard to meet an exhibition deadline. Beads are made, and this photograph is of the blue beads that will be making their way into some necklaces and earrings.
The exhibition will be held at Red Poles, and opens on June 3. The theme is “Rolling plains and jewel seas” and I can’t wait to see what everyone has put together for this group exhibition.
This year I am exhibiting in my 10th solo SALA exhibition! I look forward to getting new work ready for August every year, it’s such a great opportunity to try new things.
This year I am teaming up with Bethany Wines in the Barossa, and recycling their beautiful wine bottles to create new beads and jewellery. Trying new things….sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn’t….but I really like this new necklace. I love the colours, and the sparkle.
Thank you Bethany Wines for hosting me this year.
And finally it was time to tweak a couple of pairs of studs just a little bit to make some new and (hopefully) interesting pairs.
The first pair of studs was made from a Banrock Station wine bottle. I flattened the beads and also etched them. I do love the soft etched finish!
The second pair of earrings was made from a Peroni Beer bottle, and I have used one of my favourite flower beads, and turned them into studs. Transparent, shiny and sparkly, they are a bit different from what I have made in the past, as they are usually opaque.
Last week I showed you the earrings that I created from a current design that I have tweaked a little.
The week before that I showed you some new dangly earrings.
So this week I want to show you some really, really different earrings. These are probably some of my favourite new earrings! I can’t wait to take them through to production. I’m still working out how to do that, and I’m hoping you will like them as much as me!
The first pair are made from a Skyy Vodka bottle. Each of the sides of the square are 2.5cm, and they are actually really light to wear.
The second pair of earrings are made from a Bombay Sapphire Gin bottle. A great colour, and the square hoops are super cool.
