I am getting ready to list some new recycled glass jewellery online, and would like to offer 40% discount on my current range of recycled glass jewellery in my Ethikl Store.
Simply use the coupon code: ENDOFYEAR to secure your discount. Free shipping too!
So, I decided to try something new! And yes, that is a pretty big deal in my world. Most of the time I am busy keeping up with production, but winter time is generally a quieter time for my jewellery, so this winter I was determined to try something new.
I have an exhibition opportunity as part of the Tarts 10th Birthday exhibitions. There have been a series of exhibitions, held in various galleries in Adelaide, with this last one being held in Murray Bridge in August.
As you know, I’ve been doing a lot of up-cycling lately, and I really wanted to try something new for this exhibition. So, I got busy with some old tins and old glass, and am in the process of making a series of 10 earrings for the exhibition. Fully up-cycled!
I find my day starting before Sunrise most days. I try to walk most mornings, but lately I’ve taken to running. I honestly thought I would never run again after turning 40, but the other morning it was SO cold that I could not warm up and I just felt like I had to run to warm up. But then when I was warm, I found myself enjoying the run and I didn’t want to stop! I was surprised with how far I could run. Next day, I ran again, and it’s been a week now and I haven’t stopped!
Sunrise, it’s a time for me. A time for me to think about absolutely nothing apart from how good it feels to get outside and watch the sunrise. It’s funny how much better the day goes when I’ve been up early and had a walk.
I remember clearly the day I started making jewellery. I had seen a pair of earrings in the local dress shop, but absolutely could not afford them. But wanted them so badly! I looked at them again, thinking that maybe, just maybe I could make them.
The thought stuck with me until we went to Adelaide next time, and I asked mum if we could go to a craft shop to buy some things to make jewellery with. I think that I spent more money in that shop than what the earrings were worth! I couldn’t wait to go home and make some earrings. Coming from a crafty family, it wasn’t too difficult to work it out.
First time I wore the earrings, I got compliments. “Where did you get those earrings?” I made them myself. “Do you make necklaces?” Well, no, but I probably could.
But where to start? I needed beads, and lots of them. I started at the local opp-shops. Found lots of necklaces I could cut up and use the beads. Above is the first couple of necklaces I made. Strung on dental floss (because it’s so strong), they are still quite pretty necklaces.
I started thinking about this as I get ready for my next exhibition “Upper Glass”. An exhibition of jewellery featuring recycled glass made into beads, and other up-cycled components. I’ve been collecting, and also been given, a variety of glass over the past few years. Ranging from beer and wine bottles, to Green Depression Glass, and all sorts of other glass objects, I am turning these old wares into beautiful glass beads to be incorporated into my jewellery pieces. Along the way I have also found myself accumulating a selection of all sorts of other bits and pieces that I am also using in the jewellery…from vintage sequins to seed beads and old copper to biscuit tins! Part of the fun of the exhibition will be discovering what “old” things have been used to create these beautiful new pieces.
Back to the opp-shops, and learning new ways of making jewellery. I’m happy to report that none of my new range will be strung on dental floss!
I have new work available for sale on Etsy and Madeit.
You can visit them here:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/AussieJulesOnline
http://www.madeit.com.au/aussiejules
AussieJules is all about modern, timeless, colourful glass beads made into jewellery.
