Natural Textures
Are you someone who loves texture and seems to gravitate towards touching just about every surface? Or maybe that’s just me…
Growing up in the beautiful Dandenong Ranges in Victoria, I always had a strong passion for Mother Earth as well as the creative arts. I am inspired by the Australian landscape and explore the natural textures, shapes and forms found within the flora and fauna that surrounds us. I capture this, by using the ancient techniques Lost Wax Casting and Cuttlefish Casting.
“For centuries goldsmiths have used cuttlefish skeletons as molds. This technique provides rich texture and immediate results”
In my work, I mostly explore Cuttlefish Casting. A sustainable method which involves using the cuttlefish bone (that is found washed up on the beach) as a mould to create my designs. To create a mould, I will either carve the design into the soft bone, or I will press an object between two cuttlefish to copy the objects shape. Once the mould is made, I apply heat to precious metal (such as silver) until it changes to a liquid form (molten metal) and pour the hot metal into the mould to take its new shape. I will often reuse silver, such as old jewellery pieces and off-cuts, and melt them down if I am no longer needing them.
Drawn to the flowing lines within the cuttlefish bone, I love how it serves as a whimsical texture when creating jewellery pieces. This texture is featured in the Atma Collection.
I hope you love my jewellery as much as I love making it for you! x
