Little ibis pendants will be available @ima_galleryshop alongside goodies by @sadasata and @hellosookii - Saturday 13th Sept - more details are linked in my bio ✨🐦⬛✨
This year has been weird. In many ways this has been one of the hardest years of my life - but it’s also been a transformative year ✨
I only started silversmithing in April 2025 - I did a week long course at TAFE. I decided I never wanted to be a social worker again. I wanted to do a jewellery apprenticeship. I quickly realised that getting one with practically no experiences is nearly impossible. I pivoted and tried to focus on creativity and self directed learning. My health started (continued?) deteriorating and I have had to come to terms with being disabled. I have grieved and struggled to balance my incredible fatigue with my want to create and learn. I’ve struggled to balance my want to create with the pressure to turn my art into a small business. I’ve struggled not to compare my progress with the progress of others: not just because that’s dumb but because I just can’t do things at the same pace as others can. I’ve grieved that too. I’ve grieved a lot this year.
But as I look back, I kind of can’t believe all that I’ve done. I’ve learned new skills. I’ve created jewellery with love. I’ve held to my values and taken care of myself. I joined a lapidary club and learned to cabochon. I’ve done my first market. There are people walking around wearing my little bird jewellery. It’s amazing.
I can’t really acknowledge all this without saying how privileged I am to have the support of my partner Madeline. She has encourage me and supported me in every way imaginable. I’m really lucky.
And I want to thank my mate Jimmy @sadasata - He’s been encouraging me to focus on art for longer than this project has existed and he’s been so generous in sharing his platform - allowing me to share my work - and he’s also completely decked himself out in my jewellery which is great because he’s the coolest guy I know and it makes me feel good to know a cool guy likes my stuff
Ok that’s all goodbye happy new year 🐦⬛
I’ve been trying to focus on finding balance between wanting to hone fabrication skills and being creative. I think I sometimes forget that even when you’re fucking around you learn and consolidate skills. Anyway I have this fine wire that’s kind of too dainty for anything I’m making at the moment so I’ve been having fun making these silly little earring charms 🌀
#silver #silversmith #silverjewellery
