Pieces of Eight

Postcard from Katie Jacobs: Indiana, USA

2011-11-21T12:44:00.001+11:00

Represented artist Katie Jacobs is currently working through her Masters of Fine Art at the University of Indiana in Bloomington, USA. We miss her and asked her to send us a little update which we share with you today as a postcard. While she is away, you can still find her work at Pieces of Eight Gallery and don't miss her new collections created especially for our recently launched concept store Edition X.

Enjoy your Katie fix!

Grad school is slightly terrifying, I found a gray hair today, (I assumeit is my first) and my flatmate suggested it might be from stress...it couldbe...also could be because I am getting old.

At the moment in the studio I am casting potatoes (except half theceramics department are calling them scrotatoes, which I started). I have alsobeen casting certain areas, like this piece of grass outside the ceramicsstudio, a tree which got cut down and the wall of a local music venue I havebeen to a lot. I will be using aluminium foil to cast some iron draincovers...they are beautifully designed and say "electric","storm", "water" and "telephone" on them...Ireally like them. I'm treating these as kind of field recordings, mapping of anew area in an effort to understand where I actually am!

I have also been making cast chips (fries of course) from yellowporcelain. I also have made some ocarinas which seem to be playing a scale atthe moment, but due to the nature of clay, that could all change tomorrow!

The studio is in a big warehouse, with an amazing glaze and claylaboratory (I have never mixed my own clay before really, that is how they doit in the US.)I am sharing with two other beginning graduate students, Hannah Blackwell (whocarves amazing porcelain lithophanes) and Jared Gelormino (whomakes giant ceramic farm machinery).

We have really great faculty andthere is a definite big bonding atmosphere as no-one ever really leaves thestudio for very long at a time! There are so many interesting possibilitieshere, over 25 libraries, amazing art collections in the museum (I saw a realfamous Goya print "The Sleep of Reason produces monsters". Too manyamazing things, not enough time...but then that is always the case!

Katie and Molly at The Bean.

I visited Chicago to see SOFA (Sculptural ObjectsFunctional Art), a couple of weeks ago, although I didn't spend a whole lot oftime at Navy Pier where SOFA was held. I met Molly Gabbard who is a jewellerwho'll be coming to spend time in Adelaideon a Fulbright and saw the fabulous Julie Blyfield and her amazing work in astellar presentation.

New Window Installation: above vs. sound

2011-11-21T12:19:00.001+11:00

above. verses sound

New window installation by above.
Pieces of Eight Gallery until Dec 24, 2011
Visible 24/7

By now you may have seen our very special new window installation. It's a stunning and complex hand crafted creation made to coincide with Melbourne Music Week.

How do you capture the aesthetics of sound? This November, the Pieces of Eight Gallery is transformed as a visual answer to this question by Melbourne fashion duo above. Working with the large scale site of the gallery façade, above has created a unique installation that captures the imagination. Layered panels of fabric drape and fill the façade, standing in for pages of music. The perforations take a complex form, much like a digital lace pattern or pianola roll.

above. verses sound is part of Melbourne Music Week, presented by City of Melbourne.

PRESS: Fresh Meat reviewed in Melbourne Jeweller

2011-10-24T17:35:00.002+11:00

Another recent review of Robert Baines current exhibition is via Melbourne Jeweller blog, by Karen Thompson. Exhibition now on until November 12, 2011.

Press: Robert Baines reviewed in The Age

2011-10-24T17:24:00.004+11:00

Our current exhibitor Robert Baines was reviewed in Saturday's The Age newspaper. Written by Megan Backhouse, the review featured in the Arts and Entertainment section of Life in Style, p.5.

Upcoming: Robert Baines Floor Talk

2011-10-12T17:43:00.000+11:00

Coming up very soon is a unique opportinity to hear Robert Baines, our current exhibitor discuss his newest work with us in the gallery. We will be hosting an artist floor talk at the gallery Tuesday October 25th from 6.15 - 7.15pm.

If you would like to attend, simply email Laura at marketing@piecesofeight.com.au to reserve your place no later than October 21. Make sure you include your name and contact number. This will be the only opportunity to hear Robert discuss his exhibition, don't miss out!

Frisches Fleisch : Fresh Meat runs until Novemeber 12, 2011.

Robert Baines Opening Night

2011-10-05T16:11:00.002+11:00

Last night we launched our newest exhibition - Robert Baines Freishes Fleisch : Fresh Meat. Our thanks to Robert for producing an exquisite body of work, the Pieces of Eight staff, our photographer for the evening Kim Victoria Wearne and of course everyone who attended! Freishes Fleisch : Fresh Meat is current until November 12 and runs concurrently to Robert's survey exhibition A Visible Likeness, showing at Glen Eira City Council.

Robert Baines and Melanie Katsalidis

Melanie Katsalidis, Laura di Florio, Rachel Gorman and Pennie Jagiello

PO8 / Luca Lana installation in the Town Hall

2011-09-28T17:25:00.001+10:00

Today we created a special pop-up installation of Luca Lana's We are Family in the Yarra Room at the Melbourne Town Hall. We were approached to create a special installation to represent diverse retailing in Melbourne alongside the good people from Lord Coconut and Mobi Des.

We reworked his cardboard houses to sit on top of a grand piano, illuminating some of the houses and having one lift out of the crowd via a big bunch of balloons. A little bit of something fun! The room was very dark and hard to photograph, please excuse the quality of the snaps we took!

This was all part of the launch event for the City of Melbourne's Retail Strategy 2006:2012 and Year Five Report Card 2010:2011.

PRESS: 'Artistry Built on Adornment' The Age

2011-09-26T16:08:00.000+10:00

The Age, Saturday September 24, 2011.

The Art of: ... Jewellery Making
Artistry built on adornment
By Natasha Hughes

This article was published in The Saturday Age newspaper. It's an interview by Natasha Hughes of Melanie Katsalidis, PO8 Gallery director and jeweller. Read it online here.

MONSTER WEEK / DAY 5 : Maurice the Marauder

2011-09-23T14:31:00.000+10:00

Monster by Justine Austen

To conclude our Monster Week today we introduce...

Maurice the Marauder
Repandus Cornuforo
(Curved upwards horn-pierced)
Sterling silver, garnet, pink aventurine, agate, bone.
Head butts holes in your clothes – do not blame the moths.41mm H x 40mm W x 23mm D

Lucas Grogan / 'You Look Terrific Babe' Video

2011-09-23T11:03:00.002+10:00

Lucas Grogan painting his mural in Hosier Lane, outside Movida in April 2011. As part of Citylights Projects. Read his interview on The Design Files today.

PRESS: Lucas Grogan / The Design Files

2011-09-23T10:07:00.000+10:00

Catch a great interview published today on The Design Files with Lucas Grogan.

His current window exhibition, Lullaby Islands, features in our city gallery and must end next Sat 1st Oct. Don't miss out!

Lucas Grogan painting the Movida mural, 2011

Pieces of Eight Presents Edition X

2011-09-22T13:03:00.000+10:00

Today we are very proud to finally share with you our soon to launch new project...

Edition X!

A new concept store and e-commerce site set to launch in late October 2011. We can't wait to share some incredible limited edition works with you. Our site is still in development but join us on Facebook and Twitter as we start to reveal more!

MONSTER WEEK / DAY 4 : Introducing Warung

2011-09-22T12:19:00.002+10:00

Monster Week is almost at a close, tomorrow will be our last day. But fear not, for we have unearthed one very cheeky monster for you this Thursday, courtesy of jeweller Justine Austen. Introducing the monster with the gold earring, Warung!

Warung
Extinctum illustro
(Extinguish light)

Sterling silver, 18 ct yellow gold, tiger’s-eye.
Chews through the filament in light globes making them seam to blow for no apparent reason.
26mm H x 31mm W x 22mm D

MONSTER WEEK / DAY 3 : Monsieur Ballard

2011-09-21T14:06:00.000+10:00

Monsieur Ballard, Nullus crinis, (no hair), sterling silver, glass eye by Justine Austen.

Our Monster Week continues today with the introduction of the charming Monsieur Ballard. Shown here in one of Justine Austen's specially designed stands, beware his good looks as he has an agenda...

Monsieur Ballard
Nullus crinis
(No hair)
Sterling silver, glass eye.
When you wake up in the morning with less hair you will have been visited by the Monsieur who delights in pulling hunks of hair out while you sleep.
30mm H x 18mm W x 24mm D

FEATURED ARTIST: Lucas Grogan

2011-09-21T08:00:00.000+10:00

Lucas Grogan with his Blender Studio mural, 2010

Lucas Grogan is our current exhibiting artist. He has created a large window installation for our gallery, Lullaby Islands, comprising of 14 painted panels. Learn more about this work here and here. In this blog post we feature Lucas and examples of his work from recent years. Moving between various mediums, here he discusses his work from a recent mural painted at Movida in Hosier Lane to an elaborate embroidered quilt.

Lullaby Islands, part of an installation of painting for Pieces of Eight Gallery, 5 Sept - 1 Oct, 2011.

My practice is time consuming. I’m not sure exactly how this came about, but I love to create intricate, delicate works be they drawings, needlepoint or installations. The content of my works is very important as it helps to sustain me during the long process of creating these labour heavy pieces. With the Lullaby Islands series I wanted to create works that conveyed a sense of possession and protection. The cradling figures holding the objects of their desires that are both metaphorical and physical places.

Lucas Grogan, The Sheltering Sky

The Sheltering Sky
These three pieces, each called The Sheltering Sky were made in response to the Eugene von Guerard exhibition at the NGV Nature Revealed. At the time I was reading Paul Bowles’ novel of the same name and couldn’t help but marry the two together. I can imagine von Geurard in this foreign, dangerous new place with only the sky as the familiar reminder of home.

Lucas Grogan, You Look Terrific Babe, Movida, Melbourne 2011

You Look Terrific Babe – MOVIDA mural Hosier Lane
I was asked by Movida and City Lights Projects to produce a work for the exterior of their building in the city. I had an exhibition close by at Until Never where they saw my work. I made it in three, thirteen hour days over the Easter break. It was a really great experience, as I had not created a public work before.

Hooroo to a French Girl (above)
This large digital print on silk was made after a beautiful friend of mine Marianne had to leave Australia as she had exhausted her visa. She had built a wonderful life here with lots of friends and was very reluctant to leave. So I said I would paint her as a going away present, as a momento for her time here.

TRUE BLUE BABE (above)
This is the first quilt I had made, and though I had promised myself that I would not make another ever again because it was so hard and time consuming, I have already completed another and are near completing my third for my solo at MOP Projects in Sydney in November. This quilt is now part of the Newcastle Art Gallery Collection.

"…Grogan’s needlepoint quilt TRUE BLUE BABE embodies the island’s simultaneous nature. By exploring the site through his personal identities and idioms Grogan exorcises a broader, national dialogue. Here his island functions as both microcosm and macrocosm. It is emblematic of an Australian status as well as the individual’s. From beneath his embroidered slogans Grogan makes clear that his language is the language of love. For him, Australia is the patchwork. At times it is the incongruent mash-up of patterns, stories and sources, a place of incoherent anachronism or regression.

Yet it is from the scraps, the off-cuts, those cast aside that he creates the body of his subject. Not only does he physically and metaphorically piece them together to form a cohesive whole but the result is a product for comfort, ‘something that will keep you and I warm’. Once united his scenes form a picture of an imperfect world, an imperfect state. This however is an existence he chooses to protect and love. Despite its ‘ugly bits’, there is a co-dependency. It is a relationship he ‘could not live without’."

Belinda Howden
Excerpt from catalogue essay No Artist Is An Island 2010 Lock-Up Cultural Centre Newcastle

X DISARM X (above)
A series of 20 small shield-like works made with ink, acrylic, enamel and watercolour.

Hungry for more? Enjoy more of Lucas' work via his blog, The Golden Pony and his website.

CURRENT WINDOW INSTALLATION: Lucas Grogan 'Lullaby Islands'

2011-09-20T15:13:00.001+10:00

Lullaby Islands by Lucas Grogan, Pieces of Eight Gallery, Sept 2011.

Have you had a chance to see our current window installation? Created by visual artist Lucas Grogan, a series of painted panels that are suspended in our window, many with a paper-clay figure 'holding' the works. Very intricate in their execution, today we showcase each work here for your interest. Exhibition ends Sat Oct 1st, 2011.

Stay tuned for when we feature Lucas again ion this blog later this week. We'll be sharing more of his practice with you, including his brilliant recent mural on the outside of Movida.

WE COVET 2011
Paper clay, ink, acrylic and enamel on matt board (2 parts)
102 x 81 cm each part

LULLABY ISLAND #1 2011

Paper clay,ink, acrylic and enamel on matt board

42 x 25 cm

LULLABY ISLAND #2 2011

Paper clay,ink, acrylic and enamel on matt board

39 x 30 cm


LULLABY ISLAND #3 2011 Paper clay, ink, acrylic and enamel on matt board 59 x 34 cm

LULLABY ISLAND #4 2011

Paper clay,ink, acrylic and enamel on matt board

39 x 22 cm

LULLABY ISLAND #5 2011
Paper clay, ink, acrylic and enamel on matt board
34 x 23 cm

LULLABY ISLAND #6 2011

Paper clay,ink, acrylic and enamel on matt board

40 x 33 cm

LULLABY ISLAND #7 2011
Paper clay, ink, acrylic and enamel on matt board
50 x 31 cm

LULLABY ISLAND #9 2011
Paper clay, ink, acrylic and enamel on matt board
51 x 38 cm

LULLABY ISLAND #8 2011
Paper clay, ink, acrylic and enamel on matt board
29 x 24 cm

LULLABY ISLAND #10 2011
Paper clay, ink, acrylic and enamel on matt board
44 x 23 cm

LULLABY ISLAND #12 2011

Paper clay,ink, acrylic and enamel on matt board

20 x 14 cm

LULLABY ISLAND #11 2011
Paper clay, ink, acrylic and enamel on matt board
35 x 24 cm

MONSTER WEEK / DAY 2 : Boris

2011-09-20T13:05:00.000+10:00

'Boris,' Carnifico mens mentis (behead,mangle the mind) by Justine Austen.

As part of our Monster Week, we are introducing a Justine Austen monster each day. Today meet...

Boris
Carnifico mens mentis

(Behead,mangle the mind)

Sterlingsilver, rhodolite garnet, paua shell.

Thesaying 'to have a head like a bear' comes from this monster caught jumping up anddown on your brain creating pain often thought to be associated with hangovers.
35mmH x 31mm W x 23mm D

Robert Baines / Survey Exhibition Floor Talk

2011-09-19T12:41:00.000+10:00

Meanerthan Yellow , vessel,2007

Silver,powdercoat, paint, 31.4 x 21.2x 19.1 cm

Collectionof the artist, photograph by Jeremy Dillon.

Don't miss our upcoming exhibitor Robert Baines give a floor talk at his survey exhibition A Visible Likeness. This free event is scheduled at Glen Eira City Council’s Gallery on Saturday 24 September at 2.30pm. This is a great opportunity to hear Baines discuss his vibrant practice as a jeweller and goldsmith between 1969 and 2011.

Where?
Glen Eira Council Gallery
Corner Glen Eira and Hawthorn Roads, Caulfield.
A Visible Likeness runs from 22 September - 16 October, 2011.

THINGS WE LIKE (RESPECT): Tape Melbourne

2011-09-19T12:40:00.000+10:00

Image via Numen/For Use, by Fred Krol. See more on their website.

Tape Melbourne

Reminding us of Ernesto Neto's sculptures, this rather amazing tape installation has been created from 360 rolls of industrial clear tape at Federation Square. A cocoon-like structure, it allows up to 50 people to crawl inside it at any one time. Our hats off to the Numan/For Use for this inspired project!

Seen via InDesign Live. Some amazing photos to explore and an interview by Alice Blackwood. Check it out Melbourne people! Only on until 24 September, 2011.

MONSTER WEEK: It begins today...!

2011-09-19T12:08:00.001+10:00

'Gorgonian', Cervus Polyps (Stag polyps)

This week we'll be featuring one of Justine Austen's monsters every day! They were created for her Monster Zoo exhibition we held in late 2009. We adore these little guys who are all sterling silver pendants with mouths that open and close. Justine has named them all with a common name and also a Latin name. They also come with a birth certificate and a little description as to what troublesome things they get up to when you have your back turned...

Introducing: 'Gorgonian', Cervus Polyps (Stag polyps)
Sterling silver, paua shell, acrylic
He is found catching at your swimmers and gouging you as you swim over coral reefs. 44mm H x 50mm W x 23mm D

Commission Story: Yu Yuen and Tanjung

2011-09-14T16:46:00.003+10:00

All photography in this post by Amy Oliver.

Today we are thrilled to bring you a recent commission story. The very happy couple, Yu Yuen and Tanjung, have kindly agreed to share their story and wedding photos with us. How gorgeous are their photos?! We hope you enjoy their story.

As told by Victoria Sinclair, gallery retail manager:

Every story has a beginning and here it is...
When Yu Yuen first came into the gallery, she wasn’t quite sure what she wanted. But after trying on a few different styles in the gallery she was inspired and attracted to Natalia Milosz Piekarska’s work. What she loved best about Natalia’s work was its intuitive organic texture and use of stones. Yu Yuen wanted her wedding ring to be made in a precious material but in a way that was unique for her.

Consultations are always a special interaction where we get to know our clients stories and work with them to make something really special. After viewing early waxes made by the artist Yu Yuen soon came to a decision about what she liked, and then had Natalia make a matching men’s band for her future husband, Tanjung. As part of the process Natalia sourced a collection of white and champagne diamonds and marked where they would be set on the wax giving Yu Yuen and Tanchung a feel for the overall look of the ring.

After leaving it in Natalia’s capable hands, the couple then received two very beautiful rings made especially for them to celebrate their wedding day. It was great to see Yu Yuen and Tanchung’s excited responses when their rings arrived in the gallery! The rings were stunning and a perfect fit which put a smile on all our faces.

Thank you to Yu Yuen and Tanjung for allowing us to share their commission story and some gorgeous photos from their special day. All photography by their very talented wedding photographer, Amy Oliver. View more stunning photos from their wedding on Amy's website.

Robert Baines / Survey Exhibition 1969 - 2011

2011-09-13T17:15:00.003+10:00

Entering the Plenitude , brooch, 1983 (detail)
Fine gold, coloured gold, silver, diamonds (80) 0.75, aquamarine 3.82 carats, enamel, bronze
4.2 x 6.3 x 3.1 cm, collection of the artist, photograph by Jeremy Dillon.

ROBERT BAINES

A Visible Likeness
A survey exhibition of works from 1969 - 2011
Glen Eira City Council Gallery
22 Sept - 16 Oct, 2011

Catch this remarkable survey show by our up-coming exhibitor Robert Baines. Launching next Thursday at the Glen Eira City Council Gallery, this exhibition is a rare chance to see the evolution of Robert's work from 1969 to today.

This exhibition will feature more than 160 works loaned from various public and private collections, and is curated by Diane Soumilas. Make sure you don't miss this very important exhibition of one of the most critically acclaimed goldsmiths today. Baines' influence in contemporary jewellery cannot be underestimated and this exhibition celebrates the last 40 years of his artistic expression and technical mastery.

We look forward to launching his next exhibition, Frishes Fleisch : Fresh Meat at Pieces of Eight Gallery in early October. Stay tuned from more details next week.

A Visible Likeness is accompanied by a full colour catalogue which will be available from the exhibition itself but also from Pieces of Eight Gallery. It retails at $15, contact us for more information on (03) 9497 8121.

Glen Eira City Council Gallery
Corner Glen Eira and Hawthorn Roads, Caulfield, is open Monday–Friday, 10am–5pm and Saturday, Sunday and public holidays, 1pm–5pm. Admission is free.

Luca Lana: New Window Installation in Nth Fitzroy

2011-09-12T18:17:00.000+10:00

635 Brunswick St, Nth Fitzroy, 3068. Current installation by Luca Lana.

You may recall our very popular and striking entry to the Look.Stop.Shop event from this years State of Design Festival. The installation 'We Are Family' was a series of cardboard houses created for our city gallery facade, see below. We loved it so much, we asked the same artist/architect, Luca Lana, to do something for us in our Nth Fitzroy workshop window. Now installed, Luca has reconfigured and reimagined the houses in a new way, this time drawing on the metaphysical and the ideas of Plato. It's visable 24/7 until late October.

28 Russell Place, Melbourne 3000. Luca Lana for Look.Stop.Shop. July 18 - Sept 3, 2011.

A statement about the work from Luca:

Plato Suggested we have either as a collective or in another life our soul has witnessed an absolute beauty, and we are merely making copies of pre conceived notions of this inherited knowledge. ‘Forms’ are the most pure of all things and our intentional or unintentional use of them according to Plato suggests immortality, possibly though a collective human soul, and the symbols created in the pursuit of this belief are still potent to this day.

Conceptual energy and not solids power hyper-materialism, (a divine notion common in all religions) it is this energy, as this project expands begins to encompass not only the miniature or shelf and wall scaled work but entire buildings and our environment as a whole.

Luca Lana, September, 2011.

NEWS: Robert Baines, up next!

2011-09-12T16:01:00.001+10:00

Currently we are working hard on the final touches of our up-coming exhibition. Perhaps you've heard the rumours?

Now this is a very exciting show as we very proudly bring you one of the leaders in contemporary jewellery today, Robert Baines, Professor of Post Graduate Studies, Gold and Silversmithing, RMIT University, Melbourne.

Without revealing too much here, we just wanted to whet your appetite and promise there will be more news surrounding this event shortly. Invites go out next week, join our mailing list to make sure you don't miss out.

Exhibition runs from Oct 3 - Nov 12, 2011.

Stay tuned...

INSTALLED: Lucas Grogan's Lullaby Islands

2011-09-07T10:05:00.000+10:00

LUCAS GROGAN

Lullaby Islands

5th Sept - 1st Oct, 2011

Pieces of Eight Gallery presents our new window installation. Created by Lucas Grogan, this series of suspended paintings currently grace our window. A series of 14 painted panels are detailed in gold and black paint and are 'held' by black paper clay figures. We'll be posting more about Lucas soon, stay tuned to learn more about this Melbourne based visual artist and in the meantime, check out his blog The Golden Pony.

Phillip Low / Peel Gallery Exhibition

2011-09-02T19:01:00.000+10:00

Represented artist Phillip Low is exhibiting at Peel Gallery in Houston, Texas. Opening Sept 9, we wish we were there! View his work exclusively in Australia via Pieces of Eight Gallery.

Featured Artist: Belinda Esperson

2011-09-02T13:13:00.001+10:00

It's almost time for our current exhibition Downsizing to end, it closes 5pm tomorrow, Sat 3rd Sept. To end this event we profile one last artist from this group exhibition of interior designers turned jewellers. Belinda Esperson is one of the unrepresented artists in the exhibition and one who's work has received much interest during the exhibition. Here she takes us into her home studio and shares with us an insight into her practice.

I so enjoy working from my home studio……sun shining in through the window, surrounded by my collections of shells, gumnuts, bits of driftwood, twigs and pebbles piled in vessels and spread over the shelves. Along one wall an IKEA bookcase stuffed full of design magazines, reference books, recycled packaging materials, a box of various string and twine I might incorporate into my pieces, old wooden bowls, plates and utensils waiting to be re-purposed into jewellery (well, those that I can bear to cut)…..

My tools: my rollers carefully oiled and protected from dust, my hydraulic press whose power I slightly fear but which helps me create the pure forms I seek, my anvil that I sourced from a farriers supplier and my ever growing collection of hand tools stored in an old trolley and spread all over my bench. My beautiful workbench that was made by a dear friend from an old laboratory bench that he pulled off a university skip, re-welded the legs and added an IKEA timber kitchen benchtop. I am organized but sadly not tidy – my bench accumulates and requires periodic clearing. A place for everything but seldom everything in its place.

Remnants remain from when this room was the baby’s room – a bright tumbling elephant mobile from Denmark and some framed postcards of children’s animals from Holland. I have painted over the blue wall with warm grey to provide a neutral backdrop for my work. My physical environment has always had an enormous impact on how I feel, a fact that I realize has influenced my choice of careers and was certainly was a major reason for studying interior design.

A recent addition is a white table that gives me layout space that is essential for the pieces I make which evolve from eclectic elements and need to be laid out and sometimes strung together and viewed on the body in the mirror to understand how they work as a whole.

Another recentaddition is a large pin board painted white and covered with images thatinspire me and keep me on track. The images are mostly of textures, forms,natural objects, still life arrangements and sculpture. These images remind mewhat I am doing - providing a context for my work. The beauty of the images asa whole inspires me to reach further, so that my work can sit comfortablyamongst them. They give me courage, and remind me it is OK to break the rules.

Silence. Just the occasional rumble of the train in the distance, the swish of the trees outside – heaven. Hours can go by without me realizing. The dog and cat stroll in and out, I hang out some washing in my break, enjoy a quiet cup of tea looking out at the trees. My studio is a place to immerse and lose myself to that space between subjective and objective where creativity flourishes and things happen and evolve without plan.

This silver bangle has been exhibited in the Downsizing exhibition.
The amazing texture and finish has recieved much attention during the show.
It resembles paper more than metal and is very light and fine.

Dougal Haslem / Cavallero Menu

2011-09-02T10:05:00.000+10:00

MENU ARTWORK: Dougal Haslem's 'Ferris Wheel' sculpture features on the new Cavallero Menu. Catch it while sampling from their excellent menu. They have also just opened their new function room, we hear it's pretty special! Cavallero, 300 Smith St, Collingwood; ph. 9417 1377.

Spring is Sprung!

2011-09-01T14:22:00.000+10:00

Finally, Spring has arrived! After a long cold Melbourne winter we happily embrace the change of season and immediately think of Steffi Kalina's exquisite jewellery pieces. We think they perfectly capture the season. Many more pieces in the gallery, view more via our website.

PRESS: Phillip Low featured in Belle Magazine

2011-08-31T16:22:00.001+10:00

Represented artist Phillip Low features in the current edition of Belle Magazine. Find his work in the Right Now Design section in p.44 Oct/Nov edition 2011.

New Work: Safari Reversible Series by Meredith Turnbull

2011-08-31T12:20:00.003+10:00

Meredith's new pieces snapped on our staff this morning.
Add some colour and pattern to your day!

New work has just arrived from Meredith Turnbull. We're loving her Safari Reversible Series. Made in painted wood, they are painted on both sides and look amazing layered up. She's about to head overseas for several weeks so it's the only new work we'll receive until later this year. Snap one up while they last! Priced from $220-290.

New Window Exhibition: LULLABY ISLANDS by Lucas Grogan

2011-08-30T16:17:00.002+10:00

Lucas Grogan, We Covet, 2011. Photograph by Lucas Grogan.

LULLABY ISLANDS
A window installation by Lucas Grogan
Pieces of Eight Gallery
5th Sept – 1st Oct, 2011

Floating with their treasured islands, shadowed men protectively grasp and cradle their gilded lullabies. An island is at once a paradise and a prison. A place of initial retreat and eventual isolation. The paper-clay figures with arms out-stretched are over weighed by the object of their desire. The blackened figures at once appear to entrap and caress their treasure. The two large men in We Covet appear suspicious of each other, unsure whether to share their golden island with the other. Neither recognising the similarities within their protected spaces. These figures are at once lullabied by their islands and sing for their imagined island apart.

BIO
Lucas Grogan is a Melbourne based artist who uses needlepoint, installation, painting and drawing to explore themes of isolation, inclusion and cultural collisions, through an autobiographical lens. Having studied at the University of Newcastle, Grogan has exhibited in Sydney, Newcastle, Melbourne, Brisbane and Hong Kong. In 2012 Lucas' collaboration fashion label Rittenhouse will be released.

Lucas Grogan, Lullaby Island, selected works, 2011. Photograph by Lucas Grogan.

PRESS: InDesign Magazine

2011-08-30T16:04:00.000+10:00

'X Marks The Spot', InDesign Magazine, issue 46, p.142-143.
Thanks to Alice Blackwood for profiling the gallery and Ben Glezer for the beautiful photography.

THINGS WE LIKE (RESPECT): Das Superpaper

2011-08-30T13:37:00.000+10:00

We always enjoy reading this great arts newspaper published in Sydney, it's distributed nationally. See their website for more info.

Also check out the great Das 500 for arts critique.

LAST DAYS: Luca Lana Window Installation

2011-08-26T19:33:00.000+10:00

Photograph by Tobias Titz

Our current window installation, We are family, is soon to end. Up for just one more week, we hope you have enjoyed it, we know we certainly have loved it! Many thanks to Luca Lana for his hard work on this project and we look forward to introducing you to the next window by Lucas Grogan, set to launch from Mon 5th Sept. This event was proudly sponsored by Look.Stop.Shop as part of the 2011 State of Design Festival.

Some snaps shots of the window below taken by PO8.

THINGS WE LIKE (RESPECT): Peaches and Keen

2011-08-26T11:40:00.002+10:00

This gorgeous little invite to an exhibition by Peaches and Keen recently graced our letter box and it's put a smile on our dial, great invite ladies!

Peaches and Keen are Lucy Hearn and Lily Daley. We're currently working with Lucy on a new project presented by Pieces of Eight Gallery and set to launch late October this year. Stay tuned but in the meantime, get down to this show launching next week. Only on for a limited time, let us know what you think.

Opening night 6pm - late
Friday 2nd September
4 Cremorne St, Richmond

Open 11-5 Sat 3rd and Sun 4th.

PRESS: Artichoke Magazine

2011-08-26T10:34:00.000+10:00

Our new city gallery features in design magazine Artichoke, issue 36, News Scope p.25. This has just hit the new stands and is a great read in general. Our represented artist Cinnamon Lee also features in this issue on p.21.

THINGS WE LIKE (RESPECT): Host a Brooch

2011-08-25T17:06:00.000+10:00

Our friends at The National in Christchurch sadly lost their gallery in the earthquake earlier this year. See how they are getting around not having a gallery space with their 'Host a Brooch' project. Read all about it via Indesign Live. Follow the lastest from The National via their blog. We're so impressed with this concept!

Posted with love from your friends across the ocean.
PO8 x

A little afternoon inspiration: Pina

2011-08-25T16:46:00.000+10:00

Everyone's talking about Pina the new Wim Wenders film about choreographer Pina Bausch. Shot in 3D, it's rocking many a world. Might be just what you need for a little uplifting inspiration this weekend. Check out the video above via Art Nation on the ABC.

Craft and Design as a Career

2011-08-23T18:05:00.000+10:00

Dawn Tan, Homebodies series of wearable soft sculptures. Photography: Jacinta Moore.

Boost Your Craft and Design Career
A Craft Victoria Seminar at Melbourne Museum

We totally love and support this event, our own gallery director Melanie Katsalidis once spoke at this annual seminar and we have all gotten a lot of our attending it. We recommend it for all local practitioners, especially emerging ones. Make sure you book, it often sells out.

ABOUT:
Give your career a boost with Craft and Design as a Career, a day-long professional development seminar led by industry experts, next Friday 26 August at Melbourne Museum.

Aimed at makers who have started their craft and design careers but are now looking for that edge when it comes to marketing, commercial opportunities, commissions and expanding offshore. Includes a networking session with your peers and info on the latest industry insights and practices. Check out our full speaker list, with bios, below.

WHEN:
Friday 26 August, 9am - 3.30pm
At the Mind and Body Theatrette, Melbourne Museum
$40 for Craft Victoria and Museum Victoria Members and groups of 10+.
Price includes morning tea and general admission into Melbourne Museum.

BOOK ONLINE AND LEARN MORE HERE:
http://craftvic.org.au/craft-cubed/professional-development/craft-and-design-as-a-career-established

Craft and Design as a Career is a major project in Craft Victoria's annual Festival, Craft Cubed.

RECAP: Corsage Couture Workshop

2011-08-22T17:45:00.000+10:00

This past Saturday the Pieces of Eight Workshop in North Fitzroy was the site for a one day workshop with Downsizing artist Kim Victoria Wearne, Corsage Couture. Thanks to the lovely and very talented Kim for running the workshop and to all those who attended. Kim's sister photographed the day and we have included some images of the workshop in progress as well as the finished corsage's and the participants wearing what they created. Such great shots, make sure you scroll down to see all the images and stay tuned for more workshops at Pieces of Eight!

RMIT Upcoming Events

2011-08-22T17:34:00.000+10:00

Image: Robyn Hosking, Pollie Dollies, 2011. Photography: Jeremy Dillon

Lots happening at RMIT University to look out for in the next few weeks!

The Practice as a Site for Enquiry II: Hybridity seminar launches tomorrow Tuesday 23rd August, 9.30am-4.30pm at Kaleide Theatre.
About the seminar:
How do Hybrid strategies of convergence, fusion or collaboration
manifest or influence contemporary Object based Practice?
This one-day seminar presented by RMIT Gold and Silversmithing and
Ceramics examines emergent hybrid expressions within Object based
Practice through the work of International and National designers/makers
researching or practicing across disciplinary fields.
Speakers are Benjamin Lignel, Manon van Kouswijk, Damian Skinner, Simone
LeAmon, Anton Reijnders, Netty van den Heuvel and Meredith Turnbull
Tuesday 23rd August 2011
9.30 am – 4.30 pm
Registration at 9.00 am
Kaleide Theatre
350 Swanston Street, Melbourne 3000
followed by drinks at the launch of RMIT Gold and Silversmithing Postgraduate
and residency studios and exhibition
School of Art Gallery
5 – 7pm
RMIT Building 2, Level B, Bowen Street
Master class with Benjamin Lignel, 29 Aug - 2nd Sept (5 days)
Web: www.shortcourses.rmit.edu.au
Email: enquiries@rmit.edu.au
This Master Class explores objects and 'participatory strategies'.
Objects that:
- signal that they are somehow incomplete
- encourage the participation of the user to 'finish them'
- either spell out , or consciously conceal, how this coproduction
will work. This theme ties in with the broader subject of 'open oeuvre', as
theorized by people like Umberto Eco, Roland Barthes. It finds echoes
today in copyleft and open source creative strategies.
Close to Hand Exhibition.
Featuring: Sun-Woong Bang, Jacqui Chan, Andrei Davidoff, Jan Donaldson,Mary Hackett, Robyn Hosking, Naoko Inuzuka, Tassia Joannides, Nicole Polentas, Leah Teschendorff and
Renee Ugazio
An exhibition of work by RMIT Postgraduate Students from Ceramics and Gold &
Silversmithing, and the 2010 Gold and Silversmithing Maggie Fairweather
Residency Award recipient Naoko Inuzuka.
Curated by Tassia Joannides
Opening: 5-7 pm Tuesday 23 August
Venue: School of Art Gallery
RMIT Building 2, Level 2, Bowen Street
(+61.3) 9925 4971

Featured Artist: Kim Victoria Wearne

2011-08-18T16:33:00.001+10:00

'Ocimum basilicum: Hatred 2011': sterling silver, basil, floral foam, copper wire

Today we introduce you to the very talented Kim Victoria Wearne, one of the jewellers currently being exhibited at Pieces of Eight Gallery in the Downsizing exhibition. The exhibition focuses on jewellers from Melbourne who all share a common past of having practiced and studied interior design. For the exhibition, Kim has made several works, two of which contain living elements. One is a ring (above) and the other is a corsage (pictured below, being worn by a model). In this post she discusses the work for us. Enjoy reading about Kim's work and also viewing the stunning jewellery pieces published here.

Last chance for 'Corsage Couture' Workshop!
Kim is also running a great workshop this coming Saturday 20th Aug from 10-3pm in our North Fitzroy workshop. We blogged about it here. There are still a couple of places left, if you'd like to take part, make sure you email us to secure a place: marketing@piecesofeight.com.au

'Jessica', photograph by Kim Victoria Wearne.

In her own words, Kim disusses the work she created for Downsizing:
During Victorian times a coded system that used flowers and floral arrangements to communicate sentiment and intention was developed. It was formalized through books such as ‘The Language of Flowers’ by Kate Greenaway: a volume that lists the species of flower in one column and their meaning in another. Within these pages ‘acacia’ means ‘friendship’ and ‘four-leaved clover’ means ‘be mine’.

I have employed this coding system in my ongoing ‘Night Blooming Cereus’ collection. The series comprises of wrist corsages and photographs intended to weave a narrative around a group of imaginary high-school students attending their high-school dance. The corsages are constructed of both sterling silver and living elements, the later of which will wilt and die - hence the title, which can be translated to ‘transient beauty’. Accompanying each corsage is a photograph that shows the character wearing the piece during the evening. It is my hope that the viewer will use the photography and the flower section to develop their own ideas and theories about the personalities of the characters.

Throughout the Downsizing exhibition the corsages and photographs will be changed on a regular basis to encourage viewer interaction and add a sense of performance.

About her shift from interior design to becoming a jeweller:

I studied Interior Design with the intention of becoming a set designer. Throughout the course I felt a strong affinity with the process of making models and gradually the making became central to everything that I did. I think that motivation to photograph scenes that include my jew¬ellery - treating it almost as a prop - links back to my original desire to be involved in an industry based around the communication of narrative.

As jewellery is worn it bears marks and stores clues about the way in which it has been worn; its age and the condition in which it has been kept, and consequently tells a story about its owner. It is the story of the wearer that I hope to allude to in my photographs.

Seoid 11 Opening Night

2011-08-18T12:34:00.000+10:00

Thanks to everyone that attended the opening of Seoid 11 Tues night. The exhibition installation looks great and it's wonderful for us to see the former home of Pieces of Eight Gallery full of incredible jewellery. It's a joy for us to re-active this space and we are very proud to be showing this inspiring collection of work from 11 jewellers all based in Ireland.

The exhibition will run until Aug 27, see opening hours below. Curator Claire McAlister will be in the gallery each day we are open to take you through the exhibition and answer any of your questions. She is also one of the participating artists so you can view her work as part of the show.

Claire is a real mover and shaker in the contemporary jewellery community in Ireland and while she is only 25 year old, she is full of energy and has travelled Seoid 11 to 4 galleries throughout Australia in the last seven weeks! She is also one of the foundering members of the Workshouse Studio in Waterford, Southern Ireland. We recently blogged about the studio, read more here.

Catalogues are avilable in the gallery for $10.

Other links of interest:

About Seoid 11

Introducing the Seoid 11 artists

Year of Craft in Ireland: http://www.craftinireland.com/

Crafts Council of Ireland: http://www.ccoi.ie/

Craft Northern Ireland: http://www.craftni.org/

Irish Craft Portfolio: http://www.ccoi.ie/irishcraftportfolio/

SEOID 11

16-27 Aug, 2011

Pieces of Eight Workshop Gallery

635 Brunswick St

North Fitzroy

Vic, Australia

Open Tues to Fri 12-6

Sat 11-5

Closed Sun and Mon

Claire McAlister wearing her jewellery pieces.

Workhouse Studios, Ireland

2011-08-17T15:50:00.000+10:00

Workhouse Studio, Waterford, Ireland. Built 1851.

In conjunction with our current exhibition Seoid 11 we thought to bring your attention to the Workhouse Studio, established by a small group of artists including Seoid 11 curator and exhibiting jeweller Claire McAlister. The studio is a multidisciplinary shared space with a mission to provide professionally equipt studio space and government funded business mentoring. In a way, it reminds us of Australia's Jam Factory coming together with the NEIS course. It looks like a thriving creative hub where open days and exhibitions are held. Several of the Seoid 11 artists work from this studio we would love to visit one day!

Most of the photos in this post are taken by Eily McConnell, view her work and the work of 10 other Irish based jewellers in the Seoid 11 exhibition which runs from our Nth Fitzroy workshop gallery until Aug 27th .

Interested in learning more about what is currently happening in the world of Irish Craft and jewellery? Here are some links to several Craft and jewellery sites recommend to us by Claire:

Year of Craft in Ireland: http://www.craftinireland.com/

Crafts Council of Ireland: http://www.ccoi.ie/

Craft Northern Ireland: http://www.craftni.org/

Irish Craft Portfolio: http://www.ccoi.ie/irishcraftportfolio/

Seoid 11: http://seoidexhibition.com/

Claire McAlister at work

Each artists has a bench area for drawing (above) and workbench area to make (below)

Winter landscape near the Workhouse Studios.

Workhouse Studios in winter

Shot taken by Sylvain Deleu of the group and friends

Jasmine Target at Diane Tanzer

2011-08-17T11:25:00.001+10:00

Bubbling Up, Jasmine Targett 2011, hand blown, mirrored, silvered and dichroic glass.

A letter from represented artist Jasmine Target about an exhibition she is involved in at Diane Tanzer Gallery in Fitzroy:

Dear friends and colleagues,

It’s the end of winter, spring is just round the and I have been busy in my studio for sometime now making lots of wondrous things that are soon to be on show.

You are invited to the opening of my upcoming ‘pop up’ exhibition Bubbling Up at dianne tanzer gallery + projects. Opening on Saturday the 20th of August, Bubbling Up is also one of Craft Victoria’s Craft Cubed Festival Satellite Events for 2011.

I am delighted it is already being blogged about and reviewed before the bubbles have reached the gallery.

See you at the opening!

108-110 Gertrude St

Fitzroy, Vic

Jasmine

For a detailed list of upcoming exhibitions and events please go to: http://jasminetargett.blogspot.com/p/upcoming-exhibitions.html

THINGS WE LIKE (RESPECT): Seeding the Cloud

2011-08-17T11:15:00.000+10:00

As you may recall, our current exhibition Downsizing is part of Craft Victoria's Craft Cubed festival. We thought we'd draw your attention to a fantastic workshop event that is also part of the festival. The very talented Roseanne Bartley is running a series of three workshops which sound fantastic and get loads of respect from us. This Sat is the last chance for you to participate. Have a read below to learn more:

Interested in a participatory environmental craft project?

Join the artist jeweller Roseanne Bartley as she threads her way in and around the streets and parklands of Melbourne CBD. Over a two-hour process led experience, Roseanne will share the 'how to' behind her roving work Seeding the Cloud: A Walking Work in Process. Take part in jewellery based process that addresses the mass of residual plastic within the environment and contribute to the creation of a collectively inspired Civic Necklace.

Come prepared with sensible walking shoes and a weatherproof coat.

Cost: $50 / $25 Craft Victoria Members. Includes a copy of the Seeding the Cloud Instruction Booklet.

Saturday 20 August, 1.30–3.30pm
Bookings: click here

FEATURED ARTIST: Suzi Zutic

2011-08-10T16:23:00.000+10:00

For our current exhibition Downsizing we spent some time exploring the work of practicing interior designers who changed careers to become gold and silversmiths. At Pieces of Eight we have several artists who made the dramatic shift in career and 'Downsized' in scale from interiors to jewels. We thought we would take a moment to share the story of one such artist - Suzi Zutic.

"It is part of our nature to be curious about the past. Museums are examples of one aspect of this fascination through their collection and exhibition of artifacts and other historical objects. The jewellery I create is inspired by my own imaginings of antiquity. The form and finish is often simple, reminding us of that initial contact between hand and material, between man and man-made object."

Suzi Zutic

What was your academic and professional trajectory?

I studied Architectural Drafting at RMIT TAFE straight out of high school. I then moved onto the interior design course at RMIT. After Interior Design I studied Gold and Silversmithing as a part time student and went on to study Gemology at the Gemmological Association of Australia.

What drew you to interior design?

I sort of just fell into it because I didn't really enjoy what I was doing. It was actually the coordinator of Architectural Drafting at the time that recommended I do Interior Design. I used to spend a lot of time drawing and designing rather than actually doing the technical drafting I was supposed to be doing. He told me that no one was ever going to employ me in a drafting office to sit and draw like that, so I left!

What aspects of interior design did you like, which ones were difficult for you?

I like the possibility of ideas that the design side of this profession allows. The difficulty for me was in letting go at a certain point and losing control over the design. It just changes so much due to constraints that you very rarely see it to fruition. Making jewellery allows complete control over every aspect from design to production. I love this!

When did you start making jewellery, was it a gradual or an abrupt shift?

I began Gold and Silversmithing in 2000, a year after finishing Interior Design. I went to an exhibition at RMIT's First Site Gallery and walked out thinking 'this is what I want to do'. So I guess it was an abrupt shift. There was a definite interest prior to this but I think that was the turning point that sealed my fate.

'Ring 1' 2011: silver 925 and diamonds

Was there any particular experience or inspiration that prompted the shift?

I suppose the exhibition mentioned above was the most significant precursor to moving into Gold and Silversmithing. I had always had a love of jewellery but never knew how to get there. I actually didn't know that RMIT had a course in Gold and Silversmithing until I was studying Interior design. I made a trip to their workshop on one occasion when I was making a model for a project. They gave me a few tips on how to clean the metal I was using. I got to see the workshop and see what was happening down there in the basement. I remember walking out really excited!

In your mind, what aspects unite Interior Design and Jewellery?

They have similarities in that you are always designing with materials in mind. You have to have an understanding of what your materials can do and how they behave under different conditions. Its really just transferring to a smaller scale. There is an element of engineering that needs to be considered in both disciplines too. I guess that goes for any sort of field where fabrication is involved.

How does your previous practice as an interior designer influence your work today?

I didn't work in the industry for very long and the office I worked in when I finished Interior Design was very small. I am influenced more so by my education in Interior Design, the emphasis on the idea and the conceptual. This was such a significant part of the course. Sometimes I feel like they brain washed us because its always there in the back of my mind when designing. I'm always asking myself questions about what I am making. Often I won't venture too far down that path, it can become torturous, but its definitely there consciously or not.

Suzi is a represented artist at Pieces of Eight Gallery and an exhibiting artist in our current exhibition, Downsizing.

Downsizing runs until September 3 2011.

'3 Ring set': oxidised sterling silver, 22ct yellow gold, Australian blue sapphires (left)
'Eternity' Ring: 22ct yellow gold, champagne diamonds (middle)
'Eternity' Ring: 18ct white gold, white diamonds (end)


'Bejewelled' Earrings sterling silver, 24ct yellow gold, white diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires

'St Catherine' Earrings: sterling silver, Australian blue sapphires.

Workshop Event: Corsage Couture with Kim Wearne

2011-08-09T15:45:00.007+10:00

Pieces of Eight Gallery presents

CORSAGE COUTURE

Workshop with Kim Victoria Wearne

Saturday, August 20, 10-3pm

In conjunction with our current exhibition Downsizing, we would like to invite you to take part in the ‘Corsage Couture’ workshop at the Pieces of Eight Workshop with local jeweller Kim Victoria Wearne.

Inspired by the The High School Formal, Corsage Couture explores the notion that years of exposure to American teen films such as Pretty in Pink (1986) and Carrie (1978) have cemented the notion that this night is somehow central to your teen existence. It is a right of passage: a coming of age. It is a place where social expectation, ritual and sexuality collide and, as a result, offers a forum in which to embrace or fight its stereotypes. To go? Not to go? Solo or with a date? Dress up? Dress down? You are painfully aware of the message these decisions are sending to your classmates. Maybe decades have passed since you made these decisions, maybe only months. However, there is a good chance that your identity has changed. If you had an opportunity to do it over again how would you present yourself to your peers?

This workshop seeks to explore the potential of the wrist corsage – an American prom staple – to communicate the way that wish you were seen at your own high school formal. It will use non-traditional materials in combination with living elements and will culminate in a light-hearted portrait photography session.

PROVIDED MATERIALS

Corsage wrist bands
Flowers
Sequins
Beads
Thread
Pins
Ribbon
Paper
Elastics
Glue guns
Tape
Wire

ADDITIONAL MATERIALS

Any specialty tools/ fabrics/ papers or beads
It would also be wonderful if people could dress the part in preparation for their photograph.

Location: Pieces of Eight Workshop, 635 Brunswick Street, North Fitzroy, Melbourne
Number of Participants: 12 (max)

Cost: $50, bookings essential, open to all
RSVP now to reserve your place: marketing@piecesofeight.com.au or 03 9497 8121

Introducing the Seoid 11 Artists

2011-08-09T10:37:00.000+10:00


Angela O'Kelly Sculptural Arm Pieces: fabric paper, paper and elastic.

SEOID 11

An exhibition of 11 contemporary Irish jewellers

Showing at The Pieces of Eight Workshop Gallery

635 Brunswick St, North Fitzroy, Vic.

Opening Tuesday 16 August, 6-8pm

Running from 16 August - 27 August, 2011.

As part of our new exhibition set to launch in our old home in North Fitzroy, we introduce the 11 participating artists of Seoid 11. Read an introduction to this exhibition in our previous blog post here.

Angela O'Kelly (see image above)

Angela is an artist whose work crosses the boundaries of jewellery, sculpture and textile art. Angela studied in Edinburgh College of Art until 1998 and after receiving a Masters of Cultural and Arts Management in 2004 she quickly became one of Ireland’s leading contemporary craft curators.

Angela’s career has taken her work all over the world, featuring in the most exclusive jewellery galleries such as Electrum in London and Velvet de Vinci in America. Her collections were also purchased by Sex in the City stylists.


Claire McAister Ebony Triangles Necklace: Macassar Ebony wood veneer and fine silver

Claire McAister
Curator and emerging maker Claire McAister graduated from the National College of Art and Design, Dublin in 2008. In her distinctive design language Claire makes jewellery using a unique combination of silver and dramatically coloured wood veneers.

Claire’s modern and feminine work has already received much acclaim designing for shows across the world. Last year she featured in Origin, the London Craft Fair, in Eu-nique in Germany and in Vienna. This year Claire was nominated in the Fashion Innovation Awards for Jewellery Designer of the Year and received a Future Maker award from the Crafts Council of Ireland.

Claire has taken a huge leap forward in her career, curating the international exhibition Seoid 11.

Eily O'Connell
Ring: sterling silver, gemstone

Eily O'Connell
Referencing the disruption of natures order through her work, Eily creates new life forms that appear as direct replications of recognizable organic matter yet they are not quite as they seem.
Graduating in 2008 from the National College of Art and Design, Dublin, Eily’s quirky one-of-a-kind creations are already much sought after worldwide.

In 2009 Eily was shortlisted for an award by the Association of Contemporary Jewellers at Origin the London Craft Fair. She was also a finalist for the European Prize for Applied Arts awarded by the World Crafts Council. She now exhibits extensively across the UK and the rest of Europe.

Eoin Lyons
Amplifier with Gold: steel wire, 18ct gold wire and oxidised sterling silver

Eoin Lyons
Eoin’s design aesthetic is inspired by a boyish fascination with mechanical objects and technology. The basis for his work comes both from these forms and the graphic qualities inherent within them.

After graduating in 2009, Eoin has set up his workshop in the heart of Dublin producing both commercial and gallery-orientated works, all consistent with his masculine and linear aesthetic.

Inga Reed
Roller-Embossed Earrings: Silver and 22ct gold

Inga Reed
Inga’s inventive use of roller embossing onto gold and other precious metals has established her position as one of Ireland’s most inventive designer jewellers. Combining embossed and roller printed textures with simple, clean shapes; Inga makes jewellery that is easy to wear and beautiful.

Inga has been a practicing jewellery since 1976. While focusing her work in Ireland and the UK Inga has been accredited on numerous occasions for her exquisite craftsmanship receiving Inaugural Craft Council of Ireland Award for Craftsmanship in 2008.

Justyna Truchanowska
Untitled Neckpiece: Felt, thread and sterling silver

Justyna Truchanowska
Justyna is intrigued by the forms and colours, which occur in nature. Her bold, yet soft and tactile collections merge felt and silver and present a unique reflection of nature whilst keeping pace with contemporary practice.

Justyna graduated from the National College of Art and Design in 2009. Since then she has focused on her technical skills, working in a commercial workshop in Dublin. As a result, all of her exclusive creations are totally unique.

Niamh Spain
Square Topaz Ring: Sterling silver and topaz

Niamh Spain
Graduating from NCAD in 2008 Niamh has spent much time accumulating market research and refining her technical skills. She launched her business in January this year and divides her time between gallery orientated, limited edition pieces and bespoke commissions.

Niamh’s work is inspired by contemporary architecture, geometric shapes and vibrant colour. Each piece of jewellery is distinctive and individual yet it stays true to the visual language Niamh has developed.


Rachel McKnight Origami Brooch: Polypropylene, thread and silver

Rachel McKnight

Embracing new technologies and materials Rachel produces necklaces, bangles, earrings, rings and brooches to form quirky creations in plastics and rubber.

Her ideas are to challenge the concept of wearable jewellery and to create beautiful sculptural forms. These pieces are usually one-offs and have been exclusive to American and the UK until now.

Rachel studied Textile Design in the University of Ulster in Northern Ireland until 2003 and her quirky aesthetic translated instantly to jewellery. She has just completed her first solo show in Switzerland and is also featured in Material Poetry, a touring exhibition of Irish designers.

Sabrina Meyns
Untitled Brooch: Handmade paper, thistle seeds, 18ct gold and a steel pin

Sabrina Meyns

Sabrina graduated from the National College of Art and Design in 2008 and set up her own business in 2009. Sabrina creates intricate jewellery using handmade paper and precious metals, crossing boundaries between these materials by combining them in innovative ways.

Sabrina’s innovative use of materials has seen her selected as the youngest member of the Irish Craft Portfolio, the most prestigious annual selecting by the Crafts Council of Ireland.
Sabrina’s fascination with paper has seen her jewellery published in a number of books and featured in the Faszination Papier exhibitions in the Paper Museum, Poland and , Forum Kunst und Handwerk, Ebrantshausen, Germany. She is a member of the International Association of Hand Papermakers and Paper Artists (IAPMA).

As an emerging maker her delicate aesthetic and sensitivity to her materials has seen her work exhibited extensively across the world, including Sieraad Amsterdam, Origin London, the International Design Biennale, Liege, Belgium and New York.

Seliena Coyle
Untitled Brooches: Sterling silver, Irish Bog Oak and steel wire

Seliena Coyle
In 1998 Seliena achieved a Masters of Fine Art Metal-smithing and Jewellery Design, Indiana University. In 2003 she moved to Savannah for a position as Professor of Metals and Jewellery in the Savannah College of Art & Design, Savannah, Georgia. On returning to Ireland she was appointed Acting Head Lecturer in the Metals department of the National College of Art and Design.

Seliena was in fact the tutor to each of the emerging makers featured in Seoid 11, bringing them a wealth of international knowledge she still acts as a strong support for each of them. Her commitment and passion for contemporary jewellery has translated into the success of each of these emerging makers.

Only for Seoid 11 did Seliena return to jewellery making. Seliena has made a deliberate attempt to construct a new contemporary Irish aesthetic using indigenous materials and historical architects as her inspiration

Berina Kelly
CHALLENGE II - Neckpiece. Sterling Silver, Roller textured,
perforated and oxidised.

Berina Kelly
Berina’s signature in her work is organic simplicity, which she achieves with sensitive use of colour and texture in precious metals and stones. Berina aims to achieve a likeness to nature, creating an essence of delicacy but with wearable strength through the use of strong shapes in delicate applications.

Berina has been a practicing jeweller since 1994, concentrating her collections mainly in Europe. Berina’s commitment to her practice was recognised in 2004 when her work was purchased for the National Museum of Ireland’s permanent collection.

SEOID 11: a new exhibition at Pieces of Eight Workshop Gallery, North Fitzroy

2011-08-08T18:01:00.030+10:00

For the first time in Melbourne, we are proud to launch Seoid 11, an exhibition of contemporary Irish jewellery in the former home of Pieces of Eight Gallery in North Fitzroy.

Where: The Pieces of Eight Workshop Gallery, 635 Brunswick St, North Fitzroy, Vic

Opening: next Tuesday night 16th August, 6-8pm.

Exhibition runs: until Saturday 27th August.

Gallery Opening Hours: Tues-Fri 12-6 and Sat 11-5.

To learn more about this exciting show, we have an introduction from the exhibition curator and participating jeweller Claire McAlister. Claire will be travelling with the show and be present in the gallery for the duration of the exhibition. Be sure to drop by to see this work before it heads back to Ireland and to chat with Claire.

Stay tuned for our next blog post where we introduce the individual artists selected for this exhibition.

Seoid, Irish for jewel or precious object and pronounced ‘showed’ is the title of this exhibition showcasing eleven established and emerging jewellers working in Ireland today.

Whilst diminutive in global terms, Ireland has consistently proven a force to be reckoned with in many areas of arts and culture internationally. Over the past few decades, craft and design have witnessed somewhat of a resurgence in activity. Irish designers from a variety of disciplines have gained worldwide acclaim and success. This exhibition aims to introduce new audiences to the wealth of talent currently at work within the field of contemporary Irish jewellery.

Seoid 11 has been part-funded by the Crafts Council of Ireland’s External Exhibitions Fund, and in association with the Year of Craft in Ireland 2011, with the core objective of positioning Irish design alongside our international contemporaries, setting new trends and realising new creative and business opportunities. Inspired by the creativity, ambition and dedication of each designer, this exhibition, showcasing eleven new collections never exhibited in Australia before, will be the first of many more to come.

Claire McAlister
(curator)

THINGS WE LIKE (RESPECT): Interstellar Gown

2011-08-04T13:28:00.000+10:00

A snap shot of Tessa and Alexi working on the construction of the dress.

Another great event that is part of Craft Victoria's Craft Cubed Festival not to miss is Interstellar Gown. This is a collaborative project between our represented artist Tessa Blazey and fashion designer Alexi Freeman. You may recall our post earlier this year about their incredible sterling silver dress, Neo Lace Gown, created for the Powerhouse Museum earlier this year. Tonight sees the launch of the next dress in the series, a spectacular dress that quite seriously has taken our breath away....! Read more here via the Craft Victoria website and don't miss the artist talks this coming Sat 6th Aug at 2pm:

Craft Cubed Exhibitions
5 – 20 August 2011
enCOUNTER and Gallery 3

Tessa Blazey and Alexi Freeman: Interstellar Gown

Event Dates: Friday 5 August – Saturday 20 August
Venue: Craft Victoria, Gallery 3 and enCOUNTER, 31 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
Artist Talks: Saturday 6 August, 2pm

I'll Show You My Craft If You Show Me Yours is a collaborative project designed to bring together people from different crafts to share processes, materials, and ideas.

Jeweller Tessa Blazey and fashion designer Alexi Freeman turn their attention to the heavens, collaborating on a new work for Craft Victoria entitled Interstellar Gown. Fit for a sci-fi goddess to traverse the celestial sphere, the gown is constructed from approximately 600 metres of gold plated chain and 6000 jump rings meticulously embellished into a galactic flapper formation. This work evokes unseen galaxies, star clusters, constellations and nebula, suggestive of an imagined artefact; a remnant of a visitation by a cosmic being.

Interstellar Gown is the second major work for this duo. Their first work, Neo Lace Gown, is a finalist in the Powerhouse Museum International Lace Award (29 July 2011 – April 2012).

*More snap shots below from Tessa's phone, taken during the production of the dress. Stay tuned for better images when we post a follow up story on the Interstellar Gown.

THINGS WE LIKE (RESPECT): Unnatural Acts

2011-08-03T16:30:00.000+10:00

If you happen to be in San Fransisco, make sure you catch Unnatural Acts, an exhibition curated by our represented artist Melinda Young and her long time collaborator Lauren Simeoni. You may recall their 2010 exhibition at Pieces of Eight in North Fitzroy titled Unnatural, Naturally. This new exhibition features some of our represented artists (see the highlighted names) and is being held at the prominent Velvet da Vinci Gallery.

Participating artists: Anna Davern, Caz Guiney, Kath Inglis, Bridget Kennedy, Peta Kruger, Sim Luttin, Natalia Milosz-Piekarska and Mark Vaarwerk along with curators Lauren Simeoni and Melinda Young. For more information about the exhibition, which runs from 2 - 28 August, please visit the Velvet da Vinci website: www.velvetdavinci.com

PRESS: PO8 Gallery featured in Design Quarterly Magazine

2011-08-02T18:05:00.000+10:00

We are thrilled to be included in the current edition of Design Quarterly magazine. In a double page spread, Mark Gambino has written a great piece on the new city gallery and our director Melanie Katsalidis. Many thanks to Mark for the story and to DQ editor Alice Blackwood. Happy reading!

THINGS WE LIKE (RESPECT): New Neighbours!

2011-08-01T18:06:00.000+10:00

In the last few days we have acquired two great new neighbours! Westspace Gallery have moved and on Thursday last week they launched their new gallery just around the corner from us at level 1, 225 Bourke St. The next day, FAT finally opened their beautiful new store, right next door to our gallery on Russell Place. Here's to more creative spaces growing around us!

Craft Cubed Festival at Craft Victoria

2011-08-01T17:31:00.000+10:00

Have you heard about Craft Victoria's Craft Cubed Festival? It's a great annual festival with many events you can get involved in. This years program includes our current exhibition Downsizing as a
satellite event. Here's a little about the festival from their website:

Craft Victoria presents Craft Cubed, our annual festival of experimental, skilled and
ideas-based craft and design.

The 2011 festival theme is HYBRID. Recognising the fluidity essential to experimentation,
the theme will explore collaboration, new technologies, cross-disciplinary practice and
emerging forms of craft and design.

Craft Cubed features activities at Craft Victoria, and satellite events across Victoria.

Link to the Craft Vic site for more info here.

PRESS: PO8 Gallery featured in Design Quarterly Magazine

2011-08-01T11:41:00.001+10:00

Recently two of our jewellers neckpieces featured in The Melbourne Magazine, p. 62-63 (Issue no.82, August 2011). For a closer look at the pieces featured see below. Thanks to stylist Kate Gaskin for selecting the works for this shoot!

Melinda Young, 'Coral Bloom' Neckpiece: coral, sewing thread.

Hannah Carlyle, resin necklace in rope with sterling silver.

Opening Night: Downsizing

2011-07-27T18:40:00.002+10:00

Many thanks to everyone who attended our opening last night for Downsizing! We'd especially like to thank the following for their involvement in making this event happen: A warm thank you to the 7 artists in the exhibition who all made beautiful pieces! Stay tuned to the blog for a series of artist profiles on each of these makers over the coming weeks. Also many thanks to our graphic designer Damian McGrath for the wonderful poster which is available for free in the gallery, to Viviane Stappmanns for writing the text published on the back of the poster and also available here, Dr.Andrea Mina for opening the exhibition, and of course all of the PO8 staff!

l-r: Tessa Blazey and Krista McRae


l-r: the Downsizing artists, Director Melanie Katsalidis and Dr. Andrea Mina

Elida De Felice and Melanie Katsalidis

PRESS: No. 1 in the Australian Design Review Top 10!

2011-07-27T11:34:00.000+10:00

The Australian Design Review features our window installation - 'We are Family' by Luca Lana - as number one in their round up of the top ten Look.Stop.Shop windows! Current until September 3. Pop by and have a peek!

DOWNSIZING launches tonight!

2011-07-26T13:54:00.001+10:00

Tonight we launch our newest exhibition Downsizing. Come to the gallery from 6-8pm for a drink, a chance to meet the exhibiting artists and to hear Dr Andrea Mina, Associate Professor RMIT School of Architecture & Design officially open the show.

RSVP to marketing@piecesofeight.com.au

MORE PRESS: PO8 in top 10 Look.Stop.Shop Window Installations

2011-07-25T16:46:00.000+10:00

Our current window installation, 'We Are Family' by Luca Lana gets a mention in the top 10 best Look.Stop.Shop windows via the weekly Desktop Mag e-newsletter, read it here! We are Family is current until September 3.

PRESS: Downsizing features in The Age

2011-07-25T16:38:00.000+10:00

Our newest exhibition 'Downsizing' was featured in The Age Arts section (p.19) Friday July 22. The exhibition launches tomorrow and runs until September 3.

PRESS: Pieces of Eight features in City of Melbourne video for Look.Stop.Shop

2011-07-22T08:00:00.012+10:00

Pieces of Eight staffer Laura di Florio talks about our window installation 'We Are Family' by Luca Lana in the just released video, 'Winter in the City' - produced by the City of Melbourne to showcase Look.Stop.Shop.

Many thanks to Fides Mae Santos-Arguelles from the City of Melbourne, Juliet Wilson and all the team at the State of Design Festival.

'We are Family' by Luca Lana runs until September 3.

Upcoming Exhibition: DOWNSIZING

2011-07-21T18:27:00.001+10:00

Pieces of Eight Gallery presents

DOWNSIZING
A group exhibition of Interior Designers Turned Jewellers
Curated by Melanie Katsalidis
July 26 - September 3, 2011

Participating artists

Tessa Blazey, Djurdjica Kesic, Katrina Tyler, Suzi Zutic, Karen Hamilton, Kim Victoria Wearne, Belinda Esperson

Imagine shifting scales, moving from designing interiors to making small, intimate wearable objects. In Melbourne, there has been a recent movement of practicing interior designers who change careers to become gold and silversmiths.

Downsizing showcases the recent work of seven diverse jewellers. Each maker has established a jewellery practice that reflects their personal interests and individual aesthetics. Many still carry with them past inspirations and influences which informed their previous work, but now expressed in new forms and different scales. The works presented in Downsizing illustrate a sensitive engagement with our surroundings, architecture, the natural world and its mechanisms, literary narratives, history and religion. With the dramatic shift in career, a decision driven by a passion to directly create with their hands, each artist has found a new language for making.

Downsizing is part of Craft Cubed 2011.

To view additional images of the work, please link here.
Read the essay written by Viviane Stappmanns for this exhibition here.

Opening Night
Tuesday July 26, from 6-8pm
Exhibition to be opened by Dr Andrea Mina
Associate Professor RMIT School of Architecture & Design.
RSVP by July 25 to marketing@piecesofeight.com.au

Workshop Event
August 20, 10-3pm
'Corsage Couture' with Kim Victoria Wearne (jeweller)
Bookings essential, open to all, $50 fee

RSVP by August 15
Email to reserve your place: marketing@piecesofeight.com.au

Gallery Opening Hours
Monday - Thursday 10-6pm
Friday 10-7pm
Saturday 10-6pm

WINDOW EXHIBITION: 'We Are Family' by Luca Lana

2011-07-21T18:00:00.002+10:00

Pieces of Eight Gallery facade

Pieces of Eight Gallery is pleased to showcase our newest window installation in conjunction with The State of Design Festival and Look.Stop.Shop. We are family is a work made of recycled cardboard boxes highlighting that families come in different shapes and sizes but are all connected with the creative energy exampled by the design festival.

Naive representations of architecture attempt to humanize what people often see as a sterile and at times uncreative industry. Homes, houses and shelters are varied in form, shape and colour, as too are their inhabitants, yet worldwide when drawn by children look remarkably similar with pitched rooves, doors and windows. This imagination shared by children examples our subconscious desire to make, and to house, and it is done without prejudice. In past projects these houses were human sized and walked around the city with the inhabitant inside finding new places of refuge around Melbourne city. Here in the Pieces of Eight gallery window, a large family has gathered to form an inversed world connected together in the round.

Luca Lana is currently completing his thesis in architecture and has for the last few years devoted much of his spare time to making sculpture and installations, some seen in the Melbourne International Arts Festival and Berlin's Neukolln 24 hr Arts Festival. Luca began as a furniture maker and still has a passion for traditional timber constructions, high tech prototyping. He has also worked as a set designer where installations and architecture come together. We are family will run until September 3.

Luca Lana, Shelters

Luca Lana in the workshop

Ready and waiting...

DOWNSIZING: Image Gallery

2011-07-19T18:02:00.000+10:00

In this post we share with you a selection of beautiful images from Downsizing, a new exhibition set to launch at Pieces of Eight Gallery next week. For more information about this exhibition stay tuned, we will be posting all the relevant information linked to this event including another workshop event and some artist profiles.

DOWNSIZING
A group exhibition of interior designers turned jewellers
Curated by Melanie Katsalidis
July 26 - September 3, 2011

A gallery of images featuring the works created for this exhibition

All photography by Andrew Barcham.

Downsizing is part of Craft Cubed 2011.

Belinda Esperson: Cuff, sterling silver, oxidized and whitened finish

Djurdjica Kesic: Fedora #2 and Fedora # 1, sterling silver, paint, silk thread

Karen Hamilton: Shell Bracelet, brass, sterling silver plating, sterling silver, shell

Katrina Tyler: Cluster Fragment, object in oxidised copper

Kim Victoria Wearne: Ocimum Basilicum: Hatred 2011, sterling silver, basil, floral foam, copper wire

Suzi Zutic: Ring, oxidised silver and diamonds

Tessa Blazey, Hex Chainmail Neckpiece, oxidised silver and 9ct gold

Window Installation: Luca Lana

2011-07-15T13:24:00.003+10:00

We are family
By Luca Lana
A window installation
July 18th – September 3rd

'We are family' is a work made out of recycled cardboard boxes highlighting that families (in this case the Melbourne interior design community) come in different shapes and sizes but are all connected with the creative energy exampled by the design festival.'

We are very excited to present upcoming window installation, 'We are Family' by Melbourne architect, Luca Lana. Filling the whole gallery window, the work illustrates a 'large family of houses gathered to form an inversed world connected together in the round.' The houses will be lit up by internal lights, so be sure to take a peak during evening hours.

The installation is part of the State of Design festival's Look.Stop.Shop event and runs from the 18th July - 3rd September. Keep an eye out here for a look behind the scenes and more about the artist.

Workbench of the week: Pennie Jagiello

2011-07-13T18:12:00.003+10:00

We are privileged to get a glimpse into the creative world of Pennie Jagiello, our workbench of the week. With a background in sculpture, Pennie has developed her own exquisite visual language, processes and techniques primarily utilising recycled materials. An ongoing passion and concern for the marine environment has inspired the evolution and content of her work for many years. Engaged with the various threats and dangers confronting marine life, she seeks to raise awareness of these issues through the viewing and wearing of her work. Her jewellery and sculptural pieces also reflect the structures and forms found in the ocean – a reminder to us all of nature’s beauty and fragility. Pennie is currently part of our window installation.

In her own words:

The travelling studio of Pennie Jagiello

The beach, park, library & bus have quite often been my studio. Even before I started to make jewellery and I was studying sculpture, it was important to me not to be dependent on a studio set up where I could only work using specific tools or machinery. I wanted my work to be transportable and created in the environments that are my inspiration whenever possible.

This has certainly influenced the way in which I make; alongside the sea and all things marine related being my main inspiration. I am very passionate about the history of Pacific art & adornment, the ways in which these cultures make and why, and the techniques and materials used. And like these cultures I also make do with what I have, recycle and be resourceful. It is my aim to continue working without buying any materials that are new.

My studio at home is my personal museum so if I can’t get outdoors I have a large collection to keep me inspired...all I need are some sea shanty tunes and a bucket of sand to dig my toes into...Sponges, shells, dried seaweed, crab claws, coral. When I am at the beach I collect marine debris so that it can not do anymore damage to the environment; even if the last group of seafarers left their rubbish behind I will take it to the bin when I leave. I am constantly amazed that people do this. I have bags full of abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear that I incorporate into my work. Even in my own home or from my family and friends, I salvage as much as I can from becoming landfill.

I have an extensive collection of books about the ocean and marine environment which are a constant resource. I also have a rather large collection of boats, vintage jewellery, lamps and ornaments made from shells and coral, and a plethora of wonderfully kitsch oceanic souvenirs.

My workbench is pretty basic. The tools I use the most include crochet needles, pliers, wire cutters, awl and scissors which are almost always in my handbag, and also hand saw, files, and small drill. For the past 17 years recycled electrical wire has been my signature material. When I was studying sculpture my Dad was in demolition and came home with a few bags of wire thinking I could do something with it. Those bags of wire multiplied into 4 large wheelie bins worth that I have been carting around ever since, not daily of course, but anyone who knows me will agree I don't travel lightly. I have been known to many as the bag lady.

Jellyfish shark caller bangle: recycled electrical wire, drink bottle plastic

This is the message for you to wear
It is to be worn
It is to be told
So that others may see
And hear and know
How once a little pendant
Grew and grew
So that its story
Was loud enough
To be seen
And to be heard
It gathered all things
Un-natural and discarded
And made them mimic
The beauties from the sea
So that they could not hurt nature
As others like them do
So that we can save
Our beautiful but struggling
Marine environment
Before it is too late
Go tell them one and all
Let your words become the waves
That endlessly roll in their minds
Until they hear, think, act, save.

Coral branch neckpiece: recycled electrical wire, ice-cream container plastic

Coral branch earrings: recycled electrical wire, plastic

Workbench of the week: Hannah Carlyle

2011-07-06T17:47:00.001+10:00

We are very happy to introduce newly represented artist, Hannah Carlyle as our workbench of the week. The playful manipulation of material, in this case resin, is what defines her collection. Hannah’s exploratory approach allows for spontaneous and often unpredictable outcomes, making each piece entirely unique. While a degree of control is maintained in the making process, certain elements cannot be determined until the piece has found its own resolve - a result of colour, light and form. Therein the pieces have their own subtleties, a combination of these individual qualities. The collection consists of earrings, brooches, pendants, neckpieces and bangles. Big and bold in form along with a divine colour palette, make this collection almost edible! It is also part of the current window exhibition at the gallery.

In her own words:

I love colour and resin is a material that lets me explore my curiosity of colour very easily. Because of resin, plastics have become a large part of my practice and a large focus of my practice is that I want to change people’s ideas about plastic jewellery, what it stands for and what it should look like. I want to elevate plastic jewellery into the realm of the artistic and precious.

In my subjective investigations, I was able to coax ‘spontaneous patterns of colour’ from the material. Now I exercise partial control over the miniature swirling storms and coloured layers, still unable ever to predict the exact and final outcome. But this is the fun part. Never knowing exactly what a piece of jewellery will look like until the very end.

I am inspired by an eclectic array of techniques and influences. I let myself be seduced by everyday things; colours, textures, people, experiences, whatever makes me smile. These are the things that are reflected in my work, which often has a playful lightness to it and shows the pleasure of improvisation.

I have strong references to the past and what has been done with plastics before. I am largely influenced by Art Deco and Bakellite jewellery. Not so much the designs but the pioneering ways of using plastics in design and the putting together of traditional and non-traditional materials.

My studio is a reflection of these influences and representation of who I am as a person. From my “comfort zone” where we sit and have cups of tea and have my new tabletop read, ‘I am Neurotic (so are you)’, to my jewellery bench which is where the serious stuff happens. I incorporate a bit a fun with the important. This is where it all happens!

I would like to acknowledge my studio-mate Leonie Westbrook for her amazing photography of me and my workbench.

At my workbench

My book collection (well some of it)

Works in progress

Boxes of resin before they are finished and turned into jewellery

Brooch: resin, sterling silver

Earrings: resin, sterling silver