Introducing the very talented Artisan, Olive and Sol. From Sydney, Jess creates minimalist and boho inspired sterling silver jewellery, forging every piece by hand.
Find out why Jess started creating and why handmade matters so much, and take a look at the jewellery below.
Tell us about your creations and your handmade process.
I love to create minimalist and boho inspired jewellery. From earrings to rings. These are all made from sterling silver and I use a variety of gems; from freshwater pearls to sapphires, tourmaline and rhodochrosite, I love the meaning and symbolism behind each of them.
I forge all the jewellery myself. Manipulating silver wire and one of my favourite practices, sand casting. This is a slow process; starting by sketching up a design, then carving a piece from wax and creating a mould from sand to then casting it in sterling silver.
Watching the silver melt and do a little dance is somewhat majestic.
You never quite know what you're going to get and that's what makes it so exciting. From there, clean up; cutting off the sprue, filing, buffing, stone setting and polishing.
My work is raw, sculptural and imperfect and this is with intention. I've always been a fan of imperfections, it accentuates the raw beauties in materials. It's a little reminder to appreciate the little details and remember that you don't have to be perfect.
Tell us a bit about your journey to becoming a handmade artist.
I've always been a creative person. From a young age I would always be making something, whether it was a drawing, painting, long stitch, friendship bracelets, it would always bring me joy in making and it was my safe space. I followed my passion by going to art school and have had a rewarding career in teaching Visual Arts.
I've always loved jewellery. The spark came from when I was a little girl and my grandmother, who was visiting from overseas, gifted me an 18ct gold ring with a coffee bean on it. It was symbolic to treasure my South American roots. She taught me to look after it and I did. I somehow managed to not lose it and I have now passed it down to my daughter. How special it is to be able to pass something precious, both materially and symbolically, from one generation to another.
I have always appreciated and been drawn to jewellery that was a little different, irregular, unusual. During my first maternity leave, I needed a creative outlet. I remember going to markets and yearning for a little something special but always felt like it was out of reach. It was either too expensive or I felt like I shouldn't spend the money. And I thought, I can make these, so I did.
What is your inspiration or where do you find inspiration?
There are many forms of inspiration for me. From the people I love to the beautiful lines and forms we tend to overlook in nature. I've always been one to notice the little things; the patterns formed by the wind on the sand at a beach, to the shapes and intricate patterns in plants and animals. The lines shaped by shadows from the afternoon sun (as some of my friends would say, I'm a bit of a weirdo, however, I would look at it as being very observant).
Family has been a massive inspiration. My mum has been suffering from MS for as long as I can remember and that had put a massive halt on any of her aspirations. It's taught me that life is too short to wait to do the things you really want to do. This also encouraged me to show and inspire my kids to pursue the things you love.
Watching my dad work with his hands has also taught me to appreciate what we have and fix them when needed. As a kid, I'd spend time watching him in the shed, bringing things back to life and giving them a new purpose. I've always felt that he was a creative person, but perhaps he wasn't really "allowed" to explore or appreciate that side of himself.
The support and encouragement I have gotten from my sister and my partner continues to inspire me to create unique pieces that reflect my creativity and passion. I've always wanted to make jewellery with meaning. Something that might brighten someones day when they're feeling blue. It's something I continue to work towards with every piece I make.
Where did you learn your craft?
I used my skills from Art School, I've done lots of workshops and online courses, I learnt from books and I practised whenever I had a spare moment. It has been a slow process, but it is a practice that I truly connect with and love. And will be forever learning!
Why is handmade artistry so important to you?
Handmade is quickly being lost and it's something that needs to be preserved. It's important to still see, hear, feel people making things with their hands. The quality, the connection, the artistry and skill is something that can't be replaced.
It's important for our children to see and appreciate how things are made. To understand the time, care and love that goes into creating something, rather than seeing things as disposable. Hopefully, this helps them value what they have, look after their things and think a little differently about the world around them.
As Matisse said, "Creativity takes courage". When you buy handmade, you are supporting someone's heart and soul; their creativity and the time they've put into bringing something to life.
Ethical sourcing and sustainable use of materials is really important to me and the way I work. I try to be thoughtful about the materials I use and the waste I create. Ultimately, I hope the people who wear my jewellery can feel the love, care and effort that goes into every piece.
Jess is a much loved member of the MadeIt Collective, posting regularly in our Facebook Group ~ MadeIt: Handmade not Massmade Australia ~ and sharing new creations as they are released. If you haven't connected with Olive and Sol make sure you join our FB Group and say hi!
