Introducing Jess from jess ervin x jeweller. Where every item is handmade!! From her home in Adelaide, South Australia, she hand-crafts unique and vibrant jewellery.
Find out why Jess started creating and why she is so passionate about the value of handmade.
Tell us about your creations and your handmade process.
I love blending contemporary design with traditional techniques, creating jewellery that's both minimal and full of life. I work with precious metals, shaping each piece by hand-twisting, carving, and sometimes letting a bit of playful mischief guide me. I often add a cheeky pop of colour, with Australian sapphires being a particular favourite. I work with sterling silver, yellow, rose, and white gold, and I have a soft spot for niobium-a metal that can be coloured with electricity and is perfect for sensitive skin.
Jewellery, for me, isn't just an accessory - it's a little treasure that tells a story and expresses personality.
Inspiration can strike anywhere-a flash of colour, a sketch, a shape, or even a building. Sometimes I don't start with a plan at all; I just let my hands lead the way, and that's when the real magic happens. Each creation is its own adventure, a playful mix of metal, gemstones, and imagination coming together in a way that's meaningful and fun.
Tell us a bit about your journey to becoming a handmade artist.
My journey began in high school during work experience at a local jeweller in Port Pirie, where I discovered the joy of making things with my hands.
In Year 12, a two-day jewellery-making class at the Jam Factory in Adelaide introduced me to contemporary and conceptual design, opening my eyes beyond traditional jewellery.
What is your inspiration or where do you find inspiration?
From a young age, my Pop and Dad inspired me. They made everything by hand, from furniture to toys to a violin. I spent hours in their sheds, watching, listening, and absorbing the rhythm of making. Those experiences left a lasting impression, and today I find inspiration everywhere.
I observe objects around me, reduce them to their simplest forms, and translate those shapes into wearable pieces. Architecture also influences my work, particularly the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, where sculptural curves and shifting light echo the way jewellery interacts with the body.
Where did you learn your craft?
I began learning to make jewellery in 2005 when I moved to Adelaide, completing a Certificate IV in Jewellery Making and later a Bachelor of Visual Arts and Applied Design. After finishing at TAFE SA in 2007, I began sharing a studio with fellow jewellers - and nearly 20 years later, I'm still creating in a shared studio environment.
In 2016, I completed a four-year jewellery manufacturing apprenticeship, refining my skills and gaining a deep appreciation for traditional techniques through repairing and restoring older pieces. This foundation inspires me to make jewellery that is thoughtfully designed, repairable, and treasured for generations.
Why is handmade artistry so important to you?
Handmade creativity is my happy place. There's something magical about turning a raw piece of metal into exactly what I imagined-or sometimes what my hands decide it wants to be. Hammering, shaping, rolling, and occasionally getting lost in sparks and scratches - it's all part of the process.
In my studio, the world slows down, coffee spills, tools scatter, and I can almost hear my Dad and Pop in their sheds, creating just for the love of it. I've watched so many makers come and go, and it's made me realise how important it is to keep handmade creations alive today. I teach jewellery-making classes, and while it's tempting to rush, true learning takes time. Embracing mistakes, failed projects, and sticking with it for years-that's where the real magic (and the fun mess) happens. For me, jewellery isn't just about making things-it's a spark of joy, creativity, and a little bit of everyday magic mixed with chaos.
Jess is a much loved member of the MadeIt Collective, posting regularly in our Facebook Group ~ MadeIt: Handmade not Massmade Australia ~ and sharing their new creations as they are released. If you haven't connected with jess ervin x jeweller make sure you join our FB Group and say hi !
