Introducing Kim from Paper and Palette Studio. Where every item is handmade!! From her home in Adelaide, South Australia, Kim creates meaningful and sustainable pieces.
Find out why Kim started creating and why she is so passionate about the value of handmade.
Tell us about your creations and your handmade process.
Each piece at Paper & Palette Studio is thoughtfully handmade from start to finish, using paper as both the medium and the message. I create eco-conscious earrings, home décor and paper-based accessories, painting, shaping and assembling every piece by hand.
Many designs begin as original watercolour artworks and are often made using leftover or reclaimed paper, giving new life to materials that might otherwise be discarded. No two pieces are ever exactly the same - small variations are part of the story and a quiet reminder that this is slow, considered making, not mass production.
Tell us a bit about your journey to becoming a handmade artist.
My artistic journey is deeply intertwined with change, resilience, and purpose. I began my career in the early childhood sector, before stepping away to pursue studies in sustainability - driven by a desire to create a more thoughtful, low-waste future.
During my studies, I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 32. Throughout treatment, watercolour painting became a quiet refuge - a way to slow my thoughts, process emotions, and reconnect with creativity during a challenging chapter of my life. Over time, my two passions - sustainability and art - naturally collided.
What began as a personal creative practice evolved into Paper & Palette Studio, where painted paper is transformed into meaningful, eco-conscious pieces. Today, my work reflects a belief in slow making, mindful materials, and the healing power of creativity.
What is your inspiration or where do you find inspiration?
My inspiration is drawn primarily from nature and the quiet beauty of natural forms - the soft curves of petals, the rhythm of leaves, and the imperfect balance found in the natural world. I'm guided not only by what I see, but by how a material wants to be shaped; often the paper itself dictates the direction of a piece. Paper craft is an ancient art form, so I also look to the artisans who worked with their hands thousands of years before me.
There's a deep respect in continuing a practice that values patience, skill, and intention over speed.
Sustainability remains at the heart of everything I create and is a constant source of inspiration.
Working with reclaimed materials and mindful processes allows me to honour both the craft and the environment, creating pieces that are considered, meaningful, and made to last.
Where did you learn your craft?
I am a self-taught artist, learning through curiosity, practice, and a deep love of the medium. I began my watercolour journey with beginner "how-to" books, slowly building confidence through repetition and exploration. As my skills developed, I moved on to more advanced techniques through online tutorials and courses, particularly on platforms like Skillshare. Alongside this, I've always been an avid reader - drawn to any watercolour or paper-craft book I could get my hands on - learning from artists and makers across disciplines and generations.
My craft continues to evolve as I experiment, refine, and push the boundaries of what paper is capable of. Each piece is part of an ongoing learning process, shaped by curiosity, patience, and a willingness to let the material lead.
Why is handmade artistry so important to you?
Handmade artistry is deeply important to me because we can no longer afford to create throwaway items. Sustainability is woven into everything I do, guiding my materials, processes, and the pace at which I create. Handmade is also profoundly expressive. It's about placing care, time, and love into an object - energy that is then carried forward to the person who chooses it.
Each piece becomes part of a shared story between maker and wearer. At its heart, handmade is about connection: a quiet appreciation for what we are all capable of creating, imperfections and all. Those subtle variations aren't flaws - they're reminders that something was made by human hands, with intention and meaning.
Kim is a much loved member of the MadeIt Collective, posting regularly in our Facebook Group ~ The Handmade Marketplace of Australia ~ and sharing their new creations as they are released. If you haven't connected with Paper and Palette Studio make sure you join our FB Group and say hi !
