The Melt Down - Dorothy's Ring

I'm finding myself a little short of writing time at the moment! So, with the resolve to tell all sorts of new stories next month, here is one from last year. Those of you who 'like' my Kidson Jewellery facebook page will recognise this little tale from October 2011.

I seldom remember to take 'before' photos of the pieces that I remodel. I get so excited about the prospect of a new creation that I hastily cut out the stones, throw the gold into my crucible and melt it all down. Then later I find myself thinking, "Damn, I've done it again!". But this time, a request for the 'before' photo from the client helped me to remember (yay!).

Dorothy inherited some very special and sentimental rings and after much consideration decided to have them remodelled. She did not like the old fashioned style, high settings and yellow gold and knew that she would get much more enjoyment out of wearing the precious diamonds in a new white gold ring of her own style. So, here is what I had to work with - the 'before' photo.

Dorothy came to me with a collection of different pictures that she had gathered online. We sat down and discussed which features she liked from each of the images she had brought me. I then designed a unique ring using those features, and incorporating the collection of diamonds from her inheritance. Drumroll...... and here is the result - the 'after' photo.

This is one of my favourite remodelling results ever. I told her if she didn't like the ring, I was happy to keep it. But of course, she LOVES it! Thanks Dot, for giving me the opportunity to work with you and bring new life to these old diamonds. May they be enjoyed for many years to come.

Love from The Jeweller. xx

The New Spin on an Old Favourite- Alexa's Washi Ring

Those who have been following my work for a long time will remember the Washi Rings. One of my earliest designs from when I started up my own business in 2008. This design was born from a desire to incorporate some beautiful Japanese papers with gorgeous natural gemstones and precious metals. After plenty of hours spent prototyping, I devised a way to encase the Japanese washi paper in acrylic. My technique is unique in that I do not use resin which oxidises silver and tends to yellow as it ages, and I do not use glass which can shatter when dropped. The acrylic has a mirror edge which creates beautiful reflections of the paper, and as it is not applied in a liquid form, it does not change the properties of the paper in any way. If the acrylic gets scratched it can easily be re-polished. And so the Washi Rings were born!

Three of my earliest rings in this style (pictured below) were selected for Contemporary Wearables; a biannual jewellery award and exhibition. Beginning in Toowoomba Queensland, the exhibition toured Australia in 2008/2009 with my three rings proudly on display.

Recently, I have been imagining a reinvention of the Washi Rings, creating interesting clusters of gemstones around the encased piece of paper. Then, along came the perfect client Alexa, who wanted a special Washi Ring made for her 30th birthday. I suggested that she come and take a look at my gem box for inspiration, and after some time spent playing with different combinations of gems we settled on two stones. A small round red garnet and a gorgeous pear-shaped green tourmaline.

I love this eclectic little combination and hope to launch a whole range of rings in a similar style soon. Maybe a spring collection? Oh, and happy 30th Alexa, I hope you are loving your new ring.

Love from The Jeweller. xx

The Re-Vamp

Whoops, where did the time go!? I did mention in my last post that I am very busy at the moment, but here we are a full week later and this is my first post since!

I have been working on lots of fantastic commissions, and finishing my bathroom renovations, but before I sit down for some serious writing hours to tell you all those stories, here is a little reinvention of some of my Japonicity earrings.

The Ikebana Collection consists of five Japanese floral motifs, each available in earrings, pendants and rings. My Chrysanthemum earrings and Geometric Chrysanthemum ring are personal favourites; a part of my everyday wardrobe. The Okinawa flower has been the most popular with clients, and my own sister and best friend each wear a pendant. Of all the designs though, the Geometric Chrysanthemum is the one that I have never been quite content with. I love it in a ring, but not as much in earrings and pendants. The solution... get out the drill and saw for a re-vamp. I have also rotated the piece by 45 degrees.


Original Design                                                                            Re-vamped Earrings



I'm looking forward to taking these to the markets and seeing how my clients react to the alterations! I hope you all like them as much as I do.

Love from The Jeweller. xx

The Japanese Tea Pot Prop

Those who follow my retail brand Japonicity will be familiar with the divine handmade Japanese tea set that I frequently use as a photography prop. It is a gorgeous ceramic teapot with four matching cups, a metal-like glaze and blue and white chrysanthemum decals. I purchased the set with some birthday money a couple of years ago and have been cherishing it ever since.

Over and over again, I have been asked if I might sell my tea set, but of course it is too precious for me to part with. Then, a few weeks ago, the most delightful thing occurred. I happened across a wholesaler with an amazing selection of Japanese ceramics, including tea sets just like mine!! So without delay, I signed up for an account and ordered in a beautiful selection of eight shiny new tea sets.

Yesterday my boxes from Japan arrived and it was like Christmas opening them up and ogling at the goodies within. Hand-crafted Japanese goodness! Beautiful smooth curves, Japanese floral patterns, crisp and white on the inside, dark and rustic on the outside, each piece with its own little quirks, oh how I adore thee!!

This week my studio is crazy busy, but next week I'll take some time to photograph the new goodies to put them up the Japonicity web site and facebook page with prices etc. It is definitely tea drinking weather here in Wagga Wagga, so I am sure they will quickly find new homes.

Love from The Jeweller. xx

The Fibonacci Cufflinks

A couple of months ago I made a pair of custom cufflinks featuring the Fibonacci spiral for Lynelle. She wanted a special gift for her mathematician husband Mark for their 20th wedding anniversary, and commissioned me to make the cufflinks which she had designed herself. Below is the perfect little set of instructions that Lynelle drew up for me, with an accurate description of exactly what she wanted made.

So I set to work handcrafting the precise little spirals from 18ct yellow gold and soldered each spiral to a sterling silver base. The cufflinks were then carefully finished off with contrasting surfaces- matte for the base and a high polish on the spirals. And here is the result!

But, the story doesn't end here; the real tale began after the cufflinks were complete! On the weekend before Lynelle and Mark's wedding anniversary, I was heading to Canberra's Old Bus Depot Markets where I had arranged for Lynelle to collect Mark's gift. I got up bright and early to hit the road only to find I was unable to go anywhere. You see, I live in Wagga Wagga and you may remember that we had quite a lot of flooding here in early March. Driving all around my suburb, I was shocked to realise that I was cut off by flood waters in every direction.

With no way for me to deliver the special gift on time, Lynelle hatched a plan to present Mark with a gift box containing a photograph of his new cufflinks. I emailed a picture through to her and she printed it off, wrapping it up inside of the velvet box that housed her precious 21st birthday pearls. On the morning of their anniversary, after being presented with his photograph, Mark dressed for work with the rolled up picture tucked mockingly into his cuffs, giving Lynelle a good laugh.

Earlier this week I received an email from Lynelle in which she said, "How ABSOLUTELY PERFECT the cufflinks are! Mark loves them and wears them at least once a week. He recently asked me to hand him some links as I was walking past his collection, and when I asked which ones he just said 'the best ones' - which, of course, I took to mean the Fibonacci!"

Thanks for being such good sports about that little delivery hitch and congratulations Lynelle and Mark on your twenty years of marriage. Here's to the next twenty!

Love from The Jeweller. xx

The Golden Guitar Plectrum

This unusual job came about when muso Chris came upon my stall at Canberra's Old Bus Depot Markets. Striking up a conversation about gold and silversmithing with Japonicity staff member Caitlin, he asked if it was possible to melt down some gold rings to be formed into a guitar plectrum. The answer, "Of course!"

Caitlin ran the idea by me and I was immediately interested. Chris was not necessarily after a pick to play music with, more an object to hold (kind of like a worry stone). The gold he had for me to use was from his parents' wedding rings. He felt a sentimental attachment to the rings, but not being a jewellery wearer himself, he wanted to give them new life in an object that would be significant to him.

I love the shape of the little plectrum that Chris gave me to copy. The smooth curves of the surface feel so good to hold and caress. What a beautiful way to bring new life to some old jewellery. It would make a beautiful pendant or charm too. Maybe it will be turned back into jewellery in its next incarnation.

Love from The Jeweller. xx

The Engagement of Brett and Lou

I recently had the pleasure of handcrafting this classic solitaire ring for a gorgeous couple, Brett and Lou.  The half round band in 18ct yellow gold is slightly tapered towards the top. A four corner claw setting in 18ct white gold holds the internally flawless princess cut diamond. The setting is architecturally inspired. Sweeping curves meet strong, straight lines.

The lucky bride-to-be is enjoying her dream ring, with almost a carat of sparkling perfection in a simple and timeless design. Congratulations Brett and Lou, I look forward to making your wedding rings in the future!

Love from The Jeweller. xx

The First Birthday Bracelet for Baby Annie

I was recently asked to design and make a silver bracelet for a friend's daughter as a first birthday gift. The brief was to include the little girl's name- Annie, the birth stone for April- diamond, a message from her parents- "Love Mum and Dad", and the year- 2012.

After some consideration, I decided to make a little cluster of charms on a simple, oval link bracelet. The largest charm is a silver disc with Annie hand-stamped into the front and the message from her parents engraved onto the back. To this charm, I added a second disc with 1 stamped into the front and 2012 engraved on the back. Finally a little diamond-set blossom to complete the thoughtful gift.

Last week Annie's mum Carissa sent me some photos from Annie's first birthday. I love the little glimpses of her new bracelet on her wrist! A unique and personal gift. I do hope Annie treasures her bracelet for a lifetime.

Love from The Jeweller. xx

The Wrap-Up of April 2012

Now where did April go!? If I didn't have thirty photographs to prove that I lived through it, I would swear that I went to sleep some time around the start of the month and when I woke up it was over! Well regardless of how quickly April disappeared, here we are again at that time of the month where I reflect upon my progress of all the goals I set in my first ever blog post "New Year, New Resolutions, New Blog!"

So how's that balance between personal and professional life going? Very heavily weighted on the personal life side of things really. A fabulous change from my stressed out, work consumed 2011. I have been very focused on getting myself healthy again after being knocked down by a recurring virus and spinal problems. I was also lucky enough to spend time with some of my nearest and dearest family and friends; enjoying my grandmother's 90th birthday party and meeting the baby daughter of a close friend. I must say, this baby girl, my very own namesake, has to be the highlight of my year so far! But, all this personal time is leaving me feeling rather guilty about the lack of jewellery work being done in my studio over the last few weeks. I am well and truly due for some serious bench time.

I'm still loving taking my daily photograph in "Instagram" (to follow, download from the App Store and search for me under user name the_jeweller). It really does help me to focus on life's smaller pleasures. Here is my April in photographs.

May is set to be an exciting month! Several of my good friends have birthdays and my husband is turning 30. I have a big surprise planned for him, but my lips are sealed (wouldn't want to risk pulling off a big surprise by blogging about the details). I'm going to finish the grand clean-up of my home and workshop and hopefully this month will see my new bathroom finished too (still waiting on that vanity). With my back improving every day, I'm determined to return to my weight loss program and shift a few more kilos. On the work front, I have new collections in the pipe-line, lots of fabulous commissions and even a small exhibition coming up! Bring on May.

Love from The Jeweller. xx