Over the past two years, thoughts, words and ideas kept coming front and centre of my creativity, and my every day existence.

 

After a chance meeting with a healer, I learned more about myself and opened my heart to listening. This sparked the interest into the ‘research’ stage of my exhibition.

 

Being mostly a self-taught maker and then quickly making it my sole income generator, I felt I had lost the skill of conceptualisation and design in the process of jewellery making.

 

In making space for exploring the ideas, concepts and meanings behind this collection, I’ve fallen in love with the time I've dedicated to studying the concepts of the jewellery I wanted to create, and allowing the making process to unfold naturally with no pressure of the outside world.

 

I have to admit, I’m looking forward to making this a continued journey with new collections in the future!
 

As I was exploring the concept of connection, I wrote in my journal all of the feelings and emotions that arose, never once judging... yet acknowledging that my own energy and all the doors that were opening, closing - and not yet ready to be explored doors - are very much connected in their own way.
 

Mindfulness is at the forefront of my making now, and opportunities to connect with the wider community, are what sets my soul on fire.

 

A chance meeting with a couple at a market, and mentioning that I wanted to learn how to cut gemstones, led to a conversation where I learned they belonged to a gemcutting (Lapidary) club.
 

Remembering that conversation and the instant connection I had with the couple, guided me to that particular lapidary club when I was ready to learn the skill of gem cutting for this collection.

 

All of the members took me under their wings, teaching me how to start cutting all weird and wonderful shapes into the earth’s pretty stones. They encouraged and inspired me to keep going whilst sitting around the morning tea table for show and tell, sharing cups of tea and cake of course.

 

I discovered a love of freeform cutting which allows shapes to form by themselves. I fell in love with the whole circle of this community, much like my ‘family’ I have being part of The Churn Room.

 

Soon came the exploration - finally!!! my heart yells - of casting. For years I’ve had so many ideas of casting pieces and to especially expand my men’s range.

 

This new learning allowed me to be closer again with my partner, Paul and we both delved in deeply with all the wins and sufferings of the artform of Casting. Lucky its Winter! Haha.

From Colour to Gemstones to Textures, Shapes and Earth-made pigments... these are the creative ground of this exhibition, Connecting Deeper.