Do not you assume plenty of jewelry appears to be like … kinda the identical? Minimalist and mass-produced. Designed to slot in quite than stand out. Jewelry so dainty it is nearly invisible. Items which might be offensively inoffensive. Supposedly ‘boho’ designs which might be so very mainstream. To me, that is boring jewelry – and it is in all places.
I am an Australian jewelry designer and the founding father of Simone Walsh Jewelry. I have been designing and making jewelry for over 30 years – and I come to this work from a distinct path in comparison with many jewellers and designers.
My background and coaching in making Australian jewelry comes from the visible arts and I’ve all the time approached jewelry as a type of artistic expression. For me, it is not nearly ornament or following developments: it is about designing items that really feel uniquely artistic, considerate, even a little bit of enjoyable. It is about creating gradual jewelry, not quick trend.
Once I go searching at what’s on the market – particularly in mass-market jewelry – I see a sea of sameness. Jewelry that is protected. Jewelry that whispers. Jewelry that is designed to be inoffensive to everybody, and subsequently expressive of no-one.
And that is by no means been what I do.
So for those who’re uninterested in boring jewelry – or simply interested in what makes our items completely different – let me take you behind the scenes of how and why I design the best way I do.
What Jewelry Ought to Be (If You Ask Me)
Jewelry must be expressive. It ought to inform a narrative – your story. It ought to really feel prefer it was created by an actual individual, not designed by ticking ‘present development’ bins after which pushed off a manufacturing facility line.
Nice jewelry would not want to take a seat quietly. It catches the sunshine. It sparks curiosity. It begins conversations. It makes you are feeling one thing.
It is not meant to be for everybody, however the jewelry I design is for individuals who need to put on one thing that displays who they’re – their creativity, their quirkiness, their boldness, their love of artwork and which means. That does not should imply huge or flashy, however it does imply creating items with coronary heart, soul, and a spark of individuality.
My feeling is that jewelry must be extra than simply an adjunct. It is wearable artwork that communicates one thing concerning the wearer. It may be delicate and pleasant, however it ought to by no means be boring. It may be easy, however not soulless. It may be private and valuable – with out being valuable about it.
At its finest, jewelry ought to turn into a part of the way you categorical your self. That is all the time been my method – and that is why I’ve by no means been fascinated by doing what everybody else is doing.
A Totally different Method to Jewelry Design
In contrast to many jewelry designers who come from a commerce or trend background, I skilled in visible arts. Jewelry and Metallic was my main topic after I studied visible arts, each at college and technical faculty a few years in the past.
Though I create very wearable items for Simone Walsh Jewelry, my method has all the time been extra like that of a studio artist or artisan jewelry designer: pushed by artistic exploration, consideration to element, and a love of supplies.
I am not designing merchandise to hit mass-market developments or seasonal trend charts. I am creating small-batch items that really feel private, expressive, and created with actual intention.
Basically I design what pursuits me: it could be a artistic concept or aesthetic I am drawn to, or it might be a fabric, method or color palette I am excited to discover. I let my curiosity and creativity prepared the ground.
I really feel very fortunate that the work I like to create has discovered its individuals. Hundreds of shoppers over a few years have related with these designs – not simply as soon as, however typically repeatedly. Some have constructed collections of their very own, others have been gifting items to family members for many years. It is such a privilege to make artistic jewelry that resonates with individuals – that turns into a part of their story, not simply one thing to put on.
This freedom to design from a spot of inspiration quite than obligation is what retains the work alive for me – and, I believe, what provides it life for the individuals who put on it too.
Jewelry Designed to Stand Out – Not Mix In
A lot of what is thought of ‘on a regular basis’ jewelry is designed to vanish. Tiny charms, delicate chains, whisper-thin hoops – protected, refined items that do not ask a lot of the wearer and do not depart a lot of an impression. These kinds of items might properly have their place, however that is not what we do.
I design jewelry to be observed, not essentially as a result of it is massive or flashy, however as a result of it has creativity, fascinating particulars and presence. My opinion is that jewelry ought to draw the attention and spark curiosity, not fade into the background.
My love of element reveals up in every little thing I make, from stylised botanical motifs to swirling patterns, from deeply textured or intricately lower out surfaces to luminous gems in vibrant colors.
I particularly love working with supplies that carry which means and character: valuable metals like sterling silver and gold that really feel stable and lasting, and gems that add richness and depth.
When you’re somebody who would not need to appear like everybody else, who’s drawn to jewelry that feels slightly completely different – one thing with character, artistry, even a narrative behind it – then you definitely’re precisely who I design for.
Daring Jewelry is Again (Once more!)
It appears to be like just like the world is at the moment catching on to extra eye-catching and daring jewelry: there’s been plenty of discuss recently about quirky, vibrant, maximalist types and assertion jewelry making a giant comeback.
Nonetheless, I used to be into creating this model of jewelry earlier than it was cool! And I used to be into it earlier than it was cool the final time round too.
This is not a development for us. Designing expressive, significant jewelry that stands out from the gang has all the time been on the coronary heart of what we do.
Why Supplies Matter in Jewelry
Jewelry ought to really feel pretty much as good because it appears to be like – and that begins with what it is created from.
In a world flooded with plated base metals, plastic imitations, and thriller supplies, I’ve all the time chosen to work with valuable metals and high quality gems – together with extra moral lab-grown stones the place acceptable.
I create stable sterling silver jewelry and gold jewelry, not simply because they’re stunning metals, however as a result of they’re lasting they usually retain their worth. These are supplies that do not simply shine – they endure.
High quality options that are extra reasonably priced than stable gold even have their place and we do have items utilizing these supplies, corresponding to gold crammed and gold vermeil.
There’s one thing deeply satisfying about carrying a chunk that has weight, texture, and integrity. You’ll be able to really feel the distinction. It warms to your pores and skin. It ages gracefully. It is the sort of jewelry you possibly can put on every single day and nonetheless move on in the future, not one thing that flakes, discolours, or leads to landfill after a couple of wears.
Even for those who fall fully out of affection with a chunk of valuable steel jewelry, the worth of the steel means it may be melted down and used repeatedly to create extra stunning issues.
In fact, working with valuable supplies additionally means designing responsibly. As an deliberately small enterprise we merely cannot afford to waste invaluable supplies. I create small batches, give attention to considerate manufacturing, and keep away from the sort of waste that mass manufacturing typically creates. It is gradual jewelry – by design.
There are many methods to make jewelry extra cheaply or to make use of deceptive advertising to promote it to unsuspecting clients. However I would quite make it properly, make it significant, and make it trustworthy.
So Who Is Our Jewelry For?
Our jewelry is for individuals who need to categorical one thing, even when they cannot fairly put it into phrases.
It is for individuals who love artwork, creativity, and a contact of the sudden. Individuals who do not need to appear like everybody else, however who need to put on items that really feel private, considerate, and artistic. It is for the color lovers, the element appreciators, those who do not need to mix into the background.
It is for anybody who’s ever appeared on the jewelry on supply in a giant chain retailer or the newest mass-marketed on-line jewelry retailer and thought: “that is all so boring”!
Whether or not you are constructing your individual assortment or selecting a particular present, my hope is that you just’ll discover one thing right here that feels prefer it was made for you – as a result of in some ways, it was.
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Ultimate Ideas: Shine On, Do not Mix In
For over 30 years, I have been creating jewelry that doesn’t observe the gang – and I do not plan to start out now.
That is jewelry designed to be observed, to be beloved, and to final. It is made with valuable supplies, with which means behind each element, and with an entire lot of coronary heart.
So for those who’ve been searching for jewelry that looks like a greater match – extra you, extra expressive, extra alive – I hope you’ve got discovered simply the factor in what we do.
As a result of why mix in, when you possibly can shine?
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