Kangaroo Tooth tie bar by Suse Scholem

Kangaroo Tooth tie bar in sterling silver and kangaroo tooth by Suse Scholem
$220
Available in-store or online

Suse Scholem graduated from Monash University in 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts, a Bachelor of Fine Art and Honours in Fine Art. Based in Melbourne, Suse is particularly passionate about the social potential of contemporary jewellery, whilst prioritising sustainable practice.

The use of recycled metals and found objects feature significantly in Scholem's work. Experimenting with unusual natural materials in her production work, Suse creates one-off pieces, guided in design by the organic components she fervently collects.

Her range for Lord Coconut employs alchemical processes, such as electro-forming and direct casting, combined with old worlde aesthetics and a sensitive appreciation of bodily materials. Each piece is uniquely hand made by the artist.

Leopard money clip by Ginkoh Jewellery

Leopard money clip in nickel silver by Ginkoh Jewellery
$88
Available in-store or online

Ginkoh Jewellery and designs are all lovingly produced on the south coast of Victoria. Entirely handmade pieces constructed, cast or recycled, sanded and buffed from conception to completion. With absolute care and attention being given at each step of the creative process. Forged pieces of wearable art that are fun, quirky, stylish and unique to express your desire to be different and daring in the way you accessorise.

Heart Cufflinks by My Friend Romeo

Heart cufflinks in sterling silver by My Friend Romeo
$363
Available in-store or online

Tamara’s love of working with metal began in 2003 at London’s Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design. Her passion grew from there and she was inspired to do further study on return to Melbourne, gaining her Advanced Diploma in Jewellery at Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE (NMIT) in 2007.

Since graduating Tamara has sold her jewellery to Melbournians and tourists alike at the Rose Street Market in Fitzroy and 2011 sees the launch of her label ‘my friend romeo’ - creating both men and women’s handmade jewellery.

Her philosophy to treasure the small things in life builds inspiration for both her label and design work and translates well into making small treasures for others to enjoy. Tamara says, ‘my aesthetic is simple, wearable, understated design. I like to make things I would like to wear and so far, luckily this has proven to appeal to others too’.

Small treasures have come naturally, and the extension into men’s jewellery the perfect fit: ‘I have been producing a limited range of unisex pieces to date – however, I am now testing out both my imagination and my lovely obliging male friends for feedback and modelling'.
We think the men around town are in for a treat.

Tie fighter cufflinks by David Parker

Tie Fighter cufflinks in oxidised sterling silver and cubic zirconia by David Parker - $390 - Instore or online at http://www.lordcoconut.com/shop/tie-fighter-cufflinks/

David Parker produces jewellery that embodies a uniquely modern spirit. Beautifully developed pieces range from elaborate constructions to elegantly simple designs; often concealing their underlying complexity. The Melbourne based designer brings very strong technical knowledge and innovation to his handmade, bold contemporary designs.

His Lord Coconut range features a number of pieces that explore the more irreverent facets of David’s personality. In this collection David has incorporated inspiration from numerous areas and periods of his career. For that reason you will find musings from pop culture, history and even humour sitting along side the more recognizable aesthetics of sculptural and architectural forms.

David likes to see his work as an interpretation of art deco architecture and modern sculptural influences. He is heavily influenced by the shapes and forms of these movements. His metal work reflects the bold forms, sweeping curves and clean edges often found in both these movements. David brings a very modern aspect to his work, as he feels it's important to embrace new design and to be relevant to his own time and place.

Sea Dragon etching by Andrew V Weatherill

Sea Dragon limited edition etching with aquatint by Andrew v Weatherill
$115 unframed/$170 framed
Available in-store or online

Skin II ring by Ellen Pittman

Skin II ring in sterling silver by Ellen Pittman
$462
Available in-store or online

Ellen Pittman (1985, Melbourne) has lived in Hobart, Tasmania since 2004. She Graduated in 2008 with a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) having examined the short demise and resurgence of Berlin non avant-garde cultural circles before, during and after World War One. She graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts at the University of Tasmania in 2010 and shortly after, was awarded an Arts Tasmania grant, with which she has continued to explore, both sculpturally and through jewellery design, the confused language of touch and the manipulations of desire by context.

Square ring by Kath O'Neill

Square ring in sterling silver by Kath O'Neill
$154
Available in-store or online

Kathleen O’Neill works in a studio on a rural property with beautiful views. Kathleen graduated from Monash University with a B.A.(Craft) Honours under Melbourne’s leading silversmiths. After a short hiatus creating a family, Kathleen resumed her designing and making in 2007. Kathleen’s pieces are organic yet graphic, using a monochromatic palette with subtle colour contrasts. Light skims across the surface of the metals with brush finishes contrasting playfully with hard, shiny burnished edges. Mechanical implements and gentle reference to old and forgotten foundry crafts inform the work, which harbour a slightly comical slant. Distinctive design, each piece is handmade and unique.

Citrus Haze cufflinks by Melanie Rice

Citrus Haze enamelled cufflinks by Melanie Rice
$198
Available in-store or online

Colour stirs emotion in me; the delicious, heady rush of colour.  My senses are also excited by texture.  Both make me feel alive and excited. I want my jewellery to make others feels this way too.  I use the enamelling process – with copper, silver and gold –  to materialise the colours and textures that I feel instinctively when I create a piece of jewellery.

Then there are the endless patterns, designs and luminosity of traditional cultural adornments from around the world.  From a young age, playing with my mother's and grandmothers' Latvian rings, I have been inspired by the ancient designs of traditional jewellery.  But it's not just the bold visual statement inherent in these pieces that attracts me.  I am captured by the story of the wearer and the cultural significance of their costume.  Naturally, I like to explore traditional techniques in the jewellery I make – from the the delicate twists of filigree to wonderful array of textures achieved through repousse and chasing.

Red Sled jewellery/watch box by Innocente

It's back in stock! Red Sled jewellery/watch box by Innocente
$308
Available in-store or online

This will be the last one for a couple of months as the artist is travelling through Europe for a while.

Innocente boxes started with a surprise gone wrong. My partner said she wanted a jewellery box to organise all of her jewellery which at the time was a bunched up mess. I decided to surprise her by building one for her. I was half way through it when she told me she was going to go shopping for a jewellery box. I showed her what I had done so far and proceeded to finish it. One design led to another and has resulted in the designs you see today.

All of the boxes are unique, and individually numbered. I use a variety of timbers including Huon Pine, Black Heart Sassafras, Tasmanian Oak and Red Mahogany. The boxes are powder coated, some designs are edged in polished aluminium and all are trimmed in velour. I use stainless steel fittings throughout each box.

Huon pine is one of the slowest-growing and longest-living plants in the world. It can grow to an age of 3,000 years or more. It is found in western Tasmania, on the Central Plateau and in the Huon Valley. Today, the tree is wholly protected and cannot be felled. However, wood on the forest floor, or buried in river beds, remains usable after hundreds of years and is still prized by modern woodworkers.

Exhibitions galore in 2012!

Busy exhibition calendar coming up for the second half of the year:
- "Look Stop Shop" hidden gems and rough diamonds display in late July
- "I Made This" video exhibition as part of Craft Cubed for most of August
- Possible "The Greatest Game of All" aussie rules inspired jewellery exhibition in September
- Possible "Melbourne Spring Fashion Week" joint exhibition in early September
- "Art of the Cuff" exhibition as part of Melbourne Fringe Festival
- "Body to Body" solo exhibition by Ellen Pittman in late November/early December

Whew!

That leaves a possible Spring Racing Carnival linked exhibition for late October if I find the time and inspiration.

If you're interested in getting involved, let me know.

New stock by Suse Scholem

New rings and tie bars by Suse Scholem have just arrived in-store.

Suse Scholem graduated from Monash University in 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts, a Bachelor of Fine Art and Honours in Fine Art. Based in Melbourne, Suse is particularly passionate about the social potential of contemporary jewellery, whilst prioritising sustainable practice.

The use of recycled metals and found objects feature significantly in Scholem's work. Experimenting with unusual natural materials in her production work, Suse creates one-off pieces, guided in design by the organic components she fervently collects.

Her range for Lord Coconut employs alchemical processes, such as electro-forming and direct casting, combined with old worlde aesthetics and a sensitive appreciation of bodily materials. Each piece is uniquely hand made by the artist.

Another Brick In The Wall pendant by Hannah Chambers

Another Brick In The Wall guitar pick inspired pendant by Hannah Chambers
$230
In-store or online

Hannah Chambers is an emerging Melburnian jeweller.

With a passion for all things hidden secretive and unfound, she aims to create an intimacy between her objects and the wearer.

Being able to create objects that can be worn and that become a tangible part of someone's life is very important to her. It expresses a closeness and familiarity that other art forms do not.

Drawing on influences from all sorts of times, places and cultures, she loves jewellery that has a story to tell.

Blue Budgie taxidermy

Blue Budgie taxidermy

$120
In-store or online

Crosshatch cufflinks by Deeana Michela

Crosshatch cufflinks in sterling silver with citrines by Deeana Michela
$385
In-store or online

Deeana Michela is a Melbourne based jeweller that is still exploring her style. She completed her Advanced Diploma of Engineering Technology: Jewellery in 2009 and has since started experimenting with different styles and techniques. She is heavily inspired by antique and vintage jewellery, fairytales as well as tribal and ethnic adornment,  and is constantly looking for new sources of inspiration. Through her work, Deeana aims to capture elements of life that are both enchanting and honest, working them into a piece that is versatile, personal and bold. She places a strong emphasis on adaptability, so that each piece reflects the individual story of the wearer.

Deer cufflinks by My Friend Romeo

Deer cufflinks in sterling silver by My Friend Romeo
$295
In-store or online

Tamara’s love of working with metal began in 2003 at London’s Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design. Her passion grew from there and she was inspired to do further study on return to Melbourne, gaining her Advanced Diploma in Jewellery at Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE (NMIT) in 2007.

Since graduating Tamara has sold her jewellery to Melbournians and tourists alike at the Rose Street Market in Fitzroy and 2011 sees the launch of her label ‘my friend romeo’ - creating both men and women’s handmade jewellery.

Her philosophy to treasure the small things in life builds inspiration for both her label and design work and translates well into making small treasures for others to enjoy. Tamara says, ‘my aesthetic is simple, wearable, understated design. I like to make things I would like to wear and so far, luckily this has proven to appeal to others too’.

Small treasures have come naturally, and the extension into men’s jewellery the perfect fit: ‘I have been producing a limited range of unisex pieces to date – however, I am now testing out both my imagination and my lovely obliging male friends for feedback and modelling'.

We think the men around town are in for a treat.