HeraldSun Saturday - 4 August 2012

Tough Guy cufflink/jewellery box by Innocente

Tough Guy cufflink/jewellery box in Huon pine, powder coated steel and stainless steel by Innocente
$308
Available in-store or online

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.

Titanium tube cufflinks by David Parker

Titanium tube cufflinks by David Parker
$290
Available in-store or online

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.

Paws ring by a.l.i.alexander

Paws ring in sterling silver by a.l.i.alexander
$462
Available in-store or online



My jewellery is usually made with silver or gold sometimes with pearls, I also use non-precious materials with the precious. 

Although I would love to be, I am not a bench jeweller, most of my work is made in wax by me first, cast, and then finished by others I work full time in the technology department at an Officeworks store in Melbourne Australia and live in a flat in the centre of the city; these give me ideas for my designs. I have been redesigning my living space, including furniture. The Mother of Pearl of Wisdom - Don't put it down... sideboard has sterling silver and pearl handles and the label jewellery comes directly from my proximity to labellers at work.

Words feature in a lot of the pieces and also in my collecting. I have a small collection of sweetheart jewellery (made by troops during war) and I collect autographs where people write, talk or sing about “they”.

I like to think that my jewellery is comfortable to wear if not always effortless for the wearer - the vase brooch looks best filled with water and flowers, and the label jewellery has to have a label printed and attached by the owner.

Hocking Stuart Red 29 - 2.8.12

Pistol cufflinks by Frances Rose Jewellery

Pistol cufflinks in oxidised sterling silver by Frances Rose Jewellery
$260
Available in-store or online

'Frances Rose Jewellery' is the label of New Zealand born, Melbourne based jeweller Amy Gopperth. Since launching her label in late 2009 Amy has released two ranges of jewellery, Digging for Gold and Charming.

Inspired initially by the sartorial splendour of the Old West Digging for Gold is essentially a range designed for men, but appeals to both men and women alike. With the range encompassing daggers, horse-shoes and gold bullion to pistol, pickaxes and bullets, Amy has drawn on the gun slinging, whiskey drinking, foul mouthed (but impeccably dressed!) characters of the Old West to create each piece.

Working predominantly in the lost-wax casting method, she intricately hand-crafts each item out of wax then casts them in precious metals. Amy also believes in sustainability and sources all materials and services locally.

Price reduction on Springbok bag

Large natural hide Springbok bag
was $418 NOW $318
Available in-store or online