Monday Maker - Ace of Swords

Hi Melissa,

Thanks so much for sharing a little about yourself.

Were you creative as a child and do you come from a creative family?

I was a very crafty child in more ways than one. Ask my Mum! I have always had a wild imagination and constantly made crafty projects all my life.  

My mum made all our clothes as children and was the handy one around the house. She was very clever, I watched her make things and was definitely inspired.

How would you describe your work?

I would describe my silver jewellery as mystical and magical. 

I wish I could live in Middle Earth. 

I draw inspiration from spirit animals, ancient symbols, fables and  cultures.

I think my work is very talismanic,  I like to invoke a dialogue between the wearer and jewellery piece.

How has your work evolved since you started?

Funnily, the themes in my work go around in cycles. 

I have been making swords for two decades. 

The moon is always present, goes with my Lady of the Lake obsession. 

Technically, I think the quality of my technique improves as my practice continues.

How did you start selling on Etsy?

I started selling on Etsy about 10 years ago. At that stage I was running Metal Club, a silversmithing school for teenagers, as well as the Federal Village Gallery. So, I was not putting a lot of effort into my Etsy store. 

I am now silversmithing full time and put consistent effort into my Etsy store with great results. 

l love being part of the Etsy community. Living the dream with thanks to Etsy.

Who or what inspires you?

Ancient times inspire me, a time when life was less complicated with a slower pace and a focus on quality craftsmanship.  

Vali Myers, Australia’s own Queen of Bohemia inspires me endlessly. Vali was an artist and a true creative spirit, she lived isolated in nature with 100 animals and 2 husbands.  

I met her a few times and her advice to live my wildest dreams has always stayed with me. Please look up her art and life, she is an unrecognised National Treasure.

Do you reduce, reuse, recycle as part of your creative process?  If yes, how is your art/craft eco-friendly?

I try to use sustainable materials wherever possible. I always use reclaimed sterling silver and I only use reclaimed gold, as I have been up close and personal with a heap leach gold mine, its an extremely destructive process and has ruined many a river from source to sea.

Describe your workspace for us?

I would describe my workshop as a Bohemian Paradise.  A shed crossed with a curio store and a temple. 

It's a regular Woman Cave, lots of hand tools, crystals, specimens, embroidered wall hangings, trinkets, old boxes, antique family heirlooms, beads and metal all over the place.

I need a rich collection of colour and forms around me like a cocoon when I work. 

What is your favourite thing to make?

Rings are definitely my favourite thing to make, they are mini sculptures.

I can’t stop making them.

I also love a commission job.  Designing a special piece for someone pushes my designing beyond its usual Lady of the Lake meets King Arthur.

How did your business name come about?

The Ace of Swords hit me like a thunder bolt at my workbench one day, I wasn’t even thinking about a business name at the time.  The Ace of Swords is a Tarot Card, it is associated with focused energy, victory, determination, strength and power. 

Where do you see your creative journey taking you in the next 12 months?

I see myself continuing down the path of silversmithing forever.  

In  the next 12 months, I see myself building more loyal customers who love handmade jewellery and  sending my jewellery all over the world.

What’s your top tip to others wanting to break into the handmade/creative market?

My tip for other crafts people trying to break into the market would be : 

Create don’t imitate.

Clear your mind, open your heart, and make what you would like to wear, people will respond to your authentic style. 

Also, don’t give up, sometimes it seems like you are not getting anywhere, but push on through these moments of doubt, success is waiting for you, it is your birthright.

Describe your typical creative day?

My typical creative day starts with a walk through the coastal bushland and beaches of Byron Bay with Little Dog, my mini foxy. 

I spend time appreciating the birds, trees and nature and just soak it up. Its my recharge time, being out in nature is a must.  

I then enter the workshop for 5 - 10 hours.  I snack on vegan food all day to keep my energy levels up.

What kind of Music do you listen towhile creating?

My favourite music whilst working varies, its mostly reggae, but could be ambient electronic, goa trance or Indian classical.    

My fav Australia artist of the moment, is Nattali Rize (former of Blue King Brown)  I am always listening to her work. I made her some stage jewellery because I respect the meaning and power behind her music. Check her out, she is a star.

What is your favourite handmade item that you have bought?

My favourite handmade item that I have bought would be a tree of life hand embroidered wall hanging.  It has a white background with multi colours and mirrors.  I bought it from the maker in a small village in Gujarat, India. 

Where can we find you online?

My work is available only through me at present. I am a regular stall holder at Byron Bay Beachside and Community markets, Bangalow Market, Gold Coast Creative Market, Vindie Markets and BrisStyle markets.

You can view my creations on Instgram and Facebook and purchase online through my Etsy Store.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/Theaceofswords

https://www.instagram.com/ace.of.swords

How long have you been a member of BrisStyle?

I have been a member of BrisStyle for 18 months or so. I love being part of a community of creatives.

How did you find out about brisstyle?

I found out about BrisStyle online whilst looking for handmade markets that I could sell at.

Why did you become a member?

I became a member of BrisStyle because I was so impressed with the level of effort and organisation that BrisStyle achieves whilst remaining grass roots and friendly. I felt welcomed and supported straight away. It feels so good to be part of such a crafty organisation.

Why do you craft?

 I craft because I love making sheets of silver come to life. 

Creating quality jewellery that has its own personality and journey.  

I love the idea that my creations are treasures that will get handed down. 

My work will outlive me and will continue to float around the world for generations.

Crafty Folk: Silver & Earth Design

Welcome to another Crafty Folk post where we feature one of our members and invite them to share a little about themselves and their creative practice. We absolutely love chatting with our Brisstyle members and hope that you enjoy learning a little more about them too! This week we spoke with Robbie from Silver & Earth Design.

How would you describe your work?

My work is in a transition stage at the moment. Since I started making jewellery using beading techniques about two years ago, I have been working with semi-precious stones and silver wire work.

This year I have been learning new techniques with silver and mixed media that I love working with as well and this recent work has been described by others as industrial looking. Whichever media I am using I love the design process of exploring the textural and colour qualities of the material and finding a perfect asymmetrical balance in my pieces.

 How did your Etsy shop come into being?

I had heard of Etsy about a year ago but hadn’t really explored the website or system until this year. I had tried putting my work into a couple of boutiques in quite exclusive precincts but I didn’t like losing control of the pricing. So when I looked into Etsy and found that you can get your label out there and control all aspects of your shop I thought I would give it a try. I also love doing markets and found the Etsy market possibilities fantastic. I have done two now and love the creativity, passion and support of fellow Etsy marketeers.

Who or What inspires you?

I have always been inspired by ethnic and cultural designs and patterns. With my latest work it is the materials themselves that inspire the design. 

 Do you ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ as part of your creative process?  If yes, how is your art / craft eco-friendly?
Yes, in my mixed media pieces I recycle by incorporating all sorts of materials from Reverse Garbage combined with Sterling Silver. I am also working with resin by setting my original drawings, prints etc into resin (reuse) and then combining with the other materials. From the start the packaging which I designed has always been made of recycled corrugated cardboard.

Can you describe your studio / work area?

This question has had me in a tizz – I am really an organized person but to look at my studio at the moment you wouldn’t guess. At times, I get into a bit of a creative frenzy with a few designs and techniques on the table at once. My studio is really a spare bedroom quickly usurped when my two daughters left home. I am putting together the equipment for working with silver and also have a beading section. Still it is more functional than it was when I used to do ceramics in one corner, drawing and painting in  the other and had just started jewellery. The clay dust was in the painting and the pastel was in the beads!  

What is your favourite thing in the shop at the moment?
I am loving the bold geometric rings. Using old offcuts of acrylic and designing sterling silver shapes to contrast I think they look a bit edgy. Also my watercolour series – watercolour paintings set into resin and inset into a bezel ring have intense colour.

A big thank-you to Robbie for sharing her crafty life with us. You can find Silver & Earth Design on Etsy. Stay tuned for our next 'Crafty Folk' post.