About Me

I have been designing and making jewellery for over 30 years!
From Gemstones to the most beautiful handmade Glass Beads.

 
Ceramics 1954
My fascination in learning to design began with my first job at 'Moss Ceramics' in Old Toongabbie, at 15years of age. As an assistant to an Artist who would paint the ceramics. I learnt to mould slips, fettling, glazing, firing and learnt to make by hand, Roses and Pansies to decorate ceramic wreaths that were exported to Italy.

The image below is an example, not the actual item.

1954 Silver Smithing & Lapidary
I took Silver Smithing & Lapidary for two terms (6 months), when I just turned 16, at Parramatta Technical College. Where I learned the basic skills to make pendants, rings & jewellery objects, plus Cabochon cutting.

The actual Silver Ring I made back in 1954, which I still wear today!

 

1955 Nursing
As soon as I was old enough I began my nursing training, at Parramatta District Hospital.

Back then our uniforms were the classic black lace up shoes, black stockings, starched blue uniform, starched apron belt and cap! 

Yet I managed to make many extra clothes and dresses for my fellow nurses. My dear Mother made sure all the girls in the family knew how to sew. While my Grandmother taught me to Crochet, Embroider and Knit.

I enjoyed nursing, and continued working as a General & Theatre Nurse for over 10 years.

   

 

1969 Russian Blue
Another passion that gave me great joy was breeding Russian Blue cats. At one point I had up to fifteen cats that were in high demand, and I would frequent many cat shows.

I won numerous awards at Sydney Royal Easter shows and Federal Cat Shows. I enjoyed the skill of perfecting the Russian Blue breed to the point where I won “Best of All Breeds” in 1974 at the Federal Cat Show at Sydney Town Hall.   

1978 Beauty Therapy
My next major life venture was training as a beauty therapist in 1978, and opening a Salon in 1979 called “Beauty Flair”. Later my daughters also studied beauty therapy and subsequently opened several “Beauty Flair” salons with me in the Parramatta area.

Part of the beauty therapy training was the use of colour in makeup and fashion choices. We used the “Colour me Beautiful” method, which I still use successfully today, and can & do easily translate to jewellery design.

An advert for the Salon (early days)
 

1980 Naturopathy
With my background in Nursing I was of course very interested in anything to do with health and healing. In 1980 I studied Naturopathy (MacroMolecular System) with the recognised Naturopath Bob Lucy at his College. I became a Naturopath & Masseuse in Myorthotics (similar to the Bowen Technique) and a natural health consultant.

I am constantly reading, researching and taking natural remedies, nutrients and herbs. Please feel free to contact me with any queries you may have in this area, as I am always happy to assist.

1987 GumNuts
Whilst travelling around Australia I made novelty objects using Native Gum Nuts and Leaves we would collect, and T-Shirts inspired by Australiana in Suede Leather. My business was called ‘Australian Gum Nut Crafts’ (of course)

GumNut Novelties and Suede Leather T-Shirts 
  

Fossicking
Over a 30 year period I would regularly dig and fossick in Australia with my former husband Fred. At the Sapphire fields, Anakie & surrounds, Mt. Surprise, Harts Range, Pilbara region & Gold detecting in WA - north of Kalgoorlie.
We found some beautiful stones many of which I treasure.

Smokey Quartz / Blue and White Topaz 

This gave me a knowledge and appreciation of gemstones, which I find invaluable when creating and making jewellery with stones today. I also understand and appreciate the metaphysical properties of the stones, I use all this knowledge to create unique pieces for my clients according to their requests and needs.

Recently
I have learned the art of Wire Sculpting & Bead Weaving and will be refreshing my Silver Smithing skills very soon.


I also won a highly commended award in 2010 for Bead Weaving
http://www.beadheaven.com.au/awards/royal-easter-show-award-2010.html

See some samples of Wire Scultpture on my Gallery Pages
http://www.beadheaven.com.au/gallery/

Read my Blogs 
http://www.beadheaven.com.au/wordpress/