Raw Showcase 2013

My raw showcase was spectacular.  I was blown away by everyone's comments.  From the wooden display cases, the moss and the various ranges that I had on display - the feedback was tremendous!  I couldn't have been more proud to be an artist and to represent my work to such a great audience and in such a magnificent environment.  I want to thank everyone who bought a ticket or sponsored me on the night, I wouldn't have been able to attend without your help so thanks.  A big thanks also goes out to the RAW team - Kristen, Tash, Jess, Glen, Emily and to everyone else behind the scenes, you made my RAW experience excellent and one to remember! 

Here's some photos from the night! Enjoy!

Cleveland Institute of Art: Master Series - John Paul Miller

I just came across this inspiration artist John Paul Miller.  Take a look and be as inspired as I was at how talented this man is and how gorgeous his jewellery is.  Enjoy

Raw Showcase Displays

Hey everyone thought I'd include some pics of us creating the wooden displays for my showcase.  We managed to get all the wood from a local business here in Gatton and have de-nailed, de-stapled and sanded back all the wood to bring them back to fairly new.  These wood frames are set to be the back drop of my stall display to create a natural, rustic and recycled look.  Thanks to the hard work of my mum, dad, sister and her bf they have turned out better than we imagined.

RAW Brisbane

Hey everyone just wanted to share the great news. I have been invited to be an artists at this months RAW Showcase in Brisbane.  'Elevation' is set to go off with a bang on 19th of July at the Arena / Mystic Night Club next Friday.  Doors open from 730 pm and tickets are $15 till Tuesday night at 12 am on the website otherwise can be purchased on the night for $20 at the door.  There is gonna be an awesome lineup for you all with a fashion show, a catwalk, dance performances, photography displays, short films, drawing displays, jewellery and accessories designs.  If you would like some more information, would like to check out some of the artists attending or would like to purchase a ticket head to http://www.rawartists.org/brisbane/elevation .  All I ask is that if you would like to attend that you choose my name 'meekz contemporary jewellery' from the drop down menu instead of the general admission so that your ticket goes towards my tally.  Thanks everyone I cant wait for this event as Its gonna be a great night out! Cheers

BrisStyle Indie Markets

Hi guys I will be attending the BrisStyle Indie Market this Saturday from 9 - 2 pm with my jewellery.  The Saviours of the Lost Art's Suburban Networking Marketplace will be coming to the market this weekend so its set to be a great day for everyone wanting to reconnect with their artistic side. There will be workshops available for everyone to create their own masterpieces, markets stalls, food stalls and lots of great music by some of Brisbane's best musicians.  So head on down to help celebrate some of Brisbane's best kept secrets, and to support our wonderful artists.

Studio Experimentations

Hi guys I've been a busy little bee again in the studio experimenting with different paper mediums for the next exhibition at Reverse Garbage.  Titled Cut and Paste the exhibition will run from Saturday 31st August to Thursday 19th September.  I've included some progressive images of my experiments so far, so enjoy.

Walkway Markets UQ Gatton

Hi all I attended my first market at UQ Gatton Walkway Markets yesterday which went great!
Despite the extreme cold weather, many students, staff and members of the public showed up and joined in the market experience!  With a few new items up for grabs I got some great feedback and will have some images coming your way for the new range that I hope will be ready in July!  Getting a brief look around the market I came across several really interesting displays which ranged from cupcakes, plants to woolen mittens which I myself splurged and bought a pair :P

A stall in particular which I would like to recommend is  Rock Ya Pain. A natural pain relief treatment business who design and manufacture ointments  oils, sprays, creams among many other items that help  relieve and reduce the effects of pain.  After meeting Steve and listening about the products and seeing how they work on many of his customers (who were very impressed and several came back for more) I would recommend his products to anyone suffering from arthritis, joint pain, muscle pain, period pain, back pain and many other types of pain.  To find out more information about his products, their benefits and experience a free trial contact Steve on 0411 231 759 or at www.rockyaworld.com

Back up and running again

Hi everyone sorry for the delay, my recovery from my lower jaw surgery (for my braces) took a little longer than planned, but finally I'm feeling much better and think I'm up for the challenge of making some more interesting jewellery for everyone!  Stay tuned to see what I create! cheers

Notes on Excess an Essay by Lena Vigna

I came across this essay 'Notes on Excess' the other day which discusses the issues of consumption, luxury and excess, and found it to be very entralling. 

'Notes on Excess' by Lena Vigna
http://www.artjewelryforum.org/articles/notes-excess

As an artist dealing with similar contexts within my own work, I was able to draw some assimilations to the other artists mentioned.  One jeweller by the name of Gabriel Craig confronts these issues of consumption, luxury and excess as mentioned by Lena as taking his 'studio to the streets' and creating performances of his 'dialogue, jewelry production and exchange'.  Craig makes a great point in that 'jewelry production is not common knowledge and that the cultural value of jewelry could and should be stressed to a broad public'.  As an ethical metalsmith myself, I believe that there is a need to educate the public and make them more aware of the need for a more sustainable environment and an environmentally better future.

Take a moment to read this essay and gain a better insight into the minds of fellow jewellers.