Welcome friends and followers.
I hear it is never too late to get started on a blog... so here goes.
Firstly, introductions...
I am Laura Eyles and I have for the last 12+ years been on a creative path that has led me here.
It all started in 1999 at RMIT University in Melbourne, when I enrolled in the Fine Arts program in Painting. Whilst doing this course I first came upon the Gold and Silversmithing department and remember thinking "wow, what do I have to do to get into metalwork?!".
I finished my BA Arts (Fine Arts) in Painting and ended up following my academic side to The University of Melbourne, where I started a Masters in Art Curatorship... However after a year I realised how much I missed the studio and it soon became clear that I wanted to be a "Creator" rather than a "Curator"...
I left The University of Melbourne and started working as a Makeup Artist full time, during the following 7 months I started dabbling in jewellery making at the CAE in Degraves st Melbourne. I realised that finally after all these years of being a "nomad" creatively speaking, that I had found my specialty, Gold and Silversmithing was it.
Chatterbox - Brass - 2008
At this time I was also working for e.g.etal and I started speaking to the girls I worked with and realised that RMIT was not the only option for gold and silversmithing.
I found out about NMIT's Advanced Diploma in Engineering (Jewellery) and it seemed perfect, particularly as I had already studied at RMIT.
Enamelled Dome Earrings - Copper, Sterling Silver, Enamel - 2009
Organic Ring/Crater Ring - Sterling Silver, 18ct Gold, Rubies - 2009
Barrel Earrings - Copper, Enamel Paint, Stainless Steel - 2010
Photos by Screaming Pixel photography & digital imaging
Pop Up Pendant - Copper, Enamel Paint, 9ct Gold, Sterling Silver, Silk Thread, Coral, Diamonds, Ruby - 2010
Photos by Screaming Pixel photography & digital imaging
The 2 years I studied there were the best 2 years of study I have ever had! At the graduate exhibition I had a prominent Melbourne contemporary jewellery gallery ask for me to come on board as one of their artists (more will be revealed as I work on getting stock make for said gallery) and I felt as if I had finally reached my creative highway... OK so...I realise that deaths on highways make up 36% of road fatalities in Australia... I have my seat belt on.
Enameled Brooch - Oxidised Sterling Silver, Copper, Enamel, Stainless Steel, Diamonds - 2010
Photo by Screaming Pixel photography & digital imaging
Three Crosses Rotating Brooch - Sterling Silver, Steel Ball Baring Race, Stainless Steel, Diamonds - 2010
Photo by Screaming Pixel photography & digital imaging
Capsule Earrings - Sterling Silver, Oxidised, Gold Plated, Stainless Steel - 2010
Photos by Screaming Pixel photography & digital imaging
Critter Necklaces - Sterling Silver, Oxidised, Gold Plated, Stainless Steel, Enamel Paint, Rubies, Sapphires - 2010
Photos by Screaming Pixel photography & digital imaging
After completing my Advanced Diploma in Engineering (Jewellery) at NMIT, in true Laura style, I decided that I wanted to do another course... So at the beginning of the year I enrolled at RMIT to do exactly the same course I did in 1999 but in Gold and Silversmithing.... Perhaps a mistake, I did a semester and did well, but have since taken leave of absence to get my 'grown up' on and have a crack at it in the studio, without study.
Wish You Were Here Earrings - Sterling Silver, Cardboard, Gold Sequins, Plastic - 2011
Photos by Screaming Pixel photography & digital imaging
Chain Necklace - Brass, Sterling Silver - 2011
Photos by Screaming Pixel photography & digital imaging
Pastie Brooch - Sterling Silver, Stainless Steel - 2011
Photo by Screaming Pixel photography & digital imaging
Which brings us to the here and now...
So now that we've caught up on history, please stay tuned for what's yet to come.
