GEMMA of GWSTUDIO TALKS HANDMADE RING MAKING, FINDING A BALANCE, AND BEING INSPIRED BY THE OUTDOORS








HEY GEMMA, HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE WHAT YOU DO TO PEOPLE YOU’VE JUST MET?

I make gold and silver rings by hand. The pieces are minimalist, inspired by organic forms found in nature, and designed to be comfortable and gender inclusive.


TELL US A BIT ABOUT GWSTUDIO AND HOW IT CAME ABOUT?

GWSTUDIO is a Melbourne jewellery brand creating hand-made pieces. Inspired by the natural environment, the collection explores organic shapes transformed into wearable sculptural objects. Each piece is designed to be simple, timeless and versatile.

GWSTUDIO was originally a way to spend my time productively in lockdown.
I was interested in developing my skills, particularly the technique of lost wax casting. Friends and family asked for rings, and interest grew pretty organically by word of mouth and Instagram




WAS THIS AN IDEA YOU HAVE ALWAYS BEEN INTERESTED IN EXPLORING?

I’ve always had a passion for making things. My first introduction to creating jewellery was a silversmithing course with my mum a few years ago. Ever since, the idea was always in the back of my mind to rediscover one day.

I wanted to have freedom with my designs and fell in love with the lost wax casting technique. It’s been fascinating to learn its history – knowing it’s one of the oldest known metal-forming techniques dating back 6,000 years. Wild.

The 2020 pandemic unexpectedly gave me more time and freedom – so I was excited to use the time to explore this passion more deeply.

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WHERE DO YOU DRAW YOUR INSPIRATION FROM?

I find inspiration through travel, print magazines and with like-minded passionate people. I usually draw creative energy from the outdoors; however the lockdowns have forced me to find inspiration online and within my home.

I’ve always been creatively excited by photography. Looking through old 35mm film albums from past trips instantly brings me back to those moments of freedom. I’ve been lucky to explore beautiful places across Australia, most recently the Western Australian coastline. My designs draw inspiration from the oceans, rock formations, lakes and coral that I’ve photographed – and this imagery shapes the natural aesthetic of the brand.


OTHER THAN GWSTUDIO, WHAT ELSE KEEPS YOU BUSY?

Keeping active is a really important part of my lifestyle. I’m a huge advocate for balance, and I find when I’ve engaged in some forms of exercise, spending time with family/friends, work and personal time, my creative practice flourishes. Swimming has been a large part of my lifestyle in recent years – there’s such an invigorating feeling being emersed in water. I also love attending live music, morning markets and weekend coastal trips.









WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU ARE SUPER PROUD OF THAT YOU’VE MADE?

Since I work primarily with sterling silver, there was something so special about creating my first gold piece. As an initial experiment, I cast a delicate pinky signet in 9ct gold. It turned out more beautifully than expected and was stoked with the positive feedback.






WHAT DOES THE REST OF 2021 LOOK LIKE FOR YOU AND GWSTUDIO?

I’m really looking forward to developing GWSTUDIO further, and to discover new ways to embody the landscapes I love in my work. I’m keen to continue getting my hands messy, and to grow GWSTUDIO into a wider community.  

I’m moving down to the Victorian surf coast over the summer as we emerge out of lockdown – I’m certain this will encourage new design ideas, imagery, and creativity in a fresh environment.



You can visit more of Gemmas work via the links below

@gw.studio   gwstudio.store


















DO YOU THINK THE PANDEMIC HAS AFFECTED YOU CREATIVLEY?

Absolutely. Since GWSTUDIO started last year, it has sometimes been difficult to find inspiration when stuck at home for months on end. My practice embodies natural outdoor landscapes, and it has been hard to visualise that in wintery Melbourne. It has definitely forced me to think laterally and explore different ways to develop the aesthetic and the business of the brand.

However, this project has been an incredible creative outlet while navigating the highs and lows of the pandemic. The pandemic has forced us to spend a more time in front of our screens – something I’ve often struggled to do for long periods of time. So allowing myself to just be with my wax, tools and music has been incredibly therapeutic.                                                                                    









HOW HAVE YOU DEVELOPED YOUR CREATIVE CONFIDENCE?

For me, it’s been the small wins that have grown my creative confidence. Improving or mastering a technique that has taken me ages to practice is a really satisfying feeling. I’m continually discovering new ways to translate the ideas in my head into an interesting wax piece.

It’s blown me away to see the interest in my work since I started. I’ve adored making pieces for my friends from the beginning, which has now grown to the wider community of people I’ve never met. Hearing that someone wears their ring every day or that has a special meaning to them brings me so much joy.





























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