This one-of-a-kind 4x6cm handmade copper brooch is called Cupriferous (the adjective for copper). I created it from a flat black shiny stone and three rings of copper, all with different shapes. All of the bits and bobs to make this brooch were found on the streets during my daily walks.
Usually I create wall sculptures and 3D sculptures from the wood, metal and tiles I find on the streets of Melbourne. However, through Instagram I met handmade jewellery designer Lynn Powers from New Orleans. She encouraged me to try making jewellery from the objects I found on the street, but I never had.
Then I saw that the Contemporary Art Society of Victoria was holding its annual brooch exhibition. I entered–and found that making brooches is great fun. In 2019 I displayed my brooches in the Australian National Brooch Show at the Fitzroy and Eltham public libraries. The following year, my brooches were in Wearable Art at The Old Auction House in Kyneton. They were also in the online exhibition Survival Kit at the University of Melbourne George Paton Gallery.
In 2021 my brooches were part of both Geelong and Melbourne Design Weeks. They appeared in exhibitions at The Reimaginarium in Geelong and again at The Old Auction House in Kyneton. And, of course, my brooches are always available through Incube8r Gallery in both the Fitzroy shop and online, and at Dimora Designs at the Fyansford Paper Mill in Geelong.
