It's A Blog Bonanza!

Well Hiya! 

Sorry it's been a while, it may have totally slipped my mind that I have a blog. whoops! Anywho...

So this year is all about doing things/everything better, faster, slower and harder. I gave up my full time job to work on my practice, my writing, and I am determined to make a living out of what I live so much for, jewellery. I often joke that I live in a jewellery snow-dome. I live, work and socialize with, jewellers sometimes it's a little bit scary, other times it's damn pretty great. 

So in light of this I have set myself a challenge, I'm going to blog every day for the month of MAY (and hopefully the habit sticks and I keep going)! I need to desperately work on my writing, and getting over my ulcer inducing fear of putting words down on a page. People are often surprised when I tell them how much it terrifies me to write something, but this year I am determined to get over that, practice makes perfect, well, at least a bit easier, RIGHT?! 

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1st of MAY 2012 - I think I should probably tell you a little bit about my Melbourne Whirlwind Jewellery Safari: 

A few weeks ago, I was kindly sponsored (thanks mum) a flight to Melbourne to hear a talk at the NGV that corresponded with the opening of  'UNEXPECTED PLEASURES', a survey show of contemporary jewellery and the collaborative project between Susan Cohn and The Design Museum in London. 

So very early on Friday morning I boarded a flight with nothing but $20 bucks in my pocket and a smile on my face! Once I had arrived I was very very very kindly picked up at the airport by the (totes) delightful Karen from the Melbourne Jeweller blog. It was great to catch up, and tour around the Melbourne suburbs (thanks Karen). She kindly dropped me off into the awaiting arms of NORTHCITY4 , the lovely Anna Davern and Romani Benjamin (who co-chair the board with 3 other fabulous ladies Ali Limb, Caz Guiney and Katherine Bowman) showed me around their new space and explained all about their exciting new venture. Please please check out their website, not only is it amazing, but it is full to the brim of all the exciting and wonderful things they are getting up to. 

Above Images: NORTHCITY4

Anna and I went around the corner, past a real life, steel clad bikie club house, and had a coffee (my shout next time promise). It was so lovely to catch up with Anna, I really dig what she does and who she is, an incredibly generous, talented, fun and no bullshit kind of lady!

Next stop: NGV (National Gallery of Victoria)

After a quick tour of the NGV and having to ask the front desk where the 'Unexpected Pleasures' exhibition was (behind the potted plant, down the hall, past the toilets, opposite the lecture theater...) I made it to the threshold of the room, only to be greeted by a guard,

'Are you a Member, miss?' 

'No', I stutter

'Sorry, Members only today'. My heart sinks. 

Words start to stumble out of my mouth as my fight or flight response kicks in 'What. No. I've come all the way from Sydney, I've paid to go to the talk this evening. But. But. But. (don't you know who I am) wink, wink ......' 

A quick nod of the head and a 'go on then', with a sigh relief I quickly scampered into the room before someone told me to get out. 

My heart was racing a million miles an hour, my palms were sweaty, THIS WAS IT! An unexpected wave of emotion sweept over me and I very nearly cry. Ok Ok, I can hear you saying 'seriously, that's a bit pathetic'. But there I was in a room full of pieces I had only ever seen in books, on posters hung on my wall, or distorted on the screen in front of me in. The geek in me does swoon pretty easily over a Gijs Bakker, Otto Kunzli, Benjamin Lignel, Caroline Broadhead or Peter Tully piece, so it was wonderful to see the scale, texture, colour, and detail, that you just don't get from the facsimile. 

There is an incredible sensitivity about the space given to each work, the exhibition design/furniture allow you to ponder each selection without the usual crowding of pieces in a vitrine. The exhibition is separated into what I believe to be clear and accessible categories and which I think will help to guide a general public through, what might be for most, their first encounter with contemporary jewellery. 

I must admit I didn't spend much time reading the display labels. But I have heard comments that the text may have come straight out of the book/catalogue, this isn't necessarily a problem, unless it is written as though it is speaking to the already converted, which of course I am, so perhaps this is why I didn't take much notice. But I guess if we intend to educate the general public and share with them our world, which we must admit can be pretty confrontational or totally uninteresting to the uninitiated, shouldn't give them the tools, clear and simple to help them understand? But as I said, I really didn't spend much time on the labels, but I will be going back to see the show again soon, so I will most certainly take note and let you know what I think. 

I think Cohn ticked almost all the boxes when it comes to exhibiting jewellery. It is often noted/criticized that jewellery displayed in gallery spaces is shown without its context, the body. Here, Cohn cleverly projects onto the gallery wall, a life size room full of people having a glass of wine, adorned with jewellery, animated in silent conversations. I must say these people, do look a little uncomfortable and rather awkward at times, they clearly know where this video will end up, but it still it is pretty mesmerizing to see how the jewellery they are wearing may dictate the way their body moves and reacts to its restrictions/freedoms. As Cohn has been known to argue, jewellery is not 'activated' until it is worn the body, so I think this is a beautiful and pretty genius solution of putting jewellery back into context. 

..... ok well it seems this post took me most of my day to write.... mmmm epic fail.... and since I haven't really finished it, I think I'll keep the rest for tomorrow...... 

Hope you'll stick with me and help me keep going, if I miss a day please feel free to drop me an e-mail written in CAPITAL LETTERS giving me a good kick up the ass. 

until tomorrow, 

- Z

brandbrand sneak peek. eek.

'Worth A Carrot or Two.'

living vicariously through others. part 1.

Slanted for Granted by Nicole Beck, Melanie Isverding, & Despo Sophocleous.

Photo taken by: Danae Natsis

So if you're like me and didn't manage to hock off all you belongings so you could travel to Schmuck this year, a good mate of mine Danae Natsis was deservedly awarded an ARTstart Grant so that she could do some much longed for traveling and professional development, She has just been in Munich and experienced the magic.

Follow the link to her blog for a nice run down on what we all missed.

Blog.

Next year maybe we'll all be there! Fingers crossed!

- Z

Just a little more urgency!

WANTED 100 JEWELLERS

THE YEAR WAS 2006.

It was a common year that started on a Sunday. John Howard was PM, the Yellow Wiggle retired for health reasons, Pluto was no longer classified as a planet and the price of 925 Silver was about 52 cents/gram.

It is often said that art is a reflection of our society; so we thought we might test this theory out.

Studio 20/17 is calling for the ambitious number of 100 jewellers who were making work back 2006.

DEAD LINE FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST - 27th April 2012

EXHIBITION DATES: 19th - 30th June 2012

THE DETAILS:

+ One piece of jewellery per artist made in 2006

+ One page artist CV

+ One highres image of the piece (preferably on a white background)

+ Caption details (title, materials, dimensions and approx month the piece was made)

+ $20 artist fee to be paid on submission (deadline for EOI 27th APRIL 2012)

For more information, please contact Zoe Brand - exhibitions@studio2017.com.au Phone + 61 2 9698 7999 or +61 416 069 881

Please feel free to forward this on to any and all.

Zoe Brand - Exhibition Coordinator at Studio 20/17

SO GREAT!

BEFORE: An image I took while I was visiting Pocket Studio

AFTER: I stole this image off their website

Just a quick little up date on those little bowls that I saw Alison Jackson doing when I went to visit her a few weeks ago!! How great did they turn out!?! AMAZING!!

Check out their web page for the full story. LINK.

SO GREAT!!

JEMusings.

I was asked to write some words about my time at JEMposium, which almost seems like a distant memory, by the lovely NZ ladies who edit OVERVIEW, a great little e-publication that comes out once every few months. You should really subscribe if you haven't already, the next issue comes out in the next day or so (e-mail - sandringhamjewellersguild@gmail.com).

I ended up writing some JEMusings, and if you haven't already guessed, they are just some of my musings!

So here are a few, the ones I have submitted for OVERVIEW, I'll put up in the next fews days once it has gone out to the punters.

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It has been just over a month ago since I set out with Nina ‘activities’ Baker, my jewellery traveling buddy, to attend JEMposium the much-anticipated jewellery conference in the delightful and unexpectedly sunny and wind free Wellington, NZ. As you may well know, there are two ways for things to go once you have returned from the rabbit hole. Either you’ve come back feeling depressed, insignificant, ‘hands up in the air’ overwhelmed, I call this hung-over or well-hung. Conversely you return recharged, eager to get your hands dirty and the only word you want to hear is ‘YES’. I am delighted to report I came home as fresh faced as a daisy with a torrent of ideas to ponder and plans to put into action.

JEMusing #1 - Dreaming of Fidels.

Many of the sticking points that keep reappearing in my mind after JEMposium revolved around sitting at a table, often the actual table was different, but in many instances it was situated in a café called Fidels. We ate there everyday, in fact twice on some days, and it wasn’t only that the food was de-licious, but it just seemed to have a certain air about it that was just conducive to free flowing and open conversations. My dinning companions were a varied lot and the caliber of jewellers passing through my midst was rather thrilling. While I spent two delightful days being talked at, I found that what happened around the eating table was just as, if not more engaging.

JEMusing 3# - Bottle of Vodka, a hotel room, and 2 jewellers.

Oh you know, just whipping up some make-do jewellery, after a few too many drinks and heavy jewellery conversations. Made from makeup sponges and metal jump rings. Well, we thought it was hilarious.

More to come.... soon soon soon.

Not quite as DELIGHTFUL as I had hoped.

Back to the drawing board.

Everything is URGENT!

Sunday morning breakfast!

Oh you know, Haloumi shaped like bench pegs, just a standard Sunday morning breakfast.

Delightful Canberra Times!

So my delightful new life affords me the luxury to spend a few days visiting my ma and pa in old Canberra town. As you're all probably expecting my JEMposium writings, they are on the way, to be perfectly honest that's actually what I'm working on while I'm here. But a few little adventures where also on the cards.

BILK

I visited to the jewellery gallery in Canberra, Workshop Bilk, well it is now known as Bilk since it relocated to Manuka from Queanybeyan a few years ago (web/blog). The show on display, opened just last Friday night and I was pretty excited that I managed to see it.

'Embark' an exhibition showcasing the work of 6 emerging jewellers from Melbourne and Canberra, was quite a delight. Bilk is known for its incredibly high standard of craftsmanship and, like most galleries has it's own aesthetic, I think this show is a testament to that. A 'best of the best' emerging showcase in the Bilk aesthetic. The absolute standout work for me was from Jill Hermans. Her work is luminous! It is masterful and if funds where permitting I think I would have bought a piece. If you get a chance you should pop down to Bilk and have a look. The show isn't going to change your life, but I think give it some time you will enjoy the quite moments this show can offer.

POCKET STUDIO

Recently I did a callout for jewellers, and the delightful Alison Jackson responded to my request. Since I knew I was coming down to Can Can, I thought I would hit her up for a studio tour, luckily she was most obliging and we talked the talk over a cup of tea.

Alison and a fellow jeweller started the workshop in Queanybeyan (just down the road from the first Workshop Bilk) about 4 years ago and since then it has become Pocket Studio under the sole guidance of Alison. She shares her space with 3 other studio tenants and has just started teaching classes on Monday nights. We had a lovely afternoon talking about the jewellery community (how to engage), workshop/studios (how they work and how they don't work), professional practice (or lack thereof in teaching institutions) and a little collaborative project her, an architect buddy and a product/industrial design pal have been working on for the last 3 weeks (thats the little bowls and spoons you see in the pictures), I can't wait to see the end product.

For a lady who can only be in her mid to late 20's she is going great guns! I'm pretty impressed, it's always nice to meet someone who is just doing what they do. Seemingly effortless (which of course it isn't), humble and generous. I'm looking forward to seeing where she steers herself next.

Thanks Alison for taking the time to have a cup of tea with me this arvo, mucho appreciated.

Cheers - Z

egotism or narcissism. your pick.

Unpacking JEMposium.

worth while explorations.

hot tips: go.

- FormShapeMake - This blog is going to be very very useful. Bookmark it now, and visit it often! Do as I say!

- Handshake - Spend some time here, these kids are living the dream.

And because these lovely jewellers were some of the first to answer my call out, I'm going to pimp them out right away!

- Selina Woulfe (NZ)

- Erin Keys (AUS)

- Debbie Adamson (NZ)

- Kristin D'Agostino (NZ)

- Thea Fortmann (AUS) - A hot tip from Mr Parable

So, just in case you're behind the eightball, I'm jeweller hunting, send me an e-mail with your website/blog address and your contact details, I like to be kept informed, and i've always got a need to know some fantastic jewellers (you know curating shows etc). Don't be shy drop me a line - zowe@hotmail.com - feel free to spread the word. The more the merrier!

- Z

ps. yes jemposium is coming. soon. just one more beer ok.

some things i've been-a-making.

Jemposium debrief is coming soon, but in the mean time, have a look-see

at some hilarious jewellery i've been pumping out for my mateys.

JD needed some BLING

NINA needed some DOLPHINS and GLITTER

LYNSAY needed to FUCK THIS and FUCK THAT.

that's all.

ZB.

Jemposium.

Stay tuned. My run down of Jemposium is on it's way.

While you wait - Conventions (this is a pretty good sum up of how it feels)

THANKS NZ.

- Z x

Top Marks Two Thousand & Twelve.

Hello and Happy New Year!

Two Thousand and Twelve has arrived and it has brought all sorts of exciting changes with it. After two of the most amazing years at gaffa, the time has come for me to grip life by the shoulders and give it a damn good shake. You should know that it’s not you, it’s me, and I can’t thank you enough for all the support you have shown me over the last few years in my roll as Retail Manager at gaffa. I really have had the most incredible journey and met and worked with some of the most wonderful and inspiring people. But it is time for my adventures to take a different road, time for some silly escapades and time to conduct some ‘Zoe Brand’ focus groups. This is not "goodbye", rather a chance to get to know me in a different capacity outside of the loving gaffa community.

My last day at gaffa will be Friday the 27th of January, please join us for opening night and farewell drinks from 6-8pm at gaffa (281 Clarence St, Sydney, NSW)

What’s next for me?I will be working a few days a week at the amazing Studio 20.17 (http://studio2017.com.au/), as well one day a week volunteering at the Powerhouse Museum, I will also be pimping out (aka social coordinating) the JMGA (Jewellers and Metalsmiths Association of Australia - NSW). I'm excited about making some jewellery, writing some words and traveling to far away places. If you want to talk over beers about possible collaborations, projects, exhibitions, or the state of the Australian cricket team please feel free to drop me a line. I would love to hear from you.

Thanks again for all your support, it is going to be incredibly sad to leave my home at gaffa, but I am also excited for my next grand adventure.

All the best,

Zoe Brand

This and That.

Zoe Brand - Neckpiece 2011

Materials: leftover exhibition flyers 'agda poster annual 2011', faux wood laminate and sterling silver.

THE CURIO @ Gaffa

Just a selection from 'The Curio - A Collectors Cabinet' hall of fame at Sterling by gaffa

Melinda Young

Kyoko Hashimoto

Karla Way

Jasmine Matus

Golden Ink

Emily Snadden

Vanessa Samuels

Tessa Blazey

Tamara Dixon

Tae Schmeisser

for the best.

NEWS about JMGA Conference - Thanks to Contemporary Jewellers of Adelaide for posting the below on the old FaceBook

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After much consideration we have decided to postpone the 2012 JMGA Conference.

We had previously indicated we would hold it in 2012, as is expected of a biennial conference. This is not a decision we have taken lightly. We apologise for being a little slow in responding to requests for information, but we were hesitant to publish information until we had made some crucial decisions.

Most of you will be aware that Queensland has had its fair share of natural disasters this year. In Brisbane while most things are up and running, there is still a long way to go in terms of returning to 'normal'. The effect of such an event cannot be underestimated; many people are still without homes, and many businesses are yet to reopen. To put it simply, we’ve had to direct our attention and energies elsewhere in the short term. We are confident that scheduling for 2013 will allow us the time and space we need to organise an exciting and dynamic conference. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

What we can tell you now is that we are extremely pleased to have confirmed the title and theme, the venue and the dates.

Participation and Exchange valuing the participative community
JMGA CONFERENCE 2013
12-14 JULY 2013
State Library of Queensland.

We are pleased to confirm the State Library of Queensland as a sponsor and will be using their fabulous venue for the conference.

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oh so fresh.

ok so my photoshopping skills aren't too crash hot, but yeah you get the idea.

I must admit it feels good to be making something new and FRESH!

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Some context perhaps?

So, my Grandmother was a hoarder. I don't think she ever got rid of anything. A little while ago we had to sort through her house, her life, and remove everything.

This was not a cathartic experience.

It was intense and emotional and still gives me panic attacks thinking about all the stuff we had to throw out, and not to mention all the stuff we kept. My mother and I have boxes of jewellery, fabric, buttons, paper punches, paper bags, books, fake leaves, single earrings, as well as furniture, crockery and heavy memories.

This is how I'm going to work through these feelings:

For my 21st Birthday my Grandmother gave me 21 gifts of jewellery.

For her 82nd birthday I would like to gift back 82 pieces of jewellery.

Constructed from all the items I have salvaged from her home,

or from items she had gifted me to me over the years.

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The above pieces have been made from paper bags.

Some bags still have their receipts in them, others I can only guess age/origin.

These bags are in pristine condition, having been piled up and stored for over 25 years.

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I hope this will be a cathartic experience.

making making.

If you click on the images they get BIGGER and you can see WAY more detail.

unnatural and strange ACTS.

So I got myself some new jewels! These beauties are by the lovely Melinda Young.

Lauren Simeoni and Melinda Young are the powerhouse behind unnatural, naturally. Recently they asked me to write a catalogue essay for their branch-off show unnatural Acts that opens in at Velvet Da Vinci (that's in the USA) tomorrow night! Woop Woop!!

Oh boy do I wish I was there!!!

Anyways my new jewels are payment for the essay - I love swapsies!

YAY.

oh and something strange has been happening. I've actually been making some jewellery. I know, crazy huh!! I'll post some images soon, I think you might like what i've been making. I'll give you a hint: It is CRICKET related. Surprised?? Didn't think so.

Also I'm going on a holiday! I'll be spending a week in Brisbane and a week in Melbourne. Woop Woop and I'm very excitedly doing the Benjamin Lignel workshop at RMIT. jealous?

If you want to hang out in either Brisbane (20th - 28th August) or Melbourne (29th August - 3rd September) let me know. I'm always up for a beer.

Cheers - Zoe

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UPDATE - Mel and Lauren have just put the catalogue essay up on their blog, so if you want to have a read - click here.