FK chats to Elodie of simplistically, gorgeous handmade jewellery label, Elodie. Look out for Elodie’s beautiful designs at the upcoming Melbourne Markets! (above image by Alicia Taylor)
Tell us about your label Elodie and what the concept is behind it?
élodie is a jewellery and object design studio that draws inspiration from the simplicity of form and material. The majority of the work is made by hand with a looseness that allows every piece to evolve into its own shape making it a one of a kind.
What is your background and how did you start working with Jewellery?
I have been an art student my whole life. After focusing on creative subjects in school, I moved on to complete a bachelor of Industrial Design at Swinburne University and from there realised more than anything, that I wanted to make with my hands. I then enrolled at NMIT to do further study in Jewellery Design, which I completed in 2004.
How has your creative style developed over time and what inspires your work?
My passion for form and colour began in school when I discovered the work of artists such as : Alexander Calder, Joan Miro, Jean Arp, Henry Moore to name a few. I’ve always worked with shapes, whether they be organic or geometric. New ideas come when you least expect it. A lamp, a piece of furniture or even fashion can be inspiration for a new shape or colour. Not to mention our old friend nature, the inspiration from nature is endless and we often don’t even realise it’s happening.
What is your creative workspace like, and what inspires you about your surroundings?
My Studio space is a little busy. I have everything I need, everywhere and my current challenge is to commit to putting tools away when I’ve finished with them. I work from home which is both a good and bad thing. It means if I’m having an off day, then there are multiple visits to the fridge and pantry plus a thousand other tempting ways to procrastinate. Or if I’m having a good day, I can work until whenever I like, and then when I’m done, I just go upstairs.
What challenges have you faced starting your own label, and what are some things you love about it?
The biggest challenge for me has been my commitment to my work. It’s certainly not easy to self motivate and it requires an enormous amount of discipline. Which is the reason it has taken me so long to get élodie off the ground. The hardest part is believing that you have something to offer to others. Yes, I do this because I enjoy it, and I’m very comfortable with the fact that my work is not for everyone but at the end of the day it’s a business, no matter how small, and so it’s imperative that I believe in my own ability, before I can expect anyone else to love my work.
What new plans do you have for Elodie this year?
élodie has had some unexpected publicity in publications such as The Age Saturday Spectrum, and Fashion Journal’s June edition, which has been a nice little shove toward commitment and motivation. The website has had an overhaul (almost ready for another one), and there are new designs waiting in the wings to be released. The Melbourne Finders Keepers market in July is a big event and work is in progress for that, which is fun because it also means I get to design my stand again which is always a challenge. The focus is to keep up the momentum without forcing it, and enjoy the process.
