Ada Hodgson in her Collingwood Studio
Ada Hodgson’s handmade jewellery explores a cosmology of imaginary planets featuring arid deserts, grassy plains and an endless coastline. Working with copper, silver, enamel and precious stones, Ada’s signature pieces recreate the fractal beauty of the natural and imaginary world. Be sure to discover more from this Collingwood based artist as she makes the journey to Sydney for Finders Keepers this 4-6 May.
How did you come to be a seller at Finders Keepers?
I’ve always made jewellery! I had my first foray into market stalls as a five year old, selling beaded necklaces at my mums Chiropractic clinic haha! In high school I began to learn a bit of silversmithing, and went on to study Gold and Silversmithing at RMIT.
After university, I worked for various Melbourne jewellers, this gave me the artistic encouragement to pursue my own aesthetic. I then launched my own brand, Ada Hodgson, in 2016, and have been working at it full time for just over a year. Which brings me to my next market experience, the A/W Melbourne Finders Keepers in 2016!
Peppermint Imaginary Planet and Fold Earrings by handmade Ada Hodgson
Ada Hodgson creating her handmade pieces in her studio
Talk us through a typical day in the life of Ada Hodgson.
It is trite to admit, but of course every day beings with coffee…ha! My studio which is a creative warehouse space on Easey St in Collingwood is a short stroll from home. I share the beautiful light filled space with Kate of Dot&Co ceramics, who first inspired my to do the Finders Keepers market!
I try to plan my week ahead on Friday evenings, to leave my weekends free for play, rest and rejuvenation. Typically Mondays are for admin, giving me four full days to go to my studio, and experiment and create.
What has been your proudest business moment to date?
Some of my proudest moments have been with customers who I’ve made a special piece of jewellery for! Jewellery for me is so sentimental, I can remember who gave me every piece of jewellery I own, and for what occasion.
Jewellery is always a gift of love. I’m grateful to be apart of making a special piece for a daughter, partner, lover, sister. In fact, a lovely customer sought me out at the A/W Melbourne Finders Keepers market (2017) to tell me just how much she loved the ring her partner had purchased for her the year before. It was so touching!
Dusty Blush Imaginary Planet and Blue Oil Slick Earrings by Ada Hodgson
Tell us about your inspiration for creativity?
I always have sketchbook on me wherever I go, and I often dream of designs, most of which are exciting and colourful earrings! I primarily work with vitreous enamel, which is powdered glass, and I use this to create my miniature landscapes. I learnt to fire enamel at uni along with Jenna O’Brien
Jewellery, with whom I shared my first Finders Keepers market stall! Jenna and I are close friends, and have helped each other technically, and been a small business support to each other over the years at the markets!
What goals do you have for your business over the next five years?
I’d love to learn to paint and produce my Imaginary Planet dreamscapes on a very large scale! Or perhaps I just need to find a ridiculously large kiln. Later this year I will be releasing a new collection, from a macro view of my imaginary planets I am really excited to zoom in and explore
the coastlines and the secret gardens, the desert habitats.
My next exploration is inspired by gardens, which I’ve always adored for their overgrown romanticism and mysterious, contemplative nature. This work will evoke hidden, walled gardens full of wonder that look beyond the modern geometry of order.
adahodgson.com
instagram.com/adahodgson
Crown Earrings by Ada Hodgson