The Studio Bench

The Curio showcase – Gaffa gallery opening 19 May

Vanessa Samuels — Wed, 18 May 2011 04:25:56 +0000

Hey Folks, now’s your chance to grab a “Stack me” bracelet, the last of this editions series. A small showcase “The Curio” is on display and bracelets for sale in Gaffa’s “Sterling” gallery on the ground level for two weeks. Come along to the opening and check out the rest of Gaffa’s program with this link. http://gaffa.createsend5.com/t/r/e/jthlkdk/l/m/
See you there. Opening this Thursday 19 May from 6-8pm.

PASS IT ON

Vanessa Samuels — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 01:16:45 +0000

Hey all, a brand new opportunity for all you fabulous jewellers everywhere. I’ve recently submitted images of work from the last exhibition “This Place-Changing Landscapes” and sent it on it’s merry way to the publishers of the Lark book 500 Series. The new one being published in Spring 2012 is titled “500 Rings”. Here’s the ad for those interested in submitting their own work. Good luck!

New year, New work: A preview collection

Vanessa Samuels — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 23:53:59 +0000

A new year deserves some new work. While Santa has been busy so have I, the studio never sleeps so here is a sneak preview of some new pieces hitting the stores. Inspired by more layering and stacking, a continuing theme in my work, these rings are part of a collection being launched in the coming weeks. I love these rings, classic contemporary, hand-crafted in a selection of 925 silver, 18k yellow and 9k red gold. Finished with a hammer beaten texture, they are so versatile and look beautiful worn as stacks and incredibly comfortable to wear.

Hand-made to order, create your own unique collection with your choice of precious metals, also available with pave 1pt diamonds in black or white.

For enquiries please email: vsamuels@optusnet.com.au

Show opening

Vanessa Samuels — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 03:53:42 +0000

I’m rather liking the Saturday afternoon drinks, I think it works well to have it on a weekend.

Thank you to both Bridget and Mel for being consummate professionals at their job and selling some work, beautiful!. (Even I got into trouble for not picking up the work the right way! oh dear) It’s a beautiful little gallery full of treasured jewels, the show works really well in the space. And of course thanks to all the supporters; family and friends for turning up. And to those who bought a piece or two, enjoy!

Big thumbs up for the added incentive of cupcakes by Miss Watson, baker extraordinaire (watsbakin.tumblr.com) for the Greek flag inspired blue and white cupcakes. They were a treat particularly enjoyed by the smaller crowd supporters. And last but not least I was happy to model an inspired ‘cupco big chunky gold chain with bomber girl’ neckpiece. Bomber girl no relation to me, I think.

Invitation – here it is

Vanessa Samuels — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 12:43:29 +0000

Invite-”This Place”final

Hot off the Press

Vanessa Samuels — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 12:32:19 +0000

I love technology.
Heres a link to view a preview of my little catalogue for the up-coming exhibition “This Place- Changing Landscapes”

This Place – Changing Landscapes by Vanessa Samuels | Make Your Own Book

Silversmith’s shop front – Made by hand!

Vanessa Samuels — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 07:34:09 +0000

Silversmiths workshop in Ioannina – Greece

Vanessa Samuels — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 07:19:21 +0000

I love these photos, sorry they are a bit dark. These piccies are of a studio we found in Ioannina, north of Greece. Its a place known for it’s silver jewellery. Unfortunately it was a big disappointment as far as jewellery goes. Yes, plenty of shops with imported cheap jewellery, probably from turkey and India. Big let down. BUT we found this working studio at one end of the town. It is a shop front filled with traditionally hand made insence burners for church’s all hand crafted out of silver. What do you call those things? I’m not sure. They were really beautiful. I dragged harry in to the store and made him go and talk to the owner at the back. Poor thing, but I don’t speak Greek, luckily he does! Thankfully the owner was more than happy to let us come into the back. It turns out the owner has been in this business and workshop for more than 40 years and also has his two sons working for him. I WAS IN HEAVEN. Filled with silver, all the familiar tools, benches stacked with silver lemel and pieces being worked on. The owner was working on one of the insence pieces. It was filled with wax so he could chase the design on the outside. I just could’nt believe the amount of workmanship going into these pieces. It was astonishing. Apparently they supply to a lot of the Greek Orthodox churches and export to Italy and I think Turkey as well. They are one of the last workshops that still carries out this work by hand. Amazing…

Street jewels

Vanessa Samuels — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 12:46:42 +0000

More work, trying to finish a new bunch of small pins to wear. These are based on the grills I photographed in the Athens street leading up to The Parthenon. Glinting gold in the sun, I had to stop and see what was on the ground. Ha, lo and behold, simply a well worn brass bolt of sorts in the middle of a street grill. Instant jewellery! So, making some pins based on that. Some ideas present themselves just like that! Playing in metal with stamped letters.

Vanessa Samuels — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 12:53:51 +0000