Jewellery World Magazine - April 2022

jewellery, to measure the changes in my life
through what I was creating at the time. I am
also incredibly passionate about being able to
create other people’s sentimental jewellery,
for example if they have a particular gem
they would like refitted into a new design
or the original piece. Loving the emotional
and sentimental aspects of jewellery was
the foundation of my pursuit of jewellery,
and it has since informed both my vision and
philosophy.
My most
important and
sentimental
piece would
have to be my
end-of-year
piece at TAFE.
My design for the piece was so complicated
that all my mentors advised against making
it and suggested I find alternative designs.
However, I persevered in making my original
design: a hairpin in the shape of a lily-ofthe-valley
flower that came apart into three
pieces with a variety of handset precious
stones. It was a very ambitious design, but I
was successful in creating it. I won the Best
Set Gem Award and Overall High Achievement
for TAFE which was a wonderful affirmation
of the skills I have developed and my innate
aptitude for jewellery making, and it helped
give me more confidence to pursue jewellery
professionally.
You mentioned some of your
mentors at TAFE. How important
has mentorship and having strong
role models been in your journey
to becoming a jeweller?
So, so important. I have been incredibly
fortunate in my journey to have had such
amazing and knowledgeable teachers,
mentors and colleagues that have been
paramount to the development of skills and
passion. At TAFE and now at Palloys, I’ve
had so many people willing to share their
techniques and experience with me. Some of
the people I work with not only have decadesworth
of experience in making jewellery,
but they are also more than willing to share
their knowledge with me and our colleagues.
It can be intimidating, working with such
experienced and skilled jewellers, but there
is such a great exchange of skills between
all the jewellers, which ultimately broadens
everyone’s abilities and makes it a really
positive learning environment.
And finally, do you have any advice
for any up-and-coming jewellers
who might be inspired by your
journey?
The best advice I can give is just give it a go.
By showing interest and actively participating
in the jewellery industry via TAFE, trade
fairs, showrooms and work experience and
introducing yourself in these settings, you’ll be
able to navigate your way into your own space
in the jewellery world.
Palloys’ is always amazed at the sheer talent
and skill that our jewellers show every day in
our Marrickville workshop. Rebecca’s journey
shows how passion, ambition and hard work
can lead to a successful career in jewellery. We
are thrilled to have her as a member of the
Palloys family.
April 2022 15