Jeweller - October 2022

My Bench
Eleanor Hawke
Abrecht Bird Jewellers. Melbourne VIC
Age 33 • Years in Trade 12 • Training Apprenticeship (NMIT) • Other Qualifications Diploma and Advanced Diploma in Jewellery Engineering.
SIGNATURE PIECE
SLIDER PENDANT
A slider pendant is part one of a three-piece series designed
based on nature and its flora and fauna. The simple geometric
framework is paired with an organic twisting and interlocking
vine that’s adorned with a variety of leaves, yellow gold granules
representing wattle and a scattering of diamonds representing
the morning dew.
4FAVOURITE GEMSTONE Diamonds, specifically
champagne diamonds.
4FAVOURITE METAL 18-carat gold, yellow and white
gold. Great metals to work with, I love including contrasting
colours in my work.
4FAVOURITE TOOL Jewellers saw. I love saw piercing
intricate designs in my work.
4BEST NEW TOOL DISCOVERY Laser welder.
4BEST PART OF THE JOB Presenting clients with their
new item of jewellery and seeing the joy in their faces.
4WORST PART OF THE JOB Dropping gemstones and tiny
pieces of metal on the floor. Searching forever!
4BEST TIP FROM A JEWELLER If a job looks complicated
and daunting as a whole, break it down into smaller
components. Everything is made up of shapes that appear
more complex than they are.
4BEST TIP TO A JEWELLER Never stop learning and
trying new techniques. Keep an open mind to new ideas.
4BIGGEST HEALTH CONCERN ON THE BENCH
Breathing in the polishing dust and chemical fumes.
4LOVE JEWELLERY BECAUSE It gives me the opportunity
to be artistic and creative. I love the idea of sketching a
rough idea for an item of jewellery and watching a simple
bar of gold transform into something spectacular.
72 | October 2022