Nicola Bannerman
Nicola’s studio is in the middle of Sydney’s CBD on Pitt St. The building is full of jewellers, diamond and gem setters, jewellery polishers and wholesalers. I visit Nicola a few times a month to pick up pieces and catch up, and thought it would be great to show you the environment in which she works, sharing a little about her and her jewellery.
Tell us about you. Where are you from, where are you based, what do you love?
I grew up in Canberra and moved to Sydney when I was 18 to study jewellery and object design. I have always been creative and love art, math and science. I have been making things for as long as I can remember and started making clothes at the age of 12 and jewellery at the age of 16.
Nicola at her bench
What influenced you to get into jewellery design?
I used to buy handmade jewellery from markets etc when I was a young teenager and one night I was admiring my favorite pair of earrings and I wondered why the maker had made them the way they had. I thought that if I had made them, I would have made them quite differently and at that moment I realized that this was what I wanted to do and I never looked back.
Nicola polishing jewellery in her studio
Nicola’s sand blaster and soldering station
What do you enjoy the most about creating your jewellery? What motivates you?
I love creating collections of jewellery that are based on a theme and that are unlike any other jewellery I have seen. My jewellery isn’t seasonal or fashion driven and the collections I make are timeless and can be worn year after year. The jellyfish collection I designed nearly 10 years ago, and it sells just as well today as when I first made it. I also love gemmology and have a Diploma in Gemmology and a Diploma in Diamond Technology.
Designs from the Jellyfish collection
What have been the highlights of your jewellery career?
In 1998 I won the Centre for Contemporary Craft award for the most outstanding post-graduate artist in NSW. (I wasn’t even a post grad, I had only just completed my Honours year but was put into that category and won.) My jewellery and sculpture have been displayed in group exhibitions in Australia and featured in several local and international magazines. Pieces have been purchased for private collections in Japan, USA and Europe. Commissions have included designing and making necklaces for female nominees at TV Week’s 2006 Logie Awards. More recently my jewellery has been worn by TV stars Caroline Jones and Tracy Grimshaw, and one of my designs was selected by the Prime Minister’s Department to present to The Queen of Spain when she was visiting here a few years ago.
Where do you work and how does this influence your practice?
My studio is in the CBD of Sydney and I live in the Eastern Suburbs so I walk to work through the Botanical Gardens. Most of my work is inspired by nature so my morning walks around the harbour have led to many ideas and collections.
The enchanted collection
How would you describe your design style?
My designs are feminine and organic and I always apply great attention to detail. Every element is carefully thought about, even down to the handmade clasps. I always apply an exceptionally high finish to everything, and I never use any mass produced elements in my work. People often remark upon the exquisite craftsmanship in my work.
The bellflower collection
What are you working on next?
My partner farms Tahitian Pearls so I have access to some of the world’s finest ‘black’ pearls. I am currently designing a contemporary collection using his pearls.
Nicola and me (Jeni Oye) admiring Nicola’s husband’s Tahitian pearls
I hope you enjoyed our interview with Nicola and our tour of her studio. Check out all of Nicola’s exquisite work at Oye Modern, and watch out for the new pearl collection coming soon!
Cheers!
Jeni Oye