tell us about your background
I worked as a Graphic Designer before studying jewellery and metal design in Melbourne in 2003. I had a stall at St Kilda Market for 5 years before stores like Diva & Accessorise popped up offering their cheap & cheerful jewellery offerings. So after 10 years of raising 2 beautiful children I am finally realising my dream & love of designing gorgeous jewellery with the beauty of something unique, local & “hand-made”.
tell us about what you create
I enjoy the versatility of sculpting clay, it gives me the freedom to try different colours, sizes & themes. Some current themes are Retro, Colour & Lace, Cascading Feathers and The Love Collection. All my pieces are designed and created in my home studio in Richmond, Melbourne.
what made you start making your pieces?
Working from a home studio with two small & inquisitive children was becoming a hazard so I was forced to put away the drills & gas torches and find a medium that worked on the kitchen table. Then I had so many ideas I just couldnt stop…I needed to find an outlet, so when the offer of a place at in.cube8r came up I jumped on it!
What is your inspiration/influences?
My mother worked in fine jewellery & used to bring home gold & diamonds, she was so dissapointed when I chose the bright plastic bangle over the petite dimonte one…. I cant explain but i have just always LOVED costume jewellery. It’s so expressive & confident & always makes me smile! (Perhaps it’s Cyndi Lauper’s fault!)
What materials do you use?
Vicki Leigh Jewellery is hand-made by me in Melbourne from high quality Polymer/Resin Clay sculpted into all sorts of shapes & forms & moulds.
All my pieces are designed and manufactured in my home studio in Richmond, Melbourne.
I also make most of my findings from sterling silver wire & other metals to make the pieces more authentic & hand-made.
In the future I will explore incorporating other materials – silk, glass, semi precious stones, feathers, more silver/metals, resin & beads.
tell us about your creative process?
I collect images, sketch new ideas and experiment with new techniques constantly. It’s very time consuming & keeps me up late at night. I am always finding new & unexpected ways to combine colour and texture. My personal challenge is to stay contemporary & true to my brand whilst constantly creating new themes & concepts that are unique and original.
why did you choose in.cube8r?
What a great store! Where emerging artists can share their new product in a retail environment…markets can be daunting! I also think – for me – Fitzroy – it’s inhabitants & visitors are generally open to the new & hand-made local aesthetic.
Also, praise to Facebook, a space came up so I jumped on it!
where else can we find you?
ONLINE:
https://www.facebook.com/
www.vickileigh.com.au (currently under construction)
Small selection available for sale via ETSY (www.etsy.com/shop/
Contact me via email: vicki@vickileigh.com.au