A Bit About Me

 

I have been making and selling jewellery since I was 11. I started with Fimo and paua (abalone) jewellery, then moved to bead jewellery. In 2009 I finally plucked up the courage to learn silver smithing, and I have never looked back. I studied at a night course at inverlochy art school, which helped me learn the basics and I then taught myself from there.

LSD Jewellery (Little Sister Designs) was then born. I opened my etsy store 2009, but really got my my business fully off the ground late 2010.

 I started off making dark and industrial style jewellery using human teeth and hair. I also concentrated on acrylic and silver cut out badges, and antique photo pendants.

Over time my Jewellery evolved and I moved to casting Bird claws and animal bones (all ethically sourced, or from found dead birds). I then progressed on to wax carving which is one of my favourite parts of creating. Working in wax has many different techniques. Melting, sculpting and carving are the ones I use the most. I then send the jewellery to my casting company where they make a mould (not for one of a kind pieces - they go straight to casting!) and cast it in metal using the lost wax method.

 I draw a lot of inspiration from music, Books and films, particularly fantasy, horror and folk horror.

 I live in the beautiful seaside town of Eastbourne, in Wellington NZ, with my beautiful cats and Husband Andrew.

I have an amazing studio that has been growing in equipment over the years, I have a Jewellers desk that I designed to my own specifications, and I now have a Gemstone cutting and polishing set up (Which can do cabochons, but not faceted gems).

 I love all aspects of jewellery making, it is so rewarding bringing a design to life. One of My favourite things to do is listen to audio books while working on jewellery. So many pieces I have made have been inspired by the books I listen to.

 Jewellery is the perfect occupation for me, as I have lived since a teenager with severe Crohn's Disease, which has been very debilitating and draining mentally and physically. Ive had many surgeries and lots of complications due to them, But being able to work from home and make my own hours is a godsend!

I am truly grateful to be able to do this as my job. Thanks for reading about me!

 - Charlotte