Jewellery buff Emily Fels may live 400km from Adelaide on a sheep station in outback South Australia, but that doesn’t stop her creative juices from flowing.
The mother-of-two says the Flinders Ranges’ striking sunsets and sprouting wildflowers are a constant source of inspiration for her jewellery line, Emily Jean Designs.
“I’m obsessed with colour so the way the light falls on the ranges is always an endless inspiration for me,” she says.
Emily uses lamp worked glass techniques to create one-off earrings, pendants, rings and bangles.
Emily spends hours in her home studio crafting the delicate pieces.
Made in her home studio on a 50,000-acre sheep station in the Far North town of Hawker, the pieces take hours to create.
Emily uses a high-quality furnace to melt the glass and shape it onto earring posts, pendant bezels and ring bases.
The glass is then fired at a high temperature in a kiln making it “strong and durable”.
“Everything is fused together – there is no glue, meaning it’s stronger,” Emily says.
“I have an idea of how it’s going to turn out and I can recreate color combinations.
“But none of the pieces ever come out the same – that’s the fluid and tactile nature of glass.”
Working dog Roo keeps Emily company during the polishing process.
Originally from Adelaide, Emily studied visual arts at the University of SA, majoring in jewellery design and silversmithing.
“I then studied to become a teacher and twelve years ago I came to Hawker as a prac (practice) teacher.
“As the stereotype goes, I met a farmer and never went back.”
Emily worked as a visual arts teacher in Hawker for 10 years before having two small children.
“When I had kids I was home and had the time to focus on the jewellery,” she says.
“I had learnt silversmithing at uni, but I was always interested in beading and glass.
“So I did a lot of research and focused on making a go of it and creating a proper business.
“I had wanted it for a really long time.”
Emily says living on a 50,000-acre sheep station in the Far North provides plenty of inspiration.
Emily set up an online shop through popular marketplace, Etsy, selling her pieces to jewellery lovers across Australia and in the US.
She also began showcasing Emily Jean Designs at markets in Adelaide, including Etsy Made Local, Gathered and the City East Markets.
Emily recently secured a deal to stock her jewellery in arts and crafts store Kingo Trading in Nagasaki, Japan.
At home, Emily Jean Designs can be spotted at Relove SA, an Ebenezer Place store representing dozens of local independent makers.
In 2016 she showcased her craft at Hawker’s inaugural Flinders Fest, which aims to support local makers and artists.
The bangles are a recent addition to the line.
Emily says the arts scene in Hawker is strong and that living in a regional town is no barrier to creative success.
“Hawker is an amazing place, there are really talented people who live in the area,” she says.
Emily encourages consumers to give local makers and designers a look-in when shopping.
“There’s always a beautiful story behind the label,” she says.
“The products aren’t faceless and have that special feeling.”
Emily Jean Designs can be found at the Fleurieu Fringe from February 16-25 and the Glenelg Sunset Markets on February 25.
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