There is A Shop Called Milton. In Melbourne. It is a little bit of something to everyone. So old-fashioned and yet so modern. It's where I found Seb Brown. I first spotted his jewellery designs but then found his graphic design work. Both are worth checking out. As are some of his other ventures, including Phuong & Seb's Belt Co.
Which five words best describe you? Observant. Interested. Always making things.
How did you get your career started and what path have you taken since? I started making jewellery at the end of 2009. I started with one sketch of a necklace and it has gone from there. I initially made things for myself and frıends and enjoyed it so I kept going. I studied graphic design and I love to draw and paint. So I can mash them all together and create something exciting. I'm looking forward to the future as my path hasn't been very long!
What's the best lesson you've learnt along the way? That being a self-taught jewellery maker is possible. Also it isn't that difficult to get in contact with people who you admire.
What's your proudest career achievement? Having my jewellery stocked in two retailers in my first 6 months. Also whenever someone says; "I love your ring, where did you get it?" and I can say "I made it!"
What's been your best decision? To work for myself.
Who inspires you? I am inspired by a multitude of things. Particularly by organic textures and forms from flora and geology. I am also fascinated by the lives of people from ancient civilizations and the ways in which they developed their own unique aesthetics with limited outside influence. I am constantly in awe of artists who are willing to push the boundaries, making more headway for all different types of creative people.
What are you passionate about? The environment, gay marriage rights, the beach and surfing, cooking and being cooked for, loyalty, honesty and friendship, dress up parties, the arts, riding my bike, wearing shorts, camping and travelling!
Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? Frida Kahlo, although I think she might be a bit intimidating.
What dream do you still want to fulfil? Too many things to mention! Although probably something involving flying.
What are you reading? The adventures of Augie March by Saul Bellow and the 'Turkey' sectıon I cut out of my Lonely Planet.
images courtesy of seb brown
One of the travel stories from real living that has stayed with me was written and photographed by Leila Jeffreys. It was her second visit to Christmas Island (an Australian territory that's in the Indian Ocean and has been proclaimed by Sir David Attenborough as a "must-visit" destination for its wildlife). Leila was there as part of Bird and Nature Week, and spent time caring and photographing many rare species. (It's in the September 2008 issue, if you have back copies.) So I was thrilled recently to see that she was exhibiting her photography work at Iain Dawson Gallery. Not only because she has continued with her passion for photography, but she's also spent time documenting birds in an altogether fresh and vibrant way.
How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? I started off taking promo photos for bands, since then I fell into the wonderful world of magazines.
What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? It doesn’t necessarily matter what you do, it’s who you work with that’s important. Loving the people you work with really does makes all the difference.
What’s your proudest career achievement? I would have to say this exhibition has been my proudest achievement. It has been 3 years of hard work and I’m in shock that I finally made it to the finishing line.
What was the starting point for this exhibition? I was obsessed about a giant portrait of a budgerigar for my home. The whole project started being about something that I could visualise and wanted for myself. From there it turned into a series of images which eventually lead to the exhibition.
What’s been your best decision? It’s probably a bit of a cliché but for me it was the decision to become a Mum.
Who inspires you? My husband James, and our adorable son (James’s words).
What are you passionate about? I’m passionate about native critters, I love anything that has fur, feathers or fangs.
Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? Gram Parsons.
What dream do you still want to fulfil? I’d love to commission a sustainable architect to design my dream home.
What are you reading? The Happiness Trap by Russ Harris, he’s all about practising mindfulness.
images courtesy of leila jeffreys and iain dawson gallery
