behind the jewellery
philosophy
Our ancestors lived in close harmony with the natural world and held a deep reverence for the earth and all its life forms. Nature’s abundance of symbols and patterns have hypnotically captured our curiosity for thousands of years, inspiring great folklore, philosophy and mysticism. This sense of wonder transcended observation of the mere physical properties of the natural world, for beyond this visible realm are those intangible qualities of the earth which are sensed but not seen. Animals and plant life have long been revered as earthly gateways to these unquantifiable and ethereal magicks.
Wild Incantations jewellery is an expression of my veneration for this earth magick. My creations are inspired by ancient traditions of wearing talismans containing animal and plant remains, to celebrate and honour this sacred connection to the earth. Each piece is crafted with deep reverence and respect for the earth’s natural forms. Through my creative process, I hope to reawaken connections to the ancient wisdoms of the natural world and to other realms beyond.
Working with animal remains and decaying plant matter has provided me with a unique opportunity to closely witness the natural dissolution of organic forms. I have chosen to use a process of electroforming in the creation of my jewellery, as it allows me to suspend a moment in time during this process of decay. This provides an invitation to pause and reflect on mortality, and the cycles of life and death that we are all inextricably bound to. By sharing my creations in the form of wearable art, I invite others to explore these themes of ephemerality.
In the present day, few of us live in as close connection with the natural world as our forebears once did. But as creatures of the earth we have an eternal, enduring affinity with the wild. The immortalised fragments of nature in Wild Incantations adornments are intended to exist as amuletic portals between the wearer and the natural world. It is my hope that my creations may serve as sacred tokens that you can carry close to you, wherever you are, as a reminder that the earth is here to ground and guide you, always.
acknowledgement
There are many living cultures who have maintained a sacred connection with the earth, including the Traditional Owners of this land. Wild Incantations acknowledges that our jewellery is created on the unceded lands of the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nation, and pays respects to Elders past, present and emerging. We recognise and celebrate the ongoing connection to country and culture, and the unyielding strength and resilience of our First Nations Peoples. We recognise and express deep gratitude for the wealth of ancient knowledge held by Traditional Owners that continues to guide us towards a more respectful relationship with Country. We also recognise the need for continued listening, learning, and healing in this country.
creative process
All Wild Incantations jewellery is lovingly designed and handmade by Gaia in Naarm/Melbourne, Australia. My jewellery is created using a process called electroforming, which involves depositing layers of metal (usually copper) onto a surface to create a solid metal object.
I begin my process by collecting objects from nature and create compositions featuring these found objects by adding embellishments such as wire, crystals and polymer clay. The design is then coated with a conductive layer of paint, and placed in an electrolyte bath comprised of an ionised solution. An electrical current is applied, causing the metal ions in the solution to be attracted to the conductive surface of the design. As the current moves through the solution, these metal ions build up layer by layer, gradually forming a solid metal casing over the original item. The process can take several hours or even days, depending on the desired thickness of the metal layers. The finished product is a copper plated design which preserves the original object within the metal. This means that unlike a metal casting process (which discards the original mould), all of the bones, insects and leaves that you see featured in my jewellery are still encased within the copper of the finished jewellery piece.
As a finishing touch, patinas are often added to the surface of the copper to achieve different shades of darkness on the surface of the metal. Some copper creations are also plated over with other metals such as nickel for a different metallic effect.
Using the art of electroforming, I am able to immortalise natural treasures into unique copper amulets that celebrate the organic forms of the natural world. Working with organic shapes also means that each piece is a completely unique, one of a kind creation.
A demonstration video of my process is available on my Instagram page.
ethics & sustainability
Wild Incantations is inspired by my reverence and wonder for the natural world and all the creatures that live within it, and I take great care to avoid harming any living creatures in my creative process. Most animal remains are gathered by me on my wilderness adventures, and this never involves hunting living creatures. This extends from large creatures right down to the smallest insects that you see featured in my jewellery. Any remains collected are handled with deep care and respect, and I am always mindful to leave the smallest footprint I can in order to make minimal impact on the land. While the majority of the materials I work with are gathered in this way, I am also often fortunate enough to receive donations of natural treasures from friends who are ethically aligned.
Foraging is one of my favourite parts of my creative process, as it means that every bone, insect or leaf featured in my amulets has a unique origin story connected to the wild place it was discovered in. It also means that availability of certain styles of jewellery is completely dependant on the natural treasures that I find by happenstance. This element of chance makes each and every discovery all the more precious and delightful, and contributes to the uniqueness of each creation.
Any leather products used in my jewellery are sourced as sustainably as possible and primarily feature sustainably sourced kangaroo leather or leather scraps & offcuts that would otherwise end up as waste.
Commitment to sustainability extends to all packaging used in shipping. All packaging used to ship Wild Incantations jewellery is either biodegradable or recyclable. You can compost the mailing bags, boxes, shipping label stickers, tissue paper and ribbons (yes, even the ribbons!) and all paper is recyclable. I am endlessly grateful for our beautiful home planet and am mindful of choosing eco-friendly options wherever possible.
markets & community events
At various times throughout the year, you can find Wild Incantations at some of Victoria’s vibrant local markets, including St. Andrew’s Market, Ceres Makers & Flea Market, and an array of other seasonal events. I deeply value these opportunities to connect with the community, customers and other artists.
If you're interested in finding out which upcoming markets I will be attending, you are welcome to get in touch via the contact form. I’ll also share updates about upcoming markets on my Instagram, so stay tuned and I look forward to seeing you there.