. . . and it’s Juan-Luis’ birthday next Thursday, May 9.
Paddington studio 1987-1995 remembered today Thursday, May 2 2024
arresting human intelligence and barbara heath and Blogroll and jeweller to the lost - commisions and jeweller to the lost - retail range and jeweller to the lost - sculpture and malcolm enright collections, exhibition, fashion, the good things 5:01 pm
Here we are at studio day two, for 2024 Wednesday, Feb 28 2024
barbara heath and Blogroll and jeweller to the lost - commisions and jeweller to the lost - retail range and jeweller to the lost - sculpture and malcolm enright bespoke, chain links, collections, fashion, handmade, the good things 7:37 pm
Barbara’s exploratory focus this year will be on the hand made chain and links . . . so where do I start with my post? Back in 1983 when Barbara arrived in Brisbane and started the second stage of her career as the ‘jeweller to the lost’, initiating her Manifesto “there is really no new jewellery”.
Hardly knowing anyone in Brisbane, Barbara started making chain for Mr Sims at the Queen Street store of Hardy Bros. Barbara hand made virtually every style of Victorian and Edwardian chain that was requested . . . Mr Sims also gave Barbara an early opportunity to create her own range of contemporary pieces using high carat metal and diamonds, as he introduced her to his gem contacts. In her early receipt books I counted seven other retailers that Barbara supplied makes to, in those first two years.
There are numerous ‘link’ types unique to the studio, these take on many variations from texture, thickness and size, to double and triple element additions. Barbara’s links are used in Necklaces of various lengths, complex Signature Bracelets, men’s Tie Bars and Cufflinks, drop chain mesh Earrings/ Necklaces and numerous Commissions.
Here is one style made for our fave store in Sydney at the time, textured base metal with gold plating.
Article from Cleo Magazine 1990 with text from an early follower in Melbourne.
End of a great #dayfour, Barbara is showing at ‘artisans in the gardens’ Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney until 29th October 2023 Tuesday, Oct 24 2023
barbara heath and Blogroll and jeweller to the lost - commisions and jeweller to the lost - retail range and jeweller to the lost - sculpture and malcolm enright bespoke, blogging, collections, exhibition, fashion, gem stones and high carat metal, handmade, the good things 6:15 pm
New ‘chain mesh’ necklaces ready for this Sunday’s QAGOMA autumn design market, March 19 2023. Thursday, Mar 16 2023
barbara heath and Blogroll and jeweller to the lost - retail range and jeweller to the lost - sculpture and malcolm enright bespoke, Chain mesh, exhibition, handmade, Silver necklace, the good things 11:23 am
Chain mesh is a complex construction, fully collapsable, solid silver object with Barbara’s © bar & ring clasp. Her first public art piece ‘net’ was conceived using a similar method from a chain mesh bracelet, we have now introduced this on two new necklace lengths.
More 1980’s styistic developments that led to Barbara’s future jewellery directions Saturday, Mar 11 2023
barbara heath and Blogroll and jeweller to the lost - commisions and jeweller to the lost - retail range and jeweller to the lost - sculpture and malcolm enright 925 silver, aluminium, bespoke, blogging, collections, fashion, handmade, Ring Design, steel, style history, the good things 10:28 am
1) Button – sterling silver with perforated heat-coloured titanium, riveted construction
2) Bracelet – partial textured sterling silver with heat-coloured titanium, riveted construction
3) Ring – sterling silver sliced shape with (early) lace holes
4) Ring – 9ct yellow gold with steel mesh
These four © Bh style precursors have been re-found and cleaned up for our blog documentation
Early works from Barbara’s first year in Brisbane working from her boat and then her Metro Arts studio – 1983 Thursday, Mar 9 2023
barbara heath and Blogroll and jeweller to the lost - commisions and jeweller to the lost - retail range and jeweller to the lost - sculpture and malcolm enright bespoke, brooch, collections, exhibition, gem stones and high carat metal, handmade, the good things 5:41 pm
This ‘photographic brooch’ above combines Barbara’s two interests at the time; her own photography/darkroom activity and using natural (found) materials to push her jewellery practice . . . “someone suggested that I should enter this in the Westpac Craft Award for 1983, and it won first prize”! I titled the brooch Tri-X after the Kodak film I was using at the time.
The ‘photographic pendant’ below uses another image of Barbara’s and shows her early complex use of textured, matted and polished sterling silver. Note the use of watchmakers acrylic, swivel connectors and laminated elements.
This third brooch incorporates layered copper, silver and rub-over set Queensland boulder opal with Barbara’s drawing in metal indicating clouds, water and a tropical storm. The original price tag of this piece is still attached to the reverse of the brooch = $280.00
THERE ARE LOTS OF OTHER ‘BROOCH’ POSTS, USE THE BLOG’S (SEARCH FACILITY) AND TYPE IN BROOCH AND GO!
Welcome to 2023 Friday, Mar 3 2023
arresting human intelligence and barbara heath and Blogroll and jeweller to the lost - commisions and jeweller to the lost - retail range and jeweller to the lost - sculpture and malcolm enright blogging, collections, exhibition, fashion, gem stones and high carat metal, handmade, the good things 11:58 am
Annual holidays over and we have been back at the bench for three weeks . . . our Tasmanian gallerist launched their latest © Bh works available in Hobart, published 12 Feb 2023
The latest from handmark
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCMENT Saturday, May 2 2020
barbara heath and Blogroll and jeweller to the lost - sculpture and malcolm enright blogging, collections, gem stones and high carat metal, the good things 12:20 pm
From those wonderful folk who created the (mid-year maker’s market) at QAGOMA . . . but with the public isolation protocols still in place the usual end May to June market is cancelled BUT they have created an on-line opportunity for May 15-31 where we have reduced our selected items to 20% off – stay tuned to @qagomastore on Instagram in the near future.
Both of our Instagram handles are @barbyheath – @urban_archaeology2
New photography by Florian Groehn of our relocated public building jewel – Net 2 Wednesday, Jul 24 2019
barbara heath and Blogroll and jeweller to the lost - sculpture and malcolm enright bespoke, blogging, collections, photography, sculpture - public art, the good things 6:24 pm
Text supplied by Jacqueline Armitstead: Internationally recognised designer and jeweller Barbara Heath has fashioned a large-scale building jewel. Net features repeat interlocking stainless steel links that reference the themes of networking and teamwork that operate in both nature and culture.
Net also draws upon the rich history of the site as a place of human, cultural and scientific endeavour and is evocative of fish traps and nets used by Aboriginal groups who came to hunt the abundant wildlife in the Brisbane river and its swamps and creeks.
Net was originally commissioned in 1998 for the Neville Bonner Building, Brisbane by the Department of Public Works, architects – Donovan Hill. In 2017, Net was relocated to 1 William Street, Brisbane with the assistance of building owners Cbus Property. Net forms part of the cultural heritage collection owned and managed by the Queensland Government. Fabrication and both installations were effected by G&B Stainless and engineered by Bligh Tanner, Brisbane.
Happy all over again – a new location at 1 William Street Tuesday, Apr 16 2019
barbara heath and Blogroll and jeweller to the lost - commisions and jeweller to the lost - sculpture and malcolm enright bespoke, sculpture - public art, the good things 6:41 pm
NEW DIDACTIC: Barbara Heath NSW b. 1954 Net 1998
Stainless steel chain mesh construction with stainless steel brackets
7000 mm (h) x 4500 (top) and 1000 m (base)
Internationally recognized designer and jeweller Barbara Heath has fashioned a large-scale building jewel. Net features repeat interlocking stainless steel links that reference the themes of networking and teamwork that operate in both nature and culture.
Net also draws upon the rich history of the site as a place of human, cultural and scientific endeavour and is evocative of fish traps and nets used by Aboriginal groups who came to hunt the abundant wildlife in the Brisbane river and its swamps and creeks.
Net was originally commissioned for the Neville Bonner Building, Brisbane by the Department of Public Works. In 2017, Net was relocated to 1 William Street, Brisbane with the assistance of building owners Cbus Property. Net forms part of the cultural heritage collection owned and managed by the Queensland Government.
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