Michaela Turley is the designer and maker behind small jewelry brand, Mijatu. Working out of her home studio in New York City, she originally came from the sunny shores of Australia where she was constantly surrounded, and ultimately influenced by the strength and natural beauty of the environment around her.

LJS: What’s your background? How did you get into jewelry making, and when?

MT:  I actually work in advertising, which whilst useful in some ways, is not at all related to using my hands with making jewelry! After recently moving to New York from Australia two years ago, I was looking for a hobby – stumbled across a jewelry making class and have become just slightly addicted since!

LJS: Describe your process, from inspiration to final product. Do you draw a design first or do you just start creating? Is it different everytime?

Michaela TurleyT:  I utilize the lost wax process in creating all of my work, which suits the fluidity of my designs. My inspiration comes from nature, and it’s ability to create beauty from the smallest of details. I first sketch out the overall look of my design, usually with a few alternatives and then try to draw out a couple of other designs in other forms (such as a necklace or earrings if I’m starting with a ring) that builds out a potential line. If I’m happy with the overall look and feel, then I will jump straight into creating. The great thing with working with wax is that it can evolve as you are creating, which often means that the end result is usually a little different to my original sketch – but that’s what I think makes the design better, it evolves to where it needs to be, rather than constricting the design to a one dimensional sketch.

LJS: Do you ever hit creative road blocks? How do you remedy that?

MT: Yes! I think that’s what makes the process, and the design better. I welcome them, because once overcome, it makes me feel like the design is even better. When I do have them, I often flick back through my sketchbook – sometimes the answer has already been discovered, it’s just in a different form, or design.

LJS: What’s your favorite piece you’ve ever made?

MT:  My favorite piece to wear is my circle necklace and matching circle studs in 14K gold – I carved each circle by hand and I love how effortless and simple they are. That being said, I am very proud of my Stella ring – it has an art deco feel to it and took a very long time to carve, but it’s intricateness is something that is very eye catching on.

LJS: What class(es) have you taken at Liloveve?

MT:  Bezel Setting & Prong Setting

LJS: If you could collaborate with another designer/artist, who would it be and why?

MT:  I would love to do a collaboration with small, emerging nature photographers like Vivian Chen – a lot of my designs are inspired by nature and the way they are able to capture raw yet beautiful elements is very inspirational.

LJS: Where do you exhibit / sell your work?

www.mijatu.com

 

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LJS: What’s your background? How did you get into jewelry making, and when?

JD:  While working a corporate fashion job, I was looking for something to put more creative energy into. I wanted to start my own business and find more fulfillment in my work- It wasn’t until Sept/Nov 2015 where the medium became jewelry. I took the silver ring making intensive (admittedly, after a breakup) and was hooked from that point on!

LJS: Describe your process, from inspiration to final product. Do you draw a design first or do you just start creating? Is it different everytime?

JD:  I’m most inspired by natural forms. I have a textile background so I tend to think of a sheet of silver as a muslin. I create jewelry much the same way- sometimes it’s “flat pattern” where I measure carefully before cutting. Other times it’s like draping techniques. I just start bending the metal and let it do something fun for me. I often draw before, but the process to the end result varies.

LJS: Do you ever hit creative road blocks? How do you remedy that?

JD:  The creativity abounds on paper! More often than not I hit the road blocks in practice. Problems always lie in our expectations, right? I think the metal sheet or wire wants to play with me and be cooperative…but that’s not always the case. Fair enough, I was torching it with 1500+ degrees, I get it. The remedy for me is always to take a breather. Put it aside and come back to it when I’m not frustrated.

LJS: What’s your favorite piece you’ve ever made?

JD:  I made an earring in the Hoops & Studs intensive that I call “the wave earring”. This is the perfect example of my ideal process- The sketch happened, the “pattern” cut out and the bending all came together very quickly and effortlessly. The process was almost as enjoyable as the end product and that, my friends, is magic.

LJS: What class(es) have you taken at Liloveve?

JD:  Silver Ring intensive, Intro to Silversmithing, Wax I, Hoops & Studs, and am currently enrolled in Wax II – Stone Setting

LJS: If you could collaborate with another designer/artist, who would it be and why?

JD:  I partnered with my dad to start the business and he’s very artistic and animated so that’s been really fun– as for a more “third party” artist…I think I’d have my little eye on a collaboration with Phetus. Check him out on Insta @phetus88 – I love how sweet and funny his monsters look! Wouldn’t it be cool to do some kind of micro-machines wearable version?? We’ll get there 🙂

LJS: Where do you exhibit / sell your work?

JD:  My dad and I have been hiding our wares out in Tulsa, Oklahoma – trying out protos and getting our bearings on a production level, but we are aiming for an April 21 website launch. I am planning on showing in NY within the next couple months so keep a lookout!

I encourage all to subscribe to our mailing list to get the first look before public launch 4/21 at http://www.shopjenniferdunham.com

of course we’re on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/shopjenniferdunham/

and our insta is @shopjenniferdunham

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