Claire Aristides describes her new jewellery making book, ‘Bejewelled’, as the first of its kind because it takes a high fashion, magazine editorial style approach to the handcraft. “I think it’s fair to say it’s the first of its kind,” says Claire. “Everyone’s very excited.”
Whether she’s on Channel 7’s Sunrise program trying to teach David Koch how to make a charm bracelet, being interviewed by European magazines or overseeing jewellery making classes in her London studio, this former Australian IT programmer’s own excitement over jewellery is mighty clear. “Mum always had an amazing jewellery collection as I was growing up,” Claire remembers. “She has this red vanity case packed with the stuff. Perhaps that’s where the interest started.”
New South Wales born Claire was working for KPMG 10 years ago and “playing with jewellery on the side” when style tastes began to change and fashion jewellery’s popularity soared. “I’d done a few beading classes but the industry was very different then, I didn’t find it that friendly, so I bought lots of books, made loads of mistakes and produced stuff for family and friends.
By the end of 2001 she’d made the decision to only work part time in IT and her jewellery business began building momentum. She showed her work at trade shows and found stockists but it’s the last two years that have seen her business really “go off”.
Today Claire lives in London with her husband and operates a jewellery making school, just off the famously fashionable Carnaby Street, where Londoners escape the “manic” city to learn the basics and gain creative confidence. Popular for her bridal jewellery, Claire also offers brides and their girlfriends the chance to attend classes together as a special activity where they sip champagne, giggle and create.
Kate Moss and Kylie Minogue have both worn pieces by Claire. The designer loves 1950s jewellery styles and tends towards big jewellery, odd shapes and great statement pieces. Colour is a huge part of her work. She loves crystals - “they sparkle and look so expensive” - but also likes the affordability of acrylic materials. The components of jewellery making - shapes, shades and colours - bring her much inspiration.
Recently Claire’s been introducing more wood and natural materials into her work but says she can still achieve “mad” colours in this area by spray painting the wood.
Her book, ‘Bejewelled’, goes some way to responding to the strong feeling Claire had that many people out there would love to know more about the mechanics of jewellery making. “I’d read lots and lots of books but, to be honest, they were daggy and didn’t really inspire me,” she says. “I think my signature comes through in this book through the colours I use, the classic designs, the components , the use of unusual beads... the desire to show off the beads.”
The book’s photography and styling has a glamorous. ‘old Hollywood’ feel. Claire’s aim to “broaden the appeal of jewellery making and reach a wider audience” comes through. “For example, I think the tassel necklace, would appeal to someone who doesn’t like wearing earrings. I could see it on someone who’s 20-years-old or 65-years-old. I tried to offer pieces for different occasions. Each project contains a fashion element, a new technique to learn and is suited to a specific type of occasion,” she says.
While production of the book entailed massive amounts of work, her school continued as did her own designing, her commissioned work and strong on-line business. “It’s tough making a living from your creativity,” she concedes, “but you get over the self consciousness when people start liking your work. Then it gets really rewarding. Customer service is as much a part of my brand ethos as the design is.”
Claire loves “the buzz of London” but would like to open a school in Australia and find stockists here. “I also want to bring my kits and tools here,” she adds. We’re sure we’ll see this dynamo here soon.
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