Inspiration in her backyard

Dee Craig discovered her love for jewellery making while studying more than two decades ago but it wasn’t until she moved to Wentworth five years ago that she put those skills to work. Dee welcomed Caitlyn Morgan into her workshop and showcased her latest pieces, while discussing her move to Sunraysia and the inspiration that surrounds her property on the river.

WORKING as a silversmith couldn’t be more different to the career Dee Craig has had for most of her life.

The Wentworth artisan was “burnt out” and “worn out”, so after 40 years she retired as a nurse and moved to Wentworth, five years ago.

While working as a nurse, Dee’s passion to create was always there.

She has completed a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Visual Arts and Applied Design and is an accomplished sculptor and woodcarver and creates walking poles, acrylic paintings and pencil drawings along with sculptures from many different mediums.

Dee incorporates many different techniques, including exploring texture, patina and form along with found objects and semi-precious stones.

Many hours of work go into each piece, from design to fabrication.

Despite always dedicating much of her life to art, it wasn’t until she moved to Wentworth that she rediscovered her passion for jewellery making which was ignited while studying 20 years prior.

“I initially went to university to do print making but I didn’t get on with the lecturer and as an elective I did jewellery making and the lecturer Albert and I just got along like a house on fire,” Dee recalls.

“He really encouraged me, which was great.

“While I had studied jewellery making in 1997, I didn’t do anything about it until I moved here five years ago.

“Up until then I had done painting and drawing and really true to life pieces but you can’t be a realist in jewellery making so my work became really abstract.”

Since setting up shop in Wentworth, Dee has experimented with various materials and found her love using silver, titanium, wood and semi-precious stones.

“It’s fun, quite often the excitement is the unknown of how it will turn out,” she says.

“Often I will start it with an idea and then you accidentally do something and it turns out even better.

“One of the most exciting aspects is having to get something to work, so it fits together correctly. It’s just so fun, I love learning new skills.”

Dee creates a range of pieces from pendants to brooches and rings.
“Brooches have really come back into vogue, large brooches are becoming very popular,” she says.

Many of Dee’s pieces have been inspired by items in her own backyard.

“I have got all the inspiration I need at my back door. I love it here, the river is beautiful and so are the birds,” she says.

“When we first came here, we realised it was an ideal spot to become inspired.”

When Dee is short of ideas, she says her clients can often come up with some great ideas.

“I do have a lot of repeat customers, one comes up with some amazing ideas,” she says.

“One recent favourite is a brooch, which a client’s granddaughter drew for her and I have reproduced it in brass.”