Amie McGlashan has come a long way from selling beaded bracelets in the school yard at lunch time. The award-winning jeweller chats to Caitlyn Morgan about what inspires her and the special pieces she has made throughout her career.
FOR as long as Amie McGlashan can remember she had planned to be an art teacher.
Half way through her fine arts degree at La Trobe University in Mildura, Amie quickly realised life spent in the classroom wasn’t all it was cracked up to be and she found herself unsure of what career path to follow.
“I realised I didn’t want to be stuck in a classroom with children or teenagers, instead I wanted a career that I could be creative and work for myself so my aunt introduced me to her friend from Melbourne who was a jewellery maker,” she recalls.
“Within a few minutes of talking with her I knew that was what I wanted to do.
“It was going to be this or tattooing, but this isn’t as permanent on people.”
Shortly after, Amie packed up her life in Sunraysia and moved to the “big smoke”.
“There was no apprenticeship here so I had to move to Melbourne, where I undertook a four year apprenticeship – a Certificate III in Jewellery Manufacturing,” Amie said.
“I was lucky enough to learn traditional hand making skills.”
Amie’s talent was recognised throughout her apprenticeship, with the jewellery maker awarded best first year apprentice, engineering jewellery in 2011 and best third year apprentice in 2013 she also took home a silver medal in the World Skills Australia Regional Competitions Melbourne the same year.
After completing her apprenticeship, Amie moved on to work for another company while also opening her own business, which she relocated to Sunraysia three and a half years ago.
“After starting a family three and a half years ago, I felt it was really important for my kids to grow up around family and this is a beautiful place for them to grow up,” Amie says.
“While working and being a full-time mum can be a bit of a juggle, I feel like the luckiest person in the world to get to do both.
“I love the environment that I have created for myself and that I get to be creative, while making an income.
“I become so engrossed in my work that I am often late for kinder pick up. I feel so lucky that I have a job that does that.”
While her two children are not yet at school, Amie has decided to work on her business only part-time, mostly focusing on commission pieces.
“There has been multiple engagement rings; it is so beautiful to be involved in such a significant event,” Amie says.
“It was very special to have made an engagement ring for my best friend, he was heavily involved in the design process and to then keep that secret until he proposed was a very special experience.
“I have often remodelled heirlooms. I love that sentiment of taking something old and giving it a new meaning.
“For some I have become the family jeweller, which is very sweet. It’s a lovely feeling knowing people put their trust in me.”
Amie mainly works with gold, diamonds and other precious stones
“The diamonds are all conflict free and sourced from all over the world,” she says.
“Lately I have been working with some local gem cutters, I like the idea of using an Australian gem cutter then having it handmade in Australia.
“I would love to learn to cut my own stones.”
With each piece handmade, Amie loves the design process.
“I love making something that is a significant part of people’s lives, something that will potentially be an heirloom,” she says.
“I love the idea of a jewellery box, each tell a story. I’m a big romantic when it comes to that.
“A lot will say design what you would want to wear and then I fall in love with it.”
While Amie’s business has mostly been working on commission pieces, this will soon change with the introduction of her second “ready wear” range.
“Currently I have a ready wear series that is sold at Road Somewhere but by the end of the year, I hope to launch Love of Louise,” she says.
“I have always loved antique styles and the symbolism in Victorian styles, so that is a big inspiration behind the new range.
“I am really excited, all will be handmade and to be able to offer a more affordable range.”
Love of Louise will include a versatile necklace and limited edition pendants that change every season.
Over the next few months, Amie plans to work closely with her consultant Rebecca Crossling to bring the range to life.
