‘Don’t Touch My Hair’
‘Hairy Chest’
Hi Astrid! Tell us about AEW Studios?
Hello :) AEW Studios came to be after I did a jewellery elective when I was in second year at uni!
I realised that I loved making with my hands on a smaller scale, and because the course I was doing mainly focuses on sewing and pattern making, it was great to have some variation in terms of techniques and materiality. In the following year after doing the elective, I kept thinking about how much I had enjoyed making jewellery in the class, and decided to start AEW Studios instead of just daydreaming about it. I’m still learning and teaching myself as I go, and its nice to look back and see how my technique has improved. I’ve also recently added some ceramics to the mix which is exciting!
What is your design process?
For new designs I usually kind of make it up as a go, depending on how I’m feeling I might start with a wax ring tube, saw a piece off and just start filing it into a shape, then decide whether I want it to be textured or smooth, followed by if it has a stone or not. Alternatively if I’m working with soft wax I will roll and squish it into small pieces, and with the help of a wax pen start sticking parts together to make shapes. Sometimes I draw ideas out if I don’t want to forget them, so that if I’m in a mood to make something but don’t know what to make, at least I have a few references to begin with.
‘Organised’
‘Rings’
How did you come up with the name, AEW Studios?
I struggled to think of a name that I wouldn’t hate a couple months into the future, so it’s just my initials hahah
How do you keep your creative process sustainable?
The jewellery is generally made to order, apart from when I’m testing out new designs. I collect wax shavings to be reused, and only use lab grown gems. I’ve also found padded mailer bags made only of paper which I’m pretty happy about!
‘Appointed Preciousness’
‘I Hate These Bracelets’
If you had to choose a favourite piece of yours, what would it be?
Probably the cross lock box necklace! I had to keep the first one I made for myself. Or maybe one of the blobby ceramic dishes.
‘Cross Box Lock’
‘Blobby Dish’
What (or who) has inspired your creative style?
I think everything we experience or interact with influences creative style — because in the end it all affects the way you think, and ultimately how you perceive the world. Maybe you’ll see a sculpture or read a story that resonates and reminds you of something else from a completely different creative area.
A few practitioners I’ve been loving are @takurokuwata, @martineali and @karlfritschrings. There are soo many others, but they are a few I really enjoy the works of.
How do you stay motivated?
Luckily when it comes to making orders, I tend to just start doing. Once I have the momentum going it’s easier to continue working. Though I think this is the case as having a customer on the other end means someone is holding you accountable. If I have learnt anything, its that you can’t wait till you feel like doing something to start! Although outside of jewellery this is something I am always battling with and trying to remind myself of.
The thing I probably struggle with the most is posting my work consistently - I used to be pretty onto it but covid kind of made a lot of things feel pretty irrelevant. I’m trying to get back into it now that things are going back to normal (sort of?) Although now that I think about it something that does keep me motivated is knowing that I get to set up and photograph whatever I make, in a fun and hopefully engaging way. The image making aspect to this whole process is definitely one of the best parts to me.
‘People Get Periods’
‘Pear’
What is your coffee order? ;)
Oat latte <3
Upcycled Bag
What do you have planned for 2022?
In terms of AEW, I’d love to bring across some of the new work I’ve developed throughout my Honours collection which is titled:
“get rid of it; I can’t, it sparks joy!”
It is essentially all about mementoes, ephemera, and our strange but important relationship to the little objects and things that we just cannot part ways with. Initially I thought of this project as separate to AEW, however I think the conversation this collection is apart of, is one that most can relate to. So I’d love to start working with people to make pieces that incorporate an individual’s trinkets, or ephemera they have laying around, into jewellery or resin pieces that they can wear, carry around or display.
I’ve also finally moved my sewing machine into my studio, so I’m finally going to be making some more up-cycled bags, and maybe some garments too! I’ll also be starting a Master of Art Curatorship next year, so I must say I’m pretty curious to see how that will affect and steer the direction of AEW too.