Feral Stone
Mattea Marnika
(she/her)
Naarm
***
Feral stone is an accessories brand based in Melbourne. Birthed during 2020’s harsh lockdowns, Feral Stone encapsulates a return to nature. Each unique item aims to marry your grandmas’ perfect pearls of a baroque variety alongside stones reminiscent of the Mesozoic era.
Where did your passion for jewellery originate?
I’ve always loved fashion and styling, when I was younger I wanted to be a fashion designer. As a kid, my mum and I went to some bead stringing classes and I loved the ability to create something unique that I had dreamed up. In later years I remembered the joy of these creations on a coastal holiday where my friends and I came across a store with hundreds of handmade beads and the ability to create something with your chosen assortment at the counter. Following this discovery, I picked up the craft again in Melbourne's first lockdown. It became an outlet as I was struggling with the prospect of the future, dealing with anxiety and needing something tangible to focus on rather than doom scrolling 24/7.
I hadn’t thought of creating jewels as a business prospect until I was finishing up my degree in graphic design. I began to play with the idea of branding my creations and eventually found this tangible medium to be the perfect landing spot. It gave me an opportunity to expel ideas digitally and physically.
What inspires you and inspires your work?
My inspiration sits between nature, archival fashion magazines and digging through my grandma's jewellery box. I also use items in my wardrobe to inspire pieces whether it is texturally or tonally.
What do you consider to be your greatest achievement to date?
Being asked to create pieces for the 2021 Melbourne fashion week underground runway. It’s one of those things where you wish you could tell your 14-year-old self. Even better was that my pieces were paired with one of my favourite Melbourne fashion labels ‘verner’
It was such a rewarding experience seeing my jewels come to life under the lights on the runway.
What do you hope your audience gains from your work?
A sense of freedom to get in touch with ones ‘feral’ self. The name ‘feral stone’ originally came to me as I was sorting through jagged freshwater peals and thought to myself, how beautifully ‘feral’ they were. For me, the name has become more of a feeling. The quote I use in some of my branding, ‘to love the feral soul is to love without condition’ is actually from a shelter cat website. I felt it fit what I wanted to covey. In relation to my brand, I mostly feel like it’s saying to welcome a feralness amongst our refined selves (whatever that may mean to you)
What is next for you?
I am delving into the realm of silversmithing which is something I had originally wanted to study before landing on graphic design. I’m excited to see where this new skill can take my practice.