claireishino's Profile

Bio

ABOUT ME
I design and make contemporary silver jewellery incorporating unusual materials such as Japanese "washi" paper and resin. I also love to create collages from new and recycled paper. I am inspired by nature -leaves,trees and plants, architecture, repetitious patterns, geometry, art, colour, and different places I have travelled to. My mind is a constant stream of ideas that continue to evolve and change as I learn and grow from life's experiences. Each piece I create contains a little piece of me - a little piece of my mind and soul that I leave behind me on my journey through life.

I have always loved small things and tiny details; I guess it was fate that I should become a jewellery designer. I studied design at the University of South Australia and since graduating in 1994, have worked in the jewellery industry and continued to design and make my own pieces. I'm originally from Adelaide, Australia but in 2001 I came to Japan to travel and experience a different culture. What started as "a year in Japan" has extended to a 7 year adventure that has completely changed my life. In 2005, with the help and encouragement of my wonderful husband, who I met here, I began to make and sell my jewellery at art markets, galleries and department stores. I have recently taken a break from making jewellery to become a "mummy" to our gorgeous little boy but am now working in the little spare time I have to make collages from paper - something I have always loved to do.

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IDEAS

Ideas and images are constantly streaming through my mind. During the day my eyes are always open, looking and searching and at night I make little sketches in my notebook that will be later developed into final designs. I go for a walk almost everyday in the park near where I live and love to observe the constantly changing leaves, trees and flowers; so my designs are often influenced by nature but bordered by simple geometric lines. I love repetitious patterns and I love colour. I'm also inspired by art and architecture that I see when I travel and undoubtedly my work has been influenced by my experience of living in Japan and all the beautiful things I've seen here.

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MATERIALS AND TECHNIQUES

I believe that all materials are valuable. I have worked with gold and diamonds but for me the value of a piece of jewellery lies in its sentimental value and not in the commercial value of the metal and stones. For this reason, I like to work with alternative materials such as paper which I protect with a layer of resin to make it waterproof and relatively durable. All my jewellery is made from 925 sterling silver. I like to work from sheet metal using traditional techniques like piercing, bending and soldering to create the desired form. I sometimes cast pieces from my original mold when repetitious shapes are required. All the images seen in the jewellery and collages are hand cut from tiny pieces of paper and glued together. Each piece is made with much care and attention to detail and is stamped with my maker's mark. Each piece is made with warmth and human spirit that no machine can replicate.

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Please see my Shop Policies for more information.

Thank you

(*o*)/

Female, Born on July 16

Favorite Materials

paper, washi, silver, resin