quisnam
Buyers are raving!
This shop got multiple 5-star reviews in the past 7 days.
Announcement
Most countries are still experiencing delays to shipping as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic. Shipping estimates on listings are reflective of these delays but, as the situation is evolving, I will contact you if there are any further updates or issues prior to shipping your item.
Australia Post is advising estimated international delivery times as follows (please note these are estimates and are not guaranteed, for metro areas, rural or regional areas generally take a bit longer.
United States: 10-18 Business Days
United Kingdom: 12-25 Business Days
Shipping estimates to countries other than the USA and UK can be found here
https://auspost.com.au/service-updates/international-delivery-updates
I would like to thank all my wonderful customers - here in Australia and overseas. Please know that your support of my work is helping an artist and small business survive in these very uncertain times.
Stay safe. Stay well. We will navigate this difficult journey together because together we are stronger.
Best,
Kate
Announcement
Most countries are still experiencing delays to shipping as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic. Shipping estimates on listings are reflective of these delays but, as the situation is evolving, I will contact you if there are any further updates or issues prior to shipping your item.
Australia Post is advising estimated international delivery times as follows (please note these are estimates and are not guaranteed, for metro areas, rural or regional areas generally take a bit longer.
United States: 10-18 Business Days
United Kingdom: 12-25 Business Days
Shipping estimates to countries other than the USA and UK can be found here
https://auspost.com.au/service-updates/international-delivery-updates
I would like to thank all my wonderful customers - here in Australia and overseas. Please know that your support of my work is helping an artist and small business survive in these very uncertain times.
Stay safe. Stay well. We will navigate this difficult journey together because together we are stronger.
Best,
Kate
Items
Featured items
All Items
Reviews
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ilcuore on Apr 8, 2021
5 out of 5 starsLove the new design of the prong setting style of this stunning piece.Thank you.
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Lauren on Mar 16, 2021
5 out of 5 starsAwesome necklace, I totally love it. Better in real life than even the great pictures show.
I love how heavy duty it is, looks industrial and mystic! It came super fast with really nice packaging and was carefully wrapped.
Thanks Quisnam 💜 -
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ilcuore on Mar 12, 2021
5 out of 5 starsI do like the new design of the double chain on this piece and the unique look of this smoky crystal.
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ilcuore on Feb 28, 2021
5 out of 5 starsMagical... with a wonderful symbolism. I really like the new design of the evil-eye with a deep focal point🧿❤️And what an adorable coiled snakes..
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ilcuore on Feb 28, 2021
5 out of 5 starsAnother magical and breathtaking piece of celestial theme to add onto my collection from Quisnam.
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ilcuore on Feb 28, 2021
5 out of 5 starsAn incredible piece. Bought it as a gift for my son’s birthday and he really likes it a lot.
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About quisnam
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assembling tools and supplies for a leather cuff
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cutting the leather (I've ruined a few pairs of scissors doing this)
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adding the red coral (choosing the materials and objects to use is the most important aspect of my work)
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adding more dangles (movement and sound are as important as color and texture)
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almost finished!
My Process
Art is experiential. Our emotional, instinctive response to art is the keystone to experiencing it. Research shows that the neurological processes which underpin our perception of art differ from those used in standard object recognition. We use the bits of the brain involved in the experience of emotion when we see art.
Similarly, for many artists and artisans (and certainly for me) the experience of creating is emotional and instinctive. When I sit down at my bench to work on a piece I have, in my mind, a visual image of what it is I am setting out to create. Oftentimes, the finished piece differs as my process is organic, constantly shifting as I re-shape the piece as it evolves. My work is purposefully raw. My solder joins, hammer or tool marks are often visible on the finished piece. For me, these are beautiful because they reflect the processes and techniques used in creation and are signposts to the journey a piece has taken with me.
I select my materials using this same emotional process. Stones are chosen not for the usual measures of their worth (grade, clarity, colour, cut) but more instinctively. I imagine, if you hooked me up to brain-scanner, the regions of my brain involved in emotion would be firing as I select my materials. My response to a particular material (stone, fiber, metal) is more important, to me, than that material's name, perceived value or the qualities that someone else has ascribed to it. That is not to say that I do not assess for certain characteristics - strength, robustness, cost. How a material will work in jewelry is, or course, vastly important. Jewelry and adornment has a purpose and it is very important that my pieces fulfil this purpose.
Is jewelry art? I don't really know the answer to this. I do know and believe that art is not an outcome but is a process. For this reason, I consider myself an artist.
Shop members
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Kate Buxton
Owner
I'm a jewelry artist with an endless fascination for the meaning and power we give to objects; talismans and amulets are as old as humanity itself. In addition to Quisnam, I assist my son with his vintage watch shop, tempusantiquus.
Shop policies
Shipping
Payment options
Returns & exchanges
I gladly accept returns, exchanges, and cancellations
The following items can't be returned or exchanged
- Custom or personalized orders
I accept returns I do not accept returns
I accept exchanges I do not accept exchanges
I accept cancellations I do not accept cancellations
Because of the nature of these items, unless they arrive damaged or defective, I can't accept returns for:
Privacy policy
More information
Frequently asked questions
Are you still shipping internationally - what is the impact of the Coronavirus on shipping?
Yes, I am continuing to ship internationally (from here in Australia). However, most countries are experiencing delays to shipping as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Please visit my shop's 'Announcement' section (top of my shop's homepage) for the latest information: https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/quisnam
Always feel free to message me if you have any questions.
Do you wrap your items?
All my items are securely packaged and wrapped in new and clean recycled packaging.
I try to keep my environmental footprint as light as possible so I use ephemera (vintage sewing pattern tissue, old unwanted books and Atlases) in my wrapping.
Can I return my purchase for a refund?
Absolutely. What's the point of jewelry you aren't going to wear! Shopping online is convenient, but sometimes you need to see a thing up-close and and in-person to know how you really feel about it. If you'd like to return your item, just let me know within 14 days of delivery (please note: purchasers are responsible for return postage costs but I will issue a refund upon proof of postage, so you don't have to wait).
What's your aesthetic and your pricing philsophy?
My work is purposefully raw. I use natural stones, crystals and salvaged materials, as these hold more meaning than shiny new things. My aesthetic celebrates the signposts; stitches, tool marks, natural texture and patina - these tell the story of a pieces' journey with me. I love that one of my customers described my work as 'beautifully broken' because there is great beauty in what some consider to be imperfection.
Pricing is one of the hardest things for an artist. I try to keep my prices accessible, whilst reflecting the time and materials that have gone into creating. When you purchase one of my pieces you are getting something that is unique and which has taken many hours to create.
Custom and personalized orders
My process is very organic and personal so, the short answer is no, I don't generally take custom orders. However, please feel free to reach out to me if you have something in mind. I've worked with several of my regular customers to create a piece that uses a material or object that holds a special meaning for them.