via SMiTH
Jewellery and Object
The name 'via SMiTH' explains how my pieces come to life. I, ( Michelle SMITH), design/draw every piece to the millimetre. And Balinese silver SMITHS create them. For inspiration I look at patterns, bold shapes and abstract designs, found everywhere and anywhere - architecture, a retro fabric pattern, a paper cut-out. My aim is Originality, Quality and Permanency.
We use yellow alpha brass instead of gold - a honest, solid colour metal that takes on the warm colour of gold and combine this with sterling silver. The range includes earrings, bangles and necklaces, however it is the ring range that is the primary focus. At any given market there will at least 4 sizes offered in each style. (Although we offer custom sizes - it's fun to watch our customers try on every ring and size until they find a fit rather than waiting for a custom size!)
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(Firstly Michelle Smith hates writing about herself! Art and creating is such a part of the everyday that it's hard to separate into a biography.)
PRE-SCHOOL AGE: Play School fan. Scours the kitchen cupboards for things to simulate into the Play School treasures. PRIMARY SCHOOL: Friday Craft afternoon was the best. Makes note that some teachers are more creative than others! HIGH SCHOOL: Visual Arts - HEAVEN! Finally somewhere that seriously teaches art practices and its history. So many artists to discover - mind boggling. So many art materials to experiment - FUN! TERTIARY EDUCATION: Bachelor of Art Education, Newcastle Uni. BUT snuck into Visual Arts classes whenever possible. (Apparently we weren't serious artists!) Double majored in Painting and Printmaking.
This leads to 25yrs Secondary Visual Arts teaching - Visual Art, Design and Photography on the Central Coast and Newcastle areas. Ceramics, Textiles, Sculpture, Photography, Printmaking, Painting and of course Drawing. Art skills constantly learning, constantly teaching, constantly self practising. 2013 - Bravely walks away from Teaching to 'see if she can 'create' a living. RANCHO is born - a mix of original art work/prints and a small mix of glass jewellery. RANCHO regularly joins art/craft markets - the Olive Tree Market, Canberra Handmade and Finders Keepers Market and shops become interested in stocking Rancho pieces. A wholesale business organically grows, along with the product range and Rancho exhibits at Industry Trades Shows twice yearly.
2019 - A niggling need to create more 'contemporary/ artistic' pieces prompts a search for silversmiths. A long love of the work of Balinese crafts people (wood, textile, ceramic, metal) leads to finding the perfect Smiths to bring her designs to life. 'via SMiTH' is born. via SMiTH now joins The Finders Keepers, Big Design Markets and Undercurrent Markets. Rings of brass and sterling silver are the favourite items in the via SMiTH range.
