Paper Houses Connects with Aubin Jewellery
It’s time for another Paper Houses Connects with amazing jewellery designer Aubin Stewart. I’ve known Aubin for a good few years now, but I’ve been a fan of her jewellery even longer. I even re-pierced my ears so I could get a pair of her amazing Blok earrings. And of course my favourite piece of jewellery, my wedding ring was made by Aubin!
Aubin Jewellery
Aubin’s new studio is in the creative hub that is Deemouth Studios, in Torry, Aberdeen. She uses simplified shapes and materials such as perspex, leather and pearls.
1. Tell us who you are and what you do?
Hi, I'm Aubin the designer and owner of Aubin Jewellery. I design and make colourful jewellery from a mix of alternative materials such as perspex, leather, base metals and precious pearls. My making process combines both traditional jewellery making skills at the bench with digital methods to create pattern and surface texture to materials.
My inspiration comes from looking at structural shapes which can be found everywhere I go. I see patterns and beautiful shapes in the buildings I walk past or the climbing frame at the playpark, even in the shadows on the pavement, take a look they are everywhere!
2. Why are you a creative?
I have absolutely no idea what else I would do! From an early age I loved drawing and making things, it just made sense to me. At art school where I studied jewellery design, I found the process of making with my hands the most natural place to be. I love figuring things out and the whizz pop bang experience you get when a design just falls into place. I love dressing up and wearing jewellery myself so it makes sense that I've ended up being a jewellery designer, I love seeing how other people style my jewellery with their own look.
3. If you could go back in time and tell yourself one thing when you started out what would it be?
I would tell myself It will all work out in the end. After art school I took part in the new designers show in London and found the whole experience incredibly overwhelming and terrifying that I stopped making for a while. I know, it seems drastic doesn't it! I wish I could give my young self a wee hug and say you'll be ok and this is just the start of your creative journey, not the end. And stop being so hard on yourself.
4. What's your favourite task/job to do and your worst?
Does re-arranging your studio shelves to look pretty count? Ok, well I love experimenting and making up test pieces to work up new ideas and see how materials will work together, I could do that all day long.
I really don't enjoy the admin side, in particular the dreaded tax return.
5. What song/podcast gets you in the zone?
In my studio I pretty much always have BBC 6 Music blasting, sorry studio neighbours! But I do love a podcast too and listening to conversations. I often listen to the Adam Buxton podcast which features all sorts of creative guests from musicians, writers, comedians, actors etc and it's really, really funny.
Aubin’s doing amazing workshops online too so you can learn some of the great skills used in her design work. Check them out here - www.aubinjewellery.com. I’ve got my eye on the pearl knotting class!
Website - www.aubinjewellery.com
Instagram - @AubinJewellery
Facebook - @AubinJewellery
