With Linzy’s signature quirky and colourful jewellery designs and Melody’s love of pattern and unique ability to combine modern and ancient art techniques, it’s no surprise that this jewellery collection is a match made in dopamine-dressing heaven.
Can you each tell us a bit about yourselves?
Linzy: I’m from the UK, and have lived in my beloved Newcastle for 7 years, with my wife and our little white staffy. I’d spent 25 years working in high-pressure sales and marketing roles when I decided to jump ship and build my small business. I have an earring brand called Gracie Face, where I design and make unique earrings using polymer clay, resin, and additional materials. I call it ‘candy for grown ups’! The weirdest materials I’ve used include cable wiring and hand-cut fragments of 1950s saucepan lids! I rebranded my business in 2023, under my name, after expanding my offering to include teaching. I now have an online course, teaching beginners to make bold, bright polymer clay earrings.
Melody: I’m an artist, muralist and teacher from Newcastle. The inspiration for my art comes from ancient artifacts, with a focus on vessels, and the patterns that adorn them. Growing up, I wanted to be both an archaeologist and an artist, so now I paint these artifacts instead of digging them up! When I’m not painting in my art studio, I teach kids and adult art workshops. I love sharing art with my community – it’s a big passion of mine. I think everyone needs creativity in their life – it’s good for the soul. I also paint murals, most recently a 15-metre mural on the Newcastle Heritage Post Office hoarding as part of the Big Picture Festival.
How did the collaboration come about and how would you describe the pieces?
Melody: I emailed Linzy over two years ago with an idea to create a collection of wearable art earrings. After meeting her at the markets and collecting a few pairs of her statement earrings, I knew she would be the perfect match. We met up for coffee and instantly hit it off! We have both poured so much love, time, and energy into this collection that each pair feels so special – we keep saying to each other, ‘they’re our babies’!
Linzy: As part of our recent live launch event at Onwards Gallery in Hamilton, we told the story of how the collaboration came about. We included a copy of the original email that Melody sent me in May 2022 – it’s very nostalgic for us! The collection that we launched recently looks wildly different from the initial concepts. Since its initial inception, both Melody’s and my aesthetic have evolved and matured.
Melody hand-painted many of our designs, as though they were miniature versions of her larger-scale artworks, drawing influence from ancient artefacts, and artists like Matisse. That’s where the collection name, ‘Wearable Art’ came from.
How many pieces were included in the collaboration?
Linzy: We created 29 designs including some in multiple colourways. We were mindful of offering our audience choice, and for this reason, we made earrings ranging in size from smaller delicate styles, to large statement pieces, and everything in between.
In terms of the actual design and creation process, how did that work?
Linzy: Once our schedules were in alignment (which took a while!), our creative process flowed so easily. Despite there being a 30 year age difference between us, we were on the same page for almost all of the time, and were both open to constructive input from each other, which is why we worked so well together.
Melody showed me the core colour palette she worked with, and we used this as the basis for the collection. We sketched out some rough ideas for earring styles, and got to work. I hand cut and prepared the polymer clay base that acted as the canvas for Melody. She then hand-painted those pieces, before passing back to me, to add a few flourishes, and bring to life as earrings.
The best thing about our collaboration is that we’ve developed a wonderful friendship, where Melody can ridicule me for being 52, and I can explain to her the basics of using a red mailbox!
What else are you each working on at the moment?
Melody: I’m currently working on a solo exhibition in Canberra called ‘Ancient Rhythm’ at Grainger Gallery, which opens on the 14th of November. It’s the largest body of work I’ve ever painted, with over 35 different artworks. I’m just a weirdo with an art studio, so I feel lucky that people can connect with, and enjoy my paintings!
Linzy: I’ve been working with an earring designer in Romania, to create a large collaboration that will be available before Christmas. This features some of my classic hand-cut polymer clay elements, plus some folk art inspired vinyl shapes, that will be finished in Romania. I love the thought of my work travelling to the other side of the world to adorn people’s ears!
If you’d like to get your hands on one of the few remaining earring sets, head over to view the collection now!
