MOONSTONES AND SILVER – A Day at Richard Moon’s silver-working experience in Glen Innes, NSW
It's a truly special feeling, creating and wearing something you have made yourself – I was lucky enough to experience this one weekend not so long ago, when I ventured to Glen Innes to join Richard Moon’s jewellery making workshop.
Photography: Jim A. Barker
@thejimclasshero
8:30am – Armidale
It was a frosty Saturday morning – the Armidale sun peeked from behind the horizon, painting the sky different shades of yellow and orange. I packed my bag and petted my dog's head goodbye – I was off on an adventure.
After making the obligatory coffee stop, I turned on my podcast and hit the road – the beautiful, wide open, New England countryside carrying me all the way to my destination.
10.00am – 123 Grey Street
Arriving at 123 Grey Street, I took in sight of the Makers Shed – a humble studio with a bold red door, sitting tall and proud right on the corner of the intersection. Stepping in, I noticed three things immediately. One, it was warm – the wood-fired heater was roaring at the back of the room. Two, it was a small class, myself and three other women. Three, Richard Moon was not what I was expecting.
A tall man with a youthful presence greeted me – this was the first time I’d met Richard, it was also the first time I’d been to a jewellery making workshop.
The shop front was stocked full of products from local creators and authors. Benches lined the back walls of the studio, each with a low chair and their own workspace. Books with images of bracelets, pendants and rings were laid open on the table in the centre of the room among scattered pieces of metal rod, sheets of silver and various measuring devices. This was truly a creative space – one I was very grateful to spend the day in.
10.30am – The Workshop
The workshop was a six-hour introduction to sterling silver jewellery making. We were taught how to make our own piece of jewellery while learning the ropes from Richard. I can’t imagine it’s an easy feat teaching a travel writer, a doctor, a counsellor and a marketing manager simultaneously how to measure, cut, smelter and temper pieces of metal, but Richard did it seamlessly.
Some bought their own stones and opals to embed in their design. Others, (like me), brought nothing but themselves and a vague idea. I knew I wanted to make a ring and that I’d probably give it to my mum for her birthday. As for the design or anything specific, well, I had left that up to chance – Pinterest to the rescue.
I landed on an idea I thought mum would love – a simple silver ring with a heart shape on the face of it and a moonstone sitting right in the middle.
1.30pm – Kebabs and Hot Chips
You might not have guessed it, but let me tell you – jewellery making is a hungry business. Accompanied by a delivery of kebabs and hot chips, I could finally get around to chat to the beautiful people in my class. We spent the best part of 30 minutes learning about each other's lives and why we had attended the workshop. Funnily enough, most of our answers were the same – to learn something new and do something that was totally immersive.
2.00pm – Back on the Tools
By this time I’d measured the piece of silver that would become my ring, cut and shaped the piece that would become the heart and soldered them together. Now it was time to pop the ring on the mandrel and hammer it to size – this part was really fun!
Next step – cut and file a bezel to hold the moonstone in place. Because the moonstone was so tiny, the bezel also had to be tiny – this resulted in me losing both of them multiple times in the cracks of floorboards and under tables. Thank God for tweezers.
Once the bezel was filed down to size, Richard helped me smelter it into the centre of the ring and we set the moonstone. Finally, it was time to smooth and polish – this was my absolute favourite part because it’s when you really start to see the potential of your creation.
4.30pm – Pure Joy
I can’t even begin to describe the incredible feeling of wearing something I had spent the past five hours making – but I’ll try.
From walking into the workshop with no idea what I was going to make, to walking out with a handmade piece of jewellery I had designed and crafted myself – the whole process was awesome, easily one of the most enjoyable creative experiences I’ve been a part of.
The ring was wonky and it had twists and turns where maybe it shouldn’t have, but that’s what makes it unique. There will never be another ring like it and there’s almost a feeling of pride in that.
We all made something different – three of us made rings of all different shapes, sizes and styles, and one person made a beautiful gum leaf broach that was so striking, I would recognise it anywhere.
It’s safe to say that I will be a frequent attendee in Richard’s workshops – and you know what? I think you should be too.
PS – mum said she loved her birthday present, which was akin to her telling me she loved my paintings I used to give her as a kid – worth it.
Keen to try your hand at jewellery making?
Richard hosts sterling silver jewellery making workshops seasonally. For upcoming dates and to make a booking, check out Richard’s website and social media.
