About Diane Appleby
‘When creating jewellery I start with a focus. This may be to create a collection of jewellery for a gallery or shop, to create a piece for an exhibition, or to make a piece of jewellery for a client. Drawing is the first step. When I am designing a piece or a collection I may be inspired by an exploration I am carrying out. In the past I have investigated colours and forms in the architectural and natural environment. This gives me a lead into the forms, colours and textures that may be the starting point of my drawings.’
When designing a piece for a client Diane delights in working directly with clients to design and make individual pieces. The ideas grow from discussions with the client regarding the desired feel or impact of the piece, who the piece is for, and how it is intended to be worn. They discuss whether the piece is of personal significance, to accompany a celebration, such as a commitment ceremony, to celebrate the birth of a child, or as a marker for a significant event. From these discussions she prepares drawings and selects potential materials to be used. Some clients bring pre-existing jewels to be incorporated into their pieces, encapsulating an historical element into their newly conceived piece. They then engage in the exciting process of working through the drawings together to develop a successful solution. ‘There is alchemy when I work directly with clients, involving them in the design process. It imbues the piece with a very special meaning.’
Hallmarks of Diane Appleby’s handmade jewellery are design, colour and craftsmanship. Stones such as rubies, diamonds, black pearls, tourmalines and iolites set into burnished silver and planished gold find unique form in Diane’s designs. Rings with richly coloured cabochon cut and bright faceted stones and bejewelled perfume bottles with silken tassels are some of the individually crafted objects that catch the eye in a collection of Diane’s work.
Diane’s jewellery is designed to not only catch the eye, but to also feel delightful to the wearer. ‘I love to play with colour, form and texture. My jewellery, no matter the scale, has a focus on shape and surface texture that feels good to wear. I choose materials for their unique characters, such as stones for their luminosity, metals to encapsulate strength, and silks for their sheen and rippling texture. I enjoy combining interesting materials in my designs, creating pieces with a precious presence. I find the satisfaction of bringing a concept to life from a drawing to a fully resolved piece of jewellery or object, both for a collection for an exhibition or for a client, extremely exciting.’
Diane completed her Master of Art in Gold and Silversmithing at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in 2003. As well as making jewellery for individual clients, shops and galleries, Diane has taught in the Jewellery and Object Design Department, Sydney Institute of Technology, Design Centre Enmore, and at the College of Fine Art, University of NSW.
