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July 3 — Melted Moments 💙
I get all sorts of glass donated to me — sometimes it’s an old bottle someone wants turned into a keepsake, sometimes it’s just an interesting piece they think I might like to melt down. I love that.
Sometimes I get to it straight away… sometimes it waits its turn for years! This piece was given to me by my mum many years ago. I was curious to see how it would melt — it has this beautiful blue streak running through it.
Thanks, Mum — for the glass and for everything. 💙
Do you have a special piece of glass you’d like to see transformed?

Today’s beads are in honour of Coopers Sparkling Ale — a proud local South Australian company with a long commitment to looking after the environment.
Back in 2013, I created a necklace with beads made from a Coopers Sparkling Ale bottle, finished with gold leaf. It was a finalist in the Toowoomba Contemporary Wearables Exhibition — the judges loved the contrast of high-end gold on something once destined for the bin.
I still love turning the ordinary into something precious. Gold leaf can be incredibly difficult to work with, but worth it!

July 1 — Melted Moments begins! 💚
First up: Green Depression Glass. 16 years ago, I first thought about melting this glass down for beads when I had a SALA exhibition at Lustre Galleries. We were in the middle of the global financial crisis and I had a six-month-old baby on my hip!
I remembered how Green Depression Glass was made to lift spirits and stimulate economies during the Great Depression — so it felt right to upcycle it into something new back then, and it still does now.
I love how pretty these beads are, plain or decorated — that soft green is timeless. Looking back, this was really the beginning of my recycled glass journey. 16 years on, I’m still melting moments.

In these quiet winter months, I’m giving myself a fresh creative challenge — a little spark to brighten the cold days. Stay tuned for all the details. It kicks off July 1!

And this collection of jewellery is made using beads I created from a Pikes Clare Valley Riesling bottle. Celebrating all things Clare during the T’Arts on Tour exhibition opening July 2. I am looking forward to a day trip in the school holidays to check it all out! It’s been a long time since I have ventured to Clare.

This collection of jewellery was created from beads that I made from a Jim Barry Riesling bottle from the Clare Valley. It will feature in the T’Arts on Tour exhibition opening July 2.

Happy Winter Solstice! Here’s to longer days. These flower sticks are also heading to the T’Arts on Tour exhibition in Clare. They were made from a Mr Mick Fiano wine bottle. I am looking forward to using more recycled glass to make the flower sticks, it’s exciting that it’s working!

From bottle to bead. This set of beads started life as a Jim Barry Riesling bottle—now transformed in the flame, one bead at a time. I love the alchemy of turning something destined for the recycling bin into something to wear and treasure. Each piece holds a little story of place, process and possibility.

You can see this work as part of T’Arts on Tour in the beautiful Clare Valley.
📍 Clare Art House 🗓 July 2–28

The collection of beads I am making for the Clare Valley exhibition is coming together. These beads were made from a Pikes Riesling bottle.

Happy World Gin Day to some of my favourite gin bottles!