Vikki Kassioras is a Melbourne-based jeweller and you would think, for someone who makes it her business to create things of beauty, she would not choose to have her studio on Swanston Street near the Flinders Street corner.
I think its part of human nature to want to adorn ourselves and show other meanings by what we wear.
That infamous hub where the take away franchises like McDonald’s, KFC and Hungry Jacks loom large, and most people are weaving hurriedly through crowds to somewhere a little more congenial to their tastes.
Very rarely is one inclined to imagine that there would be anything of beauty above this tawdry and over commercialised street line.
The Nicholas Building that towers above is like an enormous hulking creature straight out of Gothic Novel, not a hub of life and creativity.
But it is. In fact it is probably the premier CBD location for Melbourne’s finest artisans and artists.
Vikki Kassioras has been creating unique pieces of jewellery from her Nicholas Building studio for over eight years.
She completed the Gold and Silversmithing course at RMIT in Melbourne and her works have featured at Craft Victoria and at leading Melbourne upmarket designer jewellery and accessory stores e.g.etal and Glitzern.
With Vikki taking part in the exhibition Black, alongside Katherine Bowman, as part of the Melbourne Spring Fashion Festival, I took the opportunity to catch up with her and discuss her jewellery and her jewellery making.
Q: How did your interest
in jewellery making begin?
After school I started off in hospitality but then realised I wanted to do something else. I was always interested in creative pursuits; I did ceramics and photography when I was younger.
In the back of my mind was the idea that I wanted to make things, but I didn’t actually know what that meant or what skills I would need. When I saw the Gold and Silversmithing course that RMIT offers I felt, wow, this is the thing I want to do.
Q: Describe your jewellery…
When I was studying, my jewellery was very much about exploring themes of architecture – it was very square with lots of corners. After uni I travelled to India and that’s when I started thinking about the things that I was really interested in – like mythology. I guess I started wanting to make things that would actually be worn everyday and that had other stories to them.
My interest in mythology lead me to symbolism and history and some of my jewellery is actually stamped with words and phrases from ancient poetry. My work is very much about symbolism and making contemporary pieces which hark back to something ancient.
Q: What sort of materials
and techniques do you use?
Most of my work is done in silver because I use a technique called fusing that bonds natural properties of silver together. I use this to make silver earrings, bangles and chains.
I also love using beads and incorporate turquoise and lapis and other interesting beads into my work. I like things that are tribal and not perfectly round and shiny.
Recently, I’ve started working in gold. I made a small collection of gold and diamond rings that are based on a series of mountains – people are responding to them really well.
Q: You touched on mythology as an inspiration. What else inspires you?
My travels have influenced my work and broadened my ideas of what jewellery can be. I do a lot of research, looking at tribal and ancient jewellery from all sorts of places – China, Nepal, Japan.
Q: Has your Greek heritage
influenced your work?
I think so. Mythology was my favourite subject at Greek school. Also I think being around my dad has influenced me. He builds houses, fixes cars and is a practical person. Even though I’m not doing the same things as him, I think it’s made me interested in making things.
Q: What is the best thing about
what you do?
Being immersed in something I love doing and having my passion as my job. Seeing the looks on people’s faces when they see a finished piece, it’s one of the nicest things and a very rewarding part of what I do.
Q: Describe your typical day…
It generally starts with a coffee [laughs]. I come into the studio every day and I have a list in my mind of things I want to achieve. I might have orders, or need to visit suppliers or call up galleries.
In the afternoon I try to sit at my bench and work. Sometimes, because I work for myself, I get to do fun things like see an exhibition, or visit a jeweller friend. My days are quite different and varied… [laughs]… it’s hard work!
Q: How did you learn to run a business?
I’ve learnt so many things since leaving university and starting a business. I did a New Enterprise Incentive Scheme course that helped me out initially. I’ve talked to a lot of other makers and asked a lot of questions. It was a steep learning curve and it took a couple of years before I felt like I had a little bit of a grasp of it.
Q: Any advice for aspiring jewellers?
I would say expect to work really hard, learn as much as you can about business and find yourself a mentor who you can learn from.
Q: Did you have a mentor?
Yes, one of my lecturers, Marion Marshall. I worked for her for several years and was able to see how someone with 20 years experience ran a business. I still ring her up for advice when I need it. I’ve been really lucky in that regard, she helped me bring my business up to the next level and what she did really made sense to me.
Q: why is jewellery so important?
I think its part of human nature to want to adorn ourselves and show other meanings by what we wear. People love precious things.
Gold is really a beautiful material and so are stones. They have an amazing beauty. I think as humans we love to be able to own something like that, to wear it and look at its beauty… it just makes people feel good. It’s also important for people that if you love someone’s work, you can engage with them and commission pieces. We’re lucky to have so many makers in Melbourne. There’s nothing better than going to a studio and having something unique made for you. And, it’s made locally by a talented artisan – it’s important to support people who are doing what they love.
We finish off by talking about Black, her upcoming exhibition that is part of Melbourne Spring Fashion Week. Vikki explains that the exhibition explores the decorative possibilities of the colour black – an iconic aspect of fashion. The exhibition will feature her contemporary jewellery as well as drawings by Katherine Bowman.
Vikki says she explores black through her use of materials, surface patination, such as oxidisation, and gems in her jewellery. Katherine Bowman will explore the colour black by using intricate patterns and decorative details in pencil, ink, watercolour and collage in her drawings and paintings.
For more information visit vikkikassioras.blogspot.com