Mandy Monk Jewellery
My name is Mandy, and I’m based in Gympie Queensland.
Having studied to be an animal ecologist, I am constantly enthralled with the wonderful gifts nature has to offer.
Stones have always been a passion of mine, with an absolute favourite being opal. When I was a small girl, my grandfather bought me opal earrings, and I have loved the unique stone ever since.
Opals feature heavily in my offerings, and I hope you love them just as much as I do. My other favourite stone is turquoise... I just can't get enough of it!
I began smithing in 2021 when I wandered into my local gem club and asked if someone could cut some opal rough I'd had since I was young. Instead of doing it for me, they taught me how to do it myself!
Feeling proud of my accomplishment after cutting and polishing a small Coober Pedy opal, I asked if I could be shown how to make a ring with it. The wonderful members showed me how to do a basic setting for the opal. I now wear it as my "engagement" ring (even though I've been married for 16 years!). From there I continued to teach myself, with much trial and error.
I will never stop learning this craft - there is so much to discover, and I am so glad to have you along on my journey, sharing my creations with you to enjoy and cherish, as I do.
Web: www.mandymonk.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/mandymonkjewellery
Instagram: www.instagram.com/mandy.monk_jewellery
Email: mandy_monk@outlook.com
Having studied to be an animal ecologist, I am constantly enthralled with the wonderful gifts nature has to offer.
Stones have always been a passion of mine, with an absolute favourite being opal. When I was a small girl, my grandfather bought me opal earrings, and I have loved the unique stone ever since.
Opals feature heavily in my offerings, and I hope you love them just as much as I do. My other favourite stone is turquoise... I just can't get enough of it!
I began smithing in 2021 when I wandered into my local gem club and asked if someone could cut some opal rough I'd had since I was young. Instead of doing it for me, they taught me how to do it myself!
Feeling proud of my accomplishment after cutting and polishing a small Coober Pedy opal, I asked if I could be shown how to make a ring with it. The wonderful members showed me how to do a basic setting for the opal. I now wear it as my "engagement" ring (even though I've been married for 16 years!). From there I continued to teach myself, with much trial and error.
I will never stop learning this craft - there is so much to discover, and I am so glad to have you along on my journey, sharing my creations with you to enjoy and cherish, as I do.
Web: www.mandymonk.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/mandymonkjewellery
Instagram: www.instagram.com/mandy.monk_jewellery
Email: mandy_monk@outlook.com
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How long have you been creating your jewellery? I have been making beaded jewellery for around 10 years, but I have been silversmithing for around 3 years. How did you get started? I love wearing jewellery but change my mind regularly as to what I want to wear, and what style I like at the time! So I decided to start making my own. What is your greatest inspiration? Mother Nature! I love the beautiful colours of nature, her people, and the amazing things she creates. My favourite stone is the opal, as no two are ever the same. Nature is amazing. What is the greatest challenge to owning and operating your own business? Trying to wear many hats at once! Finding balance and doing aspects of the business that I ‘m not very good at – such as marketing! What is the best thing about owning your own creative business? Allowing your creativity to flow, and the accomplishment of creating something yourself. It’s so rewarding to see what you’ve done and know that you put your heart and soul into it. |
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