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My advice to students is to follow your dreams but think laterally.
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Working from a home studio in inner west Sydney, Nicole collaborates with several gem merchants and master jewellers and setters in the Sydney area. She balances work with motherhood, designing while her baby sleeps and employing a nanny one day a week. Nicole only uses natural gems and pearls, set in sterling silver or gold, available from an online ready-to-wear range or as customized pieces. “I love the commissions, which are often for engagements, weddings and birthdays,” she said. “Custom design is about personal interaction and creating something unique for that individual.”
With interstate clients, she is able to liaise electronically, sending scale drawings and images. “For example, I recently created a black diamond ring for a client in Perth, communicating solely by phone and email,” she said. “They were very happy with the result.” Nicole travels to Perth and Melbourne once a year to organize jewellery parties, donating 10% of the proceeds to charity – usually either Oxfam or Médecins Sans Frontières. The next step is to expand and eventually open a store.
“Having worked as both an actor and an artist, I would advise students interested in acting to think carefully. I very much enjoyed it and found theatre particularly inspiring – but it is a hard career, challenging to the ego. Your creativity is out of your hands, placing you at the mercy of a director or casting agent. Having said that, any career in the arts is challenging.” “My advice to students is to follow your dreams but think laterally. Don’t go for the obvious choices, and don’t wait for work to come to you – make it happen. Working in the arts is hard work!” You can view and order from Nicole’s readyto-wear range at www.nicolewinkler.com
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