Meet the Makers - Kul Kul and Jet Empire

Jet set

Talented jeweller Heidi Atchison’s Jet Empire draws all those who love a well-made trinket or sparkly jewel to her lovely store, with an extra dash of music for good measure.

Think of your favourite song. If it happens to be one by Blondie, The Cure, David Bowie, Madonna or The Monkees you could be wearing it on your wrist. Or around your neck. Or dangling it from your ears in the form of exquisite jewellery, handmade by a talented Subiaco artisan.

For a little over a year, Heidi Atchison, a former accountant, has attracted something of a cult following in her studio-come-jewellery shop in Station Street which is lined with posters of her favourite bands and features a big black armchair, potted plants and gorgeous hand-made bracelets, rings and necklaces.

Jet Empire is its name. And point of difference is its game, with a soundtrack of constantly rotating tunes in the background.

Passers-by pop in to see Atchison at work, spinning her magic to songs like Modern Love, Total Eclipse of the Heart, West End Girls and even a Mozart Sonata or two. As she toils away in intricate rapture she is creating exquisite pieces of jewellery featuring pearls, Swarovski crystals, gemstones, silver and gold.

Atchison divides her ranges into four music categories of classical, pop, rock and indie, and says there is no real formula for coming up with the names.

“Each piece is different,” she says. “Sometimes a song will come on while I am making a piece and it seems a perfect title for it. Other times I will be making something that has a certain colour in it and I am thinking about Little Red Corvette. Usually, though, it starts with the actual piece which

I am thinking about from the time I see the crystal or the gemstone or the pearl and envision how it will look and then the title becomes apparent during the process.”

One beautiful pair of $50 Swarovski Cream Pearl earrings take their name from The Monkees’ I’m a Believer.

In another, a jade bracelet called Total Eclipse of the Heart, evokes Bonnie Tyler’s husky voice.

And, um, here’s one that’s perfect for busting some moves on the dance floor at a wedding – a multi-medium necklace featuring onyx, Swarovski Black Diamond Crystals and black pearls. It’s name? My Sharona, by The Knack.

Eighties’ band, Depeche Mode, feature in pearl earrings called Just Can’t Get Enough.

Atchison is definitely in her happy place since swapping the debits and credits of her chartered accountancy career back in 2008 after taking a sixmonth camper trailer journey around Australia with her two children, and then husband.

“I had always been creative, making my own clothes and things like that,” she says. “But it was when we were in Port Douglas and my daughter and I went to a jewellery-making class that the seed was really sown.”

When the family returned to Perth she taught herself how to make jewellery using Swarovski crystals and gemstones and her new career path became obvious.

“I did a lot of research online,” she says. “I found a supplier and began doing a lot of wire work, threading

JET EMPIRE Jewellery & Gifts is the flagship store for Perth brand Jet Empire Jewellery. Our stunning jewellery collection is made right here in Subiaco, featuring pearls, gemstones and more. We also offer a thoughtfully curated selection of gifts and homewares. Shop online - click and collect is available.

CANDLES • MOR BOUTIQUE • NINA BAILEY BATH BODY AND HOME MAISON BLANCHE • GIFT LABEL CO. • CERAMICS • PLANTS • AND MORE ...

... a jade bracelet called Total Eclipse of the Heart evokes Bonnie Tyler’s husky voice.

and began designing.”

She originally began the business with a partner and sold the pieces at home parties and markets.

“It took off from there, really,” she says. “After four years I went out on my own.”

Jet Empire has evolved into a team of six with Atchison working full-time at the shop and others assisting with production and showing their wares at Perth Upmarket, Perth Makers Market, Perth Hills Artisan Market and Kalamunda Artisan Market. The range is all available online too.

As well as the bespoke jewellery, the shop carries a range of Nina Bailey Luxury Home Fragrance, bath, body, and skincare products, diffusers and candles as well as MOR products and Betty Brown bags. It’s also a great place to showcase Heidi’s side hustle - the Gift Label Co, a collection of gorgeously designed labels for every occasion. Jewellery-making classes are on the horizon too, giving Heidi’s clientele the chance to learn how to make their own beautiful jewellery from the boss herself.

And, if any male readers are thinking of ordering themselves a necklace named after a Blondie favourite, Heart of Glass, they will be disappointed. Atchison says she doesn’t design a men’s jewellery range. But she does offer Jet Empire music-themed hand-poured soy candles with cotton wicks which are scented with lotus flower, pomegranate and geranium.

“They’re designed to help people born in the 70s and 80s to relax and reminisce over music from those eras,” she says.

No, they don’t play the tunes, they are just named after the decades. Which could remind readers of a song by The Cure. Boys Don’t Cry. And, if the boys in question are partial to necklaces, Atchison has just the thing for you – in freshwater pearls – named after that song.

Need some Mother’s Day inspo?

We got you covered.

An art class with 4 Sistas Sip & Paint

6/183 Rokeby Road, Subiaco | Ph: 0498 476 123 Encourage Mum to discover her inner Van Gogh with an art class run by four sports-loving country girls, The Lysters. These fabulous sisters have an amazing story to tell about their own late Mum who was a strong-willed independent and hard working woman who raised them with a love of art and sport.

They share their painting skills regularly over a frothy beer or glass of wine. Enrol Mum in one of their regular classes. If she doesn’t discover her inner artist, at least she will have four new friends. Introduce her to the sound of clickety clack in a knitting class at Crossways Wool & Fabrics

Shop 15, Crossways Shopping Centre, 180 Rokeby Rd, Subiaco | Ph: 9381 4286 Have a chat to Thea, Tegan and Leslie, the lovely women who run this well-loved Subiaco shop and you might just enrol Mum in a knitting or crochet class for beginners. Not only does knit-one/purl one make you sleep better, it’s meditative. And you get to make cool stuff. Mum might even knit you a beanie.

Kul Kul Subiaco

Jewellery • Gifts • Fashion

Offer eternal youth with L’Occitane

L’Occitane, 97 Rokeby Road, Subiaco | Ph: 9380 9366 Every Mum wants to feel young again, even if it is just for one hour during a facial at L’Occitane’s Petit Spa. Here, organic essential oils are massaged over her face to stimulate cell renewal and collagen synthesis. The promise is to address visible signs of ageing: wrinkles, skin slackening and lack of smoothness. Aah, but the main reason is to get her to relax for one hour. Pure bliss!

A gift voucher from Simon Johnson

Simon Johnson Providore, 169 Rokeby Road, Subiaco | Ph: 9489 3888 It’s a well-kept secret that most Mums – affectionately known to some as the Old Cheese – would love to eat their body weight in cheese.

So why not indulge her with a gift voucher to cheesey heaven and let her wrestle her way through a kilo of raw milk blue cheese from the Pecora Dairy in New South Wales?

If cheese is not her thing then she might fancy some Black Pearl caviar, an indulgence offering the ultimate in luxury and celebration.

Shop A, 151a Rokeby Road, Subiaco Tel 9388 7900 Email cheryl@kulkul.com.au

Open 10am to 5pm Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm Saturday.