Stephanie Symington

I’m Stephanie Grace Symington (SGS), a jeweller and artist based in Castlemaine, Victoria. I began practising jewellery-making in 2017 while completing a Bachelor of Fine Art at RMIT, where I explored transforming small sculptural and tactile works into statement jewellery.Coming from a background in sculpture, my work has long been influenced by themes of nostalgia, romance and the beauty of small details. During my Honours in Fine Art in 2018, I created delicate installations and hand-painted plaster shells before exploring the process of casting small sculptures in precious metals, including sterling silver and bronze. This early experimentation introduced me to the lost-wax casting technique, which remains central to my jewellery practice today.After a foray into early childhood teaching, my passion for jewellery-making flourished during the 2020 lockdowns, prompting me to rebrand as SGS Jewellery. I have since completed a Certificate II in Jewellery Engineering at Melbourne Polytechnic and dedicated myself to developing my practice as an independent jeweller.My work draws inspiration from the natural world, particularly flowers, gardens, curling vines and delicate leaves. I love incorporating these organic forms into classical jewellery styles, creating pieces that feel romantic, whimsical and a little otherworldly. Each design is thoughtfully handcrafted and often incorporates responsibly sourced gemstones, bringing colour and individuality to every piece.Working from my Castlemaine studio, I specialise in made-to-order, everyday-statement jewellery, as well as bespoke engagement, wedding and special-occasion pieces. Sustainability is an important part of my practice, and I prioritise recycled precious metals and responsibly sourced gemstones wherever possible. I enjoy the hands-on nature of traditional jewellery-making, from carving designs in wax to casting and finishing each piece by hand.Alongside my jewellery practice, I now teach lost-wax jewellery-making workshops in Castlemaine, sharing the techniques behind my work and introducing others to the rewarding process of creating their own wearable sculptures. Through these workshops, I hope to make traditional jewellery-making more accessible and give participants the opportunity to explore their creativity, experiment with materials and create something entirely their own.