It’s no secret that Canberra is a huge player in the arts and culture scene in Australia. Canberra’s arts culture is driven by its iconic galleries and museums, such as the National Gallery of Australia, the National Portrait Gallery, and the National Museum of Australia.
However, one of the Territory’s best-kept secrets is the thriving, eclectic, and peculiar local artistic scene. From Paint Pinot, to pottery classes, the ACT is home to a variety of small businesses using creativity to entertain, and drive Canberrans to experience arts in new ways.
Spoiled for choice, I spent my Saturday participating in one of Belconnen’s coolest artistic participation classes – ring making!
blonde. is a Sydney-born jewellery studio that has grown across Australia. They not only showcase amazing local jewellery artists’ skill sets by offering handmade rings for sale, but also offer ring-making classes that allow participants to design, make, and walk away with their own handmade rings.
Sounds pretty daunting. So, to save you the time, and the potential embarrassment, I (a highly unskilled, inexperienced jewellery maker) tried out the class and all it has to offer.
Backing on to a stunning view of Lake Ginninderra lit by the late afternoon sun, the studio itself was intimate, consisting of just one room, with a huge table topped with tools, equipment, and strips of solid gold and silver. That’s right – the studio only works with sterling silver or solid 9ct gold, all included in the class booking price.
The vibe was clear as soon as I walked in: chill, beautiful, and calm. With jewellery on display across the studio, the scene was set in anticipation for excited, but nervous novice crafters, including myself.
The class comes in pairs, but wasn’t just for couples. I met people on their birthdays making rings with their friends, couples making their wedding bands, and mothers and daughters looking to have a bit of fun. We shared stories, laughter, and all experienced being terrible jewellery makers together.
The steps
Sawing
Soldering
Shaping
Polishing
We met the experienced jewellers, who led us through the basics of silver or goldsmithing. Starting with a thin strip of your chosen metal, participants got to trial run a practice round, learning the art of shaping, welding, soldering, and polishing (or at least trying to, my instructor did most of mine for me).
This class was an awesome experience, and it’s so cool to have such a personal, stylised souvenir from a learning experience. I wish I could do more classes and build my skills further with blonde. because they’re great teachers!
Participant at blonde. Canberra
Once we all learned our ring sizes, we could start on the more self-directed, second, thicker ring. Everything was completely customisable, and I was able to put lettering/numbering on the inside or outside of the ring.
Supporting local Canberra artists, and their crafts, is the key to a continuous and thriving arts sector. Nestled in the heart of Belconnen Arts Centre, blonde. is an exciting look into exactly what Canberra’s art scene has to offer.
Tucked away in an intimate corner of Canberra North’s central hub for arts and culture, the Belconnen Arts Centre, lives one of the ACT’s most interactive, creative, and artistic classes to get involved in.
While the class was a fun, relaxing, and creative way to spend my Saturday afternoon, it opened my eyes to the work that’s put into creating by local artists. From every example ring, to product available on the storefront, to the time spent instructing by jewellers gave me a new appreciation for the skill, expertise and mastery required for even the most simple of products.