Emma Grace

• Emma Grace is planning to create a collection of environmentally and ethically sustainable jewellery.
• Northcity4 is in the process of creating a sustainable workplace for Melbourne’s contemporary jewellers.
• Emma Grace can help Northcity4 and Northcity4 can help Emma Grace.
• You can help them both while reaping some great rewards – it’s win, win, win!

The goal is to enable Emma Grace to spend six months in residence at Northcity4 contemporary jewellery studio. Emma Grace is a contemporary jeweller who is well known for her jewellery recycling workshops and commitment to incorporating sustainability principles into her work. Emma will create a sustainable collection of jewellery with the support of Northcity4 director and tenant, Ali Limb.Emma will also work with Northcity4 to develop actions and initiatives that will improve the studio’s environmental sustainability and demonstrate leadership in the sector.

While in residence at Northcity4, Emma will explore sustainable alternatives to current jewellery production methods, and research ethical and recycled materials such as silver, gold, recycled plastics, stones and gems. Mining for gold and silver for jewellery has a devastating impact on the environment and the chemicals used to make jewellery can be harmful. For this reason, it is important to start exploring what other methods and materials may be available.

Emma has extensive practice working in the area of sustainability through her experience with Green Steps, a sustainability training organisation. She will bring this knowledge to Northcity4 to help audit the sustainability performance of their current studio practice, developing a list of recommendations and an action plan for ongoing improvements and procedures for the studio and tenants. Emma will then guide Northcity4 in the initial implementation of the action plan and assist them intheir commitment to promoting and supporting the integration of sustainability into all aspects of jewellery and object based practice.

“Since becoming aware of the negative impact my industry is having on the environment, I have realised it is up to me as an individual to take action towards finding positive alternatives.

This opportunity will give me the support network and time I need to help me realise my goal of creating a collection of environmentally and ethically sustainable jewellery. Having the chance to discuss my designs with Ali, a person who has so much experience in jewellery retail, and who also understands my ethics and personal goals, will be invaluable. With our forces combined, I can see that we have scope to inspire people and make a difference that reaches out beyond our own community. By the end of the six months we will have developed resources and experience for other jewellers to draw on, as well as a tangible product to show as an example of what is possible. It’s this possibility of a new direction that is so exciting and important to me.”