Category: Behind the Scenes

8 WAYS TO BOOST YOUR CREATIVITY WHILST STAYING HOME

Creativity begins at home, and with the current situation we’re facing, this is where we are spending more of our time. This is the perfect opportunity for reflecting on and investing in our inner growth with fewer worldly distractions. To make the most of this, we at A Silver Circle are here to help you discover and recover your creative self.

Whether you are a professional creative or simply seeking a creative outlet, we believe that tuning into your inner artist is a wonderful form of therapy. Whether you like to design, write, craft or produce, any act of creativity should be enjoyed for the sake of self-expression! So it doesn’t matter what your stage in life or walk of life, we have put together a list of 8 simple activities you can do to help exercise your creative muscles!

Our first two exercises are drawn from Julia Cameron’s well-renowned book The Artists Way (1991) which our very own Corinne is reading and already finding amazing results!

Morning Pages:
This exercise is what the Artists Way is most known for. Three pages of longhand, stream of consciousness writing, ideally done first thing in the morning. This might seem like a bit of a feat for your every day. However, there is no wrong way to do Morning Pages. They can take any structure you like, and be about anything and everything that crosses your mind – and they are for your eyes only, so you don’t even have to worry about neat handwriting! This exercise unclogs your mental and emotional channels, getting rid of anything that might be in the way of your happiness, productivity and creativity. No need to overthink it.

Artist’s Date:
This is all about drawing inspiration from things around you. So what does an Artist’s Date look like under life in lockdown? Going for a (state-approved) walk by yourself to get some fresh air, with no particular destination in mind, observing your surrounds and allowing yourself to wander peacefully can go a long way. An indoor Artists Date can look like watching a documentary or looking into some art books to expand the horizon of your mind and eye. Our go to art books are on Patterns, Surrealism and Art Nouveau!

Declutter:
Take a look at the physical space around you. Are there things that you no longer use or need? Is there a way to make more room for the things you do need? Decluttering your bedroom or your closet is a great way to not only clear the space you live in but also your head space – which is also a place we live. When we are free of what is distracting or blocking us, we make more room to create. For detailed tips on how to declutter, we recommend looking into famous organising consultant, Marie Kondo, who has written four books and has her own show on Netflix, as well as the book Outer Order, Inner Calm (2019) by Gretchen Rubin.

Decorate:
Love the space you’re in! Decorating to your style is the next step in forming a space which you not only can think clearly and happily in but also be creative in. Really make your living space your own by putting up whatever you find beautiful and inspiring. What style do you gravitate towards? Bohemian, eclectic, minimal and fresh, modern? The more personal you make it, the more you’ll enjoy just being in that space. If possible, carve out your own designated creative space where you have all your tools and mood-boards to encourage productivity. In the ASC studio which is full of natural light, indoor plants, gemstones and vibrant images, we are able to draw inspiration from our surroundings as we work.

Media Detox:
With more time at home these days, our screen time may have also gone up significantly. Make sure to take long breaks from binge watching that Netflix show or scrolling through Instagram and perhaps even from the news, in order to reduce the noise that can often take hold of our minds and even make us anxious. Give yourself time to enjoy silence and the natural world around you, listening to your incoming thoughts and ideas. A media detox one hour before bed will promote better quality sleep, and in turn, a well-rested and clear mind. Taking care of your body is also like taking care of your capacity to create.

Reading:
Stimulate your mind and your imagination by diving into a book that you find interesting or inspiring. There are so many genres and topics to choose from: fiction, non-fiction, philosophy, psychology, science, etc. Learning about the world and seeing through new perspectives can often strike you with ideas and fill you with lasting inspiration. At ASC we particularly love reading up on ancient cultures, architecture and spiritually, which we then are able to translate into our designs.

Sketching:
Take up a pencil or a pen, or whatever medium you prefer, and make a quick sketch of your ideas. If you don’t have any ideas, sketch what you see around you in your home or the view from your window. Try to see these familiar things in a new light. Your sketches don’t all have to be good. Focus on the process; it is more about the practice! Your free hand sketches don’t have to make sense to anyone else, as long as you’re able to get some sort of idea out. You can then refine and hone in on them later. Don’t hold back on your self-expression! To uncover more possibilities, we suggest trying experimental drawing, for example, not looking at your paper as you draw or continuous line drawing.

Meditation:
Set aside some minutes in your day for mindfulness. Focus your mind to access your reality, your feelings; what you are grateful for, what is important to you, what you would like to work towards even just for the day. Meditation is very personal, and can be done in many different ways. Try to find what works best for you so that you can refresh your mind and increase your self-awareness. Working towards inner peace allows for your inner artist to flourish.

Remember that art is not a thing, but a way! We can try all sorts of activities to be more creative but at the end of the day what is most important is the mindset with which we do them. Allow yourself to be more open, more patient and kinder to yourself in order to discover what you are capable of. With these eight simple yet holistic exercises you can do from the comfort of your home, we hope this helps you to do precisely that!

We would love to hear how you go! Perhaps you have your own tips and tricks to boost your creative energy; don’t be shy to share them with us. Leave a comment here on the blog or get in touch through our Facebook or Instagram.

Happy creating!

Inside the Studio

Curious about where all the magic happens? We want to take you inside the ASC studio for you to get a better look at the creative space in which the ideas for A Silver Circle jewellery are birthed and brought to life! Step into our humble abode filled not just with handy tools but also with character and life.

Walking into the studio, you’re greeted with beautiful natural light spilling through the large windows, feeding the number of vibrant greenery scattered around the room. Working alongside nature is essential to maintaining the connection to nature and living things that underpins all the designs of A Silver Circle.

The studio also houses a wide collection of books! So so many books which are used for research and inspiration as well as lunch time escapes. Corinne enjoys a good read with a cup of tea while sitting on the studio’s comfy couch. This homey touch encourages necessary and well-deserved rest throughout the working day, as moments of relaxation and mindfulness are key for the creative juices to flow!

There’s also plenty of desk space for the business side of things to take place, making sure everything we need to do is planned and executed in order to communicate with and get our beautifully crafted pieces to you, our lovely customers!

And, of course, we can’t forget to show you the side of the studio where A Silver Circle jewellery are sustainably handcrafted. The many tools are organised against a colourful backdrop, hand-painted by Corinne herself! From soldering to shaping and stamping, each step of the process is done right here. At any given time in the studio there are always pieces of jewellery in different stages of completion so it is an ever-changing space where you can see every step come together to form the A Silver Circle brand.

Moodboards are essential part of the space and they help visualise the particular vision of not only the brand, but the new collections. This is a part of the studio that is always changing and evolving as the inspiration and focus changes. Currently featured on our mood board is some textures, blues, purple and pink tones as well as some spiritual symbols from astrology and tarot.

The stones and crystals found here and there as well as daily affirmation cards infuse a spiritual connection within the studio which is important to Corinne and her creative process. These special touches not only create a positive atmosphere but flow into the meaning behind our jewellery giving it more depth and connection to then pass on to its new owners.

We hope you have enjoyed a little glimpse into the space. Of course you can come see it for yourself when you book one of A Silver Circles Workshops. They are a great way to get your own creative juices flowing in a homely and welcoming space. Check out our Workshops page for more details.

Inside the Ring Making Workshop

At A Silver Circle, our workshops highlight the fun creative process behind handmade jewellery. With positive, relaxed vibes and the support of experienced jeweller Corinne you’ll feel inspired to create more. Surprise someone special with a rewarding and unique experience or bring a friend for a few hours of laughter to get in touch with your inner artist and learn a new skill.

Our engaging and hands-on workshops will teach you the vital techniques involved in making silver jewellery, from hammering to soldering. Over the three-hour class you will make creative decisions about the details of your handmade jewellery resulting in a personalised and unique product you can wear yourself or gift to a loved one.

All materials, refreshments and snacks are provided allowing you to enjoy the experience and relax. You will leave feeling proud of what you have accomplished with your handmade treasure as well as some new friends. As classes are small Corinne is available for any questions and assistance needed to guide you, making the workshop a personal experience. It’s a great way to channel your creativity, ignite a passion for jewellery making or just enjoy meeting new people. Make sure to check out our new workshop dates for 2019 here, where you can also read more about the specifics of each different workshop.

Video shot and compiled by Rachel Abbott, Music by Trong Nguyen.

The Story of A Silver Circle

Having operated for nearly four years now, the A Silver Circle has endured the breezy highs and the stormy lows that come along with starting a new business. Regardless, the journey has been incredible and has unfolded into something special. In this blog post, we will get up close and personal with Owner and Designer Corinne, on how A Silver Circle has come to be what it is today.

Despite being an Honors Graduate with a Bachelor of Visual Arts in Jewellery and Object Design since 2011, Corinne was working full time in retail before it all began in 2013. She hit a standstill when she suddenly decided to quit with no idea what she was going to do. Little did she know, that this decision would lead to a number of things falling into place.

Corinne visited a careers advisor named Chloe. Completely by chance, she noticed the beauty in the Jewellery Corinne was wearing and asked where it was from. Of course, with such a budding passion for jewellery design, all of the pieces Corinne was wearing were her own work. Chloe was incredibly impressed to hear this and immediately was able to see Corinne’s future career, crystal clear. Chloe suggested that Corinne considered starting a business, and helped her enroll in a government funded small business course.

In November 2013, Corinne came to the point her whole life had been leading towards. She launched A Silver Circle. Instantly, it was a full time Job with Corinne working long hours to develop everything from websites to packaging, and learning how to set up market stalls.

“I was excited but very apprehensive because in terms of the business side of things, I was diving into something I didn’t have any real knowledge or experience in.”

Not only did Corinne deal with the internal fear that comes along with the ongoing risks of running a small business, but her friends and family also had their own doubts.

“Everyone expected I would want to do it but my family and boyfriend at the time were wary of it, they weren’t the most supportive because they didn’t want me to struggle.”

Today the focus has shifted, and Corinne looks at her business as being all about expressing herself and her values through her jewellery. The designs are created to be wearable, rather than appropriated from exhibition pieces.

Corinne now places a major emphasis on offering eco friendly jewellery.

“I was always using some recycled materials, although it was more out of an interest in the materials with the main focus being about creating interesting contemporary pieces. Today It’s a personal thing too, I want to be more sustainable as a person and as a business. It’s a personal exploration now of balancing those two elements.”

When thinking about the future of A Silver Circle, Corinne wants to expand so that her jewellery is available in shops near you. In saying that, she doesn’t want the brand to become too commercial. Its important to her that she keeps the essence of it being a handmade Australia brand. She would love to be able to hire up and coming jewelers and help them learn their craft.

“I get my jewellery interns to try quite a lot of different techniques so they have the opportunity to learn a range of things and start to master those skills.”

Moving forward, A Silver Circle hopes to embody its new focus of eco friendly products and continues its design of new and elegant pieces.

Celebrating the Geometric Collection

As the brand has evolved over time, Corinne has gradually developed the beautiful Geometric collection. This elegant collection is all about using different angles, contrasting open negative space with positive space from within the same piece of jewellery. Recently we added our brand new Geometric Pendent and Earrings to the collection.

In celebration of this new addition, we are going to take you back to the beginning with our A Silver Circle Ring. The A Silver Circle signature ring is a simplistic yet sentimental piece encapsulating the original essence of the brand. The ring creates a very delicate and beautiful illusion of a circle floating on the finger.

The process of making the A Silver Circle Ring is intricate and complex. We will now take you ‘behind the scenes’ with Corinne in our Studio and explain all of the steps we go through to create this signature piece.

Firstly, Corinne will take a piece of silver wire and measure it to the correct length. This will then need to be heated with a torch before it can be easily bent into the desired shape.

In the case of a circle, the wire is placed on a tapered cone-shaped mandrel. A rawhide mallet, made from a coil of leather, is used to even out the shape along the mandrel without denting the wire.

To get the two ends to attach, tension needs to be created in the wire. Once the ends are aligned, a small amount of solder is applied and melted with the torch. This helps the ends to permanently fix together.

To turn it into a ring, another piece of wire which will become the ring band needs to be attached. This wire is filed in a channel which matches up perfectly with the side of the circle so they hug each other securely. Again, solder is used to attach the ends.


Once this is done, the ring is now constructed and can be filed and polished to get that shiny finish.

The signature ring was expanded into a ring collection including the Hexagon, Square, Oval, Triangle, and the 9 ct. Gold Edition of the ring. We are now premiering the Geometric Pendant and Earrings which are quite unique and beautiful in their own way. With the two different shapes hanging independently on opposite angles, their gentle movement can really catch the eye.

To add the essential A Silver Circle Ring or any of the other pieces from the Geometric Collection to your jewellery box, visit our shop page.