Sharna Lockyer is a local jewelery designer who takes joy in all things kitsch. Her brand ‘Off the Wagon’ features necklaces, rings and other unique pieces made to look like cups of tea, whales, Nintendo controllers, various foods and other adorable items. Her designs are astoundingly realistic, down to the sesame seeds on a burger bun and the melted butter on a slice of toast. Lockyer says the intricacy comes down to her handmade approach. “I use tools like razorblades or needles or fine point and cut the design out and mould most of it with my fingers.” she said.
Most of Lockyer’s pieces are made with polymer clay, carefully shaped, set and hand-painted. It’s a very detailed process. “If I’m experimenting with a new piece that I’m not very familiar with it can take up to five hours for me to get it right, but then the pieces after that come a little quicker.” To keep her designs fresh, Lockyer keeps her eye on what’s popular in food and fun. “I do like to go through those food trends. Lots of people are liking Gaytimes at the moment. They’re very popular. But hopefully I’ll just keep practising and keep getting up my repertoire and just make more and sell them on a bigger basis.”
You can find ‘Off the Wagon’ on Facebook.
Sophie Joske
