One of South Australia’s most dedicated  jewellers and shop owners, Sarah Rothe has quickly made a name for herself in the Australian market, and shows no signs of slowing down. Bowerbird caught up with Sarah to find out more…

 

 For those who don’t know, how would you describe your work? 

Primarily my work consists of contemporary etched and coloured (anodised) titanium jewellery. Titanium colours amazingly though anodising (an electrical process where voltage is used to change the surface of titanium without dyes or additives). It is also very strong, lightweight and hypoallergenic. Perfect for jewellery, especially those with allergies. I translate fragile and delicate natural forms into long lasting and strong pieces in titanium.

 

How did the your jewellery journey begin? Who or what inspired you to start? 

If you want to go WAY back… I guess my journey started with a bit of entrepreneurial spirit, a gourmet weekend in the Barossa and a small stand selling cornflake cookies, lemonade and bracelets made from willow branches (from the neighbour’s yard) from out the front of our house. Fast forward about 8 years and I enrolled in a short course in jewellery making at WEA. I always knew I was going to art school, but this started my love of jewellery making. After studying jewellery at Adelaide Centre for the Arts I went straight into an Associate position at the Jam Factory Contemporary Craft and Design. Towards the end of my time there, I undertook a residency in Jingdezhen, China. The inspiration I took away from this residency started my titanium collection as it is today. I launched the collection and the very first designs, at the first ever Bowerbird, at the Queens Theatre in 2009!

 

What are your current artistic influences and what inspires you to carry on doing what you’re doing? 

At the moment I’m moving back to some old influences while designing a new range of precious rings. These are inspired by medieval and ancient jewels, while also having a modern feel. I’m pretty excited about these!

I’m also working on some statement jewellery in titanium. Large necklaces and earrings. I will have a few pieces of both the precious range and the new titanium work at Bowerbird! Can’t wait to see how people react to these and discover which are their favourites!

Looking back on what I have achieved keeps me going. Looking forward also makes me really excited and there are so many more things to come!

 

What’s a typical day for you?

Most days involve me waking up around 6:30, having a coffee on the couch and a cuddle with my fur babies (two adorable pugs), which is always drawn out longer than it should – they are very good at making me feel guilty for leaving them. I then like to get a few things done in the morning, maybe a quick order, resize, or some emails, this helps to get me productive and motivated for the day. I have a shop/gallery now in Regent Arcade and on Mondays I keep the shop closed so I usually use this for a workshop and design day, the rest of the week it is into the shop/gallery where my days are usually pretty varied depending on how many customers come in and what needs to be done.

 

Which other designers are you looking forward to seeing when you come to Bowerbird on May 5 – 7?

There is such a fantastic array of designers that come to Bowerbird. I am definitely looking forward to catching up with interstate designer friends such as Atelier Nomada, Emma Kate Co, Hannakin, Koa by Kaitlin, Linogirl, The Gently Unfurling Sneak and also fellow South Aussies like Kitty Came Home, Dana Kinter, Delilah Devine, Days of August, Namoi and Claire Ishino.

 

What’s your favourite piece that will be available for Bowerbird? 

Ooo, that’s a hard one! My favourite pieces change all the time! I think it would have to be my new brooches! Inspired by poppy petals and using very fluid curls and curves, along with graduating colours! All are unique and no two are the same.

 

What advice would you give other aspiring designers? 

Work hard and be persistent, keep learning and surround yourself with people who want to see you succeed.

SEEK. EXPLORE. FIND. COLLECT.

Bowerbird…  Held twice a year in Adelaide, our Autumn/Winter 2017 event was just held the weekend before Mothers Day.
Setting a new bar, with great feedback on organisation, quality of stalls, atmosphere, flow and numbers of visitors through. A bumper event all round!

Our next (Spring/Summer) event will be held 24 – 26 November 

Please join our DESIGNERS MAILING LIST to be kept in the loop and notified when applications open VERY SOON. 

 

ABOUT BOWERBIRD

Bowerbird Design Market is a curated event held twice a year in South Australia since 2009, celebrating high quality design and workmanship, fresh ideas and innovation. Now in our eighth year, we are the leading design market in South Australia, with a reputation for promoting and nurturing emerging and established Australian designers, makers and artists, who sell and promote their wares in a dynamic and inspiring environment to thousands of South Australian attendees each event.

Stallholders do not just receive a space, but a chance to become part of our design community and the support, exchange of ideas and opportunities this brings. We aim to foster our stallholders by providing information and access to tailored professional development workshops, and encouraging collaboration and networking opportunities at each event.

Bowerbird Design Market is an unmissable experience that attracts design-savvy consumers who are passionate about supporting small production runs and the handmade. We would love you to apply for our next event!

 

WHAT DO YOU RECEIVE AS A STALLHOLDER?

• .  3 days of promoting and selling to a large, established, enthusiastic and growing South Australian audience
• .  Generous-sized stall hire with back stall fence, and white cardboard cladding provided
• .  An event run by designers who have also been stallholders. A venue that’s thoughtfully designed and high quality curated stalls
• .  Hireable extras such as trestles, clothing racks, chairs and power
• .  A listing and image on our website designer directory in the lead up to, during and post event
• .  A listing and image in our Bowerbird booklet, provided free to visitors and used for post-event sales
• .  The benefits of our event promotion and additional media and advertising opportunities
• .  Easy and accessible bump in and bump out
• .  Access to complimentary professional  workshops, such as visual merchandising, signage, photography, selling + wholesaling
• .  The availability of great food and coffee, and an invitation to our Stallholder Drinks on the Saturday night of the event
• .  A promotional pack which will guide you to promote your involvement and make the most of your market experience
• .  Friendly, helpful support

EVENT MARKETING AND PROMOTION

We engage in a comprehensive calendar of strategic online and print advertising and editorial, social media promotions, radio, marketing and public relations to raise awareness about our creative stallholders and the event. We continue to grow our investment in time and expenditure to increase the reach and audience of Bowerbird, and believe in telling Bowerbird’s story and the skills, craft and story of the designers taking part. We do this through the following platforms for each market:

• .  Extensive social media promotion to our audience of over 27,000 online followers (Facebook + Instagram)
• .  Wide-reaching advertising and editorial campaign across South Australian media.
• .  Press and photo opportunities featuring stallholders are coordinated with appropriate online and print publications in SA
• .  A newly updated website, blog and e-newsletter
• .  Engaging radio promotion and TV crews
• .  Distribution of over 20,000 postcards and posters throughout metropolitan Adelaide in the months leading up to the market
• .  Regular e-newsletters to our extensive mailing lists
• .  Hosting online competitions and giveaways that promote stallholders, drive attendance and increase online engagement
• .  Local collaborations and networking to spread awareness of the event further

APPLICATIONS + CRITERIA

Bowerbird stallholder applications open three to four months before each event with 150+ designer makers selected to take part in each three day program.

We invite Australian designers, makers and artists with high quality products and a professional approach to their business to apply.

All work must be designed (and preferably made) in Australia by the stallholder, and selection is based on high quality workmanship and fresh contemporary ideas.

A cohesive range, professional online presence, high quality images and stall presentation also influence selection.

Variety within each event, and between events, is also considered in bringing together an exciting range of furniture, ceramics, lighting, prints, paintings, photography, glassware, clothing, stationery, homewares, textiles, accessories and more.

Please join our DESIGNERS MAILING LIST to be kept in the loop and notified when applications open VERY SOON for our 24-26 November event. (Prices and further information will be available on our application form.)