Meet Marmalade Gardens, the Corowa-based label creating “cute but practical” jewellery
IMAGE VIA @MARMALADEGARDENS/INSTAGRAM
WORDS BY ZEMIRA WHITEHEAD
“I’d describe my jewellery as tangible little pieces of art that you can wear on your body.”
There’s something extra special about finding jewellery that perfectly fits your style, especially when it’s been made by a local designer. Marnie, the designer behind Corowa-based jewellery label Marmalade Gardens, sees her craft as a career, a creative outlet and a way to connect with people on a personal level.
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Whether it’s making a necklace out of repurposed family heirlooms or designing a personalised set of engagement rings, Marnie offers made-to-order pieces crafted from silver, gold and colourful gemstones. Below, Marnie speaks on the Marmalade Gardens journey so far.
Tell us about you. What is your fashion background?
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My name is Marnie. I handmake jewellery for my small label, Marmalade Gardens. I grew up in country Australia in a town called Mulwala, on the lands of the Yorta Yorta people. Growing up in a small town, fashion was something super exciting for me and my friends.
We loved wearing things outside the box that not many people in town or at school were wearing… we found it a fun way of rebelling against the norm and finding our own style and creativity. Since then, I’ve always dressed to make myself feel good, plucking inspiration from generations of styles past. Being able to pile my own jewellery onto my fingers and ears has been a cool feeling and a nice way to add to an outfit!
How did the label get started? Talk us through the process and the challenges.
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My label started in my final year of high school in 2016. I was pressing flowers in my school books and my darling friend Ally told me about how you can make jewellery with pressed flowers, which turned into making resin jewellery at the time. Two years later, I enrolled in a gold and silversmithing course at RMIT and that’s when I started working with cast silver and gold.
My business was something I did outside of working and studying but slowly it has crept into being my predominant source of income, which is super cool! I feel so lucky to be able to spend my days being paid to be an artist and jeweller.
What were you trying to achieve from the project at the time? How has this evolved and what are you trying to communicate through the brand now?
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Since I started, my brand has grown abundantly and done a full one-eighty spin after I fell in love with the casted jewellery process – both designing and making the pieces. Back then, I was happy to be able to fund making things through my sales, but now it is so much more than that for me. It is a career, a creative outlet and a way to connect with people on a personal level.
Whether it is making someone a necklace out of their grandmother’s gemstones, making an engagement ring to celebrate queer love or someone purchasing a design [from] my website that speaks to them… I feel so blessed that people enjoy my craft… My business these days feels much more refined, unique and something I am super proud of.
What are you most proud of in your work on your label?
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There are a handful of designs I am proud of for different reasons and they all represent a different time in my business – from the Angel and Devil rings I first made in 2019, to my more recent designs like the Sweet As Pie Earrings. Seeing all my designs in one spot on my website always gives me a little boost of serotonin and keeps me motivated to keep adding more to my collection.
How would you describe your label to someone who’s never seen it before?
I’d describe my jewellery as tangible little pieces of art that you can wear on your body. I love mixing things that look cute but are practical (if you could describe jewellery as a practical thing). I love colour, so you will find lots of shiny gemstones mixed with silver and gold. My label is something that is mine but can be moulded into something that is uniquely yours, with a range of ways to customise the jewellery.
Who is in your wardrobe right now?
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I have a Katharina Lou dress that I’ve been wearing to death over the summer – the quality and fit is incredible. I’ve also been wearing my friend Sally’s chain earrings alongside my own constantly, and an elegant pair of hoops from Poesia Pietra that I love putting on for special days. Jewellers supporting jewellers! I’ve also got two Baboon to the Moon bags that I alternate between every day.
How can we buy one of your pieces?
I have an online shop where all my designs are available to purchase. My stock is made to order, so it takes me three to four weeks to make before shipping. I also love making custom jewellery pieces, whether it’s a special stone a customer wants me to set or a design they want to create to make their jewel dreams come true.
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I do free consultations via Instagram DM or email! I have been stocking my jewellery on and off in stores predominantly in New South Wales and Victoria. To keep up to date with where I am currently stocked, you can follow me on Instagram.
What do you think is most exciting in Australian fashion right now?
I might be biased, but definitely the influx of small businesses. The pros of living in a world filled with social media are that small businesses can have more of an online platform, and I see so many creatives using this to their advantage which is so exciting.
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There is also more of a focus on shopping locally and more sustainability within fashion, and I get so much more excited buying staple pieces from smaller designers or vintage shops than I ever would from big corporations. Another thing I find exciting is when nostalgic items of clothing come back into fashion. Any excuse for me to go to the op shop up the road and rummage through the clothes!
Dream Australian collaborators?
I would absolutely love to collaborate with a drawer/cartoonist who makes cute and fluffy artwork… [I would love] to turn their art into wearable pieces. This has been a little dream of mine, but I am still trying to find the right fit. If that is you, I’d love to hear from you!
Go-to dinner party playlist?
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This is so fitting because my partner’s and my favourite way to socialise is by inviting our mates over for dinner and cooking for them. I have been right into the ‘Jazz in the Background’ playlist on Spotify, but if I am not listening to that here are some of my favourite songs that my friends are probably sick of hearing: ‘Hertz’ by Amyl and the Sniffers, ‘Don’t Let the Kids Win’ by Julia Jacklin, ‘Rosa Parks’ by Outcast, ‘(Nothing But) Flowers’ by Talking Heads, ‘Plenty of Time’ by Grommet Lloyd (shout out to Nick and Amelia) and ‘Just the Way You Are’ by Milky.
Keep up to date with Marmalade Gardens here.
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