Combining two of her life-long passions - horticulture and jewellery - has been especially rewarding for Lynn Kelly lately. The Dunedin jeweller has won the 2007 Dowse Foundation Gold Award, for a design that features elements of tussock and gold (a mock-up is pictured). As part of the biennial award, Kelly will receive a $6,000 account with a gold merchant and $4,000 in cash. This will allow her to make a work using gold, a material few NZ jewellers can afford to use. Either that or escape the southern chill and explore an alternative career as "a travel writer on good cycle trips in warm places."Combining two of her life-long passions - horticulture and jewellery - has been especially rewarding for Lynn Kelly lately. The Dunedin jeweller has won the 2007 Dowse Foundation Gold Award, for a design that features elements of tussock and gold (a mock-up is pictured). As part of the biennial award, Kelly will receive a $6,000 account with a gold merchant and $4,000 in cash. This will allow her to make a work using gold, a material few NZ jewellers can afford to use. Either that or escape the southern chill and explore an alternative career as "a travel writer on good cycle trips in warm places."During what hours of the day do you feel most inspired?
I'm always at my best in the mornings. Afternoons are for more routine jobs.

How would a good friend describe your aesthetic or style?
Eclectic? Personal, sometimes humorous, sometimes nature-related, reflecting my heritage and persona.

Who would you most like to create a piece of jewellery for?
I'm delighted when someone who has previously not been keen on any jewellery, becomes enthusiastic and loves wearing a piece.

What aspect of your creative practice gives you the biggest thrill?
Having an idea for ages and finally finding the right material to make it in. It needs to show the needs of the idea and the qualities of the material equally.

How do you think your environment affects your work?
My workplace affects me a lot, especially how light and sunny it is - I couldn't work in a room with no windows.

Your work is often strongly influenced by the Otago landscape. What were your reasons for making that part of the country home, and therefore an influence on your practice?
I moved to Otago to work at Fluxus Contemporary Jewellery where I learnt most of my jewellery techniques from Kobi Bosshard and Georg Beer, plus how to run a gallery, keep my books and generally be self-employed. Once moving here I discovered how beautiful Central Otago is, in the extremes of every season.

Similarly, mapping of place has been a strong feature in your work. What area or place is always with you, wherever you go?
I love the South Island generally, but now need to add Stewart Island and Kapiti Island from recent trips. The bush and the birds make a place great (with the occasional excellent coffee shop!).

Your winning piece was made of gold, but you've used a number of unconventional materials in the past, including rubber. Is there a material that you've found particularly rewarding to work with?
Pure gold is particularly malleable and a fantastic colour.

Do you like to look at the big picture or focus on the details?
I suspect I should look at the big picture but it doesn't often happen that way.

After 14 years at Fluxus and your time with The Filing Kabinett workshop in Christchurch, collaborative workspaces seem to suit you well. Do you prefer these set-ups to the solo jewellery bench?
I find a mixture of both is ideal. I need a certain amount of time sharing ideas, talking, having tea and also some time spent alone experimenting and concentrating.

Which of your projects to date has given you the most satisfaction?
The trip last year to the Chatham Islands. Both the places of geological interest and getting to know the other people from a variety of media over the week we were there.

If you could go back and choose a completely different career path to the one you've chosen, what would it be?
A travel writer on good cycle trips in warm places.

What's the best way to listen to music, and why?
So loud that I can sing to it!

You are given a piece of string, a stick and some fabric. What do you make?
Something that our excitable cat could play with.

What's the best stress relief advice you've ever been given?
Going and doing anything physically taxing.

What's your favourite word?
Breakfast.

What's great about today?
The snow outside. If it's going to be cold, snow is a beautiful way to do it!

26/6/07

Image: Lynn Kelly wearing a mock-up of her award-winning tussock and gold necklace.