Venetia Major’s new studio and gallery shines with stunning jewellery

Posted on 17 December, 2021

A well-chosen item of jewellery can lend beauty and elegance to an outfit. But the one-of-a-kind pieces at Venetia Major Bespoke Jewellery offer even more.

In a beautiful vintage-style building within the charming township of Hall, Venetia Major Bespoke Jewellery has recently opened its doors to the public, bringing high-quality and stunning designs to Canberra from makers across Australia.

As a teenager in the early 2000s, Venetia dreamed of making her own jewellery. She started in jewellery retail, then completed an apprenticeship so she could repair, design and manufacture pieces for shops around Canberra. Soon she was running her own business from her home in West Belconnen. Over twenty years she has helped thousands of couples with engagement, wedding and eternity rings, as well as earrings, necklaces, bangles and brooches. Now her dream is in full bloom, with the launch of her own studio and gallery, under her Venetia Major Bespoke Jewellery brand.

Venetia Major

The new studio and gallery brings of all Venetia’s talents together and lets them shine. It’s the next step in her quest to design, manufacture and repair unique jewellery pieces that tell stories.

Venetia offers custom-made designs, perfect for a unique engagement or wedding ring. While her taste naturally leans to classic and Art Deco style jewellery, she is committed to helping her clients express their own aesthetic.

“Some of my pieces are handmade in the traditional way, while others are crafted with modern technology such as laser welding and CAD. At the moment, I’m working on a collection of organics for the gallery,” she explains. “I collect branches, gum nuts and seed pods from the local environment, then direct-cast them in silver and gold. Then I transform the best ones into earrings, bracelets and pendants.

“I also do repairs, manufacturing and remodelling. People bring me old jewellery that they’ve inherited which doesn’t fit or doesn’t suit them. And I pull it apart, remodel it and make something beautiful.”

Hand made white gold ring with heirloom gold inlay and cherry blossom hand engraving made and photographed by Venetia Major.

As well as displaying her own work, Venetia is excited to showcase the talents of other jewellers. The half dozen designers exhibiting at Venetia Major Bespoke Jewellery include Mill Foundry and Zoë Alexandria, who each have their own distinct style.

As well as hosting a room of beautiful designs, Venetia also teaches flexible silversmithing classes in the studio twice per week, starting from $560 for four classes.

As an experienced member of the Jewellers Association of Australia and the Gold & Silversmiths Guild of Australia, Venetia has endless knowledge and teaches students of all skill levels, allowing them 10 grams of sterling silver each to create their own designs.

“From their second class onwards, I’m actually guiding the students through the process of making their own project. So everybody’s making something they’ve designed themselves,” she says. “Vouchers for these classes are a popular Christmas gift for creative people.”

As the collection at Venetia Major Bespoke Jewellery gets larger, jewellery lovers and clients should expect an experience like no other.

For more information visit venetiamajor.com.au

Feature Image: Diamond and Teal Sapphire Gold Aluna Rings and photo by Zoë Alexandria