Karin Beaumont was inspired to make jewellery by having seen the beauty of microscopic life while undertaking her PhD in Antarctica. During her time as an Antarctic scientist and voyage leader she recognised that she was privileged to appreciate these unique forms and wanted to share the beauty and importance of these creatures with others. Since then she has worked as a tour guide in Lutruwita / Tasmania, and had personal adventures exploring the deserts and southern coast of mainland Australia. While these places may seem worlds apart, she is drawn to similarities in the structure of life, and repetition of pattern, be it on land or in the sea. 

She makes jewellery from precious and non precious metals as well as natural materials (kelp, material, paper, felt, patina) that reflect her knowledge and experiences as an Antarctic marine biologist, bushwalker, traveller, and natural-history lover. Her jewellery is born from her passions and values: environmental education and conservation, and conciliation with and respect for Tasmanian Aboriginal people, their culture and story-telling.

She works intuitively from her head to her hands. Ideas come at random moments: walking bush-tracks at dawn, during yoga practise, being distracted by something out the window, and rare time in her hammock in the garden. Karin creates elements and brings them together to relate aesthetically and where possible incorporates the functional aspects (neckpiece, pin, ear-hook) as part of the design. To complete the process, she writes a note to accompany each work that relates the inspiration and meaning behind each piece.

At a time when our environment and society is in decay, she hopes that her creations make you feel inspired, hopeful and empowered to make a difference in this world.

www.oceanidesoceanides.com.au