DESIGNER PROFILES

Jane Walker

Jane Walker discovered the world of the designer jeweller, conceiving an absolute passion for working with precious metals and gems, at an age when many are looking forward to the day they can retire. After almost five years of study, she is about to graduate from TAFE with an Advanced Diploma in Jewellery Design and Fabrication and is now ready to pursue yet another new career.

Since emigrating to Australia from Kenya via Sweden in 1965, Jane has, amongst other things, helped manage a trucking business, trained racehorses, been a hairdresser, worked in the old Metro fruit and vegetable markets, been a telemarketer, sold insurance, worked as office manager for a computer company and kept the books for a real estate company and a shark fishing venture.

Her only regret is that she did not 'discover' the world of the designer-jeweller decades ago.

She has a particular interest in the magnificent gem quality rocks found in West Australia and is an active member of the WA Lapidary and Rockhunting Club of WA (Inc).

Jane looks forward to combining her newly acquired skills, diverse ideas and broad commercial experience to bring ANGJ to its full potential.

Glenice Lesley Matthews

Glenice Lesley Matthews grew up in the jewellery industry and in 1974 went to the USA to pursue her goal to become a jewellery designer. During her 14 years in America she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Design and a Masters of Fine Arts in Design, was appointed an Adjunct Professor of Art teaching Jewellery, Silversmithing and Design at various Universities before becoming the Director of the Wichita Centre for the Arts.

During this time Glenice wrote the definitive text Enamels, Enameling, Enamelists which is now in its third edition.

Since returning home to Western Australia, Glenice has been General Manager for two well-known jewellery retailers before launching her own company, Australian Natural Gem Jewellery in 2002.

Well known for her Cloisonné enameling, she has also won the jewellery industry's most prestigeous award: The Jewellers Association of Australia's Grand Prix Award for Jewellery Design in 1994 and their inaugural award for a unique Marketing Initiative in 2000. In 2002 Glenice received a commission from Edith Cowan University to design and make a Ceremonial Mace for their Centennial Celebrations, and has established a reputation for making specialised corporate gifts and trophies. Recently she completed a precious metal model of a rotary drilling ring for a petroleum company, a series of lidded vessels for an overseas venture and a chalice and paten for a Anglican chapel.

Australian Natural Gem Jewellery is a member of the Jewellers Association of Australia Limited, the Tourism Council of Western Australia and the Perth Convention Bureau.