20 Mar 2025

Designer Panel

The Rocks Markets Designer Panel presents a curated collection of exceptional Australian design, featuring handcrafted fashion, jewellery, homewares, and art.
Designer Panel
Expect unique, high-quality pieces and the chance to meet the talented creators behind them. This special edition will be moderated by Angela Stretch from the Arts Friday program on Eastside Radio, offering insightful discussions and a deeper dive into the designers' processes and inspirations. Discover contemporary trends, support local artisans, and experience a vibrant atmosphere filled with creativity.

Natalie Ness - Wattle & Gem

Natalie Ness is a jewellery maker who along with Dan Foster, founded Wattle & Gem, a studio dedicated to handcrafted, locally made pieces. Their work combines traditional craftsmanship with a focus on sustainability, using eco materials such as cork and biodegradable packaging. At Wattle & Gem, Natalie oversees the casting of metal charms, the creation of custom ropes (made by them) for bracelets, and the intricate wiring of crystals and stones. Each piece is unique, reflecting a mix of rare materials and vintage-inspired design. With a background in detailed handwork, including silk embroidery and resin techniques, Natalie’s approach to jewellery-making is both tactile and immersive. Her work is designed to be accessible to all ages and genders, offering more than just an object—each piece carries a story shaped by both maker and wearer.

Jasna Hadzimejlic – Bold Ray

Jasna Hadzimejlic is a jewellery artist whose work is playful, expressive, and deeply intuitive. Inspired by nature, visual art, literature, and the raw beauty of materials, her creative process is organic and guided by emotion. Working primarily with resin casting and polymer clay sculpting, she thrives on experimentation, balancing bold concepts with wearability and craftsmanship. Jasna’s journey spans three continents and multiple careers—from linguistics to social work and web design—before finding her true calling in jewellery. Her designs tell stories, evoking emotion through vibrant colours and unique forms. Working independently in her studio, she embraces the freedom to create without constraints, ensuring each piece is a reflection of her artistic vision.

Chris Falvey - Good in Wood

Chris Falvey is a skilled artisan woodworker crafting elegant, one-of-a-kind pieces from Australian hardwoods, including West Australian Jarrah, NSW Black Bean, Queensland Silky Oak, Tasmanian Myrtle, and Huon Pine. 
Inspired by the organic beauty of timber grain, Chris draws influence from renowned turners like John Beaver, whose wave-inspired designs evoke a deep connection to place. In a workshop filled with the warm, spiced scent of freshly worked wood, Chris’s work tells a story of craftsmanship, material, and a passion for the art of woodturning.
 

Mo and Sandrine - Mo Resin

Mo (Oliver) and Sandrine are French-born artists who now call Australia's Southern Highlands home. Both raised in Paris, Oliver studied painting and sculpture at Les Beaux Arts Academy, while Sandrine pursued literature at La Sorbonne. Their paths led to successful careers—Oliver as an interior designer and Mo as a journalist and PR professional. A transformative visit to Sydney in 2003 introduced Mo to Australia's integrated approach to art, particularly through the Sculptures by the Sea exhibition.  Since becoming Australian citizens in 2011, they've established MO Resin, creating unique jewellery pieces that embed gold, silver, and copper leaf in epoxy resin. Their creative process draws inspiration from Australia's natural landscapes. Their sustainable business produces pieces only to order, minimizing waste. While Mo has collaborated with many other artists. In 2013, MO reached out to Aboriginal artists, collaborating to creating wearable art that celebrates Aboriginal culture while ensuring artists receive royalties. Each piece tells a story—serving as their way of giving back to the country that welcomed them.