This little forest dragon slumbers peacefully, cradling a treasured stone from my journey to New Zealand. The stone is pounamu, a traditional stone widely found in souvenir shops. I still remember the moment in 2015 when I carefully selected a few from a basket, surprising the sales assistant by refusing to have holes drilled in them—explaining that I would turn them into jewelry instead.
It took years before the right idea emerged, and this brooch marks the beginning of a new creative exploration: a series of small jewelry creatures, each infused with stories, memories, and a touch of magic. The dragon’s textured sterling silver body mimics the roughness of tree bark and moss, as if it could disappear into the depths of an ancient forest.
One of the most important lessons I learned during my Bachelor of Gold & Silversmithing at RMIT came from my teacher, who told us that the front of a jewelry piece is just as important as the back—especially in brooches. I took these words to heart, and that’s why this little creature has delicately saw-pierced leaves on its belly, allowing a glimpse of the stone’s back. A hidden detail, meant for those who take a closer look, much like the quiet beauty of the forest itself.
This is the first of many little monsters to come.