Silversmith Richard Moon has spent the past year putting his handmade wearable silver and silverware in front of audiences at a variety of events across New England.
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Now, this Deepwater-based artisan is leading a new wave of handmade practitioners to the high street of Glen Innes with the inaugural High Country Handmade Showcase on December 2.
“I began creating handmade silver jewellery over a decade ago, when I was thinking about transitioning to a new career,” Mr Moon said.
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“I worked in the hospitality industry for more than 25 years, and I was very keen to make the change into something that utilised different skills.
“I was also keen to work on products that lasted longer than the time it takes to consume a meal!”
After living in the Blue Mountains and south east Queensland for many years, this Gatton-born local relocated to Deepwater over a year ago with a long-held dream to open a studio on the high street.
“Glen Innes proved to be an excellent location,” Mr Moon said.
“Situated right at the heart of the New England gem country, the region has long had an association with jewellery and the creation of unique pieces.
“A fossicking trip to Inverell in 2015 really helped me sharpen my resolve to become a full-time artisan jeweller. I took the plunge by giving up my day job when a redundancy offer came through, and I haven’t looked back since.”
Glen Innes locals have been watching a transition of a different kind as Mr Moon and his husband Michael Burge have transformed a beloved little building on Grey Street into a new venue that celebrates the work of handmade artisans.
“We’ve had so many people stop and chat while we renovated the property,” Mr Moon said.
“Many of them have known this building since it was a second-hand shop run by a Mr Whitby.
“We found his name written on the back wall, along with several names and addresses that seem to have been places he was to deliver furniture to, all written in pounds, shilling and pence.
“We’ve been told about how the bricks of the apron wall were made here at Glen Innes, and the old timber floorboards are Hoop Pine, five inches wide, a gauge long since out of production.
‘It’s been a privilege to bring this building back to life while also preserving and getting to know its heritage,” Mr Moon said.
Handmade Showcase
Mr Moon and Mr Burge, a journalist and digital publisher who was born at Inverell and grew up near Delungra, are passionate about preserving and showcasing handmade skills and independent products.
“We’re well aware of the strong tradition of handmade artisans there is at Glen Innes,” Mr Burge told the Glen Innes Examiner.
“Since moving back to the high country, we’ve become really motivated to create opportunities for artisans to share their skills and connect with customers.
“We’ve found that when shoppers see the face and the hands behind the products, there is a level of understanding you just don’t find elsewhere in the economy.
“It’s a special connection that leads people to items they can treasure for years.”
Mr Moon and Mr Burge are throwing open the sunny, grassy yard of The Makers Shed to artisans in business for the inaugural High Country Handmade Showcase in December, an opportunity for Glen Innes locals to see the transformation of the building and a Christmas shopping experience like no other.
“We have a range of handmade artisans coming along,” Mr Moon said.
“Their products are all lovingly created, and they’re preparing to share the skills that go into the finished items.”
According to Mr Moon, The Makers Shed will host similar showcases on the first Sunday of every season, with gourmet coffee and locally-made treats available from the coffee van of Our Place Wine and Espresso Bar, Tenterfield.
“The seasonal changes here are a cause for celebration, and we’re looking forward to showcasing many different artisans at The Makers Shed throughout the year,” he said.
“Whether its artists exhibiting in our gallery area, or the independently-published authors whose work we stock in our small bookshop, we’re always looking for new business artisans and creators to get involved.
“In December we’re showcasing several local potters; some very intricate bead-weaving work by sisters from Queensland; the art of Kokedama; yarn and wool products, and more.
“I’ll be there working in my studio where anyone can come along and observe the processes of working with precious metals.
“It’s workshop, so we’ll always be encouraging people to come in and just have a go.”
The High Country Handmade Showcase at The Makers Shed, Glen Innes, December 2
