I was always drawn to design and making things. As a teenager I was interested in architecture, I still am actually, but probably lacked a little confidence in my creative skills and instead opted for subjects at school that I believed would get me a good mark to get into uni.

What career did you have before Studio Melt?

I wasn't really clear when I finished school in Canberra what I wanted to do and spent a couple of years travelling and eventually returned, although when I did I realised that I didn't apply myself to much to thinking of my future while I was away. I wound up studying marketing, which I felt was the more creative end of the business spectrum. I subsequently worked in marketing for around six years before a strong pull to the arts saw me throw in my corporate job to start a full time university fine arts degree and come out the other end a jeweller.

Why did you create Studio Melt?

It was born in March of 2012. I had met Suzy Manning, another contemporary jeweller who had moved to Newcastle from Sydney, and convinced her that we should apply to Renew Newcastle for a space. I had been making jewellery part time from home since having my first son in 2005. As my kids were nearing school age, I was ready to take my practice away from home and interact more with my creative community for broader stimulation.

What was the response?

Almost immediately, Renew offered us a space in Hunter St Mall. We had a great response right from the beginning. The store began with a few jewellery display cabinets, two jewellery (making) benches and some vintage items we sourced to complete our retail offerings.

What did you learn at Renew Newcastle that helped in your first commercial business?

The greatest learning was that there was sufficient interest and potential in making and selling contemporary jewellery in Newcastle. I had seen beautifully curated jewellery and object galleries around Australia but prior to opening under Renew, I'm not sure I would have believed that a regional town would have such an appetite for the kind of 'left of centre' or non-traditional jewellery that I was really interested in. Primarily, it provided us the opportunity to test out the viability of our business prior to taking on a long term lease.

Your online store began in 2013. How does it fare?

Most of our sales are still through our Hunter St store, although there has been a genuine increase in our online sales in the last year. I think there is definitely a shift toward online shopping, but people are still more comfortable buying online from familiar brands so it takes a while to establish that level of awareness and trust. We've worked very hard on our online store, social media and digital marketing over the past few years and are really happy to see people from all over Australia and increasingly internationally looking at and buying from our store.

How is Studio Melt unique?

Most of the work in our store has been created in the studio workshop of a maker that will often only supply a handful of stores. Thus you will see jewellery and objects not available anywhere else in Newcastle. Often, with our international makers, we are their only stockist in Australia. We look really hard for work that sits a little outside fashion and trends, is unique and innovative.

Do you back local artists?

Where possible, but we select artists more consistently for the quality and creativity of their work rather than their location. It's exciting to scour the globe for new things to bring back to our local customers.

The mall has seen lacklustre trade and interruption from the light rail work. How is trade?

After over seven years in the mall we have seen many ups and downs but I must admit its a little slower than we all expected with the line rail infrastructure finished. Reinvigorating our CBD is a slow burn that we are all impatient to see come to fruition. There is so much architectural heritage, community spirit and creativity that I'm confident for the future of the city. Just a little patience is required.

You are in the Makers & Traders of Newcastle business group. How critical are makers to the Hunter?

Independently run stores in Newcastle contribute enormously to the colour, vibrancy and DNA of our city. I would hope that other locals are as inspired by and proud of these cafes, bars and stores as I am. People visiting our town have time to relax, eat and drink and shop and I feel like they are really hoping to experience something local and different to their home town.

What must Newcastle do to shine as a destination?

It is already an incredible city with a creative community, sensational coastline, incredible lifestyle, that is continually evolving and improving. I have always felt that Newcastle has a very strong creative undercurrent that could be nurtured and developed a whole lot more both by locals and as a key aspect of our tourist industry. A little like Tasmania has managed, I would like to see people think of Newcastle as a 'creative destination'. A place that is not only home to many artists, but one that values, natures and promotes this creativity.