General News
22 July, 2025
Recycle and reuse
In a silversmithing class with Jojo Spook on July 13 in The Hopetoun Power House Arts Studio, eight participants from Hopetoun, Rainbow, Warracknabeal and Mildura were very quickly introduced to the art of jewellery making.
Although this was a new medium for most, in a very short time, the participants were using fine fret saws and cutting into copper, brass and tin.
Various metals were introduced, the most surprising was brightly coloured aluminium saucepan lids.
The value of recycled materials through op shop scavenging was reinforced.
These small cut out shapes were then hammered with metal stamps to create varied textures for decoration.
This procedure was followed by the scraping of metal edges with files of various sizes, polishing and riveting, then the emergence of individually designed brooches, keychains and pendants appeared.
Another successful and fun day at the Power House Arts Studio with thanks to Jojo for the workshop and congratulations to the participants for taking up the challenge.
Some of the finished jewellery will be on display at the RECYCLE & REUSE exhibition in August at the Power House from 22nd to 26th August featuring the costumes made from recycled agricultural materials made by Olinda Poulton.
All welcome to the exhibition which is paired with the launching of the community quilted banners designed by Nina Gould and made by the Hopetoun Patchwork group members and friends.
The members of the Power House programming committee, Nina Gould, Tahlia Drurie, Robyn Huf and Susan Pearse were available to support the day.
We are looking foreward to more classes from Jojo who is now a part time resident of Hopetoun.
She is willing to share her expertise in metal and wire sculpture and recycled materials.
