Owner, designer, operator and self-described ‘everything girl’ Briar Hardy-Hesson launched the Fruit Bowl Studio through her need and passion for creating.
“I am addicted to making, and I couldn’t keep making jewellery for myself, though I am still a bit out of control in that sense… I had to keep making, so I needed to start selling as well,” revealed Hardy-Hesson.
Named after her fun and fruity sense of style, the designer has a wide range of creations she innovates, crafting jewellery, home textiles, air dry clay vases, resin homewares, and prints as painting under the Fruit Bowl Studio name.
Hardy-Hesson has been in and out of the industry for a while.
“I have always been a maker that has flitted between medium, but it wasn’t until I began working for an art gallery with an incredible stock of jewellers here in Wānaka that I truly got the bug for jewels.”
In 2019, After becoming enamoured by the idea of wearing tiny pieces of sculpture and art, each aligned to mix and match with mood and clothing, Hardy Hesson joined the night classes of a local jeweller in Cromwell. The need to be in the industry was solidified in these classes. Secondly, the designer’s jewellery-making passion was propelled by the Youtube rabbit hole she tumbled into following her classes.
Hardy-Hesson revealed that once she tuned into what excited her, she became inspired by everything, light and shadow, patterns and textures, shapes and form, and what people wear online or in the supermarket. Inspiration comes from all directions for the designer.
Describing her individually handmade pieces, Hardy-Hesson stated that she was drawn by statement pieces that are bold, vibrant colours, labelling her aesthetic as organic, quirky and original.
The latest collection by the artist began with setting her signature gemstone, cubic zirconia, on copper to make gold flashing ‘Aurelia’ earrings.
“They have an antiquity vibe but are modernised with a colourful jump ring. I haven’t officially released this earring collection yet, but it will come soon.”
Fruit Bowl Studio now has eight stockists in New Zealand, which has happened because of the long hours the artist dedicates to growing her business, with more to come this year. This business growth is what she is most proud of.
Hardy-Hesson said that the most important thing for those looking to break through the industry was to start unfettered by what others may or may not like. The designer revealed that branding and style would be more vital when individuals create for themselves.
For the future, the designer would like to have a Melbourne stockist, with a long-term goal of being able to work solely for herself, designing, directing and utilising her creativity to its full potential.
