I am Felicity Mines of Flix Handcrafted Jewellery. I am an artist, not a trained jeweller and have developed my own techniques using hand tools.
My nickname is Flick and my Dad’s name was Felix, so I put the two together Flick + Felix = Flix to name my business.
I started 30 years ago when making jewellery got in the way of the day job, which was 12 years as an Art/Phys Ed teacher. The last gig was an 8 year stint at Boulder Primary in the Goldfields. My friend and I started the Youth Of the Goldfields Exhibition at the newly built A Class Gallery in Kalgoorlie.
I bought a house in Busselton while I was in Kal and decided that I should go back to Busso where I was born. I grew up in Yarloop, my childhood home was burnt down in the devastating fires of 2016.
I am a very proud Perth Upmarket Ambassador and Perth Makers Market Ambassador.
My jewellery is classic in style and appeals to all ages. I’m evolving and tweaking my unique designs constantly. I’m proud of my ‘Down South’ Collection. The South West is full of stunning natural beauty, and everyone has their special place. I like to create pieces of jewellery in my “Down South’ Collection from being there and getting a feel of the place, using colour and my own fond memories, so then people can wear their special place wherever they go. Like Meelup, I have a strong memory of being in the water as a teen and when I see that particular Teal colour, it takes me straight back to when I saw the pristine colour of the Meelup water. ‘Meelup Teals’ Canal Rocks. I try to capture the rich earthy colours of the rocks, the amber coloured sea grasses dancing over them with splashes of oceany teal jewels. People have strong reactions, connections to these pieces, tears even. I’ve had pieces from this collection go to France and Germany.
‘Bunkers Ocean Blues’ My late Mum’s favourite place. Bunker Bay is an idyllic gorgeous bay and nearby, just around the Cape it starts to transform into the Southern Ocean, so it makes me think of all the best oceany blues.
I have a very sparkly range too. Pieces have been worn to State and National Business Awards by category winners.
My ‘Beach Boho Glam’ Luxury Barefoot Sandals have been on display at the WA Art Gallery.
I have a permanent studio at Origins Market Busselton. It’s been the best thing I’ve ever done, it has meant that my passion has transformed to my day job, which is ridiculously wonderful, full of challenges and struggles nevertheless, but worth it.