ARTIST – JASNA
I have worked across three continents—Europe, the USA, and Australia—as a linguist, social worker, and website designer before finding my place as a jewellery artist.
Visual art was always the underlying direction, and jewellery turned out to be the right scale, the right freedom, and a direct personal connection. My approach to making is intuitive, guided by wonder and a willingness to experiment.
At thirteen, I made a leather bag and a pair of sandals without tools. The sandals, structurally ambitious, materially optimistic, lasted only a few days, not entirely unexpectedly, but the bag, stitched with thick hessian rope, dazzled my friends and family for much longer.
That experience sparked a fascination with form and construction—a curiosity that has refused to settle down ever since. Soon after, I began making jewellery for friends using wire and air-drying clay. That early drive to make has remained constant. Over time, this instinct developed into a focused practice. I founded BoldRay Designs in Sydney in 2006.
The name comes from a story I invented for my children—an adventure about a single ray of light that breaks through the clouds, rises above all darkness, and paints a magnificent rainbow. With that, I wanted to give them a sense of being special and unique. That same spirit shapes every piece I create: jewellery that is bold and striking, designed to excite and delight.
STUDIO
My studio is a small, adaptable space, divided into two working areas: resin casting and polymer clay sculpting. Movement between them shifts with the seasons, as resin responds to temperature and humidity, while polymer clay allows greater flexibility.
Work develops in a fluid and intuitive way, without rigid plans or production schedules, just me, my tools at hand, and the possibilities each material offers.
RESIN CASTING
POLYMER CLAY SCULPTING
From time to time, the idea of having an assistant crosses my mind. Years ago, I thought I had found one, but she eventually moved out of home. These days I rely on a new helper. She sleeps through most of the working day and has never once met a deadline, but her commitment to keeping me company is, I will admit, impeccable.
VALUES
A sustained passion for making and a strong regard for individuality sit at the centre of everything—not as aspirations, but as the actual reason I get up in the morning.
Continuous learning is not something I impose on myself—it’s what happens when curiosity is in charge.
I challenge conventions when they feel arbitrary, and I pay close attention to detail because the process demands it.
Respect for people and diversity is not something I display; it’s simply how I work and live.
Sustainability isn’t a marketing buzzword here; it’s just how I operate. It is present in every decision. I source locally, keep a tiny footprint, and avoid surplus by making things one at a time, built to last forever. I use mostly natural light, or LEDs when the Sydney clouds won’t cooperate. Packaging is kept minimal because the jewellery should be the highlight, not the box.
I live and create on Gadigal land, part of the Eora Nation. I acknowledge the Traditional Custodians and their continuing connection to land, waters, and culture, and pay respect to Elders past and present.
