A panellist profile from our Crafting Conversation series.
Crafting Conversation is a panel series for makers in business, hosted by Make Good Things Happen. We unpack the creative process and the real business stuff with Australian artists, designers, and do-ers.
Jessica Larm is a Finnish-Australian artist and jeweller for whom making is more than craft, it’s connection, comfort, and storytelling. Based in Ballarat, Jessica creates sculptural pieces worn close to the body, drawing on her dual heritage, Finnish modernism, and the quiet power of jewellery to hold memory and meaning.
In this MGTH Chats conversation, Jessica shares how she works with clients’ stories, the impact of Craft Lab on her practice, the ethical choices behind her materials, and the unique advantages of being a regional maker.
Meet Jessica Larm as a panellist in our upcoming Crafting Conversation : Jewellers Edition at the Ballaarat Mechanics Institute on Wednesday 10th September 2025. Book your seat here.
You specialise in bespoke, often deeply personal pieces. How do you approach capturing someone’s story or sentiment in a piece of fine jewellery?
I love holding space for people. I’ve worked with people at their most intimate life stages (as a nurse) so I’ve had plenty of experience! Delivering their beautiful babies, holding their hands while dying of AIDS or hugging them during a personal crisis. In practical terms with jewellery clients it’s usually a bit more gentle and low key. A meet up at a coffee at a local cafe or in my home studio. Deep and rich human stories are sometimes shared (but not always) and this will either lead to design drawings of something new, or else clients will resonate with an existing piece that I’ve made – whether that’s due to its elegant form, Finnish mythology inspiration, or natural elements. I’m very much led by the person and love the communication process. I always want people to love their final piece and for it to have meaning for them.
Participating in Craft Lab connected you with other makers and audiences, what’s been your biggest takeaway from the program?
Craft Lab was such a special and unique event on many levels. Many people don’t realise that a big part of it is the professional development opportunity. We were mentored to focus our creative business offerings, which included among other things, learning about effective display and branding ourselves. An area I had no experience in as it was my first time exhibiting jewellery. The community of other practitioners and the making of friendships and connections was really valuable. But the biggest take away for me was the connection to the visitors. Demonstrating our crafts to every sector of society. I met lots of kids, international visitors, and even did a demonstration with an Auslan interpreter. Something I didn’t think I’d ever do!!
Working with precious metals and gemstones often comes with ethical considerations. How do you approach sourcing and sustainability in your work?
This is a really good question. I think it is always in the back of my mind, as to how I can be more sustainable and reduce my carbon footprint. There are some things I do pretty well, like choosing a wax casting house that uses 100% recycled silver and gold. It costs a bit more, but is worth it. I always collect my metal scraps and reuse them. My bead works are made from vintage beads from the mid-century. And travelling to suppliers I always take public transport to reduce the use of fuel. As I don’t have large batch orders (yet) I haven’t engaged a sustainable packaging company. People who know me often give me the packaging back! But, that’s an area I could improve on for sure. I haven’t set a lot of gems yet so I also haven’t needed to face those questions of ethics. I’m always interested to learn more in this area.
As a regional jeweller, what’s one unexpected advantage you’ve found in working outside a major city?
I think the advantage of being in Ballarat is it’s so incredibly supportive to the arts! Maybe this is due to the fact it is a UNESCO Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art. There is so much going on creatively to get involved in whatever your arts medium, and the community of crafts people (including us jewellers) really support one another through the challenges of making. After finishing my jewellery engineering course in 2023 I applied for various opportunities through Creative Ballarat (Ballarat City Council) as well as the private philanthropic organisation the Ballarat Arts Foundation. I have been successful in getting exhibiting opportunities, professional development guidance as well as some expensive equipment for my studio. I feel this regional city is supporting my business to make it all possible. I just don’t know if I could have achieved this in Melbourne.
Many of your pieces become part of important life moments. Is there a particular commission that has stayed with you emotionally?
Most pieces have some kind of emotional story attached for the wearer, whether it’s a celebration of a milestone birthday, a memory of a lost loved one, a promise to self, or a commitment of love. I always feel so privileged that people choose to wear a piece of my art in their intimate space. That they trust me to make them something that they will hold on their hands when life gets tough. It’s so much more than adornment. No one piece comes to mind except the very special 18k gold commision I made for someone for his partner for her 60th birthday. My chunky heavy sculptural rings can cost a lot in solid gold. I was just blown away that they trusted me and my design to have it immortalised in that way.
If you could debunk one myth about being a fine jeweller, what would it be?
That we are all the same. Jewellery is such a varied art form. We don’t approach materials in the same way. Our visual languages are different. Some jewellers will make traditional diamond settings, others will make jewellery from found or reused objects. It’s also quite labour intensive no matter what “style” of jewellery you make and that labour along with fluctuating metal prices dictates prices. Please support your local jewellers. We make it at home in our studios. Often after spending a lot of our own money on specialised equipment and supplies. Unfortunately, like a lot of mass production brand names in every industry, it’s hard to compete on prices when things are factory manufactured and finished offshore overseas. But I think there are discerning buyers who understand the beauty and value in the bespoke and locally made. The family heirlooms of the future. Each woven with a meaningful and human story.
Links
Jessica Larm Website
Jessica Larm Instagram
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