“Go make stuff today. Make coffee.

Make a ruckus. Make a difference.

Make a memory. Make time for

someone or something you love.

The world needs makers.”

In this blog, we’re going to meet a ‘maker’. The truth is, everything around us; every song, every invention, every recipe, every garden, every story, exists because someone decided to make it. They weren’t always experts, but they had the courage to turn a thought into something you could hold, taste, hear, or feel.

Making isn’t just about productivity, it’s about knowing what really matters and pouring your energy into it. It’s saying, “I made this and I left it here for you to enjoy.”

Welcome to The Bigger Picture; a blog that is all about building NETWORK and CONNECTION. Each month, I feature a woman in small business within my community with the sole purpose of showing support, building solidarity and sharing stories of passion.

I am so fortunate to be surrounded by incredible small businesses in the South West run by mums in their spare rooms or out in their gardens and they each have a unique story to be told; a BIGGER PICTURE to be discovered.

The wonderful thing about being a maker, is that it’s a two-way street. Quite often I hear creatives say that their passion “fills their cup”. What does that mean exactly? In my house, it usually means my coffee cup is empty and I’m asking my husband for a refill! But seriously, filling your cup is about restoring the inner resources that keep you feeling energised and alive: your energy, hope, creativity, motivation, focus and sense of meaning. It’s about tending to your nervous system so that you have the energy to do the things you love with, and for, others.

My feature for April is a local mum whose cup is filled by pursuing her lifelong interest of jewellery making, and who just happens to have her own bespoke jewellery design studio in Koroit. Please welcome the very talented…

Olivia Gardner

Doe Additions

Tell us about your business and what services you offer?

I created Doe Additions in 2022 after undertaking a 2-day basic introduction to silversmithing course. This ignited a love for creating jewellery that is wearable art. I work primarily with sterling silver and bronze however will work with gold on request. I make one-of-a-kind pieces that are all hand made in Koroit, and do occasionally take on custom orders, if it is within my skill set.

Is there a story behind the name you chose?

When I was looking at a name for my business, I wanted to tie it in with my husband’s music studio that is called Old Elk. I looked up what a female elk is and it turns out it’s a cow. I really didn’t think it was a nice fit for a jewellery business so we went with Doe. The name Doe was already taken so I wanted to play with the words ‘jewellery’ and ‘accessories’ and that is where Doe Additions came from.

Where does your inspiration come from?

Inspiration can come at any time, but I really love textures so I am always looking at ways to create something different. This can be inspired from a rock I found on a family walk to looking at what others are creating and being inspired to just jump in and start creating.

Sometimes it is hard to get the creativity flowing, so it is a matter of jumping into my studio, playing music or a podcast and just start to make.

What is your favourite part of your job?

Oh that is a hard one! There are so many things I love about making jewellery. It is the creative escape, the unknown of what a piece will turn out like, and seeing how a finished piece pops once polished.

I also get a kick when I see someone wearing something that I have created.

What do you offer your clients that no one else does?

There are a number of extremely talented jewellers in our area that all offer something unique to their clients. For me, it is owning something that it not mass produced, that is ethically made, that is one-of-a-kind pieces, and that I try to keep my prices as affordable as possible.

What’s the biggest thing you’ve learnt since starting your business?

There are a few things I’ve learnt along the way:

1. Always make sure your solder joints are clean!

2. I am constantly learning new skills, and I think that it is important to always be learning.

3. Find your community and share your knowledge with each other.

4. If there is something that you have always wanted to learn, don’t wait, book the class and start your journey.

Oh how I envied Olivia, tucked away in her private studio, surrounded by her tools and blow torch, simply letting her creativity flow! I love how she refers to her pieces as ‘wearable art’, which is exactly how I like to think of my own photographic work – creativity shouldn’t be hidden away on a hard drive or in a jewellery box, it should be displayed and worn and valued!

So go on, brew that coffee, build that project, write that poem, cook that meal, plant that seed. Make noise where there’s silence. Make beauty where there’s chaos. Because when you choose to make, you’re not just filling the day, you’re shaping the world. And the world is hungry for what only you can create.

I hope that your cup is filled with things you enjoy. Remember, the secret is to make sure you’re filled up on the inside with the right stuff. Then you don’t have to worry about what comes out.

Edwina xx

If you are looking for a special piece of jewellery, jump onto the socials and look what Doe Additions has to offer. For all FAQs, news, and information, give Olivia a follow (and your support) on her social media pages…

Instagram: @doeadditions

You can also find Olivia’s work locally in:

Glyph Gallery Port Fairy, @glyphgalleryportfairy

Cat Street Store Port Fairy, @catstreetstore

The Warrnambool Art Gallery @thewarrnamboolartgallery

The Warrnambool F Project,

Kin and Folk in Cobden. @kinandfolk_