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Hello! I’m Rose, the maker behind Beena & Ro. I’d love to tell you a little about myself and my brand. Beena & Ro is a Melbourne-based micro biz, specialising in creating unique & colorful jewellery. The name was inspired by my beautiful late Mum, who would often call me Ro & shorten my sister’s name - Bernadette - to Beena.
My design inspirations are bold color, geometric patterns, plants & animals. Mixed media used to create each piece includes polymer clay, acrylic, wood, fabrics, paints & prints.
I absolutely love color & fashion, and handcrafting jewellery brings me a welcome escape from the demands of everyday life! My regular job is working as a Registered Nurse, but focusing on Beena & Ro is the best way to exercise the creative part of my brain. I try to devote as much time to this pursuit as I can, apart from working and caring for my family, which includes my hubby, two teenage boys, and a very spoilt cat!
It’s hard to define what drives the creative process but it comes from a desire to make jewellery that is a little different and I endeavour to keep each piece unique. Different days will bring varying aspects.
For example, I might have a lot of colour combinations swirling around in my head so I lay out various prints, get out the acrylic paints & start creating with no limitations. Then I'll get a feel for what combinations work & stand out; these pieces become the start of a new pair of earrings.
Other days it’s the steps of gluing earring backs, applying varnish, and thinking about how I’ll create the tops to finish each pair. I often find myself thinking through ideas for designs at the most random times so I might jot down an idea and get back to it as soon as I have the time to devote to it.
Inspiration is everywhere! I’m inspired by animals as I am passionate about all creatures so love to incorporate them whether it be via a print or a laser-cut acrylic or wooden shape that I may paint or use as a feature.
Plants and flowers are also high on my list of inspirations. Vivid colours and sometimes even a colour clash works! Again, I don’t have a set process … I just see what comes to me and I go with it.
I like to give back as much as I can. These were values taught from my parents as “it is in giving that you receive” and it feels so good to give! I like to add an extra something to every single order and I donate to women’s refuges so that those who may not normally treat themselves can have a little bit of joy just for them.
I also like to help animal rescue and rehabilitation when I can by setting aside funds from sales to give to this cause. I hate seeing any suffering of animals and animal advocacy is a cause close to my heart.
I started my biz as an escape from the pressures and demands of everyday life. I always have loved color, fashion and design and thought I’d teach myself to create things I liked so that I could specifically match jewellery to items in my wardrobe. Along the way I expanded this creative process to share it with others too that also shared an appreciation for color.
Madeit has been by far the best way for me to reach customers throughout Australia. I attend makers’ markets in Melbourne and listing on Madeit helps my biz be noticed by customers Australia-wide. Madeit is such a streamlined and easy way to do business too, the way it is set up. I’m lucky enough to have gained return customers and I love the layout of Madeit. Constantly updating my store keeps it interesting & it’s a very straightforward process, which leaves more time for creating.
I was delighted when people would choose items I’d handmade with love. The joy of seeing a customer wearing a pair of Beena & Ro earrings or a necklace is what makes me happiest and the process so worthwhile.
Handmade items are such a great talking point. I love that a handmade design can evoke a chat with a stranger who happens to comment on a pair of earrings you are wearing.
Visit Beena & Ro to find more unique and boldly colourful pieces: Rose20
