As magical and beautiful as her creations, Ina Barry has established herself as a Wild Thing amongst Melbourne:s gold and silversmithing fraternity, not only for her stunning designs, but for the fact that she was able to create her own retail forum. Many jewellers thought that it was a gutsy thing to do. For Ina it just seemed a natural, logical step.

With a love for luscious and beautiful thingsm Ina enrolled in a RMIT gold and silversmith course. Not long into it, she found herself selling pieces faster than she could make them. To keep up the demand Ina deferred and never went back. Saving up a small amount to start a business, she opened a shop in Block Arcade where she has held court for 10 years up until May 2005.

Ina's jewellery contains a strong latvian influence, not necessarily in its style but in its symbolism. "The latvian people wear their jewellery as amulets, to protect them, to inspire them or to make them feel strong. They have a very personal relationship wwwith their pieces, and I like to create that sense of meaning in each piece. Jewellery is also a very important expression of Latvian folklore. Different pieces represent different dieties, and family histories, individual pieces can be so powerful".

Extracted from the book "Here The Wild Things Are" Written by Justine Copley
Published by Cat Amongst The Pidgeons

Closing her store of 10 years in Block Place, has set new inspiration in motion for Ina Barry, Melbourne jewellery artist.

"I was spending all my time running a business and I was being separated from the creative side," Ina says. "My new studio is above my old shop, clients can come up and see me and I can just work for them".   Designing original pieces for her clientele is her focus. Ina's inspired designs will be as evocative as ever.

Collections will be unveiled to her clientele biannually, at a studio launch. To receive information on designs and events - email ina@inabarryjewellery.com