New workshop and retailer to become jewel of Salamanca

Emma Bugg loved collecting rings and trinkets on her travels long before she realised her dream of becoming a jeweller.

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Emma Bugg loved collecting rings and trinkets on her travels long before she realised her dream of becoming a jeweller.

The sculpture major said it wasn’t until 2009 when she was chatting to an “interesting new person” she had met about a Silversmithing and Jewellery design course she was about to start at TAFE.

Jeweller Emma Bugg (front) alongside colleagues (rear) LR Anna Weber, Gabbee Stolp and Jane Hodgetts inside their soon to be jewelry store called State of Flux. Picture: Zak Simmonds

“I thought it sounded interesting so I enrolled to do it too,” she said.

That person was Gabbee Stolp, who ten years later has opened a new workshop and gallery with Emma Bugg and artists Jane Hodgetts and Anna Weber in Salamanca.

“I always thought I’d be better off selling my work at galleries on mainland Australia but as things went, the best place for it was right here in Tasmania,” Ms Bugg said.

The working studio called State of Flux invites visitors to see the process behind contemporary jewellery making, with ready to wear pieces and privately commissioned gems on offer.

Jeweller Emma Bugg (front) alongside colleagues (rear) LR Anna Weber, Gabbee Stolp and Jane Hodgetts inside their soon to be jewelry store called State of Flux. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Ms Bugg said postponing the opening of State of Flux at what used to be the Faerie Shop space has allowed the team to plan more thoroughly for their opening in early September.

“We haven’t yet officially launched and it has been a massive leap of faith for us,” she said.

“But we have great conviction in what we are doing and can’t wait to open our doors.”

The Mona exhibited artist said she hoped to one day host exhibitions, artist talks and events at the shop.

For updates on State of Flux visit @state_of_flux_workshop on Instagram.