LET’S TALK BUSINESS - Wasshausen Gems & Jewels

Our business focus this month is on jeweller Birgit Wasshausen, who works from her workshop/studio in Maleny, exhibiting at exclusive handmade markets and artisan fairs in Maleny and Cooroy

1. Where were you born and raised, and what brought you to the Hinterland?

I was born and raised in Dresden, East Germany. I grew up surrounded by art in all its forms: paintings, music, and beautiful jewellery.In 1981, I began my apprenticeship as a goldsmith and loved the work from the very beginning. In 1985/86 I studied at art school in Dresden, followed by my Masters degree, and then worked in different workshops in Germany.

In Germany, I’m a “goldsmith” – in my opinion, this word sums up my profession perfectly.

2. What made you decide to start your business?

In 1995, I came to Australia for the first time and traveled around the opal fields. At the end of 2005, my life changed completely. Erwin and Zita from BoldinGold made it possible for me and my family to obtain permanent residency (sponsored skilled migration).

I have been self-employed since 2008, as I could focus on my own designs and ideas, and I have worked as a sole trader in my own business since 2022.

In 2016 I received the people's choice award at the Yowah Opal Jewellery Competition (my customer entered under my name the pendant I made for her).

3. What can a typical day entail for you?

All my jewellery pieces are handcrafted and unique. I use traditional techniques, no computer design. The hand-worked metal is much more durable and can withstand greater pressure and tension before breaking.

Every stone and pearl is handpicked. I truly enjoy creating elegant and timeless jewellery. Design and quality are very important to me.

A huge part of my work is redesigning or remodeling jewellery, making something new from unwanted, broken pieces, or loose stones and pearls. Sometimes I can alter an old piece and bring it back to a new life.

A piece of jewellery isn't finished until I would like to wear it myself.

Every day is different. I can spend all day on my workbench or think about new designs, drawing my ideas “out of my head”. 

If the light is right I take pictures of my jewellery (I work mostly with natural light). Or I have an appointment with a customer to talk and design a new piece, more often now using loose stones or pearls, broken or unwanted jewellery. That means listening carefully, what they want/like and what they don’t. 

At times my customers share their story about a certain piece and I’m really touched by the trust they put in me and my work.

4. Do you have any special or funny moments with a customer you would like to share?

Once I made a new brooch for a customer who lost her antique brooch. I

said, let’s do something completely different, something you really like. If I

don’t have precise pictures, I simply can’t replace an antique piece of

jewellery, it will always look different. 

Then she later told me that a lady approached her and praised her beautiful antique brooch I had made for her!

5. What do you like to do in your spare time?

I love to spend time with my friends (or family in Germany if I can),

gardening/growing veggies and just being in nature.

6. What is a favourite quote or saying that inspires you?   

‘Those who discover the preciousness of the moment find happiness in

everyday life.’ - Bonhoeffer. (Just enjoy the moment – God has given us this precious life on earth.)

Birgit Wasshausen, Gems + Jewels / birgit.jewellery@gmail.com / 0490 146 982 / facebook.com/gs.birgit.wasshausen/ instagram.com/birgit.wasshausen/