Greta Filosi a.k.a. Chicken Designs

Purchasing locally made gifts makes you feel like a million bucks even though you just parted with some hard earned cash. Not only are you supporting local talent, you’re also the owner of something so unique and unseen anywhere else, an example being the stunning one-of-a-kind jewellery handmade by local jewellery maker, Greta Filosi a.k.a. Chicken Designs. In our latest spotlight, Greta tells us about her jewellery making start and her hopes for the future.

Q: Hello Greta! Can you please tell us a bit about yourself?

A: Hi! I grew up in Adelaide, and went to the Adelaide University Dental School! So yes, I am a a dentist by day, but by night (and in my spare time) I really love art, and making creative pieces of clay jewellery.

Q: Who inspires you? What inspires your work?

A: I am inspired by lots of colour and fun. I try to make pieces that I would enjoy wearing myself, and something that I know will brighten the day of whoever wears it.

Q: Do you have a preferred medium?

A: My preferred medium for my jewellery is Polymer Clay, but I also use Gold, Silver and Copper leaf to add an extra dimension and shine.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: My style is fun, playful and colourful. I like to make pieces that aren’t too serious…like the avocado or egg earrings.

Q: Can you please describe your artistic and creative process i.e.: from lingering idea to putting it into practice?

A: I’ve always had an interest in jewellery making – I used to make beaded earrings going through uni, so I’ve dabbled in this for a while. My idea for Chicken Designs first started when I wanted to make myself a necklace, but couldn’t find the right beads at my local bead store. Chatting to the store owner, I was re-introduced to FIMO, one of the materials I now regularly use for my jewellery. I started to make some beads myself, and really enjoyed the process of hand blending and mixing the material myself (it feels a lot like dough..and I also love cooking!). From here my idea branched into making earrings as well, and I love that the colour combinations and ways the material can be blended are so varied and unique!

Q: Where do you see your jewellery practice taking you in the next five years?

A: In 5 years I would love to have developed Chicken Designs further with my designs in more stores, and a regular market presence.

Q: If you could recommend one artist, who would it be?

A: The one artist that I would recommend would be my Dad! His name is Peter Schulz, and while he lectured art for many years at Uni SA, he is now retired so gets to spend more time painting. He does some amazing watercolours, and mixed media as well. I think it’s fair to say that’s where my love of art came from even as a child!

Q: What is your favourite gallery?

A: My favourite gallery would probably be the National Gallery of Victoria as they have some amazing shows that we don’t always get here in Adelaide. However, my husband and I are about to visit Tasmania so I may change that to MONA! A definite on our to-do list.

Q: Where can we find more of your work?

A: My work is available via my Instagram account, and I post orders directly to customers from there. I also have my designs in several retail stores, such as Urban Cow Studio, Holiday in Robe, and Aggie’s Place in Kingston SE. I do visit some local markets too!

Q: If there’s anything you could change about your past, what would it be?

A: If there’s anything I could change…it would probably be to have started Chicken Designs earlier! I have been really enjoying developing the process of my jewellery making this past 18 months, but an early start is always good!

– Masya Zabidi