Found at an Arts Market | WE ARE THE PEOPLE jewellery
Oh what a find! We found WE ARE THE PEOPLE jewellery label at a Jakarta Arts market this year and were instantly drawn in by their effervescent designer, Sherly and her chunky resin stacked rings!
On the table of her stall in the backyard of Dia-Lo-Gue artspace; we also spied bangles, necklaces, earrings and accessories. We loved the geometric shapes and the natural tones of the jewellery which resembled stone. Each piece could easily be described as a mini resin sculpture.
Curious to know more about WE ARE THE PEOPLE jewellery and the faces behind the brand; we met up with Sherly at Commongrounds, to talk resin jewellery, life in Sydney and share in a Commongrounds all-day breakfast. (The breakfast evidence is below, and a side note...just remind me next time that the 'eggs any way' which 'must be accompanied by two sides' is the biggest serving in the archipelago!)
Scroll down for the full story shared by Sherly, and how to shop her latest collection.
WE ARE THE PEOPLE | A JAKARTA BASED JEWELLERY STUDIO
WE ARE THE PEOPLE is a collaboration between a designer, an architect and a jewellery aficionado. When did the 'WE ARE THE PEOPLE journey begin? Are you the designer, architect or jewellery aficionado? What are each of your roles in the business?The idea of creating We Are The People started in 2013, when we were all still in Sydney, Australia studying and working. Astrid, Ricky and I thought about a business venture in Jakarta, with our different academic backgrounds and our passion to create something different and wearable. So we decided to do a jewellery line and here we are now!
I am the designer, I am in charge of designing our collections and the day to day jobs. Astrid is the jewellery aficionado and she is responsible for the marketing and finance sides of the business. Ricky is the architect and overseeing the process, technical and the construction of our products.
Here they are! The We are the people team L-R Sherly, Astrid, Ricky (Image We are the people)
You say that WE ARE THE PEOPLE are not about fashion, but creation, not about trends, but culture, not about style but aesthetic. Why is this important to you?Yes, we are trying not to be stirred by current trends and what’s been done. We are passionate about creating something through experimentation and learning curves; something that hopefully people will like, but they just don’t know it yet.
Why resin?You can do a lot of interesting ideas with resin. Everything from shaping, effects, how the resin is mixed, to colouring.
Side by Side ring, Begin Again ring and resin bangles (Image We are the people)
Where is your jewellery made?
Bali
Can you describe your design process from inspiration to final piece?
Usually I start with random things, or certain issues / concepts that I would like to explore or play around with. Then the mapping stage; which begins by using words, sentences and visuals. Visuals could be from paintings, photographs, images or even some scene from a certain film. From there I start to sketch and look at materials. Then I play around with the prototype, which usually is followed by doing the working drawings. The drawings are then sent to our production manager for sampling. In between those stages, we have a critique session where we review the products. Once we are 100% satisfied with the samples, we start production.
Resin accessories (Image We are the people) Great gift ideas. Christmas is just around the corner…
How would you describe the WE ARE THE PEOPLE style?
Modern, Experimental and Nonchalant
Rings from the latest collection, Transitional States (Image We are the people)
Who is the WE ARE THE PEOPLE shopper?
Someone who is passionate about new ideas, art, design, craftsmanship high quality products with a strong sense of personality
How do you want your customers to feel when they are wearing one of your designs?
We want our customers to feel special and different, to stand out and feel elegant
3 of your favourite designs? And Why?
Begin Again Necklace/Bracelet – you can wear this in 3 different ways as a necklace or a belt and the resin balls can be moved around
Begin Again Necklace (Image We are the people) Jo and I both love the versatility of this piece
2. Ideology of Karma Ring – you can play around with the resin ball, for me, it’s for stress relief
Ideology of Karma ring (Image We are the people)
Buoyancy Ring – 3 stacked rings that can be worn as individual rings as well, very simple and beautiful
Buoyancy Rings (Image We are the people) Sherly's Buoyancy rings are also on our loving and wanting right now list!
Can you list 3 resources that you turn to regularly for creative inspiration for your work?
Books, People and Nature
Inspiration from the natural environment
Any exciting new projects you are working on at the moment?
We have just launched our new collection called 'Transitional States'
Just as beautiful as the jewellery is the We are the people handmade packaging (Image We are the people)
Future plans for WE ARE THE PEOPLE?
We are working on homewares and an art installation
What does a typical day involve for you?
Replying to emails, getting the orders ready, researching, drawing, painting and eating
SHERLY'S JAKARTA
3 words to describe your Jakarta?
Traffic, Gojek and Food
What do you do for fun when you're not working?
Café hopping while catching up with friends, going to art exhibitions and taking my French bulldog named Bacon Egg out for a play date
Don't leave home without?
Mobile phone and wallet
Music you are listening to?
The Chainsmokers, Coldplay and Gorillaz
Favourite place to eat in Jakarta?
Chandara for Thai food, Esina for Japanese BBQ and Common Grounds for the Australian Breakfast
Favourite Indonesian Destination?
East part of Indonesia
Tea or coffee and where?
Tea – Lewis and Carroll
How can our readers purchase your jewellery?
Online through our webstore www.watpthelabel.com or via Line: watpthelabel or you can go to The Goods Dept Pacific Place and Plaza Indonesia. If you are in Bali, we are also available at Olenka Store in Seminyak.
These are the rings that caught our eye at Dia-log-ue (Image We are the people)
Web: We are the People
Instagram: @watpthelabel
Email: info@watpthelabel.com
Words: Liz McClean Photography: WE ARE THE PEOPLE and a journey bespoke
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