Posted by Audrey Lee on November 18, 2010
Kluster are proud to feature a series of awe-inspiring designers selling wares at the Finders Keepers Spring/Summer Markets at Sydney’s CarriageWorks this December.
Vanessa Moule and Melissa Beal are Sydney based jewellery designers and, together, they make up the Parliament of Two. The pair’s inaugural ‘Open Book’ accessory range of brooches and necklaces are made from plastic and metal materials that are deceptively simple, yet exquisitely detailed. They find inspiration from book illustrations, old typography and aged books. Parliament of Two will be down at the FKSSM next month for their first Finders Keepers stall, and we’ll let them take it away from here.
Covered: From besties to business partners, first FK stall, bookworms, new launch of accessories.
Audrey Lee: Tell us a little about your design background. When did you first decide to venture down the path of producer of creative wares?
Parliament of Two: We have been besties ever since we met at University where we both studied Jewellery Design. Mel continued on the jewellery path and has worked as a designer and gemmologist and Vanessa went on to study graphic design and currently works in print and textile design.
We have collaborated on various projects and exhibitions in the last few years and have spent many an evening drinking tea, eating olives and taking about how great collaborating on a more permanent basis would be. It wasn’t until last year that we decided to seriously look at launching our own business, which would become Parliament of Two. It seemed the right time: we are both residing in the same city (at last!) and we have both gained skills and varied experiences that are both diverse and complimentary, all of which has helped us in setting up our own business.
AL: What can visitors expect from your stall at The Finders Keepers Spring/Summer Markets this December? Is this your first Finders Keepers stall?
PT: We are super excited to be part of it. We hope visitors will find something a little different at our stall. Our accessories are sure to instill a little nostalgia in the passers by!
AL: Is there a common theme or focus in your designs and are they influenced by your personal style?
PT: Yes! Our first range, Open Book, reflects our combined obsession with the cute and quirky and exposes us for the bookworms we are. Our work has been inspired by our love of old-school libraries and the images used in the range have been taken from old book illustrations.
AL: What can we expect from you, post Finders Keepers Sydney Markets?
PT: Weeeeell, we are talking about extending the current range into some home wares and we are currently developing a new line of accessories. But this is all VERY top secret, you will have to watch this space!
the parliament of two, vanessa moule, melissa beal, finders keepers, spring summer markets