A CHAT WITH JESSICA LAUREANO
Jessica Laureano is the founder of Studio Éter, established in 2020.
Studio Éter is inspired by the formal language of objects, their stories, and the enduring cultural value that tools and objects have bestowed upon man, perpetually reflecting ones understanding of the world.
Jess is a truly talented creative and maker, producing beautiful beeswax candles and hand-built ceramics that are available to purchase via her website and various stockists. We adored collaborating with Jess on a beeswax candle making class earlier this year, and loved our chat with her recently.
Thanks for speaking with us JESS! tell us a bit about yourself…
I’m Jess, the maker and founder of Studio Éter! I mostly make ceramics and beeswax candles and as part of the studio’s practice I also tend to a small apiary where I use any beeswax I can harvest for the candles I create. Jewellery and other objects for the home are also on the agenda but they will have to wait until 2023 now!
can you TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT WHAT you’ve been working on lately?
Finalising my jewellery line! I’m really excited to be working with different materials I haven’t worked with before and of course, working on a new line of ceramics for upcoming markets and filling candle orders for my beautiful stockists.
Where do you look for inspiration?
I find inspiration in nature, history, architecture, folklore and Portuguese heritage. At the moment, I'm particularly inspired by Portugal's and Mexico’s colourful buildings.
Can you share a book, TV show, article or podcast that you’ve enjoyed or has particularly resonated with you recently?
I regularly listen to a podcast called Mysterious Universe, it’s quite funny at times and explores things from fractals in nature to haunted honky-tonk pianos, haha. The hosts are really entertaining and great story tellers. It definitely makes me feel less alone when working solo in the studio all week.
What are your favourite places to eat and drink in Geelong?
There are so many great places but most recently, Bistrot St Jean, Kosaten, Mortadeli and Sweet Side Baking Co. I discovered Constant Coffee Roasters a few weeks ago and am really loving their coffee and community events.
You’re heading on a day trip within an hour’s drive of Geelong, where do you choose to go?
Ballarat – there are so many great new cafes, bakeries and restaurants at the moment.
Can you recommend a fellow creative business you’ve worked with recently in Geelong?
Dani Salvos of Be My Keeper Gallery and Makers Studio. Dani is super knowledgeable in all things ceramics and art, and is an amazing artist and maker herself.
Coastal Nectar – Tom Earls is a beekeeper as well, who has helped me a lot with my own beehives. Tom also makes beeswax candles, and has a big focus on raw small batch, same source honey and education.
Elle Steele – she’s such a powerhouse mentor, healer, creative and recently Tedx speaker!
Words of wisdom or advice you’ve found helpful as a creative in business?
“Perfection is the enemy of progress”, as someone who is super critical of themselves and their work, it can be hard to just put things out in the public eye sometimes. I heard this quote recently and it really resonated with me.