Award-winning and world class designer, Wayne Doyle is the founder and lead designer of Red Cloud Jewels. Based in Australia, Wayne is constantly inspired by his beautiful surroundings, like the Southern Great Barrier Reef, which he draws from when creating his jewellery. Red Cloud Jewels makes outstanding jewellery for outstanding individuals, using gold, platinum and diamonds.
Red Cloud Jewels has been running since 2009, when Wayne decided to take the leap and pursue his passion in jewellery making and design. Using a mix of traditional and technological techniques, he creates jewellery that is unique, draws the eye and speaks to its wearer. Wayne chats to JewelStreet about his fascination with jewellery and diamonds when growing up, charity work and the wonders of Australia.
How did your brand begin?
It had been a dream of mine since I was 16 to start my own brand. I decided to fulfill my passion for jewellery making in 2009, so I set up a workshop in my parents shed and just started creating!
When did you first fall in love with jewellery and knew you wanted to become a designer?
When I was young, I lived in Belgium for a short period of time with my family. We lived really close to the diamond district and that’s what sparked a real fascination and passion within me for jewellery and diamonds. I trained as a goldsmith for 4 years at the Vakschool in the Netherlands. From there I moved to Australia and that’s where I create all of my jewellery.
Where do you get inspiration for your designs?
My studio is based in the town of Agnes Water which is situated at the Southern Great Barrier Reef in Australia. Living on the Great Barrier Reef gives me so much inspiration, but I really get inspiration from everywhere. National parks, beaches… we also have amazing beach homes in Agnes Water and I draw a lot of inspiration from them.
How do you make your jewellery?
I strive to achieve perfect symmetry and crisp, clean lines in my jewellery. I start all of my jewellery on paper and from there, I use two methods to create them. The first method I use is traditional handcrafted techniques. I forge, melt and shape each component by hand to create the finished piece. The second method is computer aided design or CAD. My collection on JewelStreet is a mix of the two.
How do you want someone to feel when they wear your jewellery?
Happy! I want to bring a smile to people’s faces when they wear a piece that I’ve made for them. I want them to feel joy wearing my pieces and show them off to their friends. I’m a quiet person so I speak to people through my collections. My jewellery is my way of communicating and connecting with people. I like how something I’ve made can have such a positive affect on others.
What drew you to JewelStreet?
What captured my attention to JewelStreet is the assistance and professionalism they provide, and how much they care about their designers. They really want to help them succeed and prosper, which massively appeals to me.
Do you work with any charities?
Yes. Every year I create a piece for Rotary which is raffled at the Melbourne Cup lunching. All the proceeds go back into the community.
What's the best piece of advice you've been given? (And have you actually used it?)
Dream big and never give up.
What's your favourite quote?
Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve.
