Myrtle ＆ Me

Designed and crafted in Tasmania’s picturesque Meander Valley, Myrtle & Me’s unique jewellery is both sustainable and beautiful.
Handmade with love and a meticulous attention to detail, the jewellery is based on Jocelyn Parry-Jones’ stunning photographs of Australian flora and fauna.

With a passion for nature, Myrtle & Me creates a minimal environmental footprint, using sustainable materials wherever possible.

I was born in Hobart and developed a love for Tasmania’s incredible nature due to my parents taking me out to explore places like Mt Field National Park from a young age. In high school I was a Scout and then a Venturer because I loved getting out into the bush to learn camping and hiking skills. At UTAS I completed a degree in Natural Environmental and Wilderness Studies, which I thoroughly enjoyed because it involved many field trips out into Tasmanian nature and I gained a deeper understanding of our unique flora, fauna and landscape. I did three electives at the school of fine arts during my degree, once of which was called art, environment and wilderness. During this subject we were asked to consider Tasmania's wilderness on a deep level and in doing so its relationship with art and our relationship with it through art. I feel this is where my nature photography journey really began.

As much as I love environmental science, I had also really enjoyed photography since studying it as a pre-tertiary in year 12. I made a difficult and brave decision in 2012, which was to leave a PhD in soil science a year into my study so I could go down the arts path instead. I finished that year by studying graphic design at TAFE before undertaking a diploma in visual art the following year. During the course I won the Tasmanian scholarship to attend the Australian Institute of Professional Photographers conference of 2013. This was so inspiring as I met people who had successfully converted their passion into a living. I even got to interview my favourite nature photographer, Michael Kenna. The following year 2014 had my first solo exhibition and have also been involved in several group exhibitions since 2012, mostly through the Hobart Photographic Society in which I was an active member.

During the diploma in fine arts we were asked how our passion could be channeled into a self supporting profession. This inspired me to create a jewellery business based on my nature photographs because I could then continue to create the images that I find most rewarding whilst also generating an income. I chose the name Myrtle & Me because I am so in awe of the giant myrtle trees that grow in Tasmania, especially in the heart of the Tarkine forests. Many customers ask if my name is Myrtle and I tell them about these trees and that I am the “Me”.