A 24-year-old new mother has been named the Jewellery Association of Australia’s Queensland jewellery apprentice of the year.
Angela Sharples, who gave birth to her first child last January, won the competition with her portfolio of work and a pearl and gold jewellery set of necklace, ring and earrings.
Speaking at the awards night at Southbank TAFE, Sharples said her portfolio and jewellery set were both inspired by her childhood dream of finding treasure on the beach.
Judge Densil Price said the “balance and attention to detail in each piece was outstanding” and that the “design concept successfully flowed through the whole set”.
Sharples is the third Stephen Dibb Jewellery employee to win the apprenticeship award.
Her $2000 prize package is made up of jewellery tools, a reference book, diamonds and precious metals.