Amy Gopperth, founder of Batch Jewellery runs a bespoke jewellery practice that specialises in creating organic, small batch precious metal pieces with a focus on connection and meaning.
Growing up in New Zealand instilled Amy’s practice to be guided by a deep appreciation and respect for the natural world. This is reflected in the use of natural materials and traditional metalwork techniques such as sand casting and wax carving.
The organic process highlights the raw beauty and individuality of each piece. Amy embraces the happy accidents and imperfections in her work, letting the process unfold to create something original and unique, rather than controlling every outcome. Recycling and reusing materials help Amy to create with intention while keeping her footprint small. Each piece is a long-lasting, responsibly made work with its own story of creation.
Amy received an Arts and Creativity Grant 2023/24 from Northern Beaches Council to expand their business offering to deliver jewellery making workshops that focus on sustainability and connection within the Northern Beaches.
Amy continues to deliver workshops as a core part of their business, enabling Amy to share her skills with others and watch participants explore their own creativity. Amy’s workshops sessions aren’t just about making jewellery, they are about slowing down, connecting with the process and experiencing the joy and mindfulness that creativity brings.
What first drew you to crafting Jewellery?
There wasn't anything in particular that drew me to the craft, I just had this innate desire to try jewellery making. I was always really creative & initially focused on painting and illustration, but when I got the opportunity to try jewellery making when I was 18, I fell in love with the craft and that became my thing!
Tell us more about your artisanal practice and making processes?
The bulk of my practice focuses on crafting pieces of jewellery from wax, which I then cast into precious metals using the lost-wax or sand-casting methods. It's funny, as I'm not a massive fan of working with metals, which seems ironic as a jeweller.
Don't get me wrong, there are elements I do love about working with metals and I love the aesthetic & properties of metals, but wax is by far my most favourite medium. I love how versatile it is and I find it to be such a meditative process, starting with a chunk of wax and wilting it down to a refined piece of art.
Over time, I've favoured sand-casting my pieces too as it has helped loosen my style. I'm a bit of a perfectionist, so the limitations that come with sand-casting have helped me not be so stuck on getting a perfect outcome and just embrace & enjoy the process.
Lost-wax casting is great if you want your jewellery to be an exact replica of your wax, whereas there are so many variables with sand-casting which means sometimes a casting may or may not work, and sometimes you get some really 'happy' mistakes!
What does Sydney Craft Week mean to you as a maker/artist?
For me, I think Sydney Craft Week is a great way for people to learn about jewellery making as a traditional craft and in turn, to see the value behind hand-crafted pieces. With so much fast fashion out there these days, it's so easy for people to opt for cheaper, mass-produced jewellery rather than investing in quality works and metals that will last a lifetime.
I also love that I have the opportunity to share my knowledge and skills of such ancient jewellery making techniques. That's why I teach workshops, to share this wonderful craft, so this is another platform to do that. Lastly, it's a great way for small businesses like my own, to both be invited into the greater craft community and also get some more exposure.
What should participants expect to see, learn or experience at the talk, demo and workshop during Sydney Craft Week?
On Sat 11 October 2025, I will be running two programs at Avalon Creative Space. In the morning, I will hold a free talk/demo which will include me outlining my practice & workshops offering before I go into a demonstration of how to sand-cast, which is always very impressive!
In the afternoon on offer is a ticketed event - a 3hr Ring Making Workshop, where participants will carve their own unique ring from wax. At the end of the workshop, I will take the wax rings back to my studio and cast the wax moulds into sterling silver pieces, returning them as a finished ring in 3 - 4 weeks post workshop. I have limited spots for the workshop, so be sure to book in!
What advice would you give to emerging makers looking to get involved in the craft scene?
I think just have fun, experiment and be creative. Craft can be so unique, and you can truly make it your own - you don't have to follow the same formula as everyone else. Jewellery making is such a great example of that, there are so many techniques and skills to become a 'traditional jeweller' but you don't have to do that to make beautiful jewellery; you can pick one element of jewellery making you love (as I have with wax carving) and make so many awesome pieces!