Lara’s jewellery career shines with Apprentice of the Year Award

At the prestigious awards ceremony, the 25-year-old was also awarded the Best Technical Aspects Award and was a runner-up for the Best Design Folio Award, while her employer, Ryley Jewellery Creations, won the 2025 Employer of the Year Award for Apprentice Jeweller.

Lara’s path to jewellery making wasn’t planned - but it unfolded with perfect timing. Before stepping into the workshop, she studied a Diploma of Fashion Design and Merchandising (MST50116) at TAFE Queensland’s Mooloolaba campus.

Like many of us, her plans were disrupted by COVID-19, prompting her to move back to Toowoomba and continue working in retail while figuring out her next step.

That turning point arrived the day she picked up her first custom-made jewellery piece - crafted by Toowoomba’s own Ryley Jewellery Creations.

“I loved my custom piece and the sentimental value it held for me. That’s when the curiosity kicked in. I realised jewellery manufacturing was something I wanted to explore,” said Lara.

Determined to learn more, she maintained contact with Ryley Jewellery Creations’ owner, Ewen Ryley, asking about short courses and pathways into the industry.

After months of conversations, she received a surprise email offering her a position as a retail associate in their new studio.

“I was ecstatic. It didn’t matter that it wasn’t an apprenticeship yet - I just wanted my foot in the door,” she said.

That first opportunity quickly evolved into a full apprenticeship and the beginning of a flourishing career at the jeweller's bench.

Lara’s apprenticeship involved attending block training through TAFE Queensland, which enhanced her skills in jewellery repair, stone setting, metal casting, chain making, and technical drawing, culminating in her earning a Certificate III in Jewellery Manufacture (MEM30619).

“The training blocks helped me develop the skills I was learning in the workshop and gave me room to try things outside my comfort zone without the pressure of perfection, which is vital when you’re learning.”

“The opportunity to engage with fellow apprentices, exchange insights, and learn various techniques also enhanced my jewellery manufacturing skills,” she shared.

The structure of each block, which focused on distinct objectives based on assessment criteria, encouraged Lara to reflect on her time management skills and identify areas for growth.

“The self-paced format really made me think about how I could improve, and my teachers, Jane and Ann, brought extensive industry knowledge and experience, which developed my learning and personal growth.”

“They were so committed to supporting their apprentices, offering guidance both during and outside training sessions,” Lara explained.

Lara also credits TAFE Queensland’s modern equipment with elevating both the quality of the work she produces and the efficiency of her training.

“The manufacturing facilities offer access to technology and tools that align with current industry standards. Being able to assemble, forge, and cast using such advanced tools has genuinely transformed what we can achieve.”

Looking back on her journey, Lara credited her TAFE Queensland training as pivotal in improving her skills.

“Over the past three years, the training blocks enabled me to refine and expand upon the skills developed in Ryley’s workshop, and I was able to manufacture pieces that stretched and challenged my abilities.”

Lara’s award-winning entry was a three-piece collection titled Cosmic Coalescence, inspired by Albert Einstein’s Theory of Relativity, which was shaped around motifs of solar flares, interstellar clouds, planetary orbits, and black holes.

The collection includes an intricately layered neckpiece, a starburst pendant, and an undulating dress ring.

She worked with 9ct Rose Gold, Palladium Silver, and tri-tone Mokume Gane - an ancient Japanese metal-lamination technique - along with Champagne Diamonds, blue Ceylon Sapphires, a 1ct Blue/Violet Spinel, and Tahitian Pearls.

The collection required months of preparation, experimentation, refinement, and re-evaluation.

“When I finally saw it displayed for judging, I felt so proud. All the work had come together exactly as I envisioned,” Lara said.

Being named Apprentice of the Year was an emotional and unexpected moment.

“All the apprentices worked so hard, and their pieces were unbelievable, and I felt incredibly honoured to be recognised by the industry,” she said.

Now an award winner, Lara wants to keep honing her skills while making and designing unique, high-quality pieces of jewellery that carry meaning.

“The best part about being a jeweller is bringing a client’s vision to life. There’s something special about being part of their story, from the first design discussion to the final handover,” she said.

Lara says her TAFE Queensland training played a significant role in shaping her as a jeweller and is grateful for the opportunities she has had and the people who have helped her along the way.

 “Thank you to TAFE, our industry sponsors, my family and friends, the team at Ryley Jewellery Creations, and all the amazing apprentices I’ve shared this journey with. Your support means everything,” concluded Lara.