Born Daylesford, Victoria, Australia
monica szwaja
Born Daylesford, Victoria, Australia
1976 I studied at Sir John Cass College London for two years while working in the studio-
workshop of Roger Doyle, whose jewellery is exhibited in the Gold Smiths Hall,
Victoria Albert Museum, London.
1979 I return to Melbourne and worked with a manufacturing jeweller.
John Morris Pty Ltd., Melbourne.
1980 Commenced a private practice designing and fabricating jewellery from my home based
studio in the Dandenong Ranges, Victoria.
1984 Opened a retail outlet in a Westfield shopping centre where I trained an apprentice and
employed several staff. Autumn Gold Pty Ltd. was established.
1988 I sold my retail outlet and returned to a home based practice in the Dandenong Ranges.
1990 Commenced a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree at ‘Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology
while continuing my private practice.
1994 Completed Bachelor of Fine Arts at Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology
Graduated with honours.
1995 Moved my practice to the Meat Market Craft Centre, North Melbourne.
I was accepted as a member of The Gold and Silversmiths Guild of Australia.
1996 Opened a retail/studio outlet in Collins Street, Melbourne where I taught gold and
silver smithing, while exhibiting in galleries.
I was elected to the Council of The Gold and Silversmiths Guild of Australia as Treasurer.
Completed Honours at RMIT.
Entered the ‘Australian Jewellers Association’ design completion and won two categories
monica szwaja
2000 Eiko Pty Ltd., at Diamaru, sponsored my exhibited in Kyoto, Japan.
2002 Relocated my practice to Hampton, Victoria.
I began teaching Jewellery Design and Engineering, at Box Hill Tafe.
2005 Re-elected to the Council of the Gold and Silversmiths Guild of Australia
as Membership-Officer.
2007 Ceased teaching at Box Hill Tafe which enabled me to focus on, exhibitions and
private commissions.
2016 My home based studio is located in Hampton, Victoria.
AWARDS
1998 Finalist in the ‘Pure Creation’ ‘The Finalist Collection’
South Seas Pearl Design Awards.
Exhibited nationwide.
1998Finalist in the ‘Sapphex Coloured Gemstone Design Award’
Jewellery Association of Australia Australian Design Awards
Exhibited nationwide.
1996Winner of the ‘Chemgold Casting Design Award’
Jewellery Association of Australia Australian Design Awards
Exhibited nationwide.
1996Winner of the ‘Showcase Jewellers Better Business by Design Award’
Jewellery Association of Australia Australian Design Awards
Exhibited nationwide.
1978Winner of the ‘Armadale Craft Award’
Armadale, New South Wales.
monica szwaja
WORKSHOPS
February 1979 Jewellery farbication
Michael Wilson, Melbourne
March 1994 Enamelling
Allan Heywood Studio
Skipton, Victoria
April 1995 Enamelling
Allan Heywood
Meat Market, North Melbourne
June 1995 Pate’ de Verre
Helen Aiken Kuhnen
Monash University, Frankston
March 1996 Drawing – Rendering
Ronald Leigh
Special Skills, Melbourne
June 1997 Diamond Grading
Australian Diamond Trading Corporation
Gemmological Association of Australia, Melbourne
July 1998 Gem setting
Barry Phillips
Gold and Silver smithing Department, RMIT Melbourne
June 1998 Enamelling
Allan Heywood
Autumn Gold Studio, Melbourne
September 1998 Mount Making
Russel Brooks
JAG Studio, Port Melbourne
September 1998 Mount Making
Graeme Kellett
Gemmological Association of Australia, Melbourne
July 2000 Silver smithing – Vessel making
Hendrik Forster
Metung, Victoria
November 2015 Gem setting and engraver preparation
Guy Scipione
Gemmological Association of Australia, Melbourne