A little about me..
Hi! I'm Brendan Bartlett. A designer and maker of sculptural things with wood.
I'm an Accredited Designer with the Design Institute of Australia (DIA), a Registered Landscape Architect with Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA), and have run my own successful landscape architecture practice since 2005.
I've always designed and built things since a young age. Made furniture. Sold stuff at markets..
This culminated in having a year 12 furniture design in the Victorian VCE Top Designs exhibition, and being offered a furniture making apprenticeship with a highly regarded Australian furniture maker. Having just finished school this was a big decision, however I could see immense future demand for landscape architects so studied Landscape Architecture at the University of Melbourne.
Later on and getting more serious about the making, I started big; designing and self-building my family home in the Whipstick Forerst near Bendigo. As well as doing all the design, framing, cladding, tiling etc myself I also made my own windows, doors, benchtops, cabinets, light fittings and even hand basins, using a lot of recycled materials.
This progressed to making large geometric timber sculpture, small wall-mounted sculpture, and now adding tiny wearable sculpture utilising 100% recycled timbers.
You might find me in unusual places sourcing and rescuing timber, and having a lot of fun doing so! Every piece has a background, a story to tell and the wood given a new life to be worn with pride!
Life is short. I'm still young but getting older and have kids at an impressionable age. The best advice is to be true to yourself and do things YOUR way rather than worrying what others think. If you like what I'm doing here, that's awesome! Have a look around and maybe buy something! ;-)
Much love!
Brendan
Materials
The timbers I use for jewellery are 100% recycled and personally sourced by myself from a variety of interesting places.
Ebony and spruce timbers are reclaimed from old unplayable pianos. These timbers are very dry and stable. I only source and dismantle old unplayable pianos that are otherwise destined for landfill.
Tasmanian oak (Eucalyptus) is typically sourced from house demolitions of interior components such as window trims and flooring, and sometimes even old Australian made furniture like broken card tables.
Red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) is typically sourced from old fence posts and building structural elements. Old house stumps are a particularly good source. They are usually rotten at ground level however between there and the top is typically beautiful dry red gum that might have held a house up for 100+ years! Quite similar to red gum, jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) is often sourced from old floorboards and is beautiful but very very hard timber!
Other timbers are sourced from discarded furnishings, such as cedar from old Venetian blinds. I aim to reuse and feature quality timbers that are generally difficult to be recycled more conventionally (such as in larger furniture or building work due to the small size). In many projects I'm able to rescue stunning timbers that are otherwise destined for firewood!
The recycled timbers are accompanied with surgical grade stainless steel elements in all my jewellery. I use stainless steel for its structural strength, which is essential to provide the level of rigidity required for my sculptural designs. It's also hypoallergenic so great for skin contact, doesn't tarnish and requires no polishing. It's a difficult material to work with and hence not favoured by many handmade jewellers, but essential for bringing my unique hybrid designs to life.
All timber in my jewellery pieces is protected with an ultra-hard hypoallergenic sealer to withstand knocks and resist the absorption of skin oils and stains.
Other larger sculptures utilise a range of recycled and sustainably sourced timbers combined with satin brushed aluminium and / or stainless steel. I really enjoy playing with the contrast and juxtaposition of the warm textural timbers and slick metal elements.
Stock and Shipping
If listed as available, all items are in stock and fully made. Ready and waiting to ship to you!
Jewellery items are well packaged and shipped anywhere within Australia for $9, and internationally for $25 (AUD), as a regular parcel with tracking via Australia Post. Once your order is shipped you will receive an email confirmation with a tracking number so your parcel can be tracked on the Australia Post website.
Larger sculptures are sold on an inquiry basis and personal delivery may be available depending on your location.
For further information, visit terms of service and privacy policy.
Whipstick Workshop acknowledges the Dja Dja Wurrung people as traditional owners of the land where we work, and pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.