SITTING in the office one day, it struck Safety Bay man Tim Holmes how stressed his fellow work colleagues were.
Having had a health scare of his own he had an epiphany: if he stayed in the job he could end up dead at 50.
Realising his health was more important, he soon quit his job of 20 years as a marine engineer.
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READ NOWNeeding to wind down he travelled and fished his way around Australia for 14 months with his partner, Candice Keeble.
While in Queensland he came across a jeweller making items from recycled materials.
“I started looking at it and thought – I could do that,” he said.
“I’ve never done anything like it in the past, but I bought all the equipment and started sourcing old silver plated cutlery and pennies to make the jewellery.
“It all started with a coin; I use certain coins such as silver florins and pennies which I shape into rings or pendants.
“I just doodle along now and do my own thing – it’s therapy doing all this.”
Now a self-declared jeweller, his business Shoalwater Designs has been in operation for three months.
“I’ve lived in the area for 13 years and travelled a lot but it’s just a magical part of the world down here – it’s inspiring,” he said.
“People have really taken to it and I have sold a few pieces through Face book and Etsy.
“I’m looking at local markets next, possibly Fremantle or the Mandjar Markets in Mandurah.
To see more of his work visit https://www.shoalwaterdesigns.com.au/