Handmade Sterling Silver Jewellery Inspired by Nature, Memory & Curiosity
Olivia Dryden is an Adelaide-based jewellery artist creating handcrafted sterling silver jewellery inspired by the natural world. Working with botanical castings, ocean treasures, freshwater pearls and ethically sourced natural specimens, each piece celebrates the beauty found in life's overlooked details.
From delicate flowers and seaweed to bones and memento mori-inspired designs, Olivia's collections combine contemporary craftsmanship with storytelling. Every piece is handmade in Adelaide and produced in small batches or as one-of-a-kind works, offering jewellery as unique as the person wearing it.
Adelaide jewellery artist Olivia Dryden creates handcrafted sterling silver jewellery inspired by nature, memory and curiosity. Holding a Bachelor of Visual Arts and Design and a Helpmann Academy Fellowship, her practice combines contemporary jewellery making with taxidermy, botanical casting and Memento Mori traditions. Working from her Adelaide studio, Olivia transforms real flowers, shells, bones and natural specimens into one-of-a-kind and limited-edition wearable artworks designed to celebrate the beauty of the natural world.
Meet Olivia Dryden
Explore Botanical, Oceanic & Curios Jewellery Collections
The Large Geraldton Wax Hook Earrings are handcrafted sterling silver earrings made in Adelaide, South Australia by Olivia Dryden. They belong to the Botanical Collection, a series of nature inspired jewellery created from real flowers, plants and organic forms.
The original Geraldton Wax flower was selected from my garden and cast to preserve its natural texture. The result is a piece that feels intimate and quietly unusual: a wearable keepsake shaped by nature, memory and the handmade process.
Materials: Sterling silver.
Process: Each piece is handmade in small quantities using traditional silversmithing and casting techniques. Natural variation is part of the process, so small differences in texture, shape and character should be expected.
Dimensions: each flower approx. 2cm x 2cm
Explore more: View the Botanical Collection or browse more earrings.
FAQ
Q1: Will each botanical piece look exactly the same?
A: No. Because the work begins with natural specimens and is handmade in small quantities, each piece may have slight variations in form and surface detail.
Q2: How do I clean the earrings?
A: Due to the intricate, hard-to-reach details in this piece, a silver dip may be used occasionally to clean the sterling silver more evenly than a polishing cloth. Always follow the silver dip instructions carefully and rinse thoroughly.
Q3: Are the Large Geraldton Wax Hook Earrings suitable as a gift?
A: Yes. Each piece is packaged in Olivia Dryden Jewellery branded velvet bag and is suited to collectors who appreciate handmade jewellery with story, detail and meaning.
botanical Jewellery
Nature-inspired sterling silver jewellery cast from real flowers, vines and botanical specimens.
The Finch Skull & Chain Necklace is a handcrafted sterling silver necklace made in Adelaide, South Australia by Olivia Dryden. It belongs to the Curios Collection, where natural history, memento mori symbolism and careful craftsmanship meet.
The design began with a real finch skull, chosen for its small scale, delicate structure and quiet sculptural presence. Through the moulding and casting process, the skull has been recreated in sterling silver, transforming the original specimen into a lasting wearable object.
Worn on a sterling silver chain, the piece feels refined, intimate and slightly gothic. It connects to my ongoing interest in natural history, ethical specimen work, memory and preservation, while remaining simple enough for everyday wear.
Materials: Sterling silver
Process: Each necklace is handmade in small quantities using traditional silversmithing and casting techniques. The original finch skull was carefully moulded before being cast in sterling silver. Slight differences in texture, shape and finish should be expected as part of the handmade process.
Dimensions: Necklace length: 45 cm. Finch skull: 3 cm x 1.5 cm.
Explore more: View the Curios Collection or browse more necklaces.
FAQ
Q3: How do I clean the Finch Skull & Chain Necklace with Drop Earrings?
A: Avoid perfumes, lotions and harsh chemicals, and gently polish the sterling silver with a soft jewellery cloth. Because the earrings include a freshwater pearl or onyx drop, do not place the drop in silver dip. A silver dip may be used occasionally on the silver components only, following the product instructions carefully before rinsing and drying completely.
Q2: Are the animal specimens ethically sourced?
A: Yes. Animal specimens used in Olivia Dryden Jewellery are sourced from animals that have passed from unpreventable causes, and each piece is created with respect for the original specimen.
Q3: Is the Finch Skull & Chain Necklace suitable as a gift?
A: Yes. Each piece is packaged in an Olivia Dryden Jewellery branded velvet pouch and is suited to collectors who appreciate handmade jewellery with story, natural detail and quiet gothic symbolism.
The Small Seahorse & Pearl Earrings are handcrafted sterling silver earrings made in Adelaide, South Australia by Olivia Dryden. They belong to the Oceanic Collection, a series inspired by marine life, coastal forms and the textures of the South Australian shoreline.
The design began with a real seahorse found along the South Australian coastline. It was carefully moulded so its curled form, ridged body and delicate natural detail could be preserved before being transformed into sterling silver.
Freshwater pearls hang beneath the small seahorse forms, adding soft organic lustre and a gentle sense of movement. The result is refined, oceanic and quietly unusual: a pair of earrings shaped by the coastline, natural specimens and the handmade process.
Materials: Sterling silver and freshwater pearls.
Process: Each pair is handmade in small quantities using traditional silversmithing and casting techniques. The original seahorse was carefully moulded before being cast in sterling silver. Slight differences in texture, finish and pearl character should be expected as part of the handmade process.
Dimensions: Earring length: 4.5 cm.
Explore more: View the Oceanic Collection or browse more earrings.
FAQ
Q1: Are the Small Seahorse & Pearl Earrings suitable as a gift?
A: Yes. Each piece is packaged in an Olivia Dryden Jewellery branded velvet pouch and is suited to collectors who appreciate handmade jewellery with symbolism, story and a slightly gothic sensibility.
Q2: Will the freshwater pearls look exactly the same as the photo?
A: Freshwater pearls are natural materials, so each pearl may vary slightly in shape, surface and lustre. These subtle differences are part of the character of handmade jewellery made with natural materials.
Q3: How do I clean the Small Seahorse & Pearl Earrings?
A: Avoid perfumes, lotions and harsh chemicals, and gently polish the sterling silver with a soft jewellery cloth. Because these earrings include freshwater pearls, do not place the pearls in silver dip. A silver dip may be used occasionally on the sterling silver seahorse forms only, following the product instructions carefully before rinsing and drying completely.
Why Collectors Choose Olivia Dryden Jewellery
Handmade in Adelaide
Small-batch sterling silver jewellery crafted by Olivia Dryden.
Cast from Real Natural Specimens
Botanical, oceanic and natural history forms preserved in silver.
Stocked by Selected Galleries
Available through Australian galleries and independent jewellery stockists.
Thoughtfully Packaged
Designed for collectors, nature lovers and meaningful gifts.
Stockists & Galleries
Prefer to shop in person? A selection of Olivia Dryden Jewellery can be found at galleries and boutiques across Australia. Discover handcrafted sterling silver jewellery, freshwater pearls and one-of-a-kind designs at the following stockists.
• Art Images Gallery, Norwood SA
• T'Arts Collective, Adelaide SA
• Naomi Schwartz Jewellery Design, Glenelg SA
• Kin Gallery, Canberra ACT
As Seen In
Olivia Dryden's work has been featured in exhibitions, publications and industry programs across Australia. From receiving a Helpmann Academy Fellowship to exhibiting at the Oddities & Curiosities Expo and being featured in SA Life Magazine, her jewellery practice continues to attract collectors drawn to handcrafted jewellery inspired by nature, memory and curiosity.
• SA Life Magazine
• Helpmann Academy Fellowship
• RSASA
• Oddities & Curiosities Expo Australia
Best Sellers
The Bee Pendant is a handcrafted sterling silver necklace made in Adelaide, South Australia by Olivia Dryden. It belongs to the Curios Collection, where natural history, curiosity cabinets and careful craftsmanship meet.
The design began with an original bee specimen, which was carefully moulded so its small form, wings and surface detail could be preserved. That mould was then used to cast the bee in sterling silver, creating a sculptural keepsake connected to pollination, fragility and the quiet complexity of the natural world.
Worn as a pendant, the bee sits close to the body as a subtle symbol of nature, preservation and quiet resilience.
Materials: Sterling silver
Process: Each pendant is handmade in small quantities using traditional silversmithing and casting techniques. Slight differences in texture, shape and finish should be expected as part of the handmade process.
Dimensions: Pendant: 1.8 cm x 2.8 cm. 45cm length chain.
Explore more: View the Curios Collection or browse more necklaces.
FAQ
Q1: Are the animal specimens ethically sourced?
A: Yes. Animal specimens used in Olivia Dryden Jewellery are sourced from animals that have passed from unpreventable causes, and each piece is made with respect for the original specimen.
Q2: How do I clean the Bee Pendant?
A: Avoid perfumes, lotions and harsh chemicals, and gently polish the sterling silver with a soft jewellery cloth. Because the bee form has small, hard-to-reach details, a silver dip may be used occasionally if needed. Always follow the silver dip instructions carefully, rinse thoroughly and dry completely.
Q3: Is the Bee Pendant suitable as a gift?
A: Yes. Each piece is packaged in an Olivia Dryden Jewellery branded velvet pouch and is suited to collectors, nature lovers and those who appreciate handmade jewellery with story, detail and meaning.
The Leafy Seadragon Pendant is a handcrafted sterling silver necklace made in Adelaide, South Australia by Olivia Dryden. It belongs to the Oceanic Collection, a series inspired by marine life, coastal forms and the textures of the South Australian shoreline.
The design draws from the delicate form of the leafy seadragon, one of South Australia’s most distinctive marine creatures. Its drifting, leaf-like appendages are translated into sterling silver, creating a pendant that feels sculptural, organic and gently sea-worn.
Worn on a sterling silver chain, the pendant becomes a quiet tribute to the ocean: refined, meaningful and connected to the strange beauty of marine life.
Materials: Sterling silver
Process: Each pendant is handmade in small quantities using traditional silversmithing techniques. Slight differences in texture, shape and finish should be expected as part of the handmade process.
Dimensions:Pendant: 4.2 cm x 2.7 cm. 45 cm length chain.
Explore more: View the Oceanic Collectionor browse more necklaces.
FAQ
Q1: How do I clean the Leafy Seadragon Pendant?
A: Avoid perfumes, lotions and harsh chemicals, and gently polish the sterling silver with a soft jewellery cloth. Because the scorpion forms have fine, hard-to-reach details, a silver dip may be used occasionally if needed. Always follow the silver dip instructions carefully, rinse thoroughly and dry completely.
Q2: What chain length does the Leafy Seadragon Pendant come with?
A: The pendant comes on a 45 cm sterling silver chain, designed to sit comfortably at the neckline while allowing the seadragon form to remain the focus.
Q3: Is the Leafy Seadragon Pendant suitable as a gift?
A: Yes. Each piece is packaged in an Olivia Dryden Jewellery branded velvet pouch and is suited to ocean lovers, nature collectors and those who appreciate handmade jewellery with story, detail and meaning.
The Human Tooth Earrings are handcrafted sterling silver earrings made in Adelaide, South Australia by Olivia Dryden. They belong to the Curios Collection, where natural history, memento mori symbolism and careful craftsmanship meet.
The design began with a real human tooth, chosen for its intimate scale, recognisable form and quiet connection to the body. Through the moulding and casting process, the tooth has been recreated in sterling silver, transforming the original specimen into a lasting wearable object.
Worn as earrings, the tooth forms feel personal, symbolic and slightly unsettling in the best way. They sit within the memento mori tradition as a reminder of the body, memory and the strange beauty found in human remains and natural forms.
Materials: Sterling silver
Process: Each pair is handmade in small quantities using traditional silversmithing and casting techniques. The original human tooth was carefully moulded before being cast in sterling silver. Slight differences in texture, shape and finish should be expected as part of the handmade process.
Dimensions:Earring length: 3 cm. Tooth width: 1 cm.
Explore more: View the Curios Collection or browse more earrings.
FAQ
Q1: Are the Human Tooth Earrings made from real teeth?
A: The finished earrings are made from sterling silver, not human teeth. The design began with a real human tooth, which was carefully moulded so its recognisable form and surface detail could be preserved before being cast in sterling silver.
Q2: What does tooth jewellery symbolise?
A: Tooth jewellery often connects to the body, memory, mortality and transformation. Within the Curios Collection, the tooth form sits within a memento mori tradition, reflecting on the fragile and fascinating relationship between beauty, identity and impermanence.
Q3: How do I clean the Human Tooth Earrings?
A: Avoid perfumes, lotions and harsh chemicals, and gently polish the sterling silver with a soft jewellery cloth. Because the tooth forms have small sculptural details, a silver dip may be used occasionally if needed. Always follow the silver dip instructions carefully, rinse thoroughly and dry completely.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of jewellery does Olivia Dryden make?
Olivia Dryden creates handcrafted sterling silver jewellery inspired by botanical specimens, ocean forms, natural history, bones, freshwater pearls and memento mori traditions. Each piece is handmade in Adelaide, South Australia.
Is Olivia Dryden Jewellery made in Australia?
Yes. Olivia Dryden Jewellery is handmade in Adelaide, South Australia, using traditional silversmithing and casting techniques.
What is botanical jewellery?
Botanical jewellery is jewellery inspired by plants, flowers and organic forms. Many Olivia Dryden pieces are cast from real botanical specimens, preserving the fine natural textures of leaves, flowers and succulents.
What is memento mori jewellery?
Memento mori jewellery is jewellery connected to memory, mortality and the reminder to live fully. Olivia’s Curios Collection draws on this tradition through symbolic forms including bones, skulls and natural history specimens.
Are the animal specimens ethically sourced?
Yes. Animal specimens used in Olivia Dryden Jewellery are sourced from animals that have passed from unpreventable causes, and each piece is created with respect for the original specimen.
