BEHIND THE SCENES: PREPARING FOR THE MELBOURNE ODDITIES & CURIOSITIES EXPO
With the Melbourne Oddities & Curiosities Expo just days away, my studio has once again transformed into a whirlwind of creativity — overflowing with metalwork, feathers, resin pours, tiny bones, display props, and tray after tray of freshly finished jewellery. After an incredible weekend in Adelaide, I’m now shifting all focus to Melbourne, and I couldn’t be more excited for my very first time exhibiting there.
For anyone in Melbourne who loves handmade jewellery, gothic accessories, oddities, and the beautifully strange, this expo is the perfect place to discover my work up close.
CREATING A NEW COLLECTION FOR MELBOURNE
Because Adelaide sold out so many pieces, I’ve been busy rebuilding and expanding the range to make sure Melbourne gets something truly special. The collection I’m preparing for this expo includes:
Restocked best-sellers from the Adelaide expo
Brand new handmade jewellery created this week
Fresh framed bird wing pieces
Alternative earrings, necklaces, bracelets, brooches & key rings
One-of-a-kind curios and limited-run designs
Dark, botanical and macabre-inspired pieces
Expo-exclusive items you won’t find online
Every piece is handcrafted in my Adelaide studio with slow, intentional processes — making each item completely unique. If you’re searching for unique jewellery in Melbourne or something truly unusual, this collection was made for you.
PREPARING FOR THE MELBOURNE ODDITIES & CURIOSITIES EXPO
Behind the scenes, there’s a lot happening to get everything ready for my Melbourne debut. In the final lead-up, I’ve been:
Designing a new booth layout suited to the Melbourne venue
Rebuilding displays and props after the Adelaide rush
Photographing the newest pieces for preview posts
Packing trays of jewellery and wings
Re-stocking packaging, tags, and signage
Organising a dedicated expo-exclusive section
Checking stock levels multiple (multiple!) times
Preparing for a major event like this takes weeks of detailed planning, but I genuinely love the process — it’s part of what makes exhibiting at the Oddities & Curiosities Expo so exciting.
WHY I’M SO EXCITED TO EXHIBIT IN MELBOURNE
The Melbourne expo has one of the biggest audiences in Australia for:
alternative fashion
gothic jewellery
handmade jewellery
natural curiosities
taxidermy and preserved specimens
bone jewellery
dark art and oddities
It’s a community that fully embraces the unusual, making it the perfect environment for Olivia Dryden Jewellery. I’ve had so many messages from Melbourne customers over the years, and I’m thrilled to finally bring my work to you in person.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT AT MY MELBOURNE BOOTH
If you’re planning to visit the expo, here’s what you’ll find at my stall:
Brand new pieces created exclusively for Melbourne
Restocked favourites that sold out in Adelaide
Limited-edition curios and framed wings
Expo-only pricing
A curated selection of my most unusual designs
The chance to meet the maker behind the jewellery
Whether you’re a collector, a curiosity lover, or someone who appreciates the weird and wonderful, I’ll have something you’ve never seen before.
SEE YOU AT THE MELBOURNE ODDITIES & CURIOSITIES EXPO
I can’t wait to bring my work to Melbourne for the first time. If you love handmade Australian jewellery, dark and alternative designs, or unique conversation-starting pieces, make sure to stop by and say hello.
See you soon, Melbourne.
Stay strange 🖤
Olivia
