My name is Darren Sutton. I am a small scale miner, and jewellery maker, based in Beechworth, North East Victoria. My business known as Darren Sutton Miner/Maker is an artisanal mining business focussing on the search for gold, gems, and minerals, which are then made into unique jewellery pieces and sold at Farmers and Craft Markets throughout Victoria.
I operate a micro businesses which has been created with little more than knowledge, commitment, and determination. My business started with minimal infrastructure, very little cash, and working on the kitchen table. My old tools were dusted off, and used gem cutting gear purchased cheaply, refurbished, and finally a proper workshop was built. This has allowed the business to grow with minimal risk and cost. Initially I set up at local markets selling my jewellery and have gradually refined this to four major markets each month plus selected retail outlets, markets and events, in a number of diverse locations.. The mining side of the business has been active for many years and draws on a lifetime of experience in gold, mineral and gem prospecting.
I’m based in Beechworth , but you will find me either somewhere in the mountains, valleys or streams, looking for gold and gems or at one of our local markets selling my unique jewellery pieces.
My mining activites are focussed on an area once known as the Beechworth Mining District which covers a vast area of North, North East, and Eastern Victoria. I operate an ethical mining company with minimal impact on, and maximum respect for, nature and the environment.
My unique logo which is on all my products and displays reflects my deep love of all things nature. If you look closely you will see the stars, the earth, the mountains, the rivers, and the sea. These are all the things that inspire me in many different ways, particularly in my creative life.
What Makes Me….
I have a profound love of nature and the natural environment. Whilst at work in the bush I am often visited by wombats, echidnas, kangaroos, wallabies, goannas, or koalas and enjoy the magical native wildflowers that bloom at different times of the year. The bush is the place where I am most at peace.
“…as yet no one country on the broad earth has yielded such an assemblage of varieties of rare and precious gems as Victoria.”
Rev. John Bleasdale 1868
My jewellery can be found at the following locations. Beechworth Farmers Market Wangaratta Farmers Market Bright Make It Bake It Grow It Market Paynesville Market You can keep up with where else I am in my blog.
It’s not the dream of fortune, It’s not the glint of gold, It’s the romance of mining, Amongst the ghosts of old.
Darren Sutton 2011