VICTOR HARBOR – After years of pursuing a career that wasn’t for her, Kristy McConchie has found her new calling, and it’s on display at Red Poles in McLaren Vale.

Kristy is one of five jewellers featured in the Vita Nuova exhibition, together with her former TAFE lecturer and illustrator Maureen Prichard.

Now on show at the McLaren Vale restaurant and art gallery, the exhibition’s jewellery and illustrations were inspired by the medieval romance written by Dante Alighieri in 1295.

Ranging from brooches and earrings to neckpieces and “a bit of everything,” Kristy’s pieces combine medieval characteristics with her own contemporary flair for design.

The Victor Harbor born and bred jeweller first completed a degree in interior architecture before turning her artistic talents to jewellery design, and she hasn’t looked back since.

“This is me, and everyone says they can tell this is me too,” she said.

“Ever since I was 13 I thought I wanted to do interior architecture, but it didn’t work out.”

Kristy’s career change is proof to others that wherever your aspirations may lie, with a bit of self-belief and hard work, you can get there in the end.

“Even if it doesn’t happen straight away and it takes a while to find it, you’ll have some fun along the way,” she said.

“So many people work out what they’re really passionate about later on in life and that’s great, because you really mean it.”

When she’s not wielding her magic with jewellery in her Magill studio, Kristy works at the Chit Chat Newsagency where she often enjoys support from the shop’s regulars.

“Locals at the newsagency are always helping me out by asking for jewellery or repairs,” she said.

“It’s cute…you don’t get that in town.”

With her career direction now clear, it’s not only Kristy who enjoys her newfound passion.

“Mum loves the idea of me being a jeweller,” she said.

“It’s pretty exciting being able to make stuff for people and see how excited they are about it.”

The Vita Nuova exhibition is now on display at Red Poles until November 22.