Takin'5 with Paul Krix...

Tell us a bit about your label and what marketeers can expect to find at the winter market.

I follow a pretty unusual design process for my jewellery. I’m a programmer as well as a designer so I outsource some of the design work to my computer. I write a custom piece of software for each line of jewellery which creates design files for each piece almost ready to manufacture. It’s a bit of a trade off because it means there is a massive amount of work at the start of the process, probably a lot more than you would guess, but then for every new piece I can take a step back and take more of a curatorial role, selecting which designs get made and which don’t make the cut.

Most of what I do is heavily influenced by nature. Every new line starts with research and experimentation. I have copied how leaf veins form themselves biochemically, learned how succulents choose where to place new leaves and explored the hyperbolic structures that give things like coral or kale leaves their shape.

Marketeers can expect to find bright colours and abstract shapes with a clear influence of nature. Everything I produce is a one-off.

What is it about Hustle&Scout that made you want to apply to be a stallholder?

It’s the quality of the market that really impressed me and made me want to apply. The other stall holders were all of a high standard, the setting was really good but also there was a great overall feel to the thing. It’s a whole experience rather than any one particular element.

Then there is the ethical side of Hustle&Scout which struck a chord with me. Sustainability is a passion of mine and so is supporting emerging Australian designers.

MY FAV THINGS.

Guilty pleasure? 

Design porn. It’s a full blown addiction. I just can’t keep my eyes off beautifully photographed architecture, home wares and tableware. Seriously it’s like crack to me.

Board game?

I like my board games semi-nerdy and Settlers of Catan is probably my favourite. But for a party game Articulate or Taboo are a lot of fun! Anything where you have to talk faster than your brain can filter means people start saying stupid things.

Thing to cook to impress someone?

To impress someone I like to go with a dessert. Ginger creme brûlée or a rosemary and lemon syrup cake look great and taste fantastic. I made a peach galette recently that I was really happy with. If you fan slices of peach across the top its just looks so damn good. Then it’s all about little touches on the side - ice creams, strained yogurts, reductions, dustings, edible flowers, whatever will look good and compliment the main flavours.

Place to unwind in Canberra?

I don’t really have a favourite place. If I’m not unwinding at home or out with friends then I rarely do the same thing twice but I do like to grab a hot drink and drive somewhere at dusk. There’s a spot halfway up black mountain with a great view of the city lights or if I’m further north there’s a car park near lake Ginninderra where you can watch the ducks go to sleep. You just try being stressed out while watching a duck fall asleep, it’s impossible.  

Song to dance to?

You Make My Dreams Come True by Hall and Oates. There’s not much more I can say about it, it compels you to move.

Otherwise anything with a saxophone solo. Or any kind of synth-pop. I’ll dance to most songs.