It all began

It all began one day on a job site when I came up against a massive sandstone boulder. At the time, I’d been working as a carpenter for about seven years, while also freelancing as a graphic designer and photographer.

That day, I was building a retaining wall and needed to sink a post, only to find this dirt covered boulder sitting directly in the way. To make room, I started cutting into it. As I chipped away, the stone began to show itself. Behind the face, the interior was pristine, sunlight caught its minerals, sparkling as though they were seeing daylight for the first time in millions of years. Which may be just the case, geologists say Australian Hawkesbury sandstone can be up to 247 million years old.

I was captivated. Something about this particular piece of stone struck me deeply. I couldn’t let it go, so I brought it home and carved it into a candle holder for my mother. That simple act sparked everything.

From there, it unfolded naturally. I bought a shipping container, found a patch of land nearby, and built a studio, a place where I could make noise, get messy, and explore creativity in its rawest form. It felt like stepping into what I was always meant to be doing.

But at that stage in life, things were tough. I’d get into my car after a long day on site and just break down in tears, exhausted and mentally drained. I was punishing my body eight hours a day in a job I didn’t love, struggling with anxiety, over thinking a bunch and feeling lost about what I was truly meant to be doing. Deep down I knew my passion was elsewhere, I just didn’t know how to reach it.

This creative practice has felt like a gift, something the universe handed me at the exact moment I needed it most. The way it aligned, the way it felt so right, still gives me goosebumps. It was as if all of my passions collided at once, design, craftsmanship, meeting new people, fashion, and creativity in its purest form.

People often ask me what art school I attended. I’m self taught, who fell in love with creating and making pieces that can be cherished for generations. Every piece is forever one of a kind.

So my reminder is, continue to love, continue to have faith in the universe, and trust that it has your back. You never know what tomorrow might bring, it could be the beginning of a whole new journey of joy.

Love,
Tom.

Natalie Marie Jewellery

Image: @iris.and.me

Natalie Marie Jewellery, Installation & Fit-Out

It’s always a privilege to collaborate with people who pursue excellence with such intention and heart. Dan and Natalie of Natalie Marie Jewellery are exactly that, dedicated creatives who consistently deliver something truly extraordinary through both their craft and their business.

I had a glimpse into their world when I was invited to create bespoke jewellery displays for their 10-year anniversary. So, when Dan reached out to begin early discussions for their new Paddington location, I knew this was going to be something extraordinary, yet perfectly harmonious.

The design process was fluid and collaborative, Dan and I went back and forth refining ideas, enjoying elements from each other which lead to ultimately exceeding what we both initial had in mind. The final design emerged as a seamless blend of our shared vision and creative instincts.

With Mr and Mrs White leading the joinery, the project was destined for exceptional craftsmanship and detail. Throughout the process, I felt a real sense of excitement, not just in the work itself, but in being able to contribute something premium and meaningful for two genuinely inspiring people.

Translating ideas from head to hand, from a sketch to a physical piece, is always challenging. But it’s in that tension that the magic happens. It's where growth takes place, where you learn to trust the process, let go, and let things unfold. This project pushed and inspired me in all the right ways.

Meeting deadlines, handcrafting each display, and seeing the vision come to life was an experience I’ll always be grateful for.

Custom pieces created for the space:

• POS display

• Glass Islands 1 & 2

• Two custom benches

• Mirror feature

If you’re nearby, make sure to stop by the new Natalie Marie Jewellery space at 70 William Street, Paddington , it’s a beautiful reflection of their ethos and vision.

"Working with Tom Butterworth has been nothing short of exceptional. Tom brings a rare blend of artistry, integrity, and heart to everything he creates. His ability to translate vision into form, with such precision, care, and emotional depth, is something truly special.

Throughout the process, Tom approached every detail with thoughtfulness and dedication, always going above and beyond. His craftsmanship is not only beautiful but deeply considered, and the pieces he created for us have become the soul and centrepiece of our new Natalie Marie Jewellery showroom in Paddington.

More than his skill, it’s Tom’s presence. Calm, grounded, and collaborative, that made this such a memorable experience. We feel incredibly grateful to have worked alongside him and proud to have his work form such a meaningful part of this next chapter for our business.

Tom is a true master of his craft, and we couldn’t recommend him more highly."

Daniel Fitch

From surf to sandstone

With time to properly settle into this practice, it’s been so special to reflect on how surfing has quietly, yet powerfully, ignited this deep connection to sandstone, something I wasn’t even fully aware of until now.

I’ve loved surfing since I was 13. Back then, it was simply part of my surroundings, something that caught my curious eye. Over the next ten years, it became a way to connect with friends, explore up and down the coast, challenge myself, and commit to getting better at something I genuinely enjoyed.

But in the last four or so years, I’ve truly fallen in love with it. The connection to the ocean, the post-surf energy, the calm in between waves, the dance of riding, it’s become more than just a hobby. It’s something I feel deeply. I get excited by certain waves and how I might ride them a certain way. There’s an art to it now.

Seventeen years of floating in these waters, surrounded by sandstone headlands, often using them as a point of entry into the ocean, has deeply influenced the art and design practice I now call my own. It’s something that came to me naturally. I didn’t chase it or force it, it found me.

My love for aesthetics, interiors, architecture, fashion, craftsmanship, and hard work now blend into one evolving form. And yet, it continues to branch out in new directions. People often ask, “What art school did you go to?” or “Who taught you this?” The truth is, this is all self-taught, a practice shaped by feeling, observing, and trusting my own eye.

Those years spent among the sandstone cliffs of the Australian coastline have definitely helped shape the work I create today. I’m so grateful for surfing, for my able body, and for the land and waters that let me play, create, explore myself and this world.

Hopefully, all of this allows me to spread love and give back in the process.

With love,

Tom x