It’s that time again when we’ll be taking you behind the scenes with our favourite local business owners and creatives to find out where they go to eat, what playlist they’re listening to, where they take their out-of-town friends, and ultimately, what makes them tick.

For our fourth instalment of SPILL, we’re catching up with the creative mind and creator behind the newly rebranded piercing and jewellery studio, Amelia Hancock of Artefact.

Where are you from originally? 

Newcastle!

What made you decide to make Newcastle home? 

Newcastle felt like the perfect place to build the business – surrounded by the support of family and friends.

Do you consider yourself more of an early bird or a night owl? 

Night owl.

Where’s your late-night hangout spot? 

My most sacred time is late nights spent in the studio above our store. Outside of the normal work hours having the solitude of being in the studio at night and experimenting and creating without any constraint.

What’s your coffee order?

Large oat latte or cold brew at the Autumn Rooms in the warmer months. 

Speaking of coffee, which local venue knows your order off by heart?

Autumn Rooms on Darby St is the perfect pit stop on my walk to work.

Tell me about your biggest career highlight… 

Rebranding the business from Made by a into Artefact. This was a big decision to move in a different direction but leaning into change and a fresh identity.

In your spare time, what are your THREE top favourite things to do in Newcastle?  

Saturday with lunch at Momo Wholefoods, evening cocktails at The Koutetsu followed by Jam's Karaoke Bar. Followed by a Sunday in Islington – visiting the flea markets and a visit to The Conscious Exchange paired with coffee from Slingtown. 

If you wanted to dazzle your out-of-town friends and family, where would you take them? 

Flotilla, HUMBUG, or Scotties.

Beer? Wine? Cocktail? Mocktail? What is your tipple of choice and where do you frequently visit?

My courtyard in Cooks Hill, accompanied by friends & wine from Vera Wine on Beaumont Street.

On the daily, what’s guaranteed to make you smile? 

Finding a really special piece of jewellery at an antique shop or flea market or my dog simply existing. 

What do you NEVER leave the house without?

Definitely jewellery - feels like something is missing if I'm not wearing my go-to pieces. You'll never see me without it on.

We’re all about keeping it local here at HUNTERhunter – tell me THREE of your favourite local businesses that you live and breathe by and why you couldn’t live without them…

The Ori – walk across the road for a pizza and beer when I finish work.
Valenteen – flower deliveries to adorn any space.
Zadig – mid-week self-care ice bath & sauna.

What are you listening to now? 

I always have a podcast playing in the background. They help keep me focused and inspired. 
- My Business Playbook by Laura Higgins
- Lady Startup Stories by Mamamia 
- Offline with Alison Rice 
- No Filter with Mia Freedman

If you’re needing a short break away from Newcastle, where do you go and why?

Depending on the mood. Sydney for high energy and the Blue Mountains for a slower pace. 

What would you like to see more of in Newcastle? 

Vegan fine dining. 

Lucky last – who would you recommend we interview next for SPILL? 

Emma from The Conscious Exchange.