JOURNAL
IN CONVERSATION WITH CATE FROM SOLTYSLABEL
This 7th June, we're gathering for our very first With Great Love event—an intimate afternoon of natural silk dyeing held in North Bondi. We're honoured to be hosting this special experience alongside Cate of SoltysLabel, a natural dyer and botanical alchemist whose work is rooted in ritual, artistry, and deep care. Her process is slow and sacred, a true celebration of hand-making as a form of connection. Ahead of the gathering, we sat down with Cate to learn more about her creative journey, her relationship with eco-dyeing, and what it means to create—with great love. You’ve described dressing as one of the deepest rituals you’ve come to know. Can you share what this means to you and how it’s influenced the way you design and make each piece? Dressing as ritual brings me closer to myself. It's a devoted practice of self-care and an invitation to play with form and expression in a way that doesn’t take itself too seriously. There’s an intangible energetic signature that’s created when cloth adorns the body—I’ve felt this throughout my life, and I keep returning to cloth as a form of connection. It’s in how I show up to the process, how I handle the material when I make. I rarely use patterns and often work directly off the body. Every time I enter the studio, I re-enter a relationship—with my creativity, my spirit—and this is always reflected in the work in one way or another. Your dyeing process is deeply rooted in Ayurvedic principles and the language of plants. What drew you to this path? As a natural dyer, I see the plant world as an endless treasure trove of colour. Even different leaves from the same species can dye uniquely—and I’m never fully in control. I love working with the wild in this way. Considering our connection with cloth as ritual, it felt only natural to explore how it also impacts our health. It’s so important to wrap our skin in organic materials. When we work with plant dyes, we can take advantage of the long-term, subtle medicine they offer through skin contact. If used in a medicinal way, cloth can be re-dyed and re-infused after a few washes, continuing the relationship between body, plant, and fibre. Cate wears RUUSK Fiume Rings, Organic Bangle and Hand-Carved Cuff. Each piece you create is made by hand using offcuts, natural fibres, and a deeply intentional process. What does creating sustainably and slowly mean to you? Creating sustainably feels like a fundamental duty—as a maker and as a human. When we shift our approach to making, embedding low-waste methods and conscious intention into the design, the pieces become more than garments. They hold value beyond fashion. For me, living in peace with myself means living in peace with the earth. That’s the foundation of all my creative work. At RUUSK, we often speak about modern heirlooms—pieces made with care to hold meaning and memory. How do you see this shared intention reflected in our With Great Love workshop? I’m so excited about this workshop—it feels like a beautiful collaboration rooted in shared values. Botanical printing can be a creative journey inward. When we lead with intention, the pieces we create become reflections of our inner dialogue, and our connection with the natural world. Each finished piece is a snapshot in time—a tangible memory of the feelings and connections we shared with nature in that moment. What do you hope participants walked away with? I hope participants left with a renewed sense of themselves as creative beings. That something turned inward, allowing them to see themselves—and their relationship with the world—in a new light. The feelings we access during a workshop can mirror back profound truths about who we are. And finally, what does it mean to you to create with great love? To create with great love is to live in reverence—to self, to others, and to the earth. It’s about staying rooted, even through hardship, and letting ourselves feel and celebrate the joy of true expression. We hope you can join us at our upcoming With Great Love event and immerse yourself in an intimate afternoon of natural silk dyeing, held in a soundscape of crystal bowls, chimes and intuitive tones played by Tania of RUUSK and Sound of Sage. When: Saturday June 7th, 2:30pm - 4.30pm (2 hour workshop)Location: Body By Berner, North BondiCost: $169 or bring a friend (2 tickets) for $300 What's Included: A guided botanical dyeing workshop and your very own eco-dyed silk scarf to take home. Learn more & book now. Cate wears RUUSK With Great Love Necklace.
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MOTHER'S DAY 2025: CELEBRATING MOTHERHOOD IN ALL ITS BEAUTIFUL FORMS
This Mother's Day, we wanted to celebrate the beauty, tenderness, and complexity of motherhood in a way that felt real, heartfelt, and true to the spirit of RUUSK. We recently gathered a group of our beautiful RUUSK mamas and their families for a special photoshoot and interview—a morning filled with laughter, playful chaos, tender tears, and quiet moments of connection. The day unfolded exactly as we had hoped: naturally, imperfectly, and full of heart. Children running underfoot, arms wrapped tightly around mothers, and small voices filling the air with giggles. It was a vivid reflection of the many layers of motherhood — the joy, the exhaustion, the pride, the fierce love. As one mama so beautifully put it, "Motherhood is discovering that you didn’t think you could love like you do… like your heart just wants to explode. Just love, just loving unbelievably." Through every candid moment, we were reminded that motherhood is vast and multi-faceted. It's the quiet sacrifices made daily, the deep and unspoken bonds, and the endless acts of love that often go unseen. It's a journey that transforms and shapes not just families, but the very fabric of who we are. "Motherhood is feeling insurmountable challenge but also feeling the depths of love all at the same time." We also took time to reflect on the incredible women who raised us — the ones who showed us how to love, how to be brave, and how to meet the world with open hearts. When asked what first comes to mind when thinking of their mums, our RUUSK mamas shared: "Her smile, she is just pure joy in this world.""She’s curious.""She’s brave.""She’s playful.""She’s unconditionally loving.""She’s my best friend.""She’s a superhero." What surprised many about motherhood is just how deeply the connection can be felt, not only emotionally, but physically. As one of our mamas reflected, "The bond between a mother and child is not just from the heart, it is also a physical bond. You can feel that; you can feel their pain, and you can feel their joy." It was an absolute honour to witness and capture the incredible women who entrust us with their most precious heirlooms. Watching their stories unfold in real time was a profound reminder of why we do what we do — creating pieces that carry love, legacy, and meaning across generations. This Mother's Day, we invite you to celebrate motherhood in all its forms — whether you're honouring your own mother, a mother figure, your journey into motherhood, or the women who have nurtured you in ways both big and small. From all of us at RUUSK, thank you for allowing us to be part of your stories. We celebrate you, we honour you, and we are endlessly inspired by you.
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BEHIND THE DESIGN: THE MAKING OF OUR WITH GREAT LOVE NECKLACES
Love is found in the intimate moments—the tiny details we hold onto and cherish, the words we whisper to those we love, the mantras that guide us home. It is these heartfelt moments that inspired the creation of our With Great Love Necklaces, a collection designed to honour love in all its forms. From the very first sketch to the final polish, each piece was crafted with deep intention. Our design process began with a single question: How do we capture the essence of love in a piece of jewellery? We envisioned a heart that feels timeless and refined—one that carries both softness and strength, mirroring the way love shapes us. Every curve and line was carefully considered to reflect warmth, devotion, and the beauty of connection. And just as love is deeply personal, these necklaces were designed for you to infuse your own meaning. With the option to personalise both sides—whether through star-set gemstones, birthstones of those you hold dear, or a heartfelt engraving—your piece becomes a truly unique and versatile keepsake, worn either way to reflect what matters most to you. As we bring this collection to life, we hope these pieces become more than just jewellery—they become cherished symbols of the moments, people, and adventures that define your story. Because at its heart, love is not just something we feel—it’s something we create, nurture, and carry with and within us. With Great Love, especially for you. SHOP WITH GREAT LOVE NECKLACES — here.
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AN EVENING OF LOVE & CELEBRATION: WITH GREAT LOVE SHOWCASE
Surrounded by dear friends and cherished clients, we gathered in our Sydney CBD studio for a truly special evening—one dedicated to celebrating love in all its forms and unveiling our With Great Love Collection in person. From the moment our guests arrived, the studio was filled with warmth, conversation, and the shared joy of reconnecting. Seeing our long-time clients—many of whom have been part of RUUSK’s journey for years—experience the new collection up close was incredibly meaningful. These are the very women who inspire what we create, and to share this moment with them felt like the perfect way to honour this collection’s heart and intention. As golden hour cast its glow, guests admired the delicate details of our With Great Love necklaces, tried on pieces that resonated with their own stories, and toasted to love, connection, and the beauty of meaningful heirlooms. To everyone who joined us—thank you. Your presence, stories, and shared love for what we do mean the world. We hope this collection becomes a part of your story, carried close as a reminder of all the love that shapes your life. With Great Love, always.
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IN CONVERSATION WITH TESS GUINERY
It is with great joy that we introduce With Great Love—a new journal series dedicated to sharing the stories of women who infuse love into all they do—whether through their art, their relationships, or the way they move through the world. And what better way to begin than on International Women’s Day—a day dedicated to honouring the strength, creativity, and impact of women everywhere. To mark this occasion, we are thrilled to open our series with one of our favourite women and creative muses, Tess Guinery. A poet, artist, and luminous force, Tess so beautifully embodies the spirit of With Great Love, weaving creativity, self-expression, and devotion into both her work and life. Having collaborated with her for the launch of our With Great Love necklaces, she has created a special poem that captures the essence of love in all its forms—a heartfelt reflection on connection, devotion, and the beauty of life’s smallest moments. In this first journal entry, Tess shares her thoughts on creativity, the guiding principles that shape her journey, and the power of living and creating with love. As we honour women’s voices and stories today, we hope her words—and her poetry—inspire you as much as they have inspired us. The "With Great Love" concept is at the heart of this collaboration. What does living with great love mean to you, and how does it show up in your daily life, relationships, and creative practice? Living with great love, to me, is found in the small, steady gestures—the quiet, unseen acts of care that shape our days. It’s not about grandeur but about the depth with which we choose to meet each moment, person, or creation. In my relationships, it shows up as listening deeply and being present without trying to rush or fix. It's a quiet courage to meet those I love exactly where they are. In my creative practice, living with great love often means trusting the slower path—following intuition rather than forcing outcomes, honouring the work even when it's imperfect or incomplete. It’s about carrying tenderness into everything. Your poem beautifully weaves together love, presence, and the rhythm of life. Is there a particular line that feels most meaningful to you? What inspired it, and what does it represent in your own journey? The line that feels most meaningful to me is, “WITH GREAT LOVE we become hungry to see, to touch, to sprawl out— and chase the coloured winds with time to simply be.” It speaks to the space love creates—one that invites a deep hunger for life, for the simple moments that fill us. In my own journey, this line represents a time of learning to slow down, to make space for what matters most. Love, in its quiet persistence, has taught me to be present, to savour the in-betweens of life, and to chase the quiet beauty that often gets overlooked in the rush. It’s a reminder to return to the act of simply being—of letting love be both a force and a rest. Creativity, like love, has its ebbs and flows. When you encounter creative blocks, how do you nurture yourself back into a state of inspiration and openness? Creativity, like love, moves through seasons—some quiet, some turbulent. When I face a block, I’ve learned the quiet power of knowing when to step aside. To pause. To leave a thing alone, or to wrestle with it, should it call me back. After many years of working in this way, starting as a child, I have come to understand that most of it will remain unclear, yet the voice of creativity itself is unmistakable. It has a resonance that is both deep and unwavering. In time, I’ve come to listen with trust, to follow its tug when it pulls, and let the things of my hands slip away when it isn’t meant to be. I’ve learned not to clutch too tightly to anything within the vast, unruly field of creation. Ideas may seem precious in the moment, but they are mere visitors—there is no use in holding them longer than they wish to stay. As a mother, artist, poet, and woman, you embody many roles that require love and energy. How do you hold space for yourself while also giving so much to the people and passions in your life? Holding space for myself while loving my family and pursuing my work as an artist and poet feels like an improvised dance—a rhythm I’m learning to shape with practice. But with all that improv comes the need for fierce decision-making. It’s about knowing what I’m growing. It’s been about becoming good friends with my beginnings and ends, knowing when to let go even if the thing in hand glimmers beautifully. It’s about understanding the margin each season demands and recognising what I am graced for right now. I’ve learned that navigating all the moving parts isn’t about stuffing every hour with productivity or keeping every ball in the air. Quite the opposite: it’s knowing when to let things drop or step aside entirely. For me, it’s been about carving out margin—those quiet gaps of space where life can breathe, where ideas quietly take root, where I can actually hear myself think. There’s an honesty required in holding seasons well. I ask myself regularly: What is this season asking of me? If I can be truthful in the asking and expansive in my thinking, I can act accordingly, without guilt or performance. This didn’t come naturally. It’s something I’ve had to learn by listening closely to my own limits and accepting them without apology. That sounds deceptively simple, but it’s really about asking: What can I hold, and what needs to be released—even if it’s beautiful? A full life doesn’t have to be a busy one. My days are shaped less by how much I can fit in and more by what I want to tend to—whether that’s writing a paragraph that finally lands right, sitting in stillness with my thoughts, or savouring breakfast with my daughters without a clock breathing down our necks. I leave room for quiet because without it, nothing meaningful can grow. Margin isn’t glamorous. It’s not applause-worthy. But it’s essential—an art form of its own, one I return to daily. Through it, I’ve learned to trust that good things still happen when you give life permission to unfold, rather than forcing it into a tight, frantic space. If you could leave the RUUSK community with one message—through your poetry, your art, or simply through your way of being—what would it be, and why? If I could leave the RUUSK community with one message, it would be this: create space with great love. It’s a practice that doesn’t always show its value at first glance, but over time, it becomes clear. In the constant churn of life, there’s a quiet kind of devotion in making room—room for reflection, for creation, for moments of stillness. With great love, we shape margins not as a retreat, but as a space for things to grow, unfold, and settle in their own time. To make room for what matters, we must be willing to let go of what doesn’t—whether it’s expectations, noise, or the rush to fill every gap. And so, through this slow, deliberate act, we honour not only the work we do but the life we’re living—sensitive to the ebb and flow, always returning to love as the quiet constant that holds it all together. Tess Guinery Instagram Tess Guinery Website
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WITH GREAT LOVE: A CELEBRATION OF LOVE IN ALL ITS FORMS
Love is woven into the fabric of our lives—in the way we care for our families, the friendships we cherish, the quiet moments of self-reflection, and the grand adventures that shape us. It’s found in the embrace of a lover, in whispered words of devotion, and in the bonds that stand the test of time. Our With Great Love Necklaces are a tribute to love in all its forms, honouring the connections, memories, and everyday gestures that make life truly meaningful. To bring this essence to life, we turned to a muse who embodies the beauty of living and creating with Great Love: Tess Guinery. A poet, artist, and storyteller, Tess embodies the beauty of living and creating with deep intention. Through her words, weaving poetry into the spirit of our campaign with the tenderness and depth that love deserves. In the words of Twyla Tharp, “In the end, all collaborations are love stories.” And this collaboration has been just that—a shared moment of creativity and devotion with a woman we deeply admire. "We were absolutely thrilled to collaborate with Tess for the launch of our With Great Love Collection. She embodies everything we hold dear at RUUSK—creativity, intention, and a deep love for the stories we carry. Tess moves through the world with such artistry and heart, and her words beautifully capture the essence of this collection. It’s always so special to work with women who create and live with Great Love." – Tania At its heart, this collection honours the deep care, connection, and meaning we weave into our lives and relationships. For RUUSK, this message is at the core of what we create—timeless heirlooms that carry stories of love, memory, and legacy. Through this campaign, we hope to inspire others to live with intention, nurture their relationships, and celebrate love in all its forms. "Love is in the laughter of dear friends, in the warmth of a hug, in the memories we carry, and in the heirlooms that hold them. It is in the way we show up for one another and the ways we care for ourselves—with gentleness and grace." – Tania As we launch our With Great Love Necklaces on International Women's Day, we also honour the women who inspire us every day—women who move through the world with kindness, passion, and strength. Women who, in both big and small ways, remind us that love is not just a feeling—it is something we choose, something we give, and something we create with every step we take. May this collection serve as a reminder to embrace each day with Great Love. SHOP WITH GREAT LOVE NECKLACES — here.
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