Shirley Wu Jewellery: Crafting Stories in Silver & Glass
Adelaide’s creative scene has been transformed by Shirley Wu, the artist and entrepreneur behind Shirley Wu Jewellery.
What began as a personal passion project in 2020 has evolved into an award-winning business combining handmade art, storytelling jewellery, and immersive creative workshops.
Shirley’s journey is deeply personal. Born in China and now based in Adelaide, she creates pieces that reflect her own transmigratory experience, fusing cultural memory, nature, and traditional techniques. From silver jewellery incorporating intricate paper folding to botanical imprints made with leaves from the Adelaide Hills, every creation is unique and tells a story.
Since 2021, Shirley has run jewellery-making workshops that have rapidly grown in demand across Adelaide, McLaren Vale, and interstate. These workshops are more than just creative sessions, they are community-building experiences, especially for women (who make up 90% of her participants). In 2025, Shirley’s efforts were recognised with the Adelaide Fringe “Best Workshop & Talk Award.”
Collaborations with leading organisations like JamFactory, Jurlique, Fringe, and Guildhouse have helped Shirley expand her practice, and she is now working toward establishing a permanent retail and workshop space in Adelaide’s CBD, as well as growing her e-commerce presence to reach audiences nationwide.
Shirley’s commitment to creativity, connection, storytelling, and sustainability has been strengthened through her participation in the Women in Business Foundations Program. Through mentoring with Quisk, the program gave her practical tools to refine her marketing strategy, grow her digital presence, and gain clarity on business priorities. Since launching her new website and becoming consistent on social media, she’s seen a significant boost in workshop bookings and online engagement — 12,000 more views and 185 more interactions in just six weeks.
Her advice to other women in business? “Don’t be afraid to ask for help and be clear about what you need. Mentoring and structured support can turn something that feels overwhelming into actionable steps and give you the confidence to follow through.”
Whether you’re looking for a meaningful, handmade jewellery piece or a creative, hands-on experience, Shirley Wu Jewellery offers something truly special.
Explore Shirley’s work and upcoming workshops:
www.shirleywu.com.au
instagram.com/shirleywu.jewellery