Ida Maglai

​Ida considers jewellery as visual poetry that is a reflection of the maker and the wearer. She aims to please the wearer and the viewer and hopes to trigger their imagination. Ida’s pieces are inspired by the world around her, by other art forms and artworks and by her love and concern for nature.

Her experiences and Hungarian heritage are also a strong influence. 
Ida was born and raised in Hungary, where she studied in a specialist economics high school. Following this Ida completed a Diploma of Teaching and Community Arts. While teaching, she was involved with a felt-making group and also learnt to make horse-hair jewellery. These pieces were accredited by the Hungarian Union of Craft’s jury.

Arriving in Australia as a refugee in 1987 with her baby boy and husband, Ida learnt English and studied visual arts, majoring in jewellery, at the North Adelaide School of Art. In 1995 she graduated and since then has been working as a self employed studio jeweller. Ida works mainly in three areas: exhibitions, commissions and production work. She is currently working as an educator in Visual Arts at St. Dominic’s Priory College.