Her latest exhibition, "Birth Life Death", references the three components defining and punctuating human existence.
The heavily tattooed artist only recently returned to her jewellery, after spending the past two years making props for Sir Peter Jackson's latest two-part film, The Hobbit (An Unexpected Journey/There and Back Again) which is scheduled for release on December 14.
"I was making hero props, like special blades and sheaths, and metalwork hardware. It was incredibly high pressure ... but amazing fun.
"I was really impressed by the level of craftsmanship. The attention to detail was incredible, considering a lot of things will only have a fly-by glance on screen. I was pleased about that, because I adore quality and craftsmanship," the 33-year-old said yesterday.
Lusted's love for her craft is all-consuming. She learned German so she could study for two years at Europe's oldest goldsmithing school, Goldschmiedeschule mit Uhrmacherschule in Pforzheim.
"Jewellery is my passion and I treat jewellery pieces as 3-D objects. They're miniature sculptures, which should be displayed and not hidden away in a drawer," she said.
Her jewellery features butterflies, bees and cicadas embedded in resin and medical items, such as antique glass syringes.
"I love tradition and I'm really attracted to antiques. I love the days of old and how things were created then," she said.
"I want to create jewellery people haven't seen before. I've always been drawn towards creepy-crawlies."
Lusted's creative efforts are held in collections at institutions including Te Papa and the Dowse Art Museum.
"Birth Life Death" opens at the Tony Williams Gallery today and runs till August 11.
