“My constant search is for elegance, and the lines of my collections of individually handcrafted jewellery reflect both the influence of my training in design and my passion for contemporary art.
Each one of my pieces is carefully crafted from sterling silver. I love texturing the surface by hammering and satinising, but I am especially fond of my trademark moiré and my recent moonscape finishes, that can be either very subtle or very pronounced.
All of my pieces are designed with the aim of being versatile and practical, yet eye-catching. That is why I love to make pieces with a sense of contemporary design that are as appropriate for every day wear as for special occasions. And guaranteed to enhance the simplest attire.”
I studied Fine Art at the Ruskin School of Drawing and Painting, when it was housed in the Ashmolean Museum, and I have been making jewellery since the 1980’s.
I work in sterling silver decorated in various ways, indenting and oxidising, sometimes adding 18ct gold detail, and gold plating (22ct hard gold). I hunt out semi-precious stones in the shapes and colours I find pleasing, such as Lapis, Carnelian, Serpentine, Amazonite and African Jade. I use these in my work mixed with silver beads which I make.
I work out ideas both on paper and as I am making, allowing a constant evolution and continued enjoyment.
I first became interested in the world of jewellery making when I visited Nepal. Here I completed a course in some of the basic techniques which have been used for thousands of years. Returning back to the UK I worked with a local jewellery maker where I continued learning & creating my skills. Having finished a one year apprenticeship, I took the step to open my own shop in Thailand where I worked for over three years on customers’ own designs while producing hand made stock. Now back in Oxford I have a workshop in my own home, making jewellery to sell on Art markets across the country. My work has an organic look but is extremely elegant to wear. I like to create pieces that can be worn on an everyday bases giving the buyer good value for money! I often design pieces with the use of precious stones & sea glass. When not creating my own designs I take on commissions & repairs.
I studied Contemporary Applied Art at Staffordshire University where I specialised in Jewellery & Silversmithing. In 2006 I returned to Oxfordshire, and found workshop space on the Cowley Road in Oxford City, where I have been working ever since. As a designer-maker I feel that the narrative behind an idea or object is just as important as the overall appearance of a piece: "Jewellery can remind us of people, places and stories, and can evoke memories and stir emotions. Jewellery is a powerful tool – It ties us to our past, present and future, and gives the wearer a sense of ‘self’." I take inspiration from idea of keepsakes, sentiment and treasures. From a collection of pocket watches at the Ashmolean Museum, to a box of old buttons; I use these sources as a starting point of my design process. I also make special items to commission such as wedding and engagement rings – working to a specific design from the customer, or working alongside them to create that special piece. Using traditional jewellery and silversmithing techniques I produce pieces which incorporate; raising, forging, soldering, press-forming, riveting and stone setting. Each piece bears the Birmingham Assay Office Hallmark.
