INFORMATION
Designer Jeweller
Glasgow School of Art
Goldsmiths Hall
Sussex Guild of Craftsmen
Inspirations:
Charles Rennie Mackintosh
William Morris
Gustav Klimt
Rene Lalique
Art Nouveau
The Arts and Crafts Movement
TRAINING
I grew up in Scotland and attended Glasgow School of Art, graduating with a degree in Jewellery and Silversmithing, followed by a post-graduate position sponsored by Goldsmiths’ Hall in London. Part of my post graduate year was spent working in Hatton Garden, gaining invaluable experience in the commercial design and manufacture of jewellery. After moving to the South of England, I taught art part-time for a number of years, before launching into jewellery-making full time. Currently, I sell in galleries in the South East of England, and also at events organised by the Sussex Guild of Craftsmen.
THE JEWELLERY PROCESS
Good design is the most important element I aim to feature in my work – that, plus colour and texture. I spend a lot of time hunting out good stone merchants who can provide me with unusual cuts of stones, and I would say these are my unique selling point. Usually I will only make one or two of any particular design, hence people really are buying unique pieces of art work. I like to use textured stones – rough crystals, unusual corals and pearls, lava and ammonites are all materials I incorporate in my work. I also use a number of techniques to create interesting surfaces, including etching, reticulation and even the ancient Etruscan art of granulation.
Necklaces are my signature pieces, although I also do an interesting line in unusual earrings and finger rings.
DESIGN
I would say that I have 2 distinct styles – one geometric and one organic. They probably derive from my great love of both Art Deco (geometry) and Art Nouveau (organic). Charles Rennie Mackintosh, the architect of Glasgow School of Art, and my greatest influence, was a pioneer of both movements. Each piece of jewellery I make is in direct response to a stone or string of beads. I am really passionate about gemstones and minerals, and spend a lot of time trying to find unusual pieces to use in my work. Every artist has a basic aim or drive in their work….mine is to make jewellery which is “timeless”….something which is not instantly identified as being from the 21st Century…..something that might have been worn in the Hellenistic Period.
I don’t claim to achieve that every time, but that aim is fundamental to each piece of jewellery I design and produce in my workshop.