I
have been working as designer and craftsperson since graduating from North
East Wales Institute in 1993. I have gained knowledge and experience
through working alone and selling in various locations around the UK. I
have travelled and worked in Europe, the Middle East and Asia. The many
cultures I experienced whilst abroad are major influences in my work
today.
I
received a bursary from City
and Guilds 2004
which enabled me to purchase more equipment. This meant I was able to
expand the workspace and gave me greater freedom in my design work. I have
recently been studying with Jinks
McGrath, a jeweller, author and designer based in Ditchling, near Brighton.
This has given me the opportunity to reflect and expand on my skills.
I
am influenced and inspired by natural forms in nature, the earth, the sea,
the sky. The ‘ Pebble ‘ collection aptly named was inspired by stones,
in forging the links through the heating and manipulation of the silver I
worked with a natural muse. I am also influenced by antique and tribal
jewellery from the middle east and India. Often these pieces of jewellery
have religious symbolism and meaning. A prerequisite for me in the
jewellery I make is that it has meaning beyond the aesthetic and is
empowered in the process of making. I am working on a new collection with
sound and charms, the vibrations of sound in jewellery cannot be
underestimated and research has shown that each frequency has a unique
effect and can be healing to the listener/wearer! Also for me this is a
way of expanding on my earlier pagan pieces where I felt that I was
working earth energies. In my experimental work I like to make freely
allowing the changes that occur in the processes of making to dictate the
final piece it is amazing when one works in this way to see how the final
piece has grown and changed from an initial design idea.
