« The Story »
Each piece of jewellery has a story to tell. Like all good stories, certain qualities are essential to capturing attention and becoming memorable. These unique features are fundamental in making a piece stand out and compelling individuals to add them to their wardrobe.
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The storyline of each jewellery piece is comprised of three main facets:
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the materials used
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the carefully thought-out design
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the precisely crafted process
The history of a piece begins long before it takes its final shape as a ring, necklace, or earrings. It really starts in the place where the silver, gold and stones are mined and continues in the methods used to transform the raw materials into workable metal and gemstones. Gold and silver mining can have detrimental effects on the environment and many mines have poor reputations for working conditions. For these reasons a shift away from conventional mining is necessary.
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In 2019 I will be transitioning my practice to source as much of my materials as possible from ethical suppliers with the hopes of becoming 100% ethical in 2020. A focus on recycled silver and fair trade gold is the best way to ensure a more morally accountable future for my jewellery practice. This move allows customers to make a conscious choice in helping to grow the demand for socially and environmentally responsible accessories.
The next chapter in the story revolves around the way each piece is viewed by the world. The accessories an individual wears are an outward expression of their own distinct personality, this fact influences the creation of each jewellery piece.
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The design is determined by four elements: style, form, materials, and purpose. These components are carefully contemplated, then combined to construct beautiful and tasteful fashion accessories. My jewellery collections showcase a diversity of styles, from playful and fun to elegant and luxurious, all to facilitate the wide range of the wearer’s tastes.
Once the design is complete and the materials are prepared, the next stage can begin: fabrication. The working of precious metals into jewellery is a traditional practice, extending back thousands of years and across many cultures. Many of the techniques used by modern jewellers are the same as those employed by craftspeople millennia ago. Today’s technology however, has mechanised much of the jewellery production process and has enabled a mass output while, at the same time, cutting off the connection that once existed between maker and wearer. This divide has made it hard for consumers to understand that the value of jewellery should not lie solely in the price of the raw materials, such as the karat of the gold, but should also be a reflection of the quality and craftsmanship that has gone into hand-fabricating a beautiful piece.
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The fabrication process I foster in my studio is an alternative to these main-stream practices. Each project begins at my bench with raw materials such as wire and sheet and, by using traditional metalsmithing techniques, they are transformed into unique wearable pieces of art. This hand-crafted process ensures a high standard of quality and originality while maintaining the important connection to the jeweller.
All of this effort and care is focused towards a single outcome: creating stunning, fine jewellery accessories that will be worn and cherished for years to come. As wearer, you are provided with a wonderful opportunity to impart your own unique experience and personality into each piece.
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Wear the jewellery and continue its story…
