Jewellery
Silver, made by hand
One-off pieces, each shaped and finished individually. Nature is the usual starting point: some pieces are built up from sheet and wire, others cast from natural forms or from originals modelled by hand in clay.
Recent work
Work from the last few years, with a note on how each one was made.
Triple mushroom pendant
A cluster of three mushrooms on one stem, modelled by hand in clay and sand cast in solid 925 sterling silver. Inspired by early autumn woodland.
Tiger’s eye pendant
A tumbled and polished tiger’s eye held by three claws inside a hoop of square-profile sterling silver, finished with a handmade bail. The square section catches the light as the pendant moves. The stone is 18 by 35 mm, and the pendant stands 60 mm tall including the bail.
Botswana agate pendant
Banded Botswana agate held by four pins and set inside an oval made from hammered sterling silver, so the stone sits clear of the frame and can be seen from both sides. The hammering takes the light unevenly along the length of the oval.
Mushroom earrings, curvy
Mushrooms with caps that curve the way they do in the ground, shaped first in clay and then sand cast in sterling silver. Cleaned up at the bench and hung from wires bent by hand.
Frog earrings
A pair of frogs with green cubic zirconia eyes, sand cast in sterling silver from clay patterns and hung from hand-made ear wires. Everything down to the toes was modelled first, and it survives into the finished silver.
Sea glass pendant
A piece of sea glass in a plain silver bezel, cut to its outline so the setting suits that piece and no other. The frosted surface is left as the sea made it.
Sea bass pendant
A sea bass with an amethyst eye, cast in 925 silver from a clay model. The scales, fins and tail were all worked into the clay, so the detail runs the length of the fish.
Mushroom earrings, rounded
Mushrooms with full, rounded caps on long stems, cast from clay patterns in sterling silver and polished to a bright finish. The hooks are shaped by hand at the bench.
Mackerel earrings
A pair of mackerel with cubic zirconia eyes, cast in sterling silver from clay models, with the fish’s distinctive stripes running along the back. Shown at the bench, before the ear wires went on.
Amethyst and cubic zirconia ring
A substantial silver band with clean, modern lines, carrying an amethyst between two cubic zirconia. The stones sit level with the face, so nothing stands proud to catch.
Made to order
Pieces commissioned for particular people, rather than made for sale: a present, or a set to go with something they already have.
Abalone earrings and ring
Teardrops formed from hammered square-section silver wire, each cradling a disc of paua shell, with a ring made from the same wire. A birthday present.
Hammered crescent earrings with malachite
Crescents cut from sterling silver sheet and hammered to give them texture. A bezel was made for each stone and soldered to the sheet, then everything was polished before the malachite cabochons were set. A birthday present.
Moonstone and rosewood set
A tumbled moonstone recessed into rosewood, carved by hand to the shape of the stone, and hung from a handmade silver bail. The earrings came from the same piece of rosewood, with drilled moonstone chips set above them. The wood is finished with beeswax polish.
Ways of working
Materials
Sterling silver for most pieces, fine silver where a softer metal is needed, and other metals when a piece calls for them. Bezels and bails are made at the bench to suit the piece they belong to.
Stones
I am drawn to the unusual ones: strong markings, an awkward outline, anything that needs a setting built to fit it. I am just as happy working with a stone you supply, or something that carries sentimental value.
Sand casting
An original is modelled by hand or taken from a natural form, then cast in sand. It picks up fine detail, which is what makes it worth the work. The mould is broken to release each casting, so every one is taken fresh.
Commissions
If you have something in mind, I would like to hear it. Send an enquiry with a sketch, a photograph or a description, and I will come back to you with ideas. A rough idea is enough to start from.
An online shop will follow. In the meantime, commissions and enquiries are welcome.