Working from my studio in the woods of Wiltshire I create jewellery characterised by a soft industrial aesthetic and peppered with a hint of modern nostalgia.
The current theme, with botanical influences, initially developed from a bundle of gardening diaries found in my house when we moved in, left by a long-gone former resident and his wife. I'm interested in the fuzzy memories, where reality meets dream or borrowed meets imagined. In my mind I have built up an image from these found diaries, of this garden from a bygone era, from a time when the pages of gardening catalogues were bursting with blousy blooms printed in lurid colours. Parts of the narrative are slowly emerging as prints and pieces of jewellery, one discipline organically influencing the other in turn.
Colour and pattern are central to my work. Designs evolve through an exploration of colour, collage and composition and are realised using low-tech printing processes and traditional metalwork techniques to produce joyful one-off pieces of jewellery.
Challenging perceptions of preciousness through materiality I make use of remnant aluminium from industry, working with the material to bring it new life. Aluminium is one of the most recyclable and frequently recycled materials in the world. Recycled and anodized aluminum provides a wide range of vibrant colors, while maintaining a low environmental footprint, giving it a perfect balance of style and sustainability. By using recycled materials I am hoping to encourage reflection on the lifecycle of everyday objects and the consequences of waste. shed light on the need for circular, sustainable material choices.
I have been represented by galleries throughout the UK as well as exhibiting during prestigious events such as the Craft Councils Chelsea Crafts Fair and Origin. In 2023 I made my debut at Goldsmiths' Fair in Londons Goldsmiths' Hall, and MAD about Jewelry in New Yorks Museum of Arts and Design.
A number of pieces feature in books and journals and my own book ‘Coloured Aluminium Jewellery: design & make’, was published by A&C Black in 2010.
I have been teaching alongside my practice since 2004. Find out about workshops here.
I trained in Jewellery at Middlesex University, graduating in 2002.
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