Butterfly Necklaces
Rockpool series
When I was young, investigating rockpools was my favourite part of going to the beach, I was amazed by the creatures ability to hide, one second the pool was full of life and the next they would disappear. In this piece I have tried to give the effect of small creatures hiding in the crevices and all the different textures and colours of rock pools.
Birds of Paradise Necklace
Scale Armour
A colourful statement piece, the Scale Armour Necklace is my most ambitious project to date. Named for its iridescent carapace construction, the idea of scales as armour inspired, not only the articulated construction, but also the patterns. The five segments are shaped using metal forming techniques such as chasing and repousse. Enamelling is a long process and, with so many large pieces, this took a long while, with each wire individually shaped and fused to the piece. The transparent, iridescent enamel allows you to see the texture underneath, creating facets which sparkle and change as it is angled. My work is all about striking colour and pattern and so being given the chance to make this for a customer is a real pleasure, before the customer received it i had a chance to enter it into Goldsmiths Craft Council Awards where it won a bronze in the enamelling section. |
Lizard Necklace no.2
The composition for Lizard Necklace no. 2 comes from macro shots of reptiles, these are deconstructed and collaged creating a colourful patchwork of scales. The colours and shapes used give this necklace a slightly tribal African feel, it is a bold large piece which is as much a work of art as a necklace. Cloisonné wiring plays an important part in this as it allows for intricate patterns and separation of colour with the vitreous enamel.
In the back there are baby lizards curled up in the hollows of the egg shapes made when metal forming. Both the lizards and the claw catch are hand carved from wax and cast in silver. I enjoy adding little surprises and details to the backs of pieces as something special for the wearer.
In the back there are baby lizards curled up in the hollows of the egg shapes made when metal forming. Both the lizards and the claw catch are hand carved from wax and cast in silver. I enjoy adding little surprises and details to the backs of pieces as something special for the wearer.
Microscopic Geometric Brooches
These enamel brooches originally took inspiration from cells and micro-organisms under the microscope. During research I found organic shapes but also structures and patterns within the organisms. I have taken a repeat pattern and transferred it onto an organic shape to create a juxtaposition between the two. Contrasting colours are used to make the pieces pop.
The pattern is made with cloisonné wire, each piece of wire is painstakingly cut, folded and placed onto the piece then filled with enamel and smoothed off with a carbarundum stone. This process can take up to six layers of enamel to reach the desired affect.
The pattern is made with cloisonné wire, each piece of wire is painstakingly cut, folded and placed onto the piece then filled with enamel and smoothed off with a carbarundum stone. This process can take up to six layers of enamel to reach the desired affect.