A bit about me and how I work...

I trained at Brighton University where I followed a 3d design course in mixed media setting up my own workshop in 1982 when I graduated. Since then I have continuously sold to shops and galleries in many countries.

I work with clear acrylic which is shaped and bent using grinders, saw cuts and polishing grits to achieve the basic shapes. Then through a many layered process I use transparent coloured lacquers combined with almost pure gold leaf to create the vibrant effects, which are then “viewed” through the acrylic layer. The clear acrylic enhances the jewel like quality of the combination of lacquers and gold leaf by focusing the light into the acrylic and bouncing it off from the now coloured gold layer. Layers of resin and metal help to protect the decorative layers, and much polishing and finishing achieves the final look. It is a very labour intensive process which I have developed over many years.

I have always thought that jewellery design is a dialogue that involves what the wearer wants to say about themselves as much as what the designer/maker is saying about the function of jewellery. I like to work with non precious materials so that the consideration is of the artistic merit not the intrinsic value of a piece. I get inspiration from all kinds of sources - I draw outside from the fantastic landscapes on my doorstep, I’m constantly intrigued by plants and creatures in my garden, I love rummaging through a bric a brac shop for whatever serendipity puts in my way, museum and gallery collections are treasure troves of ideas, I’m always looking and finding things of interest - about 0.1% end up in a finished piece of work!
My aim is to create wearable pieces of art within the confines of the field of jewellery- my hope is that they bring pleasure to the people who wear them.