Workmanship & Materials
Workmanship
I pride myself on creating beautiful, original and wearable jewellery; I have developed my skills as a wire-worker and jewellery designer over a number of years and am able to create secure, durable jewellery with an excellent finish. I use the simplest of tools to create my designs and steer clear of machines, gadgets and jigs that are intended to hasten the speed of production as I find they create clone like jewellery with less charm and character. Because I work in this way, you can be sure that every piece of jewellery I produce will be finished to a high standard and completely unique.
Wire
The main basis for my jewellery is wire, it allows me to create sculptural and unique jewellery that is easy to wear and provokes admiration and intrigue. I use copper base wire, this can be natural (Copper in colour) or plated with a gold or silver finish.
Copper has many properties that make it perfect for working with but it also has beneficial properties to its wearers:
(A few of the many examples)
Beads and embellishments
I am a bit of a magpie, so I tend to pick up interesting beads and embellishments whereever I go, often they are bought from a range of reliable suppliers where I can acquire them again and again but occasionally they are recycled from second hand and vintage jewellery and therefore are gone when they are gone! This adds I feel to the uniqueness of a piece and you can be sure that you will not see anyone else wearing the same as you.
Semi precious stones and Genuine Gemstones
I like to use genuine Gemstones as aside from being organic and beautiful they also have many properties or are symbolic for zodiac signs, birth months, anniversaries, occasions and sentiments, some believe in their healing properties or their ability to channel or promote the flow of energy. A list of these meanings is available for reference or to help you decide on a personalised and meaningful design.
Findings, Clasps, chains etc.
All findings, clasps, chains, ear wires, links etc are new and bought from reputable jewellery making suppliers. They are all hypo-allergenic, e-coated, non tarnish and nickel free. I generally use plated (gold or silver) accessories however I can take orders for sterling silver findings where necessary, these pieces will be priced accordingly and individually.
Caring for your jewellery
It is important to remember that plated items worn constantly will wear to reveal copper. This can be delayed or prevented by remembering to remove jewellery prior to bathing, washing up, gardening etc. You should clean your jewellery regularly with a jewellery cloth or a damp cloth to prevent oxidisation and oily residue from skin. You can prevent or delay tarnishing of silver and copper by placing it in an airtight (zip-lock) bag when not in use.
Pearls, coral, opal in particular are very porous and should not be exposed to/submerged in water.
You should avoid spraying perfume/hairspray etc onto jewellery and gemstones, this is particularly important with porous stones as mentioned before.
Workmanship
I pride myself on creating beautiful, original and wearable jewellery; I have developed my skills as a wire-worker and jewellery designer over a number of years and am able to create secure, durable jewellery with an excellent finish. I use the simplest of tools to create my designs and steer clear of machines, gadgets and jigs that are intended to hasten the speed of production as I find they create clone like jewellery with less charm and character. Because I work in this way, you can be sure that every piece of jewellery I produce will be finished to a high standard and completely unique.
Wire
The main basis for my jewellery is wire, it allows me to create sculptural and unique jewellery that is easy to wear and provokes admiration and intrigue. I use copper base wire, this can be natural (Copper in colour) or plated with a gold or silver finish.
Copper has many properties that make it perfect for working with but it also has beneficial properties to its wearers:
- Aides the absorption of iron and zinc, boosting the immune system
- Reduces inflammation (particularly useful for arthritis sufferers)
- Vital to the production of collagen in the body helping to preserve or improve skin elasticity and also promotes bone formation and repair
- Has antiseptic properties believed to aid the healing of wounds and infections.
(A few of the many examples)
Beads and embellishments
I am a bit of a magpie, so I tend to pick up interesting beads and embellishments whereever I go, often they are bought from a range of reliable suppliers where I can acquire them again and again but occasionally they are recycled from second hand and vintage jewellery and therefore are gone when they are gone! This adds I feel to the uniqueness of a piece and you can be sure that you will not see anyone else wearing the same as you.
Semi precious stones and Genuine Gemstones
I like to use genuine Gemstones as aside from being organic and beautiful they also have many properties or are symbolic for zodiac signs, birth months, anniversaries, occasions and sentiments, some believe in their healing properties or their ability to channel or promote the flow of energy. A list of these meanings is available for reference or to help you decide on a personalised and meaningful design.
Findings, Clasps, chains etc.
All findings, clasps, chains, ear wires, links etc are new and bought from reputable jewellery making suppliers. They are all hypo-allergenic, e-coated, non tarnish and nickel free. I generally use plated (gold or silver) accessories however I can take orders for sterling silver findings where necessary, these pieces will be priced accordingly and individually.
Caring for your jewellery
It is important to remember that plated items worn constantly will wear to reveal copper. This can be delayed or prevented by remembering to remove jewellery prior to bathing, washing up, gardening etc. You should clean your jewellery regularly with a jewellery cloth or a damp cloth to prevent oxidisation and oily residue from skin. You can prevent or delay tarnishing of silver and copper by placing it in an airtight (zip-lock) bag when not in use.
Pearls, coral, opal in particular are very porous and should not be exposed to/submerged in water.
You should avoid spraying perfume/hairspray etc onto jewellery and gemstones, this is particularly important with porous stones as mentioned before.