» Listings for 2015

1. Bespoke Jewellery - The stages of how we made this bespoke fox pendant

   Posted on 10:30am Tuesday 14th Jul 2015

   A Bespoke Fox Pendant

   We had a couple of weeks to make a bespoke fox pendant for a customer, below is his very impressive sketch that we worked from.

   The front view was fine but the customers technical drawing of the side profile wasn't correct and match the from vie so we had to fine tune it. To make the fox we decided to work in wax, because it's softer and easier to carve than metal and keeps the cost down for the customer. When faced with a block of wax it is much like a blank canvas, you have to map out perspective lines and mark where you need to take away the wax.

   Below you can see the marked lines where we started to sculpt the head, trying to keep it perfectly even and symmetrical on each side is very tricky when creating geometric designs like this one. It is essential to take a little piece away at a time to slowly see how it will look in 3D.

   After the initial form is made it becomes easier to see how the fox is going to look, we now start to even up all the edges and sharpen them up so that they are clear, precise and geometric, even a line that is a tiny bit curved is very noticeable when the fox is made into metal. When creating a piece of jewellery in wax you have to completely finish it how you would in metal because any dust, scratches or holes will be even more difficult to get out in silver. Now the fox head has been carved it is time to get it cast.

   Once the fox had been made into silver we cleaned and polished it up, and took it to the platers where they added a layer of 18ct rose gold vermeil, we then added a diamond cut geometric chain to finish it off. We think he is fab and would love to make some different geometric animal heads.

   For more inspiration take a look at our bespoke jewellery page...

    

2. New Designers 2015

   Posted on 9:35am Tuesday 30th Jun 2015

   After quickly shutting the shop we hurried over to Islington Design Centre to join in the fun at 'New Designers' an annual exhibition of recently graduated students. We could of stayed all day looking through everyone’s work however with only a few hours we went straight to the 'One Year On' and Jewellery department to check out this years new emerging jewellery designers. We were overwhelmed at the quality of work and the enthusiasm of the designers, here are a just a few designers we met on our way around the exhibition.

   Julia Toledo is a Brazilian designer and uses the most beautiful Brazilian gemstones, she co ordinates the colours with the woven silk so that each piece works in harmony together.

   Ieva Mikutaite won awards for her degree collection, Made by assembling lots of tiny rivets which allow each piece to move and expand to create completely new shapes that can be worn in different ways. This is a completely new and innovative way of making kinetic jewellery fun and wearable and the designing and work that went into each piece is hugely apparent.

   Flora Bhattachary's work uses carved gems in rich colours and textured precious metals, Flora's designs have a unique style. Each design is hand crafted and carved in the UK combining traditional fine jewellery techniques with modern technology.

   And here are some of the moments from the event......

   By Emily Bardsley Barnett

   Everybody engrossed in finding out more about the work.

   Creepy crawlies come to life... by Beatrice Wall

   Time to head to the pub for another drink to end the evening....

    

3. Graduates In The Spotlight, Time To Vote....

   Posted on 11:53am Friday 1st May 2015

   Here are the finalists - scroll down to view them all and vote...

   Hazel Rose - Tradition with a Twist

   "My main inspiration is from the natural world as I grew up on a remote West Coast Scottish Island. Since moving to England to study, the urban landscape has inspired me. This has been an exciting change and is reflected in my current designs."

   Ruth Conway - Threads

   "My graduate collection was inspired by my travels to Tanzania and the vibrant textiles, colours and patterns I experienced whilst there. ‘Threads’ explores and combines these visual qualities with my own aesthetic identity."

   Fera by Joanna Gordon

   "My work combines modern technology and traditional techniques and as well as being a registered Fairtrade Goldsmith, I work in recyled silver and use custom cut cow bone set like gemstones into the pieces."

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