I am a jeweller, making my own collections and working to commission. I rarely use gemstones for my own work, preferring to manipulate the precious metals to do extraordinary things and dazzle in their own shiny way. I sometimes oxidise silver to add depth, and each piece is unique. Knitting, weaving and crocheting in fine (pure) silver is something of a speciality of mine and I have certainly put in my 10,000 hours! My grandmother taught me to crochet when I was very small. An elegant woman, she also taught me the art of fine sewing and embroidery, showed me how she made hats and managed transform the mundane into something unique. In my teens I crocheted miniscule pieces using sewing thread and making all sorts of things for my appreciative family who would often say, ‘How did you make that?’.
Now many years on I often think how lucky I am to be still using these skills in precious metal, making pieces for other people to treasure and keep.