I admit that I have been very, very quiet over the past couple of months, and for that I can only sincerely apologise. I have no excuse other than it was really difficult to find any time for myself whilst my children were off school! But, September has rolled around and my children are back in school. (My youngest just started school for the first time, sniff, sniff!) And with September having hit, I’m very pleased to launch a brand new feature over on my YouTube channel – The Monthly Artisan Spotlight!
Monthly Artisan Spotlight – September 2021
Each month, I’m very proud to work with jewellery artisans from around the world, who specialise in making stunning, unique pieces of jewellery, and showcase their very best pieces of work.
For the very first Monthly Artisan Spotlight feature, I’m happy to share with you the work of three very talented jewellers: Black Mouse Creative, Pica Pica Silver and Dog Star Silver! Check out their work now! And don’t forget to subscribe to my channel so you don’t miss next month’s Monthly Artisan Spotlight!
Our first three jewellers are extremely talented and each has their own unique jewellery style. Find out a little more about each of them, below:
~ Black Mouse Creative ~
Liz says: “I worked in design for many, many years professionally and then started a business when my son was young selling wedding stationery and DIY stationery craft items. I closed that in 2014 and took a break. After a while though the creative urge restarted and I looked for something new, a challenge I hadn’t done before – that’s where a silversmithing course with friends came in. I loved it immediately. I use nature as my inspiration and whatever materials and techniques suit me best for each piece. I now work from my garden studio in Robin Hood country!”
If you love her jewellery, be sure to check out her Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/BlackMouseUK
~ Pica Pica Silver ~
Rachael says: “I love finding nature’s wonders and casting them, where I live in Wales we are fortunate to have forest, sea and mountains so I find my inspiration in what is around me but also it helps to have a slightly different mind to go hunting in. Most of my pieces are made from silver sometimes I have the joy of recycling silver and gold and love turning them into jewellery that has a new lease of life. Also some of the stones I use are recycled too, I like to think there is a story already in each piece before it has an adventure with a new friend.”
Check out more by Pica Pica Silver at: https://www.picapicasilver.co.uk
~ Dog Star Silver ~
Dog Star Silver is handmade in Belfast by Louisa McCartney. Always interested in art, design and jewellery making in particular, lockdown gave her the opportunity to experiment with silver clay.
She says: “I have always adored jewellery making, the great outdoors and the beauty of the place where I’m from, and I feel so lucky to be able to combine these three things. To make my pendants and earrings I use metal clay, magic stuff formed using tiny particles of reclaimed and recycled fine silver. I use the clay to pick up textures from moulds I make from leaves and shells and fabric and lace I collect. It’s an amazing process that has given me the freedom to let my imagination run wild and make jewellery featuring elements of the sky and nature we see around us every day. The entire process takes place in my kitchen, so it really is handmade from scratch, and each piece of jewellery is slightly different and completely unique to its owner.”
For more silver clay jewellery, be sure to check out Dog Star Silver’s website: https://www.dogstarsilver.com
Thanks for checking out my Monthly Artisan Spotlight Feature!
So that’s it for my first post after my summer break. I hope you enjoyed checking out some of these wonderful jewellers and their work! Now that the children are back at school, I’m back in the workshop and have a few posts and videos up my sleeves. Keep an eye out for my next instalment of the “Let’s Make Professional Jewelry” series, which will be a twisted ring (if you’ve been missing this series, then feel free to take a look at my most recent project from the book: Making Hoop Earrings – Let’s Make Professional Jewelry Journal). I’ve also got a bit of wire work jewellery on the way, as well as October’s Monthly Artisan Spotlight!
And if you’ve been missing me, I’ve just posted a short reel to my channel as I (finally!) got back to the workshop this week and started work on a commissioned ring.
Don’t miss out – hit subscribe (over on the right) to my newsletter to keep in touch!
