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The Art of Jewellery

Blog, IJL Inspired, IJL Inspired, Interviews

The Art of Jewellery

John Moore, winner of two IJL-supported Goldsmith Company Gold Awards, showcased as jeweller of the fair at IJL 2019. John was selected for this accolade due to the complexity and engineering dexterity of his creative jewellery couture. John is universally ... Read More
Trend Talk: Statement Earrings

Trends

Trend Talk: Statement Earrings

The bigger, the better. The more, the merrier. Two phrases that might come to mind when looking at the earrings that came storming down the catwalks this Autumn Winter. Just in time for party season, a strong earring game can ... Read More
The Art of Jewellery

Blog, IJL Inspired, IJL Inspired, Interviews

The Art of Jewellery

John Moore, winner of two IJL-supported Goldsmith Company Gold Awards, showcased as jeweller of the fair at IJL 2019. John was selected for this accolade due to the complexity and engineering dexterity of his creative jewellery couture. John is universally ... Read More
Trend Talk: Statement Earrings

Trends

Trend Talk: Statement Earrings

The bigger, the better. The more, the merrier. Two phrases that might come to mind when looking at the earrings that came storming down the catwalks this Autumn Winter. Just in time for party season, a strong earring game can ... Read More

Blog, Interviews

IJL Exhibitor Success Stories: Mark Milton

by IJL •

International Jewellery London is an integral event for those in the jewellery trade. Going strong for 65 years, IJL has an established community of traders and buyers. Whether you’re an emerging designer or an established brand, our new venue at Alexandra Palace provides the perfect home to be inspired, discover trends and network – unlocking the doors to the worldwide jewellery industry.

IJL exhibitor Mark Milton is well-established, having been a jewellery creator for over three decades, and his collections both reflect and celebrate his experience. Every piece is cleverly designed with an in-depth attention to detail. We spoke to Mark to find out more about his business and experience of exhibiting at IJL.

Give us a little bit of background about your business; what is the focus and where does your biggest inspiration come from?

Our expertise and focus lies in fine jewellery distribution and in the design and manufacture of gold jewellery. We have lots of experience and lots of friends, great customers and top-notch suppliers from all over the world as I suppose you might expect for a business that was founded in Hatton Garden in 1947 and has stayed in the family since then. We take inspiration from all of these friends to produce and offer extensive yet carefully curated ranges, usually from stock, of beautiful affordable designs produced in precious stones and metals to very high standards of finish and quality.

What is your main challenge and what are you doing to overcome it?

Our main challenge is to remain relevant to the market when the spend that was available for commercial fine jewellery is shrinking because of competing products in other mid-market and luxury fields. We are also competing against alternative lower cost materials since gold has risen so much in price to become more exclusive. To overcome this, we are doing our best to spoil our customers for choice and to make selling gold jewellery as easy as it possibly can be for our customers by providing them every assistance and exemplary service.

As a business, what is your main ambition now, your next objective?

Our main ambition and next objective are one and the same – keep gold jewellery at the centre of our existing customers’ thoughts (and windows) – and maybe add or welcome back a few more customers with the same ambition and objective.

You’ve exhibited at IJL before – what are the benefits you’ve experienced and reasons for coming back?

Main benefits: taking some Christmas orders (our season is short and we have a lot of customers in a large area to get round in this time) and signing up new customers.

Would you share some of the results and outcomes from attending IJL last time?

We managed both of the above last time – though less than in some previous years – we were happy. Usually when we sign up a new customer, they tend to come back for more in later years – this was the case with last year too.

What nugget of advice would you give to a company thinking about exhibiting at IJL for the first time?

Don’t expect too much, or any written business, the first time. Talk to as many different people as possible in an open and positive way, you never know where that business is going to come from!

Want to know more? Come and meet Mark Milton at IJL this September.

Blog, Press Releases

IJL Launch Revitalised KickStart 2020 Initiative

by IJL •

Applications are now open online for the eleventh annual IJL KickStart competition. Emerging UK based jewellery designers, who have been trading for more than 12 months, are invited to pitch for a place on this much lauded career-boosting mentorship programme.

The winning ten designers will benefit from extended industry mentoring, including support from the Goldsmiths’ Centre, branding and marketing advice, invaluable introductions, industry-wide publicity, the opportunity to showcase their collections on the KickStart stand at IJL 2020. In addition, the chosen designers will receive a dedicated bursary from The Benevolent Society to assist with London accommodation and transport costs, in return for submitting a post-show report on how the scheme has enriched their careers. They will also be able to join The National Association of Jewellers (NAJ), if not already a designer craft member, with the joining fee waived.

The KickStart initiative is a key link in the IJL Journey, providing a unique path that guides jewellery design talent at all levels – from final year student to highly successful consumer-facing brands. Andy Ventris, IJL Show Director, explained: “Our KickStart programme is a very special launch pad for talented, ambitious jewellery designers. Just as IJL, the show at the heart of the  global jewellery industry, evolves year on year to meet the industry’s needs, these KickStarters will have the chance to similarly excel on their own IJL journey. To date over 90 contemporary designers have all kickstarted their careers this way. Well known jewellery designers such as Laura Parra, Cara Tonkin, Daisy Knights, Anna Loucah, Claire English, Imogen Belfield, Phoebe Sherwood and Kristjan Eyjolfsson, to name but a few, are on our rostra of previous winners and, as one, they all agree that this is a first class ticket! We look forward to meeting them all at IJL Alexandra Palace.”

NAJ Jewellery Industry Promotions Ambassador, Lindsey Straughton, added: “The KickStart programme has been revitalised this year with, in particular, additional mentoring. In the current economic environment, a scheme such as KickStart plays an increasingly vital role in helping talented up and coming designers make their mark within the industry. It opens so many doors and provides unique access to IJL’s trade-only audience across the jewellery sector who come to the show to discover the talent of the future.”

Ulrikke Vogt, one of the first KickStarters in 2009, commented: “KickStart helped me get a fast growth to my business. I got to know the market in a way I would have had to work very hard for without the KickStart platform.”

The KickStart class of 2019 included Aurelie Dellasanta of Aurelie Dellasanta Jewellery, Becca Macdonald of Becca Macdonald Studio, Bine Roth of Bine Roth Jewellery, Hannah Blackwood of Hannah Blackwood Jewellery, Lukas Grewenig of Lukas Grewenig Jewellery and Vanessa Pederzani of Heirloom Jewels.

Applications are now open online at www.jewellerylondon.com  and close on 1 May 2020. IJL 2020 takes place at Alexandra Palace, 13-15 September.

Interviews, Latest News

Sonia Cheadle Wins This Year’s IJL Award

by IJL •

The Goldsmiths’ Craftsmanship & Design Awards, also known as the Jewellery Oscars, took place last month. Celebrating excellence in technical and creative design, this annual ceremony, managed by the Goldsmiths’ Craft & Design Council (GC&DC), features both established and new designers.

IJL are special patrons to the awards and keen enthusiasts of supporting all from within the industry, as such we once again presented our own award as part of the ceremony.

This year’s IJL Award winner is Sonia Cheadle. Sonia has a reputation of combining traditional materials with contemporary techniques to create classic pieces that can be relished every day. Her award-winning piece, Carbon Cuff with Yellow Diamonds, perfectly depicts how her refined creations showcase her innovative talent.

As this year’s winner, Sonia is invited to exhibit her piece on the GC&DC stand at IJL in Alexandra Palace in September. We spoke to Sonia Cheadle to find out more about her work, inspirations and creative process.

Where does your inspiration come from?

I’m a huge fan of the Art Deco period, early Cartier and the glamor of the 1920’s.  Add to that a dash of urban topography, a passion for miniature engineering and viewing cityscapes at night, from a high.

When did you first know that you wanted to become a jeweller and run your own business?

I’m not sure whether it was luck or fate? During an Open Day visit to see the Ceramic’s Degree course at Loughborough University I found myself wandering… two doors down the corridor was a Studio that instantly drew me in. Weird shaped benches, a ‘tink-tink’ of tiny hammers, flames, heat, forges, the smell of burning and an excited buzz of creativity… I returned home and that evening declared, “I want to be a jeweller”.

What has been your biggest challenge and how did you overcome it? 

Affording to make my first collection for Goldsmiths Fair. A decision to work with diamond was not going to be cheap. I invented a ‘refundable sponsorship’ scheme and approached family and friends with the promise that any donation would be repaid when the ‘sponsored’ piece sold. The idea was a great success and enough money was raised to invest in materials required. Upon visiting a recommended diamond dealer, they enquired why I needed so many small round diamonds… “I’m putting together my first collection for Goldsmiths’ Fair” … pause… “Do you need a sponsor?” Thank you Backes & Strauss, for my first jewellery leg-up.

What has been the proudest moment of your jewellery career so far?

Carbon Cuff with Yellow Diamonds

Recognition at the GCDC awards, the Jewellery Oscars. A couple of years ago, after a nasty ski accident, in pain and on crutches, I attended the ceremony and was awarded Gold and the IJL Award for a series of brooches made the previous year. A second Gold and a second IJL Award was awarded this year, definitely defining moments, I am honoured and ridiculously proud to be classed amongst makers viewed to be at the top of their game.

What is your next ambition?

To explore and keep exploring, exciting new materials and the latest techniques. With a keen ambition to focus more on one-off ‘art’ works, as well as working closely with a select number of clients on exclusive, bespoke built jewellery; heirlooms of tomorrow.

You also run a small school dedicated to the design and creation of beautiful jewellery. Talk to us about the importance of nurturing home-grown talent?

It’s extremely important to nurture home-grown talent and for many years this area was overlooked by our trade. In the mid 2000’s I set up a small jewellery school from my Studio in Clerkenwell for this exact purpose, as I felt knowledge sharing and technical guidance was key to supporting makers and the industry. This ran successfully for 10 years, right up until I moved my Studio to Walthamstow. Upon departing Clerkenwell I offered my tutoring services to The Goldsmiths Centre, Britton Street, where I now run an intense two-day course, several times a year, on the techniques of ‘Mounting & Setting Stones’. Skills, bench tips, tricks and trade guarded secrets were kindly divulged and passed on to me by some of the trades finest, this cemented my early learning’s, if I can pass on an ounce of knowledge that assists a new maker then my job here is done.

What is the best piece of advice that you give your students?

“Stop trying to second-guess what people might like to buy… put that energy into designing and the things you create will sell”. A close mentor and successful Silversmith shared this little gem of advice at the start of my jewellery journey… boy she was right!

Which celebrity would you love to see wearing your jewellery?

Not a huge fan of celebrity or stardom and the roll it plays in today’s society… a little late to the party but I would have loved to have adorned Audrey Hepburn, the epitome of style, class and chic.

IJL is the UK’s leading jewellery trade event that proudly supports all members of this industry. Whether you’re just starting out or a little further down the road, IJL gives you a stand to shine.

Find out more about Sonia Cheadle here, or come and see her at IJL this September. You can also find her on social media @SoniaCheadleLDN

Blog, IJL Inspired, IJL Inspired, Interviews

The Art of Jewellery

by IJL • • 1 Comment

John Moore, winner of two IJL-supported Goldsmith Company Gold Awards, showcased as jeweller of the fair at IJL 2019. John was selected for this accolade due to the complexity and engineering dexterity of his creative jewellery couture. John is universally acknowledged as a highly skilled artisan and his work is displayed in art galleries around the world including The Mint Museum, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA, The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, Missouri, USA, Spencer Museum of Art, Lawrence, Kansas, USA and National Glass Centre, Sunderland, UK.

John’s work is highly prized by international collectors. Private collectors of his work include Tiqui Atencio, Tuan Lee, Olnick Spanu Collection, Lady Helen Hamlyn, Robert Hiller, Dr Sarah Siegler and Suzanne Sanders. We spoke to this inspirational designer to find out more about his work and creative processes.

As an artist, what inspired you to make wearable pieces?

It really goes back to my childhood. I was very happy doing performing arts and drama, so wearing costumes and creating a fantasy through things like masks that really influenced me. As a child I was fascinated by people’s rings as well, because I was at that height around adults. My mother also makes jewellery, so there are lots of influences.

Where do you draw your design inspiration from?

I really draw my inspiration from a variety of sources. Visually the natural world plays a big part, scales on fish, petals on flowers and beautiful mathematical forms like arcs and curves.  Scales on fish are so interesting because they are rigid but also allow for movement, a bit like armour. As a student I used to draw armoury a lot. My inspiration is really a melting pot of everything I’ve seen.

Do you see more crossover between creative practises like art and jewellery?

There is a lot of room for crossover. For me, jewellery is art. It may seem more functional and doesn’t attract as much critique as art and pure design objects, but there is a lot to explore in making jewellery. I also enjoy collaborating, be it with scientists or filmmakers.

Can you talk about the materials you use and why?

Compared to a lot of jewellery designers my approach is broad. I wasn’t traditionally trained, at first I studied design, so I got used to using different methods and materials. I work in aluminium and combine silicone rubber to allow movement in my pieces. I also love diamonds and precious metals, which can restrict you on scale, but the results can be really magical. I’ve even worked with wood and glass.  It’s all about finding the right materials to achieve the effect I want.

What’s your biggest challenge in producing your work?

My biggest challenge is overcoming my own doubt and fear of trying something. Once you realise that’s not real and only in your head and that you create these boundaries yourself, you find freedom. The physical problems, the ‘how’ in making something, can always be solved.

What piece of advice would you give young artists and designers?

I would say two things really. Firstly, be really careful about what advice you take. Just because something worked for someone else and they found success, doesn’t mean you need to follow the same route. What might suit them, may not suit you. Secondly, I would say, try things, work out what you want, what makes you tick, and follow your heart, even if it means going against the grain.

Find out more about John Moore Jewellery here: https://www.johnmoorejewellery.com/

Blog, Interviews

IJL Exhibitor Success Stories: Mark Milton

by IJL •

International Jewellery London is an integral event for those in the jewellery trade. Going strong for 65 years, IJL has an established community of traders and buyers. Whether you’re an emerging designer or an established brand, our new venue at Alexandra Palace provides the perfect home to be inspired, discover trends and network – unlocking the doors to the worldwide jewellery industry.

IJL exhibitor Mark Milton is well-established, having been a jewellery creator for over three decades, and his collections both reflect and celebrate his experience. Every piece is cleverly designed with an in-depth attention to detail. We spoke to Mark to find out more about his business and experience of exhibiting at IJL.

Give us a little bit of background about your business; what is the focus and where does your biggest inspiration come from?

Our expertise and focus lies in fine jewellery distribution and in the design and manufacture of gold jewellery. We have lots of experience and lots of friends, great customers and top-notch suppliers from all over the world as I suppose you might expect for a business that was founded in Hatton Garden in 1947 and has stayed in the family since then. We take inspiration from all of these friends to produce and offer extensive yet carefully curated ranges, usually from stock, of beautiful affordable designs produced in precious stones and metals to very high standards of finish and quality.

What is your main challenge and what are you doing to overcome it?

Our main challenge is to remain relevant to the market when the spend that was available for commercial fine jewellery is shrinking because of competing products in other mid-market and luxury fields. We are also competing against alternative lower cost materials since gold has risen so much in price to become more exclusive. To overcome this, we are doing our best to spoil our customers for choice and to make selling gold jewellery as easy as it possibly can be for our customers by providing them every assistance and exemplary service.

As a business, what is your main ambition now, your next objective?

Our main ambition and next objective are one and the same – keep gold jewellery at the centre of our existing customers’ thoughts (and windows) – and maybe add or welcome back a few more customers with the same ambition and objective.

You’ve exhibited at IJL before – what are the benefits you’ve experienced and reasons for coming back?

Main benefits: taking some Christmas orders (our season is short and we have a lot of customers in a large area to get round in this time) and signing up new customers.

Would you share some of the results and outcomes from attending IJL last time?

We managed both of the above last time – though less than in some previous years – we were happy. Usually when we sign up a new customer, they tend to come back for more in later years – this was the case with last year too.

What nugget of advice would you give to a company thinking about exhibiting at IJL for the first time?

Don’t expect too much, or any written business, the first time. Talk to as many different people as possible in an open and positive way, you never know where that business is going to come from!

Want to know more? Come and meet Mark Milton at IJL this September.

Blog, Press Releases

IJL Launch Revitalised KickStart 2020 Initiative

by IJL •

Applications are now open online for the eleventh annual IJL KickStart competition. Emerging UK based jewellery designers, who have been trading for more than 12 months, are invited to pitch for a place on this much lauded career-boosting mentorship programme.

The winning ten designers will benefit from extended industry mentoring, including support from the Goldsmiths’ Centre, branding and marketing advice, invaluable introductions, industry-wide publicity, the opportunity to showcase their collections on the KickStart stand at IJL 2020. In addition, the chosen designers will receive a dedicated bursary from The Benevolent Society to assist with London accommodation and transport costs, in return for submitting a post-show report on how the scheme has enriched their careers. They will also be able to join The National Association of Jewellers (NAJ), if not already a designer craft member, with the joining fee waived.

The KickStart initiative is a key link in the IJL Journey, providing a unique path that guides jewellery design talent at all levels – from final year student to highly successful consumer-facing brands. Andy Ventris, IJL Show Director, explained: “Our KickStart programme is a very special launch pad for talented, ambitious jewellery designers. Just as IJL, the show at the heart of the  global jewellery industry, evolves year on year to meet the industry’s needs, these KickStarters will have the chance to similarly excel on their own IJL journey. To date over 90 contemporary designers have all kickstarted their careers this way. Well known jewellery designers such as Laura Parra, Cara Tonkin, Daisy Knights, Anna Loucah, Claire English, Imogen Belfield, Phoebe Sherwood and Kristjan Eyjolfsson, to name but a few, are on our rostra of previous winners and, as one, they all agree that this is a first class ticket! We look forward to meeting them all at IJL Alexandra Palace.”

NAJ Jewellery Industry Promotions Ambassador, Lindsey Straughton, added: “The KickStart programme has been revitalised this year with, in particular, additional mentoring. In the current economic environment, a scheme such as KickStart plays an increasingly vital role in helping talented up and coming designers make their mark within the industry. It opens so many doors and provides unique access to IJL’s trade-only audience across the jewellery sector who come to the show to discover the talent of the future.”

Ulrikke Vogt, one of the first KickStarters in 2009, commented: “KickStart helped me get a fast growth to my business. I got to know the market in a way I would have had to work very hard for without the KickStart platform.”

The KickStart class of 2019 included Aurelie Dellasanta of Aurelie Dellasanta Jewellery, Becca Macdonald of Becca Macdonald Studio, Bine Roth of Bine Roth Jewellery, Hannah Blackwood of Hannah Blackwood Jewellery, Lukas Grewenig of Lukas Grewenig Jewellery and Vanessa Pederzani of Heirloom Jewels.

Applications are now open online at www.jewellerylondon.com  and close on 1 May 2020. IJL 2020 takes place at Alexandra Palace, 13-15 September.

Interviews, Latest News

Sonia Cheadle Wins This Year’s IJL Award

by IJL •

The Goldsmiths’ Craftsmanship & Design Awards, also known as the Jewellery Oscars, took place last month. Celebrating excellence in technical and creative design, this annual ceremony, managed by the Goldsmiths’ Craft & Design Council (GC&DC), features both established and new designers.

IJL are special patrons to the awards and keen enthusiasts of supporting all from within the industry, as such we once again presented our own award as part of the ceremony.

This year’s IJL Award winner is Sonia Cheadle. Sonia has a reputation of combining traditional materials with contemporary techniques to create classic pieces that can be relished every day. Her award-winning piece, Carbon Cuff with Yellow Diamonds, perfectly depicts how her refined creations showcase her innovative talent.

As this year’s winner, Sonia is invited to exhibit her piece on the GC&DC stand at IJL in Alexandra Palace in September. We spoke to Sonia Cheadle to find out more about her work, inspirations and creative process.

Where does your inspiration come from?

I’m a huge fan of the Art Deco period, early Cartier and the glamor of the 1920’s.  Add to that a dash of urban topography, a passion for miniature engineering and viewing cityscapes at night, from a high.

When did you first know that you wanted to become a jeweller and run your own business?

I’m not sure whether it was luck or fate? During an Open Day visit to see the Ceramic’s Degree course at Loughborough University I found myself wandering… two doors down the corridor was a Studio that instantly drew me in. Weird shaped benches, a ‘tink-tink’ of tiny hammers, flames, heat, forges, the smell of burning and an excited buzz of creativity… I returned home and that evening declared, “I want to be a jeweller”.

What has been your biggest challenge and how did you overcome it? 

Affording to make my first collection for Goldsmiths Fair. A decision to work with diamond was not going to be cheap. I invented a ‘refundable sponsorship’ scheme and approached family and friends with the promise that any donation would be repaid when the ‘sponsored’ piece sold. The idea was a great success and enough money was raised to invest in materials required. Upon visiting a recommended diamond dealer, they enquired why I needed so many small round diamonds… “I’m putting together my first collection for Goldsmiths’ Fair” … pause… “Do you need a sponsor?” Thank you Backes & Strauss, for my first jewellery leg-up.

What has been the proudest moment of your jewellery career so far?

Carbon Cuff with Yellow Diamonds

Recognition at the GCDC awards, the Jewellery Oscars. A couple of years ago, after a nasty ski accident, in pain and on crutches, I attended the ceremony and was awarded Gold and the IJL Award for a series of brooches made the previous year. A second Gold and a second IJL Award was awarded this year, definitely defining moments, I am honoured and ridiculously proud to be classed amongst makers viewed to be at the top of their game.

What is your next ambition?

To explore and keep exploring, exciting new materials and the latest techniques. With a keen ambition to focus more on one-off ‘art’ works, as well as working closely with a select number of clients on exclusive, bespoke built jewellery; heirlooms of tomorrow.

You also run a small school dedicated to the design and creation of beautiful jewellery. Talk to us about the importance of nurturing home-grown talent?

It’s extremely important to nurture home-grown talent and for many years this area was overlooked by our trade. In the mid 2000’s I set up a small jewellery school from my Studio in Clerkenwell for this exact purpose, as I felt knowledge sharing and technical guidance was key to supporting makers and the industry. This ran successfully for 10 years, right up until I moved my Studio to Walthamstow. Upon departing Clerkenwell I offered my tutoring services to The Goldsmiths Centre, Britton Street, where I now run an intense two-day course, several times a year, on the techniques of ‘Mounting & Setting Stones’. Skills, bench tips, tricks and trade guarded secrets were kindly divulged and passed on to me by some of the trades finest, this cemented my early learning’s, if I can pass on an ounce of knowledge that assists a new maker then my job here is done.

What is the best piece of advice that you give your students?

“Stop trying to second-guess what people might like to buy… put that energy into designing and the things you create will sell”. A close mentor and successful Silversmith shared this little gem of advice at the start of my jewellery journey… boy she was right!

Which celebrity would you love to see wearing your jewellery?

Not a huge fan of celebrity or stardom and the roll it plays in today’s society… a little late to the party but I would have loved to have adorned Audrey Hepburn, the epitome of style, class and chic.

IJL is the UK’s leading jewellery trade event that proudly supports all members of this industry. Whether you’re just starting out or a little further down the road, IJL gives you a stand to shine.

Find out more about Sonia Cheadle here, or come and see her at IJL this September. You can also find her on social media @SoniaCheadleLDN

Blog, IJL Inspired, IJL Inspired, Interviews

The Art of Jewellery

by IJL • • 1 Comment

John Moore, winner of two IJL-supported Goldsmith Company Gold Awards, showcased as jeweller of the fair at IJL 2019. John was selected for this accolade due to the complexity and engineering dexterity of his creative jewellery couture. John is universally acknowledged as a highly skilled artisan and his work is displayed in art galleries around the world including The Mint Museum, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA, The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, Missouri, USA, Spencer Museum of Art, Lawrence, Kansas, USA and National Glass Centre, Sunderland, UK.

John’s work is highly prized by international collectors. Private collectors of his work include Tiqui Atencio, Tuan Lee, Olnick Spanu Collection, Lady Helen Hamlyn, Robert Hiller, Dr Sarah Siegler and Suzanne Sanders. We spoke to this inspirational designer to find out more about his work and creative processes.

As an artist, what inspired you to make wearable pieces?

It really goes back to my childhood. I was very happy doing performing arts and drama, so wearing costumes and creating a fantasy through things like masks that really influenced me. As a child I was fascinated by people’s rings as well, because I was at that height around adults. My mother also makes jewellery, so there are lots of influences.

Where do you draw your design inspiration from?

I really draw my inspiration from a variety of sources. Visually the natural world plays a big part, scales on fish, petals on flowers and beautiful mathematical forms like arcs and curves.  Scales on fish are so interesting because they are rigid but also allow for movement, a bit like armour. As a student I used to draw armoury a lot. My inspiration is really a melting pot of everything I’ve seen.

Do you see more crossover between creative practises like art and jewellery?

There is a lot of room for crossover. For me, jewellery is art. It may seem more functional and doesn’t attract as much critique as art and pure design objects, but there is a lot to explore in making jewellery. I also enjoy collaborating, be it with scientists or filmmakers.

Can you talk about the materials you use and why?

Compared to a lot of jewellery designers my approach is broad. I wasn’t traditionally trained, at first I studied design, so I got used to using different methods and materials. I work in aluminium and combine silicone rubber to allow movement in my pieces. I also love diamonds and precious metals, which can restrict you on scale, but the results can be really magical. I’ve even worked with wood and glass.  It’s all about finding the right materials to achieve the effect I want.

What’s your biggest challenge in producing your work?

My biggest challenge is overcoming my own doubt and fear of trying something. Once you realise that’s not real and only in your head and that you create these boundaries yourself, you find freedom. The physical problems, the ‘how’ in making something, can always be solved.

What piece of advice would you give young artists and designers?

I would say two things really. Firstly, be really careful about what advice you take. Just because something worked for someone else and they found success, doesn’t mean you need to follow the same route. What might suit them, may not suit you. Secondly, I would say, try things, work out what you want, what makes you tick, and follow your heart, even if it means going against the grain.

Find out more about John Moore Jewellery here: https://www.johnmoorejewellery.com/