Why I am in love with working in Silver
What are the things you most love to have in your hands? Well you wouldn’t think that acid and metal would inspire such love, but for me they are magic!
I started out as a painter/printmaker at Art School. The Print Studio specialised in Etching (which uses metal and acid) and Lithography. I just loved working with metal and acid and still work in print.
For my 21st Birthday my parents wanted to commission a special bracelet for me. The choice of artist was between an amazing lady silver and goldsmith and Louis Osman who was responsible for the design of the crown for the then Prince of Wales, now King Charles III. Louis Osman just picked up the phone and we went to see him.
I was blown away when I entered his studio and saw a necklace that resembled seaweed casually draped around a plaster bust. Louis took the time to explain the creative and skills processes involved in the necklace before we discussed my commission. It was obvious how much he was enthralled by his subject.
Throughout the design and making of my bracelet I was kept informed of progress. I was thrilled with the end result which, for him, must have been a very small commission. From then on I was totally fascinated by th artist/craftsman/artisan approach – as ifI hadn’t been before.
Very recently the “seaweed” necklace together with its’ companion pieces, earrings, brooch, ring and bracelet nestling in a custom made wooden case carved from wood from the Canons Ashby estate was sold for £40,000.
Years later I tried to approach the lady jeweller to commission a companion for my birthday bracelet, but again no reply, so I decided to make one myself. I got well and truly hooked! This has led to some wonderful adventures in silversmithing.There is always something new to learn and you are never bored with the way the metal behaves.
I love it!
