Rings

16th January – 25th June 2016

 

Every year we select jewellers to display with us whose rings offer a unique alternative to what you might find out on the high street.  Stunning engagement and wedding rings, rings to mark special occasions or just a ring to wear every day; there’s something for everyone to enjoy. 

 

Mark Veevers

Mark's work is all designed and hand made in his small studio in Sheffield.  Mark makes jewellery which is designed to appeal to both men and women.  His jewellery is made using a combination of media, chiefly silver, gold, ceramics and mild steel.  Mark includes 18ct gold, diamonds and vitreous enamels to create detail and pattern.  His work is inspired by two main strands of influence, which are abstract symbols such as road markings, coupled with his interest in the reactions of 3D media to applied processes.  I utilise these material reactions in combination with abstract symbols and the patterns they offer to create jewellery and other forms of design work which are sophisticated, refined and well made. 

 

Emily Thatcher

Emily's work is informed by electron microscope images of the world around us.  Fascinated by the asymmetry and organic flow observed here, she translates these forms and textures into sculptural, wearable art objects.  The work is handcrafted, the metal forged to create tapering, smooth lines.  The weight of the metal and asymmetry of design are exploited to create perfect balance.  Contrast is highlighted by the rigidity of solid metal flowing seamlessly into the fluidity of handmade chain, creating bold neckpieces that flow with the lines of the body.  Emily selects gemstones for their unique beauty, natural inclusions and rich colour.  She creates bespoke settings that enhance all aspects of each stone used in rings, earrings & neckpieces.  She trained at Sir John Cass College London, graduating with a BA Hons Silversmithing, Jewellery & Allied Crafts.

 

Ruth Wood

Ruth Wood graduated in June 2006 from the School of Jewellery in Birmingham after studying a degree in Jewellery Design and Silversmithing.  Afterwards she was accepted to Bishopsland, a one year stepping stone for Jewellery and Silversmithing graduates to begin working for themselves as designer makers sharing a workshop in South Oxfordshire.  After many years of making from her studio with her cocker spaniel Ruby for company, in March 2014 Ruth decided to set up Ada her very own boutique style gallery in Market Harborough, Leicestershire.  Ruth’s work is inspired by ancient artefacts and treasures, irregular form and the erosion and texture of materials, such as rock formations within caves.  In her Cave collection she creates timeless contemporary jewellery combining irregular abstract metal forms with unique one off stone set pieces that look almost as if they have been pulled from the ground, creating your very own stone set treasure.  The collection is made from silver, gilt and 18ct gold with gemstones and diamonds.

 

Anna K Baldwin

Anna works mainly in silver, gold, and semi-precious stones, and she loves creating beautiful, contemporary, wearable pieces.  Her designs have an organic, tactile feel, often incorporating hammering and shaping techniques to create a sense of movement.  Anna gains inspiration from many different sources including light, texture, and natural and fluid forms.  She often  'road-test' all my designs myself, so that she can be sure others will enjoy wearing them too.  Based in Buckinghamshire, she started doing silversmithing at college evening classes - initially just as a recreational activity, then setting up her own tiny workshop and developing her own collections.

 

Rachel Jones

Rachel graduated from Middlesex University on their world-renowned Jewellery course before completing a Post-Graduate year at Bishopsland Educational Trust situated just outside of Reading.  She has a wealth of jewellery experience and has worked for notable jewellers Ruth Tomlinson and Lin Cheung; designer of the 2012 Paralympic Medals.  Inspired by repetitive patterns, architecture and her love of making, Rachel’s work encapsulates both organic and geometric forms.  Her latest collection called ‘Speckle’ uses traditional jewellery techniques including granulation, scoring and folding.  Hand fabricated square wire is formed to create frames or rings, while ‘speckles’ are fused together to create random and fluid forms.  Specks of gold are used with silver to create a bold contrast. 

 

Amy Keeper

Having undertaken the City & Guilds Certificate and Diploma, Amy graduated from London Metropolitan University in June 2007.  Amy’s Spyglass range is inspired by a fascination with the Victorian scientific instruments seen in the Enlightenment Room at the British Museum and a spyglass from a children's story.  The pieces are all sterling silver which has been 18K gold and black rhodium plated and set with semi-precious stones.  Some of these pieces have elements of movement to spark the imagination. 

 

Barbara Bertagnolli

The London based Italian designer Barbara Bertagnolli draws inspiration for her one-off pieces from the colours, unusual cuts and shapes of the gemstones she selects.  Working directly without drawings she has her own distinctive technique combining silver and applied 24 carat gold with influences from the Medieval period, the Vienna Secession and contemporary abstract forms.

 

Jennie Gill

Jennie has been designing and making jewellery in precious metals and stones since 1991.  Jennie’s work explores the connection between our structured world and the random chaos of nature.  Most of her pieces are one-off , designed and created at the bench, an instant reaction to found objects and materials translated into cast metals.  The work is cast in silver, gold and iron and set with diamonds, semi-precious stones, enamels and gold leaf.  Each gold and diamond ring is a unique, one off item, designed around hand-picked and hand cut individual stones.  All the diamonds used are ethically mined and cut.  Along with new stones she also upcycles old stones, family jewellery and antique diamonds.

 

Cindy Ashbridge

Handmade at Cindy’s garden studio in Cornwall, The Potting Shed, this distinctive collection of contemporary jewellery has evolved from things Cindy likes.  Big, chunky rock crystals are combined with silver and gold, which has been delicately pierced with simple, repetitive shapes.

“I use a variety of chunky quartz and semi-precious gemstones, all carefully selected for their translucent qualities, to reveal the designs hidden beneath.  The stones magnify the patterns on the silver, giving it a new dimension.  The patterns are influenced by nature, ethnic symbols, and primitive jewellery designs.  Although the overall look is bold and eye-catching, the patterns bring a delicate and earthy quality to the pieces."