I have always loved silver jewellery and I started making it for myself (just a wee hobby!) following a series of evening classes. In no time, I was hooked and the 'hobby' soon became so much more, and in 2018 I became Unique Keepers! I’ve since attended a number of courses and classes, with a lot of learning from my mistakes along the way!
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I've recently changed my lifestyle to become fully mobile, and now travel, live and work in a van. Everything is handmade from my (now considerably smaller!) workbench, so my jewellery is proudly made in Scotland .... but not necessarily always in the same place!
Size isn't everything when it comes to a jewellery bench!
​My designs are all things that I personally would ( and indeed do!) wear. I find it very hard to design things I don't like.... for example if you like skulls or darker motifs, I'm sorry, I just can't! I often take my inspirations from the forms and shapes in nature, although ideas can come from anywhere! I can’t seem to get enough of hearts. Heart earrings were one of the first things I made and it is a shape I have returned to many times. I love the simple design, shape and symbolism which means so much to many, in different ways. I find it a positive and aesthetically pleasing shape and love playing around with it.
​I enjoy making jewellery you can wear every day - simple designs and classic shapes. I particularly like jewellery to be meaningful and something that can evoke a memory or mean something to the wearer. Much of my jewellery comes with a 'Story Card' to share some of the inspirations around the design. I believe jewellery should be easy to wear and if it is tactile or has some movement or even sound, all the better!
For me, jewellery is made to be worn and should be a ‘keeper’ – something you return to again and again. The unique part comes from everything being handmade – nothing I make will ever be identical and although there are similar designs, there will always be something to make each piece uniquely handcrafted.
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A bit more about my jewellery making story....
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​​Much of my jewellery is formed from solid silver although some pieces have been produced though the process of lost wax casting. This is an ancient method of jewellery making and some of my pieces (e.g. seagull, oysters) were carved in wax then cast in silver. This is a long but enjoyable and rewarding process and allows me to construct more elaborate pieces.
Other than silver, I occasionally use gemstones to enhance or personalise pieces. Sometimes other stones catch my eye and I have enjoyed sourcing local stones to Scotland. I love pearls and primarily use these in the oysters but they sometimes appear in other designs. More recently I have been making use of the years (or decades!) of sea treasures I have collected to create unique glass or pottery pendants. I love that a walk on the beach is part of my job!
A bench with an everchanging view is the best part of working in the van!