All jewellery listed here that says silver is sterling silver, I do not use silver plate at all. There will be elements of sterling silver in every design (except keyrings), some will be completely so, others may have combinations of copper, brass, bronze, glass, enamel, pewter, resin, upcycled biscuit tins and pre-decimal coins and/or semi-precious stones as well. Many of the designs are one-of-a-kind.
CLOSING FOR XMAS ON FRIDAY 13th DECEMBER when I will also stop NI postings altogether. RESUMING POSTINGS (except to NI,) on SATURDAY 28th DECEMBER

Sterling silver and copper jewellery - often quirky, always original

My life has come full circle and I love the way it's turned out for the end of my "career". I started out with art college but having been led to believe I was really something at school, when I got into the big league, I realised I wasn't that special, put my sensible head back on and went back to my original idea - getting a degree and working as a Librarian in Local Government for many years. I loved running the housebound library service but when my back gave in after too many book-wielding, van-with-no-power-steering years, I went on to working for Age Concern, again with elderly and disabled people.
Then I made a wrong move and went back into libraries but in a Chemical corporation - I so hated it! So then I moved back into the charity sector to organise information in a disability helpline, where I gradually reduced hours. At that time, I also started a silversmithing course, the best decision in years, it was like a duck to water and I loved every minute of it. I still go on lots of courses to brush up or learn new techniques with different materials, so I have added enamelling, silver clay, anodising aluminium and pewter etching and casting to my repertoire along the way.
I progressed from working from the back of the dark and dingy garage, to a rebuilt conservatory, made to my specifications so that the glass and the walls are where I want them and painted yellow so it always feels bright and cheerful even when it's miserable outside.
When the jewellery bookings became too much to handle with working part-time as well, I gave it all up and now concentrate solely on the jewellery, ably assisted by my now retired husband Mike (my donkey at the craft fairs as I still can't lift; as well as my studio technician, very handy to have an ex-engineer!) and my inspiration, my toy poodle Zuzu.
I'm based in Ashton-in-Makerfield which is a very convenient little town. It's officially Greater Manchester, in the old county of Lancashire (which we always use on our address) and very near the intersection of the M6 and the East Lancs Road, basically where Cheshire and Merseyside also meet. Very convenient for my frequent visits to local craft fairs, covering all 4 counties.

Finally, about my work. Sterling silver is always the basis (never silver plate) though often in combination with copper, brass, pewter, dichroic glass, as well as upcycled pre-decimal coins and biscuit tins. All work in sterling silver weighing over 7.78g is hallmarked (as legally required) at the Edinburgh Assay Office with the lovely little castle symbol. Also, some of the more intricate/expensive designs that are under this weight will also have the hallmark but otherwise, to keep the costs down, I do not send for hallmark when it is not required by law. Those that have the hallmarked will be noted as this in my descriptions: if this is not mentioned, they are not hallmarked but please be assured, they ARE sterling silver.

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