All items by Studio Eleven

Unique and bespoke wire wrapped jewellery from delicate treasures to show stoppers.

I discovered wire wrapping during the first Covid-19 lockdown back in 2020. Many of us used the down time to try out new things, making banana bread and learning to crochet were very popular. I came across a wire wrapping tutorial on YouTube and thought it looked really interesting. I’ve always been artistic and have worked with so many different materials, one of them being resin casting which came to play a part in my wire wrapping development. I am a photorealist portrait artist which takes many hours of focus and intricate work, I wanted to try something that would take less time but also still bring the viewer or recipient joy.

Along with a variety of semi-precious stones, I had also bought some blue coloured Howlite heart shaped stones and had the idea of making jewellery as gifts for Key Workers – all those who had to carry on working in the NHS and care and those keeping the country going whilst we were in lockdown. After posting pictures of these makes on social media I was contacted by the BBC and got a mention on The One Show. I donated the full proceeds of the sales to my local foodbank.

Tragedy struck in December 2020 when my youngest son, at just 20 years old, was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Life was put on hold for a while. He passed away a month before his 22nd birthday and it was wire wrapping that helped me navigate my grief. I busied myself with making and creating, just doing so I didn’t have to think, and from this time I made pieces inspired by my son, he was a musician. I began experimenting with my own design ideas and learning about stones and crystals, working on using design to best compliment the stones. I was then soon offered the opportunity to teach wire wrapping classes at The Bead Shop in Nottingham where I’ve met some really great people.

Using my craft to navigate through grief has enabled me to look into how stones and crystals can help with physical and mental health. The pieces I make with semi-precious stones are not just pieces of jewellery. I have found during the craft shows I take part in as a retailer that people are drawn to certain pieces, a conversation later reveals why. It gives me joy to help people with my work, albeit, in a small way. I believe my pieces should speak to a person, if you have an emotional connection to something it means so much more to me as the creator and I know that what came from my mind and heart and worked through my hands will forever be treasured.

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