I love working with precious metals, particularly high carat gold, its malleability, the lovely colour, the subtle textures that can be achieved. The surface of the metal is hammered and sometimes impressed with watercolour paper or fine textiles and is hand-finished.
I keep a sketchbook and draw things I have seen on my frequent visits to museums especially the British Museum and recently the Metropolitan in New York and Villa Giulia in Rome; then I work straight with the materials, intuitively, and allow serendipity to take over. Influenced by the simplicity and strength of some tribal artifacts, I make large hollow forms - bangles, neckpieces and earrings in silver with fused high carat gold decoration.I want to achieve strong, sculptural shapes whilst making the pieces comfortable to wear. As an adjunct to the large pieces I make delicate chains, rings, earrings and brooches incorporating cabochon stones and beads including opal, pearl, tourmaline and unpolished topaz.
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