Going back a bit

Enamelled jewellery has seen a resurgence in the last 10 years and is becoming increasingly popular in Art Schools, particularly the use of experimental techniques or techniques that challenge or change traditional methods - more of this later.

I have always been drawn to enamelling
but found it so unpredictable and problematic that I didn't use it regularly. It can be a very frustrating technique. However this changed around 6 or 7 years ago when I came across Linda Darty's book The Art of Enamelling.
Linda's incredible knowledge and experience is so inspirational and the book encourages you to think creatively about enamelling techniques (a refreshing contrast to how I was taught).
And obviously the more you enamel, the more you learn. Enamelling however is like jewellery making in that you never stop learning, there is always something new to discover.

In 2007 I started experimenting with enamelling on curved, textured surfaces.
This hollow, press formed pendant was inspired by a Mermaids Purse, found on the shore in the North West Highlands.

Designed and made in 2010, this ring uses a variation of the Champleve enamelling technique. This piece was the starting point of my current range of work.

Another example of developing ideas of silver that has been textured, enamelled and rubbed back.