My work is usually designed by allowing a conversation between concept, material and abstract expression, which usually comes in the form of drawings. So whichever I start with, the creative process comes from going back and forth between them all.

To be given a piece from another jewellers through the Addition Project is an interesting way of starting. The pieces that are given are not in your style and ability, and can be at very different levels of finish, ranging from a complete test piece to a test sample. Each piece may use ideas and materials you have never thought of using in a way that seems almost alien. And now it is in your hands and you have a decision to make about the next step you’re going to take. Whether it is a mixing their and my style or continuing down their almost alien path and create something new, or to include both, making a hybrid creation.

With the piece of work in the first round I manipulated and incorporated some of my own stainless steel elements creating something quite different from the original. The second round took me away from my own style of work, and challenged me to look at how to manipulate it without incorporating my own work, it was a piece that seemed like it didn’t want to have any wire box frames added.

Photos of Round 2 will be coming soon…