Hello, I’m Kathleen and I design and create jewellery from my workshop located in Plymouth, Devon.
I have always had a keen interest in making jewellery which started as a hobby many years ago and provided peaceful distraction from work. I regularly made pieces as gifts for friends and family or just for the pure enjoyment of creating something. I knew that one day I would want to take this further and so on retirement I decided to take the plunge and enrolled on a degree course in 3D Design Crafts at Arts University Plymouth. I graduated in 2022 with a first class honours degree.
My work draws inspiration from shapes and forms within architecture and the interconnecting nature of construction. I convey these forms into bold statement pieces. This approach means my work can convey a brutalist appearance, with heavy geometric lines and forms, adapted to compliment the shape and contours of the body. I create jewellery that creates joy, interest and interaction when worn and is designed for longevity. I utilise recycled metals where possible, including silver and gold, however I also use brass and copper.
I use traditional jewellery making methods in my work but I am also keen to embrace new technologies such as CAD (computer aided design) to enhance the quality of my creative ideas.
As a maker I am conscious of the impact creating can have on the environment, in order to be as green as possible, I create my work from recycled precious metal obtained from a reputable supplier, these precious metals are equal in quality to unrecycled metals, have a positive impact on the environment and helps you and me to make considered sustainable choices when it comes to choosing handmade goods. Further to this I also utilise any waste that I have from making and recycle this into sheet metal and wire to further use in my designs.
I continually strive to reduce my environmental impact and try to think of new ways to achieve this. I make in small batches only, very rarely hold stock and make designs on request.
Keepers Collection
My debut collection titled Keepers evolved during my final year at Arts University Plymouth. The design emerged following a visit to Plymouth Hoe in response to a live brief set by The Box, Plymouth. During the visit I was immediately drawn to the structure of the iconic Smeaton’s Tower.
The tower stood as a lighthouse for 120 years on Eddystone rocks some 14 miles off the Plymouth coast. When the rocks under its foundation began to erode, the lighthouse was removed and reconstructed on Plymouth Hoe as a memorial to its designer, the pioneering civil engineer John Smeaton.
Research of the building blocks used by John Smeaton, which are obscured from the view of the casual observer, became my inspiration. I took enjoyment from the way they fit together to provide this solid structure. I constructed and deconstructed the shape of the blocks many times experimenting with how I could create jewellery from them and how these shapes could be worn about the body. Eventually I manipulated the shapes which evolved into the Keepers collection you see today.
Just like the solid and dependable nature of a lighthouse, my aim is to create jewellery that lasts and never falls out of favour. I hope you love the collection as much as I enjoy creating it.
Dunstan Collection
I am always on the lookout for sources of inspiration within architecture.
My partner and I along with our Collie dog, holiday frequently in Northumberland and enjoy coastal walks along the beautiful and windswept coastline. One particular walk takes in the view of Dunstanburgh Castle. The history surrounding the castle is fascinating having been constructed during the 14th century by Thomas, Earl of Lancaster. The castle played an important role during the War of the Roses, later falling into disrepair. Although now a beautiful ruin you cannot help but wonder when looking at this imposing structure the history of what went before. It is a sight that always certainly stops me in my tracks and has also inspired artists such as JMW Turner.
I enjoy the beauty of the shapes left behind in the ruins, eroded by time and weather and have used the visual characteristics of the ruins to inspire the designs.
Everytime I visit the ruins I see something new which continues to inform new designs.
AWARDS
MEMBERSHIPS
Association for Contemporary Jewellery - Student Award Winner 2022