It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas…
Many feel that wearing jewellery should be confined to special occasions and belongs to the glamour of a bygone age. Happily many people now appreciate that a stylish and modern piece of jewellery be it a necklace, brooch, earrings, cufflinks or watch can lift the spirits to carry one through a working day. Widening the scope of craftsmanship in precious metals, a beautiful piece of silver, perhaps to display just a single flower on your dressing table or pour the forbidden cream onto your breakfast porridge, bring immense enjoyment. When better than Christmas to indulge your loved ones with an individual piece from a designer/craftsman (many girls rank highly!) rather than the treadmill of high street offerings? It reflects your taste and will be a constant reminder of a thoughtful gift.
If you buy direct from the designer/craftsman these items of desire are either unique (to your commission) or very limited editions, there is no middleman and so do not have to cost any more than many mass-produced items in the high street.
David McCaul – www.davidmccaul.com David’s exquisite rings really only come alive when they are worn and the fluidity and movement are highly original. Whilst each ring is easily wearable for the occasion it is designed for, it transcends the traditional format thus becoming a conversation piece. The ‘shape’ rings sensuously caress the contours of the hand and fingers with sweeping curves, accentuated with tiny sparkling gems – some say in a way that is pure Sex in the City! Be warned, anyone who tries them on will be really hooked. His latest three stone set cocktail rings are gorgeous. If you are in London you will find him in his own shop in London’s Exmouth Market.
Kamilla Ruberg - www.ruberg.co.uk Kamilla has consistently evolved her jewellery styles and was one of the earliest to adopt the use of laser welding. The latest can be seen in her ‘Special series’ ‘Anamorphic’ page of her website, she teases you as to whether the pieces are 2D or 3D in dimensions. Her shop is in London’s Camden Passage.
Ray Walton – www.raywaltonsilversmith.co.uk Ray makes small boxes that have a tremendous sense of fun in addition to being functional. Within his designs he explores a theme of ‘spirals’, using gilding and pagination to add colour and texture – silver, gilded or bronze, one could imagine them being used as chequered chess pieces. His other little boxes with fossilised ammonite lids set in silver and wood are also very appealing together with his delightful ‘Shiva Eye’ silver beakers.
Brett Payne – www.brettpayne.com Brett is probably best known for his highly versatile sterling silver candlesticks and tableware. They are highly contemporary and original in their simplicity particularly the clean, elegant lines of his candlesticks. These are designed to be orientated through 90 degrees which enables them to be styled vertically or horizontally, allowing endless arrangements to suit any occasion or table. This great innovation enables further candlesticks may be added when there is a suitable occasion or when you can afford to.
Kayo Saito – www.kayosaito.com Kayo creates an unusual delicateness in her work with a strong influence from plants and the organic world. The delightful but very affordable ‘brooches’ made with silver stems and delicate polyester petals made a real statement a few years ago, but she is always evolving her designs to add a finishing to any girl’s outfit. The paper-like fragility of the petals which combine satin finishing highlighted with polished edges on her sculptural gold and silver necklaces and earrings, provide a contemporary and dramatic feel to her pieces. Kayo is respected by her contemporaries as a one of the elite band whose work will transcend any passing fashion to stand the test of time – every girl’s dream of a beautiful piece of jewellery.
Olivia Schlevogt – www.oliviaschlevogt.com Olivia’s work is characterised by strong, clear and simple shapes, softened by matt texture and surface detail. The geometric forms are made in gold or silver with a matt finish and yellow or white gold ornamentation, some with precious or semi-precious stones. Her work is reminiscent of the simplicity of the Scandinavian style but she is very much her own woman. Do take a look at her unisex cufflinks – understated but very, very stylish.
Whoever said that craft and design is dying out should take a look at the following people’s offerings.
Simon Jewell – www.theartofcontainment.com Simon makes exquisite jewellery boxes made using rare and beautiful decorative veneers, hand cut and intricately inlaid to produce unique contemporary pieces. These are of the highest possible standard and are of heirloom quality – just the thing in which to keep your precious valuables. However, his stylish and modern wall clocks are great fun and anybody would love one on their wall. Simon also produces bespoke furniture and can occasionally be persuaded to make wonderful kitchens.
Nikky d’Aguilar – www.nikkydaguilar.com Nikky is an artist producing the most beautiful and vibrant designs which are transferred onto fabric to make lively products. They really do stand out and are utterly irresistible. The selection of silk and cashmere scarves are extremely elegant and her make-up and toilet bags simply gorgeous. Her inspiration comes from the vivid colours in her wild garden on Bardowie Loch in Scotland – you cannot fail to feel uplifted by the colour combinations and want to smile.
A treasure trove of gifts, all hand-picked for their quality and originality, and again not found on the high street can be found online at www.spirit-boutique.com Here are couple to whet your appetite.
Globee International – www.globee.co.uk Don’t you think umbrellas should be fun and brighten up a dull day? Well I have just the thing for you – four different designed umbrellas ‘embroidered’ with maps of London, Paris, New York or Sydney. So take your pick. They also have a selection of unique, innovative educational gifts and souvenirs suitable for all ages. Their choice of unusual globes are great fun.
Tregear Pottery – www.tregearpottery.co.uk The Tregear Pottery is situated on the coastline of the Isle of Wight and produces a beautiful range of hand thrown stoneware pottery. The inspiration is drawn from the surrounding landscapes. Lovely lamp bases, mugs, bowls and hand basins decorated with bands of fish were particularly striking. They also have translated the fish and gull designs onto silk scarves.
Selecting the above designer/makers was largely the result of attending some really good annual events, the biggest issue was who to leave out. So if you have time you would find it rewarding to visit:
The Goldsmiths Fair in late September, early October; the best of designer/makers in jewellery who live in Britain show and sell their work as well as taking commissions to suit individual requests. www.goldsmithsfair.co.uk
Art In Action in mid-July (16th – 19th); a very large, brilliantly presented and organised event at Waterperry, near Oxford. It is greatly enhanced by featuring over 400 craftspeople who work and demonstrate their skills throughout the four day’ show. It is extraordinarily diverse in its scope so there is literally something for everyone. www.artinaction.org.uk
More timely is a Precious Kent exhibition with a selection of eleven amazing international award-winning designers at a selling exhibition in Kent in Margate from 28th – 30th November. Everything displayed will have been beautifully designed and immaculately crafted. However, all of them have websites and have wares that can be purchased online. www.preciouskent.co.uk
The Olympia based exhibitions of Spirit of Christmas (just finished) and Spirit of Summer have a large number of exhibitors. In the same way that you will spot interesting objects in an auction, you will find things of interest at the exhibitions, in other words there are lots of stands of interest and others that apply to a different lifestyle. Whatever; you can come up with some great finds that make a visit well worthwhile. Usefully, the organisers complement the exhibitions with a directory containing details of exhibitors and their contacts; www.spiritofsummerfair.co.uk and www.spiritofchristmasfair.co.uk.
Bonnie Stevens
