This week we put the spotlight on Creative Jewellery Company, who have recently joined Alfies.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your company?
I come from a family of talented creative people, grandmother who was wardrobe mistress and dressmaker at the Old Vic Theatre, father and grandfather bespoke tailors to the entertainment and sporting industry.
I started off training at the Central St Martins school in Aldgate, (formally Sir John Cass School of Art), gained further knowledge at a jewellery company in Greater London, after two years was asked to join an upmarket fine jewellery company, in London's fashionable Marylebone High Street whose clients included celebrities and dignitaries, I setup a workshop there where I developed my abilities of designing and making fine jewellery to understanding and interpreting customers' needs and requirements in the field of jewellery making, repairing and restoring.
Being passionate about jewellery making is something that comes from the heart (in my opinion).
My work varies from a silver range of jewellery with a very unusual range of "ripple effect" items, where no two pieces are the same, to alterations and restorations, (example, a ring that was driven over and was completely flat, was restored to its former glory rather than being scrapped), to creating unique bespoke creations from paper sketch to works of art.
Do you have a personal favourite in your collection?
The diamond heart and tsavorite hinged bracelt, the Mimi Cross, the diamond flower & petal ring which is made of 29 seperate components of platinum, the Gold Flying V guitar pendant and the silver "Elements of inner earth" pendant, that took many attempts to create the design I was looking for.
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| "Elements of inner earth" pendant |
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| Gold flying V guitar pendant |
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| Mimi Cross |
What is your favourite metal to work with ?
I prefer 18 carat gold and platinum, but love silver as well.
You also do jewellery repair are there any differences in doing repairs to new, vintage and antique jewellery?
Yes, there are many differences, most important for me is checking for any previous repairs before starting work on the item.
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| Crushed Ring |
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| Crushed ring being repaired |
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| Crushed ring restored to its former glory |
What would you recommend for maintenance and care of jewellery, gold and silver?
TLC, treat jewellery with care, clean and gently polish the metal with soft silver or jewellery cleaning cloths, never use oil based solutions for cleaning any stones... Always get advice from a reputable jeweller for liquid cleaning any jewellery with stones in.
What is your favourite part of the job in your work as a jewellery designer and repair expert?
That's easy, the look of joy and excitement on clients faces when they finally see the finished article, the hugs are bonus too.
It's a great feeling as a craftsman to be able to put a smile on so many people's face and to create objects of art that hopefully will last a lifetime.
Creative Jewellery Company
Stand S052
Tel: 07754 059 856
