Let’s work together to create a special one-of-a-kind jewel
A bespoke commission begins with an individual, and an idea…
…it’s such a pleasure to work on a one-of-a-kind piece of jewellery when I have the person for whom I’m designing and making in mind.
There may be an anniversary, a wedding, a big birthday, or perhaps you just want to treat yourself.
Whether we create a piece with a twist on something I already make, incorporating an object or element that’s important to you, or we reinterpret a collection of heirloom and personal treasures, the thought process and ideas are guided by you.
If you like the idea of working with me on a unique piece, fill out the form below, or get in touch.
Lines of Desire – pearl necklace commission…
Pearls to celebrate three decades of marriage…
“Will you work with pearls?” M-R asked me. “I have thoughts about pearls,” I replied, “I’d love to.”
The brief : “elegant and non-traditional”
It was quickly apparent that all my nascent ideas for pearls had to go by the wayside, as a piece for H was necessarily on a completely different scale.
H and M-R met in newsprint and photojournalism, with M-R later switching to landscape architecture. With the couple’s shared history in mind, I thought about newsprint, negatives and lines of desire in the landscape. I designed a piece that incorporates a black and silver ‘soft box', an interrupted line, peacock and palest grey freshwater cultured pearls.
It felt natural to reference the elements of these professions through playing with positives and negatives, dark and light, in the colours of the pearls and in the darkly oxidised and lunar white silver surfaces.
The form of the ‘soft-box’ is a nod to lighting used by photographers. Lines of desire are those paths our feet make instinctively in the landscape, paths that ignore the directions laid out for us by others.
The simplicity of this contemporary necklace meets M-R’s brief of "elegant and non-traditional", whilst nodding to what has gone before.
I met the couple in 2001, when M-R bought a piece for H from my Degree Show. ‘Lines of Desire’ seemed an apt metaphor for three decades of marriage during which H and M-R have grown instinctively: together, alongside and intertwined.
M-R: It is just brilliant to be able to give you a brief and a budget and know completely that I can trust you to produce something exquisite and thoughtful. I can’t tell you how good that feels in comparison to the micro-management that my current projects entail. I can relax about the commission whilst being full of anticipation for what you will create and how H will react when she receives it.
H was “as delighted as she was surprised!”
“Dear Jo, Thank you so much for the beautiful necklace you created. It is lovely. I wear it nearly every day… and I love the inspiration behind it. Thank you for the skill, care and attention to this project. The result is a necklace that I will love forever. H xxx”
Turning an heirloom brooch into a statement ring…
Turtle Pool Ring…
Michelle has long spent time caring for others and is very fond of this turtle on a tiny diamond brooch bequest. She wanted the turtle to have her own little pool to ‘swim’ in. We decided that there should be movement and Michelle loved the idea of a golden pool. I removed the brooch fittings and hand wove a fine web of silk and steel to anchor the turtle within her pool. Over time, the turtle’s movements will create ripples in the gold leaf.
Memento Mori Ring…
…a mixture of rings no longer worn, some more sentimental than others.
Maggie’s late husband’s wedding ring now fit her perfectly, so it had to be part of the ring shank. Her own wedding ring was re-formed and used to support a custom-cut rock crystal cabochon that magnifies a dozen smaller diamonds, contained yet free to move in a sumptuously gold-leafed enclosure. Larger diamonds were tube set to ‘float’ in the dark outer enclosure. The mix of recycled heirloom gold and oxidised silver makes a bold ring that leaves the wedding rings symbolically intact and gives life to unworn diamonds.
Turning a sad occasion into a happy one…
…replacement rings with a double recurve…
“I had failed to interest a number of jewellers in replacing my stolen wedding ring, it was not conventionally shaped and was a mixture of metals, when I realised that Jo could be the answer, as indeed she turned out to be. Despite there being no photograph, and having to work with other specialists, which she was not used to doing, she produced for me a perfect replica together with a sister ring more in her own style. I have worn both with great pleasure ever since and the process was enormous fun, compensating for the sadness which followed the theft.”
HT - London
Choose wild tools from your special place for even greater meaning…
Bespoke gold wedding rings… made with wild stone tools chosen from an extra special beach…
H had spent family holidays at a house on a beach in Pembrokeshire since her infancy. More recently she had spent wonderful times with her fiancé in this special place.
H and R loved the idea that I could use stones they collected from Pembrokeshire as wild tools to make their recycled gold wedding rings, forging a symbolic personal connection, and further uniting H and R with that beautiful landscape.
Golden Wedding Anniversary Brooch commission…
“When wondering about a present for my wife for our Golden Wedding Anniversary I knew I had to ask you to do the commission, Jo.”
Receiving a phone call like this is one of the reasons why I love what I do. There were no particular ideas, just the occasion and the suggestion of a brooch. I had two ideas for pieces that I wanted to make anyway, so I made them and sent photographs.
After consulting his daughter, my client chose the Enshrined Brooch with a natural crystal of Imperial Topaz surrounded by 22ct gold leaf.
Dear Jo, it has arrived safely. Very beautiful. Very many thanks. It has something of the Indian puja room about it and our times in India have been very big in our lives. It is really splendid. Will let you know S’s response when presented in early September.
Very many thanks again…
Dear Jo, given today. S loves it. Very many thanks, N
Let’s work together to realise your Jewel Narratives…
Heirloom gold, sentimental jewels, odd earrings and personal treasures…
Not everyone inherits jewellery, and even if you do, it may not work with your personal style. I’ve discovered that I love to give worn out but sentimental jewellery a new life, to present the elements in a poetic way that is personal to the current wearer.
If you like the sound of my approach, read about the process I took to turn my own unworn but hugely sentimental pieces into jewellery that I now enjoy wearing.
Work with me to create that special piece of jewellery…
Tell me your thoughts…
…a unique commission begins with a person and an idea.
Whether you’d like to start a conversation about that special piece or you’d simply like to learn more about the process, please fill in this form and I’ll be in touch as soon as possible.
Do give the budget some thought early on, as it helps me to help you.
Testimonials…
Skyscrapers at Sunrise Necklace
Just a quick note to say how delighted and thrilled I am to own that beautiful necklace. I hadn’t seen any of your work before but I am glad I have now! The necklace is stunning. And I absolutely love the hinged catch.
Many thanks for encouraging me to try it on. And giving me the space to think about buying it. I am so glad I did.
I look forward to seeing more of your work in future.
JB - Sussex
Sketch Box Triangle Necklace
Really thrilled with my stunning necklace. I hadn’t been well recently so this is the big treat I needed.
Talk about delayed gratification… I waited four years to buy a piece I loved.
Thank you for making such beautiful and inventive jewellery.
JB - Brighton
Heavy Side Wrap Bangle
Sarah absolutely loves the bangle and (having completed an initial course on jewellery making) thinks it is amazing how you must have made it.
I really appreciate your hard work on it and for the fact you had to chase me for it. I hope business is really good for you and you are selling lots of your amazing designs.
S - Brighton
18ct White Gold Ring
You made me a white gold ring with a yellow gold solder join last year and it hasn’t been off my finger since!!! Looking forward to seeing your work again. I don’t tend to wear my wedding or engagement ring anymore (much to my husband’s horror) but I’m never without your white gold ring. There’s just something so beautifully simple and tactile and the solder spot is an unusual detail I love.
Favourite ring ever.
J - Rye
Sketch Box Earrings
Dear Jo, THANK YOU SO SO much
for sending your beautiful earrings
in time for my birthday! I absolutely adore
them and YES they ARE the ones I loved at the show. Love all your jewels - you're such a talented, imaginative, interesting lady. Hope the show was a success for you.
Again, thank you and a big hug.
W & P - Winchester
Sketch Box Pendant
It's arrived and it's beautiful and I'm wearing it now! I love it. The clasp is no problem and is pretty in itself. Please tell me again about the materials: the three metals...
Thank you! I hope we'll meet again at the next Goldsmiths' Fair.
Very best wishes,
E - Oxford
18ct White Gold Halo Ring
Thank you so much, yes my ring is here. Really love it and fits brilliantly. Just what I wanted - something different and with a history. Could you keep me updated with your emails etc .
VP
Gold and Silver Ring Stack
Yours are the rings I wear the most, Jo. There’s a purity to your work that appeals to me. I must add another gold ring…
C - London
Gold Wedding Rings
A and I just love our wedding rings.
There is something ancient about them, as if they have come directly from the earth. They are so tactile and somehow warm.
We cannot imagine our hands without them now.
J - London
Square Section Silver Cuff
It’s fabulous. Very happy with the cuff. Thanks.
___
The more I wear this cuff, the more I like it.
G - London
Silver Bangles
18ct Gold Bangles
I wear them all the time.
And I just love adding to the collection.
S - NYC
Silver Wrap Ring
I just want to say how much I love it and am so pleased I took the leap and purchased it. I didn’t expect to find something that spoke to me so well. It already feels a part of my being.
L - West Sussex