Our New Guest Maker - Naomi James

Our guest maker in the shop this Autumn is jeweller Naomi James. Naomi is based in Brighton and is a member of the Sussex Guild.

We asked Naomi told us a litlle about her practice

'I have been making jewellery since I was 14 and have always designed as I work, allowing the making process to inspire the final design. Many of my designs use leaves, plants and feathers to imprint natural textures on silver giving my work a 'found' quality- almost as if the pieces were produced by a natural process.

I explore new ideas through playing with metal, first texturing with embossing and hammering, then folding and bending to create forms derived from nature particularly seeds and plants. I like to use the contrasting textures of different plants and touches of 18 carat gold and coloured semi-precious stones.

It's important to me that I make my jewellery by hand.  I use no casting or machine work and none of my jewellery is mass produced, so each piece is unique. I also use recycled silver and gold wherever possible and environmentally friendly packaging. I have been making full time for 30 years now and have exhibited in galleries and at craft fairs all over the UK.'

FInd more about Naomi on her website