My story
I have worked with metals most of my adult life. As a student of Geology and Archaeology, finding and excavating metal tools and jewellery and experimenting to re-create ancient ways of smelting or working base metals. I then trained and worked as a blacksmith, predominantly using traditional coal and coke fired forges. I was very lucky to have the opportunity to teach these skills to many young people many of whom had some form of SEND. I then chose to focus more on the artistic side of blacksmithing, the refinement in techniques that enabled me to scale-down particularly intrigued me. The other benefit was that it allowed young people to work with physically smaller tools and materials whilst learning skills that could be up-scaled dependent on their abilities. The smaller and more intricate the work became the more I enjoyed the final piece.
I decided that forging jewellery was the final step in my journey with metal. Many of the skills I found to be transferable, I then set about learning new ways to shape and form different materials, the delicate touch needed with precious metal and the enjoyment that hand forging brings to each piece. Knowing that hammer blows and file marks made by hand can never be replicated means that every item is truly unique.
Forged not Fabricated
TSJ
TSJ
I use Fairtrade and up-cycled materials, whenever possible is important to ensure my work is sustainable and eco-friendly.
