An unconventional childhood in Rural Norfolk with a creative and musical family really helped me flourish as a crafty young person. Making with my hands has always been important to me, as has an interest in historical references. As an avid day dreamer, I have always been fascinated by the past, in which I endeavour to emulate as sensitivity within my work. As a BA Jewellery Graduate I’m interested in all forms of crafts disciplines, which inform my own work, including textiles, precious metals and semi precious stones.
Your chosen picture inspires you, tell us why?
Photographer, Jonathan Hyde’s work inspires me with his depth and integrity; these are elements that must inform ones work for it to be the best it can. First and foremost it’s difficult to pick one image of his that provokes more than another, but this portrait speaks to me. I feel his work with film and narrative is an inspiration to any creative person. His carefully picked models and location alongside his innate skill is a recipe for beauty. The model is my sister, Deva, and forever an inspiration in my life.
What possession do you most cherish?
My French electro acoustic steel sting guitar. A combination of woods with a cut out, it’s just the right size for fitting on my knee. My guitar is my accompaniment, and great for a strum of an eve. When buying the right instrument, or tool for you, whatever the discipline, it needs to feel right. I always try to follow my intuition.
Tell us about the product you’ve chosen in the photograph, why is it your absolute favourite?
This one off piece is my interpretation of the ‘chatelaine’. A Victorian brooch worn at the hip by women to include domestic tools, a thimble, thread cutting scissors and keys, all adorned beautifully and encased in precious metals. This piece delicately holds an antique cotton hanker chief inside a miniature embroidery ring and is suspended by a single button. A handmade replica of a 12th century buckle hangs the piece together as a reminder of the hidden appendages and paraphernalia that so inform my work.
What should we expect to see from you in the coming years?
I want to push my making skills, working more to commission and gallery pieces. Subsidising a creative based career often comes in the form of teaching – it’s so important to pass on the skills we learn, as the jewellery industry changes and grows, with ever increasing methods of technology, we need to keep to our roots and remember our hand skills. Although craft disciples have more exposure than ever before, an alarming number of crafts based degrees/masters have cut their funding, with lower enrolment rates. So, awareness is the key.
Great: I always love Alice's work!
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