On the bench… 

Trade Stand at BCTF 2012

Have just spent three very interesting days at the British Craft Trade Fair. It is good to know that there are so many people dedicated to manufacturing in this country despite everything.  Saw some lovely tweed bags, exquistie hats and a flock of carved wooden gulls that flapped serenely.  Obviuosly I escaped with a few trinkets and a fab christmas list in the shape of the catalogue. 

I am currently working on a project with a Trustee of the museum in Ely incorportating tokens from the English Civil War into jewellery. The tokens were minted by local business people as low denomination currancy was hard to come by. They speak to me of resourcefulness and creativity in hard times, but also humour. Some trades men appear, by the names on the coins, to have had more than one bide-in at a time?? Good to know there is always a bit of intrigue in human relations.

 White Swan Pub Ely Civil WarToken Earrings Bronze, Silver and Pearl 

Background

I have been lucky enough to bump into people along the way who have taught me the basics of playing with metal including a jeweller, a Norfolk tractor driver with a welding shed, a third generation engineer and a blacksmith from Yorkshire. I have a real belief in learning direct from crafts people. The rest is experimentation and the library.
I have always been interested in processes that start with a pile of raw materials and end up with an object.  I have experimented with a range of techniques such as tempera painting, spinning and knitting, felt making and eventually settled on precious metals and stones.  This allowed me to bring together a love of treasure, decoration, self-expression, craftsmanship and an excuse to indulge my desire to just get up and go places. The work has a rough luxe spirit. 

Rachel's brooch silver, silk and reset cameo 

Contact Me  

Ely workshop

 

 

 

 

 Coryvreckan sterling silver and raw tourmaline  

 

 

 

Stockists

Bluemoon Gallery
18 Camden Road
Tunbridge Wells
Kent
TN1 2PT
Tel: 01892 540100
Email: info@bluemoongallery.co.uk


Appleyard Gallery
14 The Appleyard
Holt
Norfolk
NR25 6BN
01263 712315
www.theappleyardgallery.co.uk


Steptoes Dog Vintage Wares
164 Kirkstall Hill,
Leeds.
LS42SX.
0113 2748494
www.steptoesantiques.co.uk


Cladach Pottery
Brodick
Isle of Arran
Scotland
KA27 8DD
01770 303590


Sea Pictures Gallery
Well Lane
Clare
Suffolk CO10 8NH
01787 279024
Email: sarah.alaric@seapicturesgallery.com


Daisy Moon
Private house parties
Stamford
Lincolnshire