This year there has been an amazing exhibition of Turner and Constable at Tate Britain, London. I was taken there as a birthday treat and it was utterly mesmerising. It’s on until 12 April so there is still time to catch it. Husband bought me the book so I can refer to it at any time.
I have been focussing on skies and landscape more a more recently. The desire to look up and see the wonder above, rather than the increasingly awful reality on Earth has been both an inspiration and a comfort in these difficult times.
Sketchbook page inspired by Turner skies
I try to make Sundays a non-studio day and I often reach for my sketchbook and paints then to try and capture what is in my head , with a view to maybe translating some of them into enamel at a later date.
Watercolours and gouache.
Each enamelled piece starts with a piece of silver which I engrave by hand. Then there are many very thin layers of enamel, painstakingly applied, building up colours and tone. Each layer is fired for one or two minutes in my kiln before the next.
Some of the stages of enamelling this small pendant.
Here are some finished pieces.
New small pendants and earrings inspired by Turner paintingsSwans flying across a golden sky
This necklace is inspired by a visit to Dubrovnik late last year. ‘Pearl in the Adriatic’ is the name often given to Dubrovnik, Croatia. The design is inspired by the view from the cliffs just outside the old town. The colours of the sea and vegetation combined with the textures of the foliage were absolutely breathtaking and I knew immediately I wanted to try and replicate it in enamel as a piece of jewellery.
I studied the texture of the vegetation in order to try and replicate it in the hand engraved texture that comprises the Basse-taille technique.
Sketch book Designs for Pearl in the Adriatic enamel necklace
I explored different shapes in my sketch book before settling on the final design. I decided to use cloisonné for the agave leaves to bring them forward in the design.
From photos and drawings in my sketchbook I engraved the silver to echo the foliage. I then used very thin layers of transparent jewellery enamel to colour the design, using the enamel like watercolours and adding tiny amounts with careful and painstaking placement. To finish the whole piece was ground and polished before making the silver setting and selecting the freshwater pearls that it is strung with. The finished piece carries the memory of that perfect day with the breathtaking view that the wearer can touch and enjoy wherever they are .
Competition Success
I was absolutely delighted when this necklace too won a silver award at the Goldsmiths’ Craftsmanship & Design Awards 2026. It nearly didn’t get finished in time and it was a real race against the clock. I knew as soon as I saw the view though that I wanted to make this necklace for this year’s awards. It was a huge challenge to finish it in time but I was determined to give it my all. Once I had completed the other necklace, Marsh Dawn that also won an award though!
Success at 2026 GCDC AwardsPearl in the Adriatic enamel necklace Silver Award at 2026 GCDC Awards
At the beginning of the year I embarked on a journey spending time developing some of the ideas I had for enamels whilst walking and enjoying the landscape around me. I always take lots of photos and in recent years I have been capturing some of my ideas in a small sketch book that I carry with me. I started painting exploring the colours and discovered these gorgeous tiny pieces of Khadi paper that are perfect for a jeweller like myself.
Tiny paintings of landscape and skies
The bottom right one is from Bardolino, Lake Garda which I visited last year. Below is a photo I took at the time.
Bardolino, Lake Garda
I couldn’t immediately see how to translate my ideas into jewellery other than by complicated cloisonné wires which wouldn’t achieve the look I was seeking. The breakthrough came when I began using my engraving skills to carve depth into the silver surface. This technique is called basse-taille. Now I could use transparent jewellery enamels to paint and portray tiny images to be worn as earrings and pendants.
Here is the first piece I made in this series. The mountains and rocks are all carved into the silver surface, under the enamel. Each piece has probably seven or eight layers which are all fired separately before I use diamond grits and polish to finish the surface.
Bardolino pendant
Some of the first pieces I made together with the tiny painting that inspired them.
Moments of Time and Place tiny pendants and paintings
There are earrings too.
Time and Place enamel earrings
I have made more pieces inspired by specific places including Rye, Brighton and Eastbourne in East Sussex. These are all places I know well and visit frequently. Spending time in them is balm to my soul and I hope that wearing one of these helps the wearer connect with the peace they may similarly feel whilst there.
Eastbourne beach, East Sussex – Pendant and tiny painting
I have continued to develop the idea behind these pieces and here are the very latest pieces in this series.
Black headed gull flying over the dunesMorning mist over the marshesMarsh DawnComing Home
The four large pendants above and a selection of the smaller pendant and earrings will be on show at Oxmarket Contemporary in Chichester 11-23 November 2025 as part of ‘Tales in the Making’ an exhibition with the Society of Designer Makers. Full details of opening times on my website.
Display at Oxmarket Contemporary Tales in the Making with Society of Designer Makers
I would love to know what you think of this new work. It has been an exciting, inspiring and at times deeply frustrating journey to get here. I’m not finished yet and I feel there is lots more to come in this series. There are pieces in my sketchbook waiting to be born resulting from a recent holiday in Dubrovnik as well as an Autumn walk in my local woods. So much inspiration everywhere! Where would you like to see a piece from? I would love to know and perhaps I could work with you to make a piece inspired by your special place.
I was absolutely delighted to receive an award for this necklace and earrings at the Goldsmiths’ Craft and Design Awards. They are the latest in a series of pieces which are inspired by fossils especially ammonites. The necklace comprises a central pendant which features a gold cloisonné enamel spiral shape which also features engraving under the enamel. The silver surround is engraved to reflect the striations in rocks where they are found. The necklace is strung with freshwater pearls and also features a box snap clasp with a similar enamel design. The earrings are matching and also feature moissanites set in 18ct gold on the ear fittings. The clasp nearly didn’t make it as it was missing in action for more than a week when it pinged off whilst I was polishing it! It’s fair to say I was very upset and I can’t describe my elation when I found it sitting on a shelf behind a pot of enamel! Hidden in plain sight and I had literally dismantled my studio looking for it!
Awards night at Goldsmiths’ Hall
It is always an exciting night to visit the awards ceremony at Goldsmiths Hall in London and this year was even better as a number of my enamelling friends also won awards. Afterwards we went out for a meal and much wine was drunk in celebration!
Evolution has evolved from a long term fascination with fossils. We used to spend hours as a family hunting for them on beaches when my son was young. Ammonites are a theme I have been exploring through different techniques in enamel for many years. During that time work has evolved as I explore new ways of working. The pandemic in 2020 allowed me to take time out to develop new techniques and ways of working and Evolution arose out of this strange and difficult time. These are the latest in the range and more can be seen in my shop.
The earrings will be part of my display in the “Duality” exhibition at Gold Lark Jewellery in Salts Mill, Saltaire, Bradford. The exhibits open Sunday 27th April to Monday 26th May. Gold Lark Jewellery Gallery is Yorkshire’s largest collection of contemporary jewellery, set in Salts Mill, a world heritage site and home of the David Hockney collection. It is a huge thrill to be part of this and I would love to know what you think it you are able to visit.
A celebration of the sea, dunes and marshes of the North Norfolk coast, UK
One of my favourite places to visit in the UK is the North Norfolk coast. My family and I have been regularly visiting for the past thirty years or so and it is a place that always inspires me. Last summer husband and I went again and this time we stayed more centrally than previously and as a result we were able to spend lots of time walking by the sea and marshes instead of driving to and from my favourite places. I fell in love with the landscape there all over again and was able to spend lots of time drawing and photographing the wild flowers and the amazing ever changing views of sea, sky and marsh land together with the abundant birds and wildflowers. During the course of a week of breakfasting on fresh croissants from a local cafe whilst sitting on a bench watching the ever changing water in the inlet together with long daily walks along the coast, ideas for a whole new range gradually appeared in my sketchbook as if by magic. They were literally born as a result of immersing myself in the spirit of the landscape around me whilst hunting for fossils, paddling in the sea and walking the coastal footpaths with marshes, dunes, pebbles and wildlife together with the ever crashing waves and the sound of gulls as a soundtrack. I called them Seascape and some of you may have seen some of these at shows last year. I hope they convey a sense of the place and remind you of your own special times on beaches and by the sea in with family and friends.
Seascape Pins and brooches
The first pieces I made were small brooches. The one on the right can also be worn as a pendant. I love a brooches myself as they pin just as easily to a fleece or jersey as to smart going out clothes. They are cloisonné enamel on silver that I have hand-engraved.
Like the brooches these are all hand engraved silver with cloisonné enamel. Many of my piece feature a jelly fish because we saw them in the harbour whilst we were disembarking after a boat trip along the coast.
More pieces are being added to this range so please check out my shop if you are interested. If a piece isn’t available please contact me as some pieces may be able to be repeated. They won’t be identical but could be very similar.
More pictures from North Norfolk coast, UK
Here are a few more images of the spectacular scenery. They don’t do it justice but I hope they convert just a little of the huge skies and sense of space and freedom that I felt there.
I am really excited to announce that I won a silver award at this year’s Goldsmiths’ Craftsmanship & Design Awards for my necklace, “All I want is to be beside the sea”.
“All I want is to be beside the sea” – silver and gold cloisonné necklace with freshwater pearls and double sided enamel beads
The necklace features a central drop which is fine silver and gold cloisonne on engraved silver in a silver setting. The side beads are double sided with different designs on each side, interspersed with fresh water pearls.
Close up of “All I want is to be beside the sea” necklace and showing the reverse side of the double sided enamel beads.
The reverse of the necklace has a embossed wave design and will also carry the hallmark of the London Assay Office together with the special mark for the Coronation of King Charles.
Reverse of “All I want is to be beside the sea” necklaceWork in progress pictures showing some of the stages.Presentation of my certificate at the Awards ceremony at Goldsmiths’ Hall
As part of the process of developing the design I made a number of smaller pieces which are now earrings and pendants. These will go into my online shop and will be available at Shows this year.
I also made another version of the large necklace but this time with a custom silver fish link chain. It is similar in design to the winning necklace but has some subtle differences. With pieces like these I always aim to make everyone of them unique.
All I want is to be beside the sea necklace with custom silver fishy links chain.
I made a short film showing this in detail. here is the link.
Silver and Enamel Tea Strainer – Damascene Flowers
I made this for an exhibition with the Guild of Enamellers. The subject was Friendship and Continuity. A tea strainer seemed a perfect choice because what is more friendly than sharing a cup of tea? This piece owes much to the inestimable Rachael Gogerly and Phil Barnes who were both so generous in sharing their knowledge and whose amazing work was so inspirational. Seeing their work has been a constant inspiration to strive to do better and to constantly work to develop my skills and expertise. This piece was a huge challenge for me. I have learnt a huge amount from it and look forward to being able to share what I have learnt. I hope it will act as inspiration to others. The tea strainer is made in two parts and riveted together with tube rivets after polishing. It is champlevé enamel with cloisonné flowers which are inspired by William De Morgan ceramics. It was partially etched to begin and then engraved by hand to form the recess and the texture behind. It measures 81 mm across and stands 12 mm high. The enamel has been polished and the silver rim given a brushed finish to contrast with the shiny rivets and strainer.
I have been doing some online Art Classes with Leighton House Museum, London. It was the former home and studio of the leading Victorian artist, Frederic, Lord Leighton. It grew into a ‘private palace of art’ and for me the highlight is the amazing Arab Hall with beautiful intricate mosaics and Islamic Tiles from Isnik, Damascus and Persia. William De Morgan who is one of my art heroes, undertook the challenge of replicating tile fragments to repair some of the historic panels and doubtless this work influenced much of his own work as part of the British Arts and Crafts Movement. See their website to access recordings of the classes.
The classes with Laurelie Rae that I took before Christmas were a revelation to me when I realised the link between these Islamic Tiles and the British Arts and Crafts Movement and particularly how I could use this as inspiration for a new line of work. The next images show part of the development of a new Vase necklace with is inspired by Damascene Tiles at the museum.
First I cut out and shaped each of the silver panels so they would have a domed profile. Then the silver was engraved by hand. This engraving will show under the finished enamel. The wires were each formed following my final drawing which is a painstaking task. The silver had a layer of clear flux fired together with counter enamel on the reverse. Then each individual wire was transferred individually and formed to follow the curve. It is essential to get the first ones in the correct place! In this case all the wires were fired into place in one firing. They are on wooden stirrers because they have unfired enamel in place so the front and back can be fired at the same time.
Blue Vase necklace and some of the enamelling stages
Here you can see a few of the layers of enamel before they were fired. There were about six layers of colour in all as enamel needs to be built up in very thin layers. Each time it is fired for around 90 seconds at around 830 degrees C. Before the final firings the surface is rubbed down with diamond pads so all the wires and enamel are at the same level. Then enamel is placed only in the resulting recesses to bring it all up to the same level. Any imperfections or bubbles are corrected at this point. Finally when all is level it will have the final firing before more diamond polishing to bring it to a perfect flat, shiny surface.
This is the completed necklace. It has fine gold and fine silver dots which add sparkle to the final piece and each piece is set in a silver bezel setting I have made for it. If you want to know more about finishing enamel or the setting process then you may like to see some of the videos I have made that can be accessed from my website.
This time last year I was exhibiting my new necklace ‘In amongst the Bluebells’ at the Guild of Enamellers Annual conference where I was privileged to win the Peter Woolfe Cloisonné cup. It was a lovely moment. I am reminded of this at this time of year when the bluebells are again appearing in the woods a few minutes from my home. I walk there every day with my dog Jyppy and it is always a joy to be there and always different. This time of year for me is always inextricably linked with my mother as her birthday and very often Mother’s Day occur this month whilst the blue bells are out. Sadly she passed away unexpectedly earlier this week, just a week after her 84th birthday. I have been taking some time to rest and reflect, although also of course I can’t resist a new project too! More soon. Meanwhile I thought some may like to know more about the process and the making of this necklace.
‘In Amongst the Bluebells’ cloisonné enamel on silver necklace
It began with an idea and an image in my mind of what I wanted to achieve. This is usually what happens to me although the image is fuzzy and very unclear. This piece was quite different to work I had done previously and I remember was a real challenge to find how to make it work. I was at the time taking an Engraving and Advanced Enamelling class at Goldsmiths’ Centre with the renowned Joan MacKarell. I had done some engraving previously in short workshops with the wonderful Phil Barnes, but this was more intense and gave me the opportunity to really develop my skills.
I wanted to recreate the way that the colours of the blue bells change in intensity as they get further away. I decided to contrast this with the silver birch trees that spring up wherever there is a gap in the canopy. I love the texture and colours of the bark of these graceful trees.
The planning took a long time but finally I was able to see clearly what I wanted to do. Next to make it in enamel. At this time as well as the engraving I was experimenting with some new Enamels that I had purchased as a sample set from Milton Bridge some years earlier. The colours I had chosen were perfect for this project. Maybe that is where the idea stemmed from. It is hard to know. As you can most of the image is shown by engraving on the silver with only some details in cloisonné. The trees had the addition of underglaze paining to show the texture. As always the Enamelling is undertaken with very many thin layers, blending the colours as I go. Finally the Enamelling of the piece was completed ready for the finishing with the help of my beloved JoolTool, Emery sticks and then finally diamond paste. The finished piece was bezel set and I decided to make a pierced silver bail with engraved details showing bluebells. The reverse of the silver bezel also had a pierced bluebell to augment it and add interest. Sadly I didn’t photo this. This piece encapsulates Spring, Easter and this time of year for me. I may make another one as this one found a new home last year.
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