Following my appearance on Kirstie's Handmade Britain last Wednesday, I've been approached by many people wanting to know more about papercrafting or how to get started or more about what I do as a designer/maker.  Each email I have answered as fully as possibly, in the hope that they will go on to enjoy their experience of crafting with paper.  

Recently I've had a small spurt of enquiries from blogs and magazines, one of which was Val Williams aka @SlickSilverJ from twitter.  She suggested a blog collaboration.  Now, I don't know about you, but I always see a collaboration as working together.  Val sending questions and me sending answers seemed a bit lobsided,  so, we've ended up with a double wammy.  She's interview me at Slick Silver Jewellery and here's my interview with her.  She's also sent me some images of her work so you can see her work in all its' loveliness.

 

Here goes....

How long have you been creating jewellery for and what got you started?

I would have to say that I've always loved craft and have triend most things, but when I found myself living alone about 5 years ago I knew that I needed to do something to really occupy my mind and so I tried beading.  I enjoyed it, but it wasn't enough for me and I felt like I wanted ot be bashing something but maybe that was more to do with the divorce!?  Seriously though, I enrolled on a basic metal smithing course and never really looked back.  I continued with the small workshop instruction for almost a year and at the end I emerged  with wedding rings for my son and daughter in law.  At the end of 2008, I started my businesss SilckSilver Jewellery and I feel like I've really found a medium that suits me.

 You make jewellery from a variety of metals, which one do you favour the most and perhaps gives you more freedom to create?

I don't tend to use as much copper and brass as I used to, and my work now is dominated by silver and anodised aluminium.  Anodised aluminium seems to suit me the most creatively as I can bring in all the elements that really get me excited like texture and colour.  I really like challenging myself and the material by pushing it to it's limits jus tto see what effects I can produce.  My most recent work combines heavily textured aluminium with silver elements.  I think I can safely say that I've used most things for texture!!

Is there a craft that you have always hankered after having a go at?

Over the years, I've tried my hand at most things, but I'm quite disciplined now, because I don't really have the time to get into anything new, HOWEVER, if money and time were not object, I would love to try papercutting.  I've seen some very intricate 3D paper cuts and they fascinate me.

 

Other than your website, is there any other outlets that stock your work.