justin duance; october featured designer

This month we thought we would head to the picturesque South West of the country, specifically Cornwall home to the talented Justin Duance, designer and silversmith behind the jewellery range of the same name. 

After obtaining his degree in jewellery and silversmithing from the Sir John Cass Faculty of Arts in London, Justin began to explore building his own jewellery collection. Due to high costs in London he decided to relocate back to Newlyn Cornwall, where he built up his workshop and continues to see inspiration from the surrounding Cornish countryside.

Justin's collection of jewellery, whilst having a masculine edge appeals to people across the board. His contemporary designs are deeply influenced by the surrounding countryside and ocean and the way they engage with each other. His love of the surrounding landscape is shown in his use of different metals and combining them with a textured finish or wood to create his stylish collection.

Read on to find a little bit more about Justin.....

Silver and Wood Cufflinks

Describe yourself in ten words or less....
I absolutely love to make things and doing things no one else does! (Slightly more than ten.)

Tell us a little bit about your job and what you love about it.....
My job involves making jewellery and watches, trying to make commissions and realise people ideas. I also spend a lot of time on the computer answering emails and doing general admin. This seems to take up more time than I would like.

How would you describe your jewellery?

9ct Yellow Gold and Silver Ring

Quite masculine, using straight lines and combining them with the natural organic grain of wood. My work often has meanings associated with it especially with the symbolism of the wood or where it comes from. For example the oak I use comes from a tall ship and is the traditional symbol of strength. My watches have a vintage look with a contemporary twist using traditional techniques to create something new and unusual.

What inspires you to design and create your jewellery collections?
Sometimes I design or make something just to see if it possible. Quite often it is more about the way materials mix together rather than designing a shape.

What are some items of jewellery that you find yourself wearing constantly?
My watches. I try and wear rings but I keep taking them off for work and losing them.

Quick fire questions!

Silver and Double Wood Band

City or countryside?
Seaside!

Silver of gold?
Yellow gold

Favourite shop?
Ikea

Favourite place in the world?
Gwenvor, North Cornwall

Where in the world have you always wanted to visit?
Indonesia

What is your most treasured possession?
My daughter - although I am not sure if she is a possession.

Best way to spend a day off work?
Surfing

9ct Yellow Gold and Silver Textured Band

To find out more about Justin Duance and see his full range of jewellery and handcrafted watches please visit www.jewelleryby.co.uk.

jessica flinn; september featured designer

This month we are turning our attention to Jewellery By Jessica Flinn. Originally from Darlington but now residing and working in Sheffield, the once local girl has quickly become a name to watch having this month been named in jewellery industry magazine Professional Jeweller's Hot 100 of 2012.

Jessica was born and raised in Darlington but after developing a keen interest in design and passion for creativity, decided to attend Sheffield University to study as a silversmith. After graduation she remained in Sheffield where she continues to design and create her contemporary jewellery collections from her workshop.

Her fabulous collections are made using techniques such as laser engraving and casting which are inspired by the industry she grew up around in both Darlington and Sheffield. Her collections are made in stainless steel, sterling silver and gold.



Describe yourself in ten words or less...
Creative, energetic and busy!

Tell us a little a bit about your job and what you love about it...
I run a small design company which is based in Sheffield. I love my job because I do a bit of everything; designing, making, marketing and sales. Everyday is different

How would you describe your jewellery?
Clean lined, simplistic, stylish and feminine.

What inspires you to design and create jewellery collections?
Different experiences that I've had and places I visit. Inspiration comes to me when I least expect it.

What are some items of jewellery you find yourself wearing constantly?
I love bracelets and cuffs, I have around 20 in my collection made by loads of other designers. Some large some small, my wrist is never without one!

Quick-fire questions!

Tell is something about yourself that would surprise people...
I lived in Korea fr six months!

City or countryside?
City

Silver or gold?
Both!

Who would you love to see wear your jewellery?
Anyone. I'd love to see it on a complete stranger as I walk down the road.

Favourite shop?
Normann Copenhagen - very cool designs.

Favourite place in the world?
My flat, with my man :)

Where in the world have you always wanted to visit?
Brazil - I'd love to go to the carnival. 

What is your most treasured possession?
It sounds sad but my mac is my most treasured possession - I'm a gadget lover!

Best way to spend a day of work?
Day of work?? What is this you speak off? :)

To see more of Jessica's designs visit us at http://www.jewelleryby.co.uk/14-jewellery-by-jessica-flinn

inspiring independent; we need your votes!

It is that time of year again when jewellery industry magazine, Retail Jeweller, start their search for the most inspiring independent jewellery retailers in the UK. Whether it is excellent customer service, above and beyond attitude or an eclectic mix of jewellery on offer the standards will be high from all entrants and the battle tough so with that in mind, we ask for your support.

Jewellery By is still in its infancy but our collection of handmade only jewellery, from some of the best designers across the country and beyond, we feel we genuinely do offer our customer something different and unique to that of other retailers. By working with local designers, as well as those further afield we offer items that are not mass made and in some cases are one off items. We projects in the pipeline with the the students of Cleveland College of Art and Design and with our bespoke service for those that want a hand in the design process or an item of their existing jewellery turned into something else, we aim to offer the best and most honest service we can to all of our customers.

At this stage it is number of nominations that count, so if you could please show your support and send an email to Retail Jeweller editor Laura at laura.mccreddie@emap.com simply stating our store name and that we are your Inspiring Independent nomination.

Thank you in advance and keep your fingers crossed!
 
                                                          

the british craft trade fair, harrogate

The Jewellery By team spent a rather lovely Sunday in the beautiful town of Harrogate. We were attending the British Craft Trade Fair, which for those of you that don't know is a hive of gorgeous produce from across these isles that we call home. From soap to cushions, mirrors to cards it is all there and is handmade and British. What more could you ask for. Whilst we were there mainly for the huge number of jewellers exhibiting, we couldn't help but get distracted every step of the way by the beautiful products on offer. My personal favourite was Grace and Favour (http://www.graceandfavourhome.com/) who had an array of quirky treats for you home all handmade in Devon.

We managed to catch up with three of the lovely designers we have the pleasure of working with, Tracey Birchwood, Kokkino and Jessica Flinn. These three truly represent what we try to offer at Jewellery By, collections that are a bit different and that explore design and technique and it is for these reasons they stood out at the fair. 

Harrogate British Craft Trade Fair

New designers stand

Jessica Flinn's stand

Jessica Flinn's stainless steel lace collection

Tracey Birchwood stand

The fair is well worth a visit, we will most certainly be back next year.

To see more information on any of the designers and their collections please visit us at www.jewelleryby.co.uk