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

alex monroe; august featured designer

Regular followers of Jewellery By will know that every month we like to turn the spotlight onto one of our designers. We like see what makes them tick, give them the inspiration for their work and generally have a bit of a nose. This month it is the turn of Alex Monore. 

British jewellery designer Alex grew up in Suffolk surrounded by fields, rivers and the plants and creatures which inhabit them. These are inspirations for his whimsical and intricately beautiful jewellery collections.  He trained at the Sir John Cass School of Art in London. 

Established in 1986, his core aspiration remains unchanged; to make great quality, wearable jewellery that is well designed and well priced. 

Nature has always been Alex's greatest inspiration. Whether from travels in Pakistan, walks along the hedgerows of Suffolk or even the Tuscan hills, his designs always remain inherently English. Alex always makes the original in sterling silver by hand. He uses his skills to craft jewellery that is slightly quirky, sometimes cute but always feminine. 

Alex's distinctive designs have earned him may admirers, including in the press. The now classic Bumblebee necklace has graced the pages of Vogue, Elle, Marie Claire, InStyle, Red........

In addidtion to producing four collections every year, Alex also embarks on numerous collaborative ventures  working with such luminaries as the Victoria and Albert Museum who asked Alex to design a limited edition locket. These diverse projects have included an 18ct gold poppy for the British Legion, a 250th anniversary range for Kew Gardens and most recently with Burt's Bee to create a limited edition ring and necklace which raised funds for the British Bee-keepers Association. 

In the middle of all of this, Alex's original objectives stay true. Rather than compromise quality and have the jewellery produced in a factory, everything is still handmade in Alex's studio in London. 

In 2008 Alex was awarded the prestigious 'Designer of the Year' at the UK Jewellery Awards. He has also made the shortlist for the award in 2009 and 2010. 

Alex Monroe: I like people who like my jewellery. They are not slaves to fashion; they tend to be more concerned about personality and craftsmanship. They care about quality and they like things that are quirky and individual. 

Visit us at www.jewellerby.co.uk or visit us in store in Stokesley to see our Alex Monroe collection, including the Bumblebee! 

shimmer in the summer sun

As much as we love all types of jewellery here at Jewellery By, we REALLY love the talented Kokkino's newest collection, Shimmer. We first saw this collection back at the Harrogate Gift Fair earlier in the year (when it was sunny, rememeber those days) and it made us go all giddy then, but now that it has arrived and is in our chubby little hands I can't help but want to put it all on at once!

The collection features the truly individual and quirky design talents of Melanie, the force behind Kokkino and as with all her collections, is like nothing else avaiable on the high street. Each item is hand crafted by Melanie and features silver stands dipped in 24ct yellow gold to give it the perfect shimmer effect.

To see more of the Shimmer collection and the full Kokkino range, visit us at www.jewelleryby.co.uk. 

Full Shimmer Collar

Cascade Earrings

Shimmer Necklace