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

pearls of wisdom

Tears of sharks, heaven's dew, the eyes of the spirit or in fact an examples of the talented mother nature. The origin of pearls has long been the subject of folklore and legend and treasured by man for four thousand years.

Cleopatra wearing pearls

In Roman times they were assosciated with Venus the God of love and so became a currecny and display of love and extravagance. Cleopatra is said to have dipped a pearl in vinegar and drunk it at a dinner party in one display of such extravagance. Such high value was placed on pearls that until the early 20th century a string of pearls could be equivilant to the cost of a yacht or a country mansion.


Though diamond are considered a girls best friend, natural growing pearls are in fact more rare than diamonds.

Natural pearls grow in a mollusc; freshwater pearls in mussels and sea pearls in oysters.

There was a time when Scotland was known for its rose pink pearls and Cumbria for its black pearl. However the mussel colonies on which natutral pearls depend have become so rare that pearling has been banned in the UK river system since 1998. 

Today naturally grown pearls command high prices due to their scarcity, however because of the development of the cultured pearl which is grown with encouragement from humans who implant tiny organic particles into the mollusc’s, this gorgeous gemstone is accesible to all. Mikimoto was the Japanese pioneer who perfected this practise though the actual practise dates back to 5th century China when the undiscerning eyes of travellers along the Silk Road would struggle to discern the natural pearl from its cultured or farmed counterpart.

Pearls are created from nacre, an iridescent liquid which is excreted from a gland inside a mollusc’s when it is irritated by the intrusion of a grain of sand or parasite. Over several years these layers build upon each other, snowballing to create a pearl whose shape resembles that of the original intruder. A perfectly round pearl is rare as are particularly large pearls making them the most expensive. 


One of the world’s most famous pearls, Peregrina, which translates from “pilgrim” is an appropriate name for a gem with five hundred years of history. The enormous silvery luster oval shaped perfect pearl weighs 203.84 grains.  It was purchased for Taylor in 1969 by Richard Burton on Valentines Day for $37,000.00.  

Mary Tudor, Queen of England

 

















Pearls are a delicate gemstone and should be kept away from ammonia, handcreams, soap and ultrasonic cleaners as much as possible. They can be cleaned with a lint free cloth and should be stored in a soft chamois or non abrasive bag to avoid scratching. 

old school glamour

This afternoon whilst I was hard at work (I promise) I stumbled across what is possibly my all time favourite film on the telly box and naturally I got a bit side tracked. I remember recording Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, with the gorgeous Jane Russell and Marilyn Monroe on video as a child and playing it over and over and over and over and over and..... you get the picture.

I'm not certain what it was about this film that made me fall in love with it (the type of love that lasts a lifetime), but I'm pretty sure the two beautiful lead actresses and their stunning wardrobes had something to do with it. The light hearted film tells the tale of two friends travelling on an ocean liner to Europe, or 'Europe, France' as Monroe's character says while on the look out for men of the wealthy variety. There's glitz or old school bling, glamour, sequins and diamonds galore as both women display a style and elegance that has faded with time.

Jane Russell

Marilyn Monroe

Cocktail parties may now have been replaced with happy hour and occasions that warrant a feathered headpiece may now be few and far between (unless you count your weekly trip to the supermarket), but that doesn't mean we can't take inspiration from the glamorous icons of the past. A simple item of statement jewellery can enhance an outfit whatever the occasion.

Mulit Layer Target Necklace by Kokkino
Josianne Double Pendant by Joanna Cave
Margot Cuff by Joanna Cave
Swept Earrings by Flash Jordan