Designed and made near Loch Lomond in Scotland, Linda MacDonalds whimsical award winning silver collections capture the essence of the British countryside and romance. Linda Macdonald has become one of the leading jewellery designers in the UK, Linda will be exhibiting at Equinox's Best of British Jewellery Exhibition.

1. How did you become involved in jewellery design?

I initailly started out in illustration at Glasgow School of Art. Having always enjoyed working with small detail, such as tapestry and model making, I tried the jewellery course and changed my main study to Jewellery and Silversmithing! 

2. How would you describe your jewellery?

Romantic and Fun!  I am a romantic at heart and love working with little natural symbols of romance like the Butterflies and Birds...

3. Whose jewellery do you admire?

I particularly love jewellery that has little messages and meaning such as Nick Hubbard, I admire his beautiful miniature scenes and detailed pieces that have romantic phrases/sayings....

4. Which of your designs/collections are you most proud?

 I am very proud of our stripey bird, these have been hugely successful and collectable as sets that can be added to with elements from other collections.

5. What advice would you give to aspiring jewellery designers?

To make designs that "make you happy" and your natural enthusiasm will show in your work!  and to stay true to what insprires you.....

6. What does the future hold for your company?

I hope we will continue to design and produce collections that will inspire romance and fun!  We are a fairly small company and although the jewellery collections are becoming more and more collectable and popular, our dedication to a delivering personal touch is very important to us.  There are many exciting ventures on the horizon, our main business is UK based, we hope to export to other countries in the future... 

7. Do you undertake commission's, what sort of thing have you been commissioned to make?

Yes, the main commission work we do is engagement rings and wedding rings.  But we have been asked to do anything from commemorative brooches for an individual to an exclusive range for John Lewis that will be launched this year.

8. Has your jewellery won any awards?
Yes, over the years we have been very fortunate to have picked up some awards over the years incuding .....

 

Editors' choice award for commercial vision at the International Jewellery fair London
A 'Walk in the Park' inspires competition piece. Reaching the final 5 of the Charles & Colvard's Moissanite Design Competition.
Nominated for the Giftware Associations Gift of the Year 2004 awards 
Precious Nugget Range was one of three products to be nominated for the Gift of the Year 2003 Awards and was Highly Commended by the judges in the competition run by The Giftware Association.
Scottish Gift of the Year.


You can see more Linda MacDonald Jewellery at Equinox Contemporary Jewellery.

Best of British Contemporary Jewellery Interview Alice Gow

Alice studied at Birmingham’s School of Jewellery, and continued working in Birmingham’s historic Jewellery Quarter, creating bold and beautiful jewellery, featuring coloured aluminium, silver, and wood. Alice describes her work as being bold and beautiful jewellery featuring beautifully textured coloured aluminium, silver and wood. Alice’s designs display movement and interchangeability, simplicity and elegance.

1. How did you become involved in jewellery design?

After studying art at A-level, I went on to Art College and did a foundation art course, where I specialised in 3d, and developed a taste for jewellery.  I continued to develop my jewellery skills, studying Jewellery and Silversmithing at Birmingham's prestigious School of Jewellery.  After my degree I extended those skills with a graduate apprenticeship before setting up my own business, Alice Gow Designs.  

2. How would you describe your jewellery?

Bold, bright and beautiful! 

3. Whose jewellery do you admire?

I love Georg Jensen's flowing forms, has work straddles the discipline's of jewellery and silversmithing, and excels at both. 

4. Which of your designs/collections are you most proud?

(A picture would be good if possible.)

It's tricky to pick a favourite collection, but I would have to choose 'Revolve' .  It's a range that began in my final year at university, which has been developed and refined into a collection which embodies my design ethos: simple forms, carefully composed to create an elegant yet interesting finished product.

5. What advice would you give to aspiring jewellery designers?

Work hard, it's the only way!  But hopefully you'll love your work, so it shouldn't be a chore. 

6. What does the future hold for your company?

I've recently brought out a new range of jewellery that was made possible using CAD (computer aided design).   I'm currently working on new pieces for this range,and am hoping to work more with CAD in the future, to develop work that would be impossible to create using traditional techniques. 

7. Do you undertake commission's, what sort of thing have you been commissioned to make?

I've just completed my first ever Wedding Ring commission, two rings in 18ct Gold.  The customers loved the work I already make, but I was able to tweak the designs to make their perfect rings.

You can see Alice's work at The Best of British Contemporary Jewellery Exhibition or you can visit her website: www.alicegowdesigns.com

Best of British Contemporary Jewellery Interview Joseph Lamsin

The very talented Matthew JL Harris creates Joseph Lamsin Jewellery  in Cornwall, using the coastal environment to determine the appearance of the jewellery. All Joseph Lamsin jewellery is handmade in the UK. You can see a selected range of Joseph Lamsin jewellery at Equinox Contemporary Jewellery, during The Best of British Jewellery Exhibition 18th February until 14th April.

1. How did you become involved in jewellery design?

I have always been interested in art and design and ended up working for a jewellery firm when I left school, and have been doing it ever since!

2. How would you describe your jewellery?

Timeless yet contemporary, with an organic natural beauty.

3. Whose jewellery do you admire?

Alex Monroe, Stephen Webster, Zoe Harding, and many more jewellers which have a unique and distinctive style.

4. Which of your designs/collections are you most proud?

(A picture would be good if possible.)

My current jewellery collections Newlyn, Marazion, and Sennen named after places in cornwall which have inspired me over the years. Each collection has taken many years to get to where it is today!

5. What advice would you give to aspiring jewellery designers?

Find your own style and develop it.

6. What does the future hold for your company?

Lots more jewellery collections for both women and men, using techniques which tell a story and have a unique appearance.

7. Do you undertake commission's, what sort of thing have you been commissioned to make?

Yes I do, but I like to do bespoke work which reflects my style of jewellery making. I have done engagement rings, wedding rings, necklaces, bracelets etc in both silver and gold.

8. Has your jewellery won any awards? 

Not that I am aware of!

Best Of British Contemporary Jewellery Interview With Dower & Hall

Founded by husband and wife team, Dan Dower and Diane Hall, Dower & Hall create easy to wear pieces that become treasured favourites. You’ll be sure to find something beautiful and unique from their selection of gorgeous, personally designed jewellery, produced at their London studio. You can see a collection of their jewellery in The Best of British Jewellery Exhibition being held at Equinox Contemporary Jewellery from 18th February until 14th April 2012.

1.    How did you become involved in jewellery design?

We met each other at Middlesex university on a jewellery course, and after we had both graduated we decided to set up Dower & Hall with a Princes Trust business loan. This was a huge adventure for us and one of our greatest & fondest memories – we didn’t know what the future held! Along with the risks, we’ve had some fantastic trips – stone buying in India, researching in Thailand. We’ve had some memorable parties too over the years, we used to do quite a bit with British Fashion Week – I remember we used to attend some parties for this at Number 10 along with Princess Diana. 

2.    How would you describe your jewellery?

At first glance our designs cover a wide range of different styles, but on closer inspection there is a balance between the two main themes; sculptural curved forms (as with Nomad and the new Calla Lily collection) and a feminine accent; in the form of pretty pearls, engraved detailing or emotive messages (as seen in Spiral andMemento). We treat each new collection with the same attention to detail, working closely together, often with Dan carving or hammering out ideas from solid silver, where I love to select the most exquisite gemstones and pearls to complement each piece.

 We are a haven for jewellery connoisseurs with a taste for something unusual and personal - our main market is without doubt, professional style conscious women.

3. Whose jewellery do you admire?

H. stern jewellery is amazing. He made an appearance as Basle and was lovely. He was still working making jewellery at his bench in his 90s. Very impressive!

4. Which of your designs/collections are you most proud?

(A picture would be good if possible.)

Dan Dower:

Probably Memento, as it at last achieves something that I have been trying to make for 20 years – working with CAD CAM has allowed me to work with text in three dimensions with an accuracy and definition I previously couldn’t achieve. The manipulation that the computer programme enables allows us to be very creative with words to convey messages and emotions in a wonderfully tactile and visually precious jewel. The lockets in this collection hold secret messages when you open them up, and the rings fascinate with poems that reveal themselves as you turn them – jewellery that invites the wearer to interact.

Diane Dower:

Nomad, as it is a collection that continues to be so popular year in year out.

But my favourite, as it took so long to get the intricately engraved pattern right, would have to be Spiral.  My new favourite piece though is the spiral pod necklace in the new Array collection; it’s a colourful twist on one of our classic designs, and as it features several different colours it’s a perfect piece to be paired with lots of different outfits, and looks fab worn loose or wrapped around for a shorter layered look.

5. What advice would you give to aspiring jewellery designers?

We would advise that if possible they find a paid internship with a reputable designer or graduate scheme – a lot of really great talented designers give up because of the problems of being in business and trying to make a living - which is very sad and bad news for the country. There used to be an enterprise allowance scheme before I was in business and I know that it helped a lot of people who graduated in the years above me. It was not much money… but some of these companies are now very successful and employ lots of people. It’s a shame we cannot get something like this reintroduced to help graduates.

6. What does the future hold for your company?

For the months ahead we have some very exciting collections to embrace a momentous year for Britain, what with the Olympics being held here and the Queen’s diamond Jubilee. We are also currently trying to improve upon all aspects of our business, which include developing our social networks, refurbishing each of the stores, implementing a new EPOS system, investing in lots of new marketing materials and simply making our whole operation smarter. 

7. Do you undertake commissions, what sort of thing have you been commissioned to make?

Yes we do. Dan Dower offers a fantastic bespoke service. Here are some of his most memorable commissions:

-          A ring inspired by the revolving shapes and dynamic physics of galaxies – this one is still in development.

-          A pendant which from the front looks like a simple large round diamond but from the side reveals itself to be a three dimensional flower holding many diamonds. Subtle details with a big design impact.

-          A series of feathers for British indie-rock band Kasabian

-          A whole range of make-up themes charms for Virgin Vie cosmetics

-          Lion cufflinks for the Abode Hotel group in Glasgow inspired by the relief wallpaper pattern repeating in the central hallway.

8. Has your jewellery won any awards?

We have been fortunate enough to win many awards, but highlights have included: our 18ct yellow gold Tahitian pearl ‘Abacus’ necklace which won the Pearls of Tahiti Award, our 18ct yellow gold & 18ct white gold with diamonds ‘Phosphorescence cuff’ which won the Editor’s Choice at International Jewellery London 2011 (IJL) and our Memento collection, featuring scripted silver & gold jewellery which pays homage to love, was the winner of the Company of Master Jewellers Design of the Year Award 2011 (CMJ).