Best of British Contemporary Jewellery Interview Tara Kirkpatrick

Tara Kirkpatrick's latest collection is her Droplets Twist Collection. You can see her amazing collection at The Best of British Jewellery Exhibition which is being held at Equinox Jewellery in Fleet Hampshire.

1. How did you become involved in jewellery design?

Wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with my life and was doing A-levels and then passing a jewellers one day I thought, it would be nice to make jewellery.  Gave up A-levels and enrolled on a jewellery course, the rest is history!

2. How would you describe your jewellery?

Anytime jewellery that be be worn on special occasions and everyday.

3. Whose jewellery do you admire?

Gerda Flockinger is the first designer jewellery I saw that I thought was marvellous.  She has been making jewellery since the 1940’s and still makes.  I do prefer wearable jewellery but I admire all sorts even if I wouldn’t wear it myself.

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

I like a bangle I made for someone’s wedding as it was a collaboration between me and the customer and it resulted in something very much in my style and matched her brief and wedding ring, which I’d also made.  As she was very pleased it was an added bonus.

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

The more you make the more skilled you’ll become, so keep on going, who needs sleep!

6. What does the future hold for your company?

I am happy where it is at, keep making a variety of things and when time allows develop new designs.  I’ve just ordered a new magnetic polisher so more new machines are very exciting, more machines the better!!  So if anyone has some unused ones I’ll happily give them a new home!

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

I do a lot of commissions, especially melting down peoples old gold and re-modelling it into something more contemporary.

8. Has your jewellery won any awards?

Sadly it hasn’t.  Equally I’ve never entered any awards!

Tara's collection can be seen at Equinox Until mid April 2012.

Best Of British Contemporary Jewellery Interview with Jessica Sherriff

Jessica Sherriff (Jessica Jewellery) creates an original range of stunning contemporary acrylic jewellery which is all individually designed and handmade in North Yorkshire. Jessica is taking part in Equinox's Best of British Jewellery Exhibition.

1. How did you become involved in jewellery design?

Always loved jewellery and accessories but I really got thinking about jewellery design on my foundation course at York College.  From there I looked to do a degree in jewellery, studying at Middlesex University gave me the opportunity to make jewellery from a wide variety of materials and acrylic was a material I particularly enjoyed so continued with it. 

2. How would you describe your jewellery? 

Contemporary, designed and handmade jewellery 

3. Whose jewellery do you admire?

I admire other jewellers who work in alternative materials such as Sarah Packington, Lesley Strickland, Kathie Murphy 

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

(A picture would be good if possible.)

 I always seem to be most proud of my newest designs as I've pushed myself and created something I didn't know I had in me to make.....My most recent range Optical is an example of this image DSCF2621 - double pendant from the optical range.

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

Don't be put off if you are trying something different, listen to all feedback and learn from that, and just try and get your work seen. 

6. What does the future hold for your company?

I hope to continue to supply shops and galleries across the uk, and continue taking part in relevant exhibitions and to keep producing new work.

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

I do make custom pieces and have made items to order using customers own photographs.

8. Has your jewellery won any awards? 

Yes I won the International Jewellery London, Editors Choice award for technical excellence in 2010 

You can see Jessica's jewellery at Equinox, Fleet, Hampshire, until Mid April or visit her website: http://www.jessicajewellerydesign.co.uk/

Jewellery Repairs at Equinox Jewellery, Fleet, Hampshire

Jewellery Repairs at Equinox Jewellery, Fleet, Hampshire.

On-Site Jewellery Repairs.

On-site Jewellery repairs in Fleet, Hampshire, we undertake a range of jewellery repairs in our workshop which is located above the shop, all items are fully insured while they are in our care. 

Our on-site repair services include:

• All repairs carried out by a trained jeweller with 25 years experience
• Most repairs are completed within a week, a priority service is available.
• Gold and silver Charms soldered onto Charm bracelets
• Gold and silver bracelet and necklace repair
• New gold and silver clasps fitted
• Repairs to gold and silver necklaces and bracelets
• Gold and silver bracelet and necklace shortening
• Gold and silver ring sizing; ring repair; reshaping
• Jewellery refurbishment
• Bangle repairs and reshaping
• Earrings repaired
• Stones reset, stones supplied
• Pearls and beads restrung
• Estimates free of charge
• Fully insured

For more details visit: www.equinoxsilver.co.uk

Best Of British Contemporary Jewellery Competition.

Best Of British Contemporary Jewellery Competition.


During our Best of British Exhibition we are running a fantastic competition to win £100 worth of Equinox vouchers (Which can be spent online.). You just need to guess how many balloons it took to fill our lovely big red phone box.
Just email your guess to tim.cockram@equinoxsilver.co.uk. Best of British luck to you all!!!!!!