Q&A with Brett
How did you first get interested in jewellery making?
I worked making tin jewellery for a Cornish company and successfully transferred my skills to silver jewellery making. Some craft aspects were similar, but there is a whole lot more to learn, and it is a continued progress. Leni is always making things, when I started the business she picked up some basic tools and silver wire and that’s how our ‘flagship’ daisies were created. Leni hasn’t looked back since and creates many one off and unique pieces.
Did you have formal training?
We are both self taught jewellery makers, which has its pros and cons. It certainly never curbed our creativity and enthusiasm for crafting. Sometimes it makes for interesting results when things go wrong and you end up with an amazing but unexpected outcome.
How do you source your materials?
All our precious metals (silver and gold) comes from reliable and ethically sourced UK distributers, mostly from the famous Birmingham Jewellery Quarter.
What is it like to live and work in Cornwall?
We have been very fortunate to settle in Hayle, Cornwall with our two boys. The beach is always a draw and a just a short walk away. There are many shows and events we love to attend from festivals and markets, of which there are many in Cornwall.
What are you working on at the moment?
I’m working on a new St Piran flag cufflinks. I’m trying to cast it from a wax carving I made. I am also planning on making new variations of silver cuffs but they are still just drawings.
Do you have a favourite piece of jewellery from the new collection?
I have just completed a new range of jewellery I have called Kerensa, which derives from the Cornish word for “love”. The hearts I cast in delft clay, then I add wire in a variety of places making quite unique pendants.
My favourite piece is from the new Kerensa range, the long twist, it is completely different to anything else I have made before. I will be making similar pieces but with different shapes.
I also like wearing the new leather bracelet with my boys name stamped onto loose rings.
Do you have any exciting news to share?
We have just started our jewellery making workshops. The lessons that were booked in Spring unfortunately got delayed due to lockdown but we are starting now again and getting booked up fast. We have adapted our workshop to include screens and introduced new procedures to keep everyone safe during sessions.
For anyone interested to book a jewellery making session, please click on the link to BOOK NOW