about me

History and influences

I was brought up in East Africa, exposed to cultures for whom jewellery is more than decoration, and where jewellery ranked above clothes, beyond fashion and trend, and where its visual statement is unashamedly bold and beautiful, despite poverty or age. Pieces were worn for a lifetime, and marked significant events in the life of their owner. This element of boldness and functionality, enduring and undated style, and meaningful personal connection to an artifact have been my measurements for design throughout my years as a jeweller.

Practice and training

I first started making jewellery at an evening class whilst still at school. I always knew I would attend art school, and started at Brighton Art School doing an Art foundation course. Bedecked with bedouin jewellery that I had collected at home in Sudan, it seemed a natural progression to specialise in jewellery. From there it was a short jump to Central School of Art to do a bachelors. That was in the early 80’s.

I spent the next 10 years working freelance in London, picking up work in the trade, and making my own pieces, but hankered to return to Africa, which I finally did in 1998. I worked in Kenya for 15 years, making silver stock pieces and bespoke precious pieces, and much of what is on this website is from this period.

A few years ago I moved to England and now live and work in the beautiful Somerset countryside. I have a very messy workshop where I make my stock silver and gold pieces and the commissioned work that finds me through my lovely clients, many of whom are scattered around the globe. My style is changing, influenced by a changing world and access to different stones.

I work in Gold, platinum and silver, and love to work with individuals on bespoke pieces.

Values

I believe in honoring the materials that I use by investing my best practice, and creating something beautiful, eclectic, unique and soulful, which will have lasting impact and value to whom so ever becomes its bearer in the future.

In this vien, I attempt to always source conflict free gemstones and where possible use recycled materials.