FINDINGS
Issue 50: Spring 2010
The Magazine of the Association for Contemporary Jewellery
TEN TIP TOP TIARAS
Hannah Peters took part in a special exhibition in Saltaire
On 7 February I travelled up to
Yorkshire to attend the launch event
of Kath Libbert's 9th Annual Alternative
Wedding Show, 'Meet the Makers'
for Ten Tip Top Tiaras. Kath's gallery
is situated in the fabulous Salts Mill
in Saltaire, just outside Bradford. The
vast ground floor of the mill hosts a
permanent exhibition of work by David
Hockney, Together with a mad assortment
of Burmantofts ceramics and fabulous
antique furniture. The place is filled with
the scent of lilies and the sound of opera,
where visitors can browse through books
and art equipment or simply enjoy the
surroundings. The Kath Libbert Jewellery
Gallery has a vibrant atmosphere, up on
the second floor in a great central position.
I was selected to exhibit my work in
this now well-established annual exhibition
that is much anticipated. I was one
often jewellers chosen to create a tiara
especially for this exhibition, the criterion
being that it must retail at less than £200.
It was an enjoyable challenge for me, and
after all my hard work and preparation it
was wonderful to see the other nine tiaras
displayed in-situ, each one so different
from its neighbour. Another dimension
was added to the exhibition in that the ten
tiaras are competing against each other.
The tiaras are being voted on by visitors to
the gallery. Everyone who votes is entered
into a prize draw to win a £100 voucher
to spend in the gallery, and the winning of the exhibition
on 3 May.
My 'Orchid Tiara' was made of two bands of sterling silver, the ends bound
together with silver wire, and an orchid
stem grows from one side. The stem is
beaten silver which curves around the
headband so the whole thing is very
sturdy and does not catch annoyingly (and
painfully!) in the hair. The tiara itself can
be adjusted to ensure a perfect fit. As
with all my other Orchid pieces, freshwater
pearls are mounted in the centre ofthe flowers and each tiara is individually
hallmarked. All competition tiaras remain
in the exhibition until the final day on 3
May, when the winner will be revealed.
I was also invited to exhibit a collection
of other bridal jewellery which complemented
my competition tiara; orchid
hairpins and necklaces, bud earrings and
a second (more expensive) tiara, displayed
nearby.
Having the opportunity to meet with
fellow jewellers to compare ideas and techniques,
and to meet clients and discuss my
work individually was very fruitful. I was
kindly provided with invitation cards to
send out to previous customers in advance
of the exhibition, and a number of them
were able to attend. As a result of conversations
I had at the exhibition, I now have
a commission for a bespoke 18ct gold
wedding ring set with 21 diamonds, and
another good client has recently become
engaged, so I am anticipating a few more
orders! The Meet the Makers launch was
a fascinating and valuable event of which
I was very proud to be a part. I grew up
in Yorkshire, so I was especially delighted
to hear of my success in being awarded
an ACJ Professional Development Award,
which enabled me to attend this event.
Unfortunately Findings goes to press before
the winner is announced at the Kath Libbert
Gallery in May, but we hope it is Hannah
Picture: Hannah Peters, Tiara, 2009.
Sterling silver, freshwater pearls