We love to support up and coming Designers; having worked with Rachel previously straight out of University, we were delighted to give her the opportunity to feature in our September showcase. She included some special statement pieces in an array of Autumnal tones.

Rachel's work features a collection of sophisticated, mixed-material pieces that are playful and can be worn in a variety of ways. Her creations blur the line between wearable art and small-scale sculpture, inviting the wearer to engage in a personal and dynamic relationship with each piece. Every design is meticulously curated, with a focus on innovative material combinations that evoke curiosity and interaction.

Rachel's collection draws heavily from the mid-century modern aesthetic, a design movement known for its clean lines, bold contrasts, and minimalistic yet impactful forms. This influence is evident in her careful balance of geometric shapes, striking color palettes, and a harmonious mix of materials that are both sleek and organic. The use of Formica and walnut, iconic materials of the era, further reinforces this connection, adding a retro-futuristic edge to her jewellery.

Central to her practice is a process of "drawing with materials"—an exploratory method where form, geometry, and negative space converge into striking compositions. Linear forms and geometric structures are accented with bold splashes of color, culminating in statement brooches, earrings, and necklaces. Rachel’s use of materials such as enamel, Formica, walnut, and acrylic, alongside traditional jewellery techniques like setting and riveting, allows her to layer, stack, and fuse components in novel ways.

In conversation with Rachel Butlin

What was the first piece of jewellery you ever made?

The first piece of jewellery I ever made was a ring I created during the first year of my degree. Very simple, but such a joy!It’s the point in which I completely fell in love with working with metal, its properties and the way I could use it to bring an idea to life.

You have always had a really strong 'voice' in your work. Having shown your work over 10 years ago as a graduate jeweller, that aesthetic shone through, but you have developed and refined; What would you say were the biggest influences on your style?

The pieces I create have definitely developed, grown and become more refined over the years but my voice and aesthetic have always been strong. The biggest influences to my style and voice definitely have to be materials I use, industrial influences from everyday life and also Ikebana the Japanese art of flower arrangement. Materials play a huge part of my work, they lend themselves to different pieces, they react in a certain way or contrast and resist against others and I love the challenge of combining these in one piece. I also take a lot of influence from the world around me. Industrial architecture, shape, form and structure, I love to understand how they are created and the effortless combination of materials is something I always strive for in my pieces. Finally Ikebana has been an influence in my work from the very beginning and is all about placement and harmony within a composition. This is how I create all my pieces and I always have a strong feeling when something sits well together, the composition pops and it looks just right!

How do you plan your colour palettes?

I take influence on colour palette from Pantone predictions for the years ahead but also go with my gut too. I love putting colour palettes together and often just sit with all my Formica samples and place different combinations together, building tones and shades, often with a pop of accent colour or a statement wow colour.

Who has most inspired you to be creative?

I’ve always been creative from a young age and come from a family of creative and hands on people. I’m a very practical person and love to try something new with materials or techniques. I definitely think family especially my parents have always inspired me to be creative because they always were too. It’s a big expression of who I am and I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.

Earrings and brooches made by Rachel Butlin using formica and walnut.

Rachel's work embraces the ethos of ‘Modernity’ in design—simplicity, functionality, and beauty through restraint—while pushing these principles into the realm of contemporary jewellery. Her pieces echo the architectural and interior design elements of the period, with a focus on modernist purity and the interplay of form and space. The result is a collection that feels timeless yet innovative, seamlessly blending the nostalgic appeal of mid-century modern with a bold, forward-thinking vision. Each piece is a statement, embodying the elegance and artistic experimentation of this celebrated era, while allowing the wearer to become part of the creative process.

Her process is one of continuous evolution, starting from a singular concept and expanding through iterative experimentation. This approach unlocks new possibilities at every stage, resulting in pieces that are as visually compelling as they are conceptually rich.

Rachel Butlin September Showcase

Gilded Pleasures