7th Feb - 3rd May

on:yorkshire
Issue 14: February-March 2010

Hearts & Minds Valentine's Jewellery 2010

Sumptuous golden rings from Ruth Tomlinson's 'Hoard' collection are set with pearls and green tourmalines - prices start from £450.

'Skull' rings from her 'Trace of Lace' collection by renown French jeweller Julie Usel offer something to those who want to wear a more quirky piece! She has designed a series of unisex rings in steel which is finely laser cut leaving the metal light lacy and almost transparent whilst still remaining exceptionally strong.

Prices from £250 depending on the number and type of diamonds used.
From www.kathlibbertjewellery.co.uk

on:yorkshire
Issue 12: October-Novermber 2009

Engaging Ideas - The best in engagement rings

Constructing jewellery from small building block elements in 18ct yellow and white gold or platinum, Jo HayesWard creates intricate geometric and sculptural pieces with an architectural aesthetic.
'Chaos' rings in 18ct white and yellow gold set with diamonds from£660. www.kathlibbertjewellery.co.uk

Working primarily in 18ct gold and platinum, Jacks combines conventional goldsmithing and stone setting techniques with the latest in computeraided design technology to create distinctly modern pieces that compliment both the contemporary and the traditional.

'Trumpets' rings in 18ct yellow gold and platinum set with diamonds from £1028
www.kathlibbertjewellery.co.uk

Natalie Jane Harris has a passion for precious stones, including black diamonds and cognac diamonds which she sets into rich 18ct and 22ct golds to create one-off rings. She completes the rings with her distinctive 'scratch' finish which gives them an unusual twist and makes them wear extremely well!

18ct yellow and white gold rings set with diamonds from £550.
www.kathlibbertjewellery.co.uk

Yorkshire Post
Friday 12 Feb 2010

Competition hunts for its crowning glory

TEN jewellers have created tiaras for a competition run by the Kath Libbert Jewellery Gallery at Salts Mill, Saltaire.

Pictured, is a beaded flower tiara by Malcolm Morris, who made the tiaras for Gwyneth Paltrow in the film Shakespeare in Love, as well as making rings for Dawn French and Joan Collins.

Nicola Malkin, an artist who works entirely in porcelain, has created a bridal crown of hawthorn, and Sarah Lawrence of Guiseley has created a delicate silver butterfly and chrysanthemum tiara.

The new wedding and valentine jewellery collections, as well as all the entries for Ten Tip Top Tiaras, can be viewed by visiting the gallery website at www.kathlibbertjewellery.co.uk

Picture: Jon Crook

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

Alternative Wedding Show 2010

IntoFlora

Bright/Light