In my workshop.

flux+Play=
substance mixed with metal to assist fusion, freeplay/change, experimentation.

I am based in the Tamar Valley on the Devon-Cornwall border of the UK, where I have a small workspace. From the moment I started an Art & Design Diploma at Hereford College of Art in 1987, I have been busy incorporating interesting materials and metals into small compositions, which became a focus on jewelley design once I'd gained a place at Central Saint Martins, London, on the Jewellery BAhons Degree, from where I graduated in 1992. 

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Coin Hoard commission for School Anniversary.

Then, followed  3 years as a teaching Jeweller-in-Residence at Oakham School in Rutland working with 11-18 yr olds, 'busking' my jewellery at Camden Lock, early tentative approaches to galleries, working as artist jeweller at events, festivals, community group worshops and more. Post Graduate Teacher Training to a fully qualified level allowed me to operate as a teacher in schools and colleges, including Badmiton School for Girls. In 1995 with my own work developing and running alongside it all, I was awarded a "Setting Up Grant" by East Midlands Arts. I have continued my practice and taught in schools and colleges ever since, in tandem with other roles such as course manager, programme leader, workshop - project developer, event facilitator and jewellery-school guest tutor. After nearly 18 years as a lecturer at Plymouth College of Art, I have recently returned to my teaching roots with younger students and now work as a Technician, Demonstrator and teacher at a secondary school in Plymouth.

I enjoyed an opportunity a few years ago to try fresh ways of thinking as a student again, on the part-time MA Design course "Maker & Materials" at the University of Plymouth, eventually winning a Distinction and expanding my approaches to design and making. I hope you enjoy looking at my varied design collections as much as I enjoy developing and creating them.

Integrating craft practice into local history and heritage curriculum in Primary Schools.

Ouch...those small tables play havoc with an adult back!

My work is about exploring and becoming completely involved in the qualities of the materials such as the peculiar properties of cooling tin or the graphical compositions of discarded tins packaging, there may even be a life-story which I want to explore, such as a former use. Process may be a key driver; the layering and sedimentation of material, erosion and forced movement... re-imagined through hand or machine worked techniques.

Examples of my handouts. These were created specifically for teachers participating in a cold-casting workshop I held, aimed at delivering craft process to school children linked in to several strands of curriculum delivery.

My teaching is directly informed by both my practice and curriculum, as well as trends, developments and current thinking in the creative industry sector. An intimate understanding of traditional and unconventional techniques, processes and materials are my mainstay, which I filter down to my students in combination with different approaches to design thinking.   

In the teaching workshops at PCA.

Brooch under construction.

See my Collections to view the range of my jewellery. See my Research to view objects and written work. Visit My CV to see my awards, achievements, experience and professional development history.