Based in Edinburgh, Ruth Leslie is inspired by the intricate details in fabric and structures seen in textiles machinery. She works by twisting individual wires using an old fashioned hand drill. They are then wrapped around frames to make jewellery playfully referred to as ‘dangling architecture’. Although the process of twisting wire is not an overly complicated one, Leslie creates lively striking pieces that carry an unmistakable sense of motion and movement.

Filipa Oliveira graduated from DJCAD and works mostly with precious metals and gemstones. Her work explores the ancient and delicate process of filigree, which is a well known technique in her native Portugal. Her work is very decorative and similar to pre first world war, art nouveaux works. Her recent drop earrings (pictured bottom left) are comparable with a lot of suffragette jewellery due to the gold, green gemstones and pink and purple elements. She works a lot with oxidised silver and gold which creates a wonderful contrast in colour to produce pieces with personality and character.

Filigree

Composed of intertwined threads of gold and silver wire soldered at their points o contact. Delicate and lace-like, curling and twisting wire to create desired shape.

Rebecca E. Smith graduated from DJCAD, and makes jewellery under the name ‘Smith and Gibb’.  Inspired by a series of love letters exchanged between her grandparents during the second world war, she creates brightly coloured, minimalist forms mostly using enamel and silver. The colours in her work are evocative of those seen in vintage, post war fashion. The simplicity of her designs coupled with the bold colours of enamel she uses create statement pieces of jewellery.