About Jewellery Making

The art of jewellery-making or form of personal adornment goes back to ancient times taking the form of necklaces, rings, bangles, earrings and braches.  It is made from any material, mostly metal, semi-precious and shell.   The choice of materials for jewellery reflects the culture and availability of materials.  Frequently the pattern, colour or symbol conveys a message.

                                               

Suffragette jewellery was made of green and violet stones and used as a code to other suffragettes. Other symbols are the Cross and Star of David.

 
Jewellery can also be used as a symbol of wealth or have a specific purpose such as bridal jewellery which reflects the value of her dowry.  In Ancient Rome rings were a symbol of social status and only certain ranks allowed to wear them

 Jewellery has also been used as currency for example Slave beads.   Historically jewellery making skills have been handed down from generation to generation in villages   and tribes Archaeology findings indicated that the first signs of jewellery came from the people of Africa.   

 


The earliest beads are believed to be 100,000-year-old made from Nassarius shells.

            

Today jewellery is an eclectic mix of materials both natural and manmade and draws upon both ancient and modern styles.   The skills are learnt through classes and courses and all soon become absorbed in the magic of jewellery-making.

Although jewellery-making is at least 100,000 years old, exciting designs and methods continue to be developed. Our classes introduce the latest as well as the traditional techniques you can explore

About Valerie 

Valerie has been surrounded by jewellery and semi and precious minerals and metals all her life.  In early childhood Valerie travelled with her parents to Africa, the Middle and the Far East as her father pursued a career as a mining engineer and teacher.  Valerie has a great love for tribal and Bedouin  jewellery, it’s vibrant and nativity, regardless of the materials used.  

 

 

PS The lovely 'As cute as they come' Fox Terrier is Lucan - fondly known around the local park as  LL.  His favourite hobbies are finding tennis and footballs.  Likes are Tuna, meat, sweet food, i.e cake,  cucumber and on a Saturday popping into the Park Cafe for a bacon Sandwich (He wishes!).  Hates CATS, Newspapers, and strong  smelling aftershave.  He is a rescue from the Dogs Trust and my children will say he is the most spoilt dog in the world!