Making Jewellery - August 2016

36 makingjewellery.com

FEATURE

ELIZABETH ESPINOSA

WHAT INSPIRES

MY DESIGNS

My designs are based on the idea

of creating beautiful contemporary

jewellery which is also ethically

sourced; jewellery for those who

are environmentally aware but

also for those who like one-of-a-

kind designs. Two of my current

collections are called Sparkling

Flower and You’re The Boss!.

Sparkling Flower is a range of

colourful beaded necklaces that

are also delicate with feminine

shapes. The other, You’re the Boss,

is about the idea of empowerment.

That feeling of being strong is

I hope refl ected in the choice of

colours – black, silver, amber –

and geometric patterns.

MY INSPIRATION

Vivid colours, shapes and patterns

have always been an inspiration

for me. The harmony and sense

of well-being found in natural

forms are ideas I want to try

to bring to my jewellery. For

example, the connection that

semi-precious stones have to the

earth is emphasised by the rough

edges as well as the smooth.

It’s about fi nding inspiration

in the materials themselves.

The historical associations

with symbolism and myths that

materials have is fascinating.

I feel that the stories that have

been handed down through the

ages should not be forgotten.

MY TECHNIQUES

My background is in art – I have

a foundation diploma in art and

craft where drawing was key, so

I sometimes start with a drawing

of an idea. I use traditional hand

beading techniques and wire

wrapping. The technique I use is

often infl uenced by the material

I’m able to source. Knowing

that for every ounce of gold or

silver mined around thirty tons

of waste is created means using

recycled silver is the right choice.

Sometimes I use a vintage

or up-cycled element

that is in keeping

with my aims.

Sourcing materials

takes a lot of time

but it’s important

for me to be able

to say my jewellery

is 100% ethical.

That the design of the

piece is as pleasing as all

the steps taken to make it –

that is my goal.

CONTACT

silversunbird-ecofriendly

jewel.squarespace.com

folksy.com/shops/silversunbird

OF SILVERSUNBIRD

FEATURE

PHOTOGRAPHS ELIZABETH ESPINOSA

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