![]() Very occasionally I find myself in the sort of situation where people ask ‘So what do you do?’ and, on replying that I make jewellery, I’ll catch the quickest flicker of incredulity in their eyes. Their response for a nanosecond appears to hover above the perceived problem: Slightly simple minded? Unemployable liability? Trust funder? And then, swiftly righting themselves, they’ll say ‘Really? How nice for you..’ before moving to the left to talk to someone with an actual profession... Stuck on what to write for this Blog, I turned ideas over in my head and kept coming back to my profound love of making work and the layers upon layers of meaning this process holds for me. The more I considered my reasons for embarking on (and staying with) a profession which has held me for the past fourteen years the more I felt compelled to write them....I never intended to become a jewellery designer and maker, it wasn’t a clear plan, more something that grabbed me and never let go. The popular understanding of a designer /maker can (in my opinion) get caught in the ‘oh how nice ‘ net far too easily, alongside media degrees, au pairs, poets, postmen and other occupations that (quite unfairly) generate images of dreamy eyed days with a disengaged brain. I’ve always wanted to tell people just how challenging it is, how fulfilling, frustrating and fascinating. How levelling it is, in that its open to anyone. How exhausting it can be assuming the multiple roles required. How frankly wonderful it is that it continues to unfold before me in a stream of new ideas, new materials, changing environments and constraints that become positive shaping forces... So, this is why I’m blogging the reasons why I make jewellery.....
5 Comments
I would love to find myself talking to you at a party Daisy
8/28/2013 03:07:03 pm
Sheena Clover
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daisy
8/28/2013 03:25:32 pm
No really, i would be wearing bad clothes and talking about drills
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June
10/20/2013 02:54:14 am
As one of your most ardent fans and proud owner of several pieces of your work I'm thrilled to discover the blog. Fabulous, it adds another dimension to my sad old earrings which are bashed about and the wires are bent (the very first pair I got from you) but still look gorgeous to my very treasured bracelet with the poetry on, my most recent acqusition, which I wear 24/7. Look forward to more. (Thats blogging and new jewellery!)
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Claire Nail
5/25/2017 10:18:06 pm
Your jewellery talks to me and each piece I own has a very special significance. If your jewellery could talk you would realise the great significance and varied journeys it has travelled When under pressure or stress I resort to my calming white dove neclace"in any storm" It would tell tales of exams and OFSTED inspections, hospitals visits and funerals, but always brings a calmness to my day. Equally my pale green swan speaks "operate with grace and equanimity". The pink and green with embedded leaves a treasured 50th birthday gift speaks of love and caring. Many pieces many stories..... Thank you.
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Daisy DunlopDaisy Dunlop is a designer jeweller who works from her studio in Hayle, Cornwall. Archives
February 2017
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