Caitlin is based in Appledore, North Devon. She works primarily in silver, utilising the natural Devonian and Carboniferous rocks and the ocean water of the estuary that’s on her doorstep. Her jewellery collection is inspired by, and formed by the environment of this coastline . . . oh! and her middle name is Emma, after her great grandmother who had a love of sparkly things and who's full name was Emma Flora Jewel!
The processes always starts with curiosity. I’ll see something and have to take a picture or sketch it, to get down on paper that spark of imagination before it flies away from me. I’m very much inspired by the illustrator Alan Lee. His style of drawings influence how my first hand drawing’s develop, which then have a direct impact on how I take and use the visual information of inspirations for designing.
The design and making processes are all about understanding what ever subject matter I’m using. I do this in several ways. Firstly, I explore the object through touch to fully understand all the tactile details, crevices, folds and textures that make up that object. Secondly, I make quick sketches, drawing and viewing at multiple different angles, before I then break those drawings down by separating the lines, shapes and textures it’s made from. Thirdly, I sometimes simplify but always reconfigure them into a new form, making sure it feels different and has its own identity but still has the essence of the source it came from.
The material silver is unlike anything else and can really only be compared to the moon when left at its natural white shine before being polished. It’s this mat pearlescent shine that I adore especially when paired with highlights of yellow gold and a smooth burnished edge, that combination makes my heart sing.
The drive for creating jewellery comes from giving others something to anchor an emotion or memory to. Humans like to materialise life’s milestones and having a precious object to identify this with helps to connect with our emotions. I get a real spark of excitement when creating a piece of jewellery that could be a personal treasure for whoever commissions it, for a recipient or for wherever the piece finds itself within future generations.
