The Casting Process

Casting is an addiction, constantly seeing what things will work, what things burn away perfectly and what things hold hidden flaws due to excess moisture or woody content. I am addicted to trying out new things. New foraged bits of wood, mushrooms, seeds…

I see myself as a caster first and foremost and then a silversmith. But unlike most jewellers who out-source their production every aspect of my work is done by me. The foraging, the casting, the designing and creating, the stone-setting and the mega mega amount of polishing. All me, oh and some help from my 4 yrs old twin boys and 5 yrs daughter.

A jeweller who casts the Natural World through the things i find & forage

My children are me, i am their teacher and they already understand the process of re-creating something by making a mold and burning it away in the kiln or imprinting it in Sand. Little sponges for learning such a tactile skill as casting.

Alot of the time its just me and the odd shrew in my workshop. I cast Natural things i find from Fishbones and Shells from Kenya to Ferns foraged in Frome. Everything tells a story. And whats more they all all completely one-off, hence why alot of my work is Seasons based. Mushrooms in Autumn, Buds in Spring, Sycamores in Summer.

I lie though, im not always alone in my workshop as i do share my space with my partner who is a highly skilled joiner and fellow creative. Metal and wood a happy combo of creative minds. But i also open up my space and share my craft by teaching my skills to fellow silversmiths or anyone wanting to make something and get crafty and creative.

My children are always involved in what I make. Whether it's at a distance or by barging their way in on all the action. Hammering, Sawing and preparing Sand for Casting. The joys. But i am raising my kids creatively and with the tools for practical skills.