Diploma in Silver Jewellery graduate feature – Sandra McArdle
This week on the blog we will be featuring some of the graduates of our Diploma in Silver Jewellery as we have a free exhibition of their work this Friday, 7th July 2017, 6.30-8pm, at our London studios. You are invited!
Today we feature jeweller Sandra McArdle
Where do you live? I live in a village north of Newbury in Berkshire
When did your interest in jewellery making start? My interest in silver jewellery making started many years ago. I joined the local Woman’s Institute and did a taster course at the WI college. Around this time I was inspired by the poem “The Station” by Robert Hastings (worth a read if you are on a relentless career treadmill). It opened my eyes to the world around me and I started to see and really appreciate the beauty in nature, the shapes of leaves, the structure and delicacy of petals and the colours.
Why did you decide to take the Silver Diploma? I started to research silver jewellery making courses and dreamt about doing more of the thing I had come to love, working with silver. I kept coming back to the London Jewellery School and the varied structure of the course. I was delighted to achieve the Diploma in Silver Jewellery in 2016 and started Sandra McArdle Jewellery
Now I love working with silver and semi-precious stones to create an object of beauty. I never cease to be amazed at the way silver changes and responds as it’s worked to create that final piece and to be part of that process is so rewarding.
A commission – a pair of earrings with semi precious stone and 14ct gold granules.
What are your goals for the future? As I have developed my business I have had the privilege to meet some wonderful people, to talk to them about what it is they are looking for in a piece of jewellery or silverware. I love working with them to develop and design that special piece, and creating an item of jewellery, a gift or keepsake is something I am very proud of.
I am looking forward to developing my business as I move into a new studio and put in practice the things I learnt on the Jewellery School Online Jewellery Business Bootcamp!
What are your favourite pieces you have made so far and why? My first commission – cufflinks for a saddle maker, replicating the saddle makers round knife used to fashion the saddles
My favourite commission – a trinket box (with mints!) inset mother of pearl and my signature granules on the polished lid. The box has textured sides and my decorative hallmark on the base.
You can find out more about Sandra’s work on her website http://www.sandramcardle.co.uk/ to get in touch with her email sandra@sandramcardle.co.uk
The Diploma in Silver Jewellery exhibition is this Friday, 7th July 2017, 6.30-8pm
Where: London Jewellery School, Rear Ground Floor Studios, NEW HOUSE, 67-68 Hatton Garden, London EC1N 8JY
No need to RSVP, just turn up!
images copyright Sandra McArdle 2017