I have talked about New Designers a couple of times already: the annual showcase of art and design graduates from the UK that takes place in July. This year is sadly an exception of course and it will be sorely missed.

The piece featured in this week’s post was purchased from New Designers in 2016, from a graduating student of the Birmingham City Institute’s BA jewellery course. They have consistently strong cohorts and this year was no exception. All of the graduates were incredibly approachable and had knowledge of each other’s work, which was so refreshing. All very apt with Birmingham being the long time home of the jewellery industry in the UK, with its famous jewellery quarter still operating. It still houses Europe’s largest concentration of jewellery related businesses, responsible for around 40% of all jewellery made in the UK.

Becky Williams was responsible for the lovely piece you see below. Her collection was based around the used of base metals including copper and steel wire, with a specialism in enamelling. This example has a fine steel wire framework around an enamelled copper tube and I love its hand-drawn quality - almost a sketch in metal. The effects in the enamelling lend a natural quality, but it also has an architectural structure which is a really nice juxtaposition. She was inspired by the urban landscape and you can definitely see that influence.
It is one of the more delicate pieces I have and is definitely a less day-to-day brooch, but it is a joy to wear when it comes out for those more special occasions.

Having searched online I am not sure Becky is still making as her website seems to be out of order, but there is an instagram account (which links from her name above) with the last post made in late 2017. It would be great to re-connect if this does reach you Becky!

Links:
See hyperlinks above in bold text

Becky Williams, enamelled copper, steel, 127x28mm, 2016