Meet The Maker – Charlotte Bezzant

Charlotte Bezzant – Jeweller

Charlotte is a designer maker who works in silver and semi-precious stones, often incorporating etched text in her work. She did a degree in Fashion and Textiles, but after she fell into a non-creative job in the industry, she started studying silversmithing as a hobby.

Silver Arctic Twig bangle

After years of making for family and friends, Charlotte was persuaded to start selling her work, and was really pleased to find that it was well received by others.

Silver Arctic Hare with Moonstone necklace

Originally working on a bench in the corner of the kitchen, Charlotte now works from a lovely little studio at the end of the garden.

Silver Arctic Hare Pin

Silver Arctic Hare Brooch

She is at her happiest here, working away, especially when the sun shines and the doors can be flung wide.

Silver Arctic Twig necklace

Heart Gallery has some of Charlotte’s Arctic Twig and Arctic Hares collection. These were designed after a particularly beautiful and inspiring trip to the Arctic Wilderness, chasing the Northern Lights.

Silver Arctic Hare Necklaces with Aquamarine

The little twig was plucked from the snow and ice, wrapped in tissue and brought back to the UK to be cast in solid silver. The arctic hare however, proved elusive, the only sighting being of the lolloping footprints in the sparkling snow!

Not All Those Who Wander Are Lost silver necklace

Call in soon to see Charlotte’s stunning range before the Arctic Hares hop out of Heart Gallery and into someone’s jewellery collection!

Meet The Maker – Anna Baldwin

Anna Baldwin – Jeweller

Meet Anna – I think she’s a little shy so we are showing you a pic of her hands at the workbench. This photo in itself just hammers home how handmade our jewellery really is actually so we are really pleased with this notion that you don’t have to see what any of our makers looks like but you do have to know that they are in fact skilled craftspersons in the discipline they work in.

Dappled bangle

Based in Buckinghamshire, Anna has been designing and making jewellery for over 9 years.

Wrapped silver pendant

She makes all her jewellery by hand, working mainly in silver, gold, and semi-precious stones, and loves creating beautiful, contemporary, wearable pieces.

Dimpled silver ring

Anna loves working with natural forms and texture. Her designs have an organic, tactile feel, and share a sense of delicacy and movement.

Wrapped silver long earrings

 Anna gains inspiration from many different sources including light, texture, and natural and fluid forms. She also gains many ideas from simply working with the metal itself to develop new forms. 

Wrapped silver ring

 We adore Anna’s gemstone set rings that she can make to order using gorgeous faceted semi-precious stones such as smoky quartz, light amethyst, blue topaz, citrine or green quartz. You can order your birthstone and create a bespoke ring just for you. Anna loves making the Gem rings – the setting really shows off the stone and allows the light to filter through it. So pretty!

Gem ring stacked with a dappled ring

Anna’s recently developed the Dimpled range – its hammered finish is similar to the wrapped range, so they complement each other well.  She has made the rings and bangles in two different widths, which stack together easily. The gold highlights in the range add extra interest and colour.
The Gem rings go really well with Anna’s Dappled rings – it creates a bit more impact and is great if you like stacking rings. 

Cleaning Silver

Hi there, this is a quick care post for cleaning the beautiful jewellery you buy from us!

Most of our UK based makers (I say most as we do have some that use recycled, ethical silver for their work) only use sterling silver, one of the most beautiful and lustrous of all metals and my personal favourite. With proper care, your silver will retain its beauty and character for many generations to come. But it can tarnish for many reasons so here is a quick guide for you:

Tanya Krackowizer silver bangle selection

What you need to know:

Sterling silver tarnishes, especially when exposed to salt air and some products containing sulphur, such as rubber bands, and some papers and products containing chemicals such as sun-creams, perfumes and body lotions. However, silver that is regularly used typically needs less care, so Heart Gallery strongly encourages you to wear your silver every day……why wouldn’t you? I don’t need an excuse do you? When you are not adorned with your silver simply keep it in the box we packaged your piece in. If you do use a jewellery box then please make sure you keep each piece in a separate place, perhaps wrapped in a fabric pouch or roll.

Elaine Jenkins – Silver and 18ct gold rings

Washing silver:

Heart Gallery recommends washing silver by hand in warm water with a mild detergent. Because many gases in the air and products that we use on our skin can have a corrosive effect, we suggest that you wash your silver immediately after use. Silver should not be left to soak in water. To avoid spotting, it is important to dry your silver immediately after washing and at Heart Gallery we place on absorbent kitchen roll on top of the radiator to ensure that it is thoroughly dry before placing back in the cabinet.

Emily Morgan – Heart Charm Bracelet

Our old-fashioned tip :

Regularly using this method will stop you having to use a more abrasive approach with dips and chemicals. Take a deep bowl and line with aluminium foil. Boil a kettle and add to the bowl with a couple of teaspoons of table salt and half a teaspoon of baking soda. Wait for it to dissolve and then drop your silver jewellery in to soak for a while. This is especially good when your jewellery includes pearls or gemstones as it is not harmful to them. Remove after about 20 minutes and rinse under warm soapy water then dry thoroughly as mentioned earlier.

Amanda Cox Silver and Freshwater Pearl Necklace

Gentle rubbing:

We sell a good quality silver cloth for only £3 which is impregnated with a compound to stop the silver oxidising. This can be used to gently rub over your silver once a week to remove any tarnish by using gentle back and forth movements so you don’t damage your piece of jewellery. These cloths can be used even if your jewellery contains stones or pearls as they are not harmful or abrasive.

Emily Thatcher Companion Rings Silver Onyx and Black Diamonds

Dips & Chemicals

These are quite harsh and should be avoided really where possible. By following our simple guide above you should not need to go down this route but if you do we recommend Silvex. This cleaner is not as abrasive as silver dip and others available and it’s not harmful to silver jewellery that also incorporates fresh water pearls or gemstones. You don’t need much and you can just apply with a soft cloth, small sponge or small soft bristled brush. Rub your piece gently but firmly using even strokes then rinse in warm soapy water, dry thoroughly and then buff gently with a soft cloth/silver cloth.

Alice Stewart Silver Doves Necklace

And there you have it, a simple guide to looking after your beautiful silver jewellery to ensure your pieces will become heirlooms of the future.

Meet The Maker – Katherine Lawrie

Katherine Lawrie - jeweller

From an early age Katherine has been familiar with the techniques involved in making jewellery and working with metal. Her father works as a jewellery designer maker and often Katherine would work alongside him in his workshop.

Silver textured heart studs

Silver textured heart drops on long wires

By the age of 16 her jewellery making became a serious hobby and Katherine sold jewellery to her friends for pocket money. She won young Craftsman of the Year in the early 1990s, which made her take her talents more seriously.

Silver textured leaf necklace with fresh water pearl

Katherine went to the Surrey Institute of Art and Design and then on to Edinburgh College of Art and in 1999 Katherine set out as a professional jewellery designer maker.

Personalised silver bracelet on fresh water pearls

Katherine’s jewellery, handmade in sterling silver and gold, is inspired by natural forms and textural qualities.She uses various techniques to create her jewellery. The predominant one is roller texturing, an unpredictable technique which involves the use of steel rolling mills and natural and manmade materials, such as feathers, leaves, lace and petals. The object disintegrates but leaves the surface of the metal with a rich ethereal texture.

Silver textured heart necklace on fresh water pearls

Using this technique involves a lot of happy accidents, but that is what keeps it fresh, and inspiring. The jewellery can be very evocative, the pressing of a special leaf from a place visited once, or grandma’s lace.

Silver textured heart necklace

She uses this in conjunction with semi-precious and precious stones and beads to create a body of work with sensitivity and subtlety which works in sympathy with the wearer. 

Personalised silver bracelet with fresh water pearls

Katherine sells her work through various outlets and off exhibitions and she is also an associate member of the Society of Botanical Artists, which has an annual exhibition at Central Hall in London. She regularly takes part in Open house exhibitions in Brighton and Heart Gallery is proud that Katherine has chosen Heart Gallery as a more northern stockist for her new range.

Meet The Maker – Helen Brice

Helen Brice - jeweller

Helen has been designing award winning jewellery since she created ‘Helen Brice Designs’ in 2000.

Helen Brice - Trio rings

Her newest collection ‘Precious’ co-ordinates the beautiful natural colouring of precious and semi-precious gemstones, with the warmth of White, Yellow & Rose Gold. Her outstanding ring designs are partnered with beautiful pendants, brooches and earrings in a stunning collection which effortlessly bridges the gap between contemporary and classical jewellery design.

Helen Brice - Meteor trio of golds

Meteor ring set with peridot and diamonds

With inspiration drawn from architectural details and celestial patterns, Helen has created a uniquely versatile collection which lends itself to be tailored to create bespoke jewellery incorporating sentimental gems for her customers.

Helen Brice - Element rings

The growing collection, which also includes wedding and engagement rings, can be produced to commission in Yellow/White/Rose Gold, 9ct & 18ct, as well as Sterling Silver or Platinum. Helen particularly enjoys designing bespoke pieces for individual clients and welcomes the opportunity to create new and innovative jewellery.

Precious gem set jewellery by Helen Brice

Heart Gallery is proud to showcase Helen’s stunning jewellery again in our Wedding Showcase five years after first meeting her. Helen’s unique design flair and creative use of gemstones has led to many delightful and inspiring jewellery commissions, which embrace both classical style and contemporary design. If you have a special occasion to celebrate, or just want to breathe new life into your inherited gemstones, through the creation of bespoke designed jewellery, we are more than happy to discuss any ideas so bob in to see Helen’s stunning range soon.

Round Meteor ring set with tsavorite garnet