Meet The Maker – Leigh Shepherd

Leigh Shepherd - jewellery designer

After studying Fine Art at Manchester Metropolitan University Leigh worked in animation, including projects for Channel 4 and ITV. Following a career in teaching Leigh is now a ‘full time’ jewellery designer and maker.

Vintage Scrabble Tile necklace on silver in Sky Blue Blossom chiyogami paper

Scrabble tile necklace on silver chain with sakura amethyst chiyogami paper

Leigh’s designs were inspired by a desire to recycle or preferably ‘upcycle’ objects to create new pieces using vintage Scrabble tiles for necklaces, sixpence pieces for earrings and domino and draught pieces for brooches.

Sixpence earrings in blossom blue chiyogami paper

Leigh makes these beautiful earrings using original sixpence pieces and handmade silver earwires and presents them in a matching tin.

Draught brooch - Angel design using original photo of a 40s starlet

Each of Leigh’s pieces is carefully collaged with high quality papers. Leigh uses Japanese silk screened papers known as ‘chiyogami paper’, postage stamps or hand marbled Italian paper sealed with a glossy, water based resin to protect the design.

Draught brooch - Leigh's own tattoo design based on 50s style Rockabilly imagery

The resin used is very durable so Leigh’s brooches are safe to wear on a coat or bag. They will be unaffected by rain showers.

Draught brooch - dreamer

Leigh has been featured in Make Jewellery Magazine and Craft & Design magazine to name a couple and now has work in the British Museum.

Domino brooch in chiyo red

All Leigh’s lovely ‘upcycled’ pieces come on a card and are gift wrapped by Heart Gallery so all you have to do is enjoy the giving!

Domino brooch on display card

Celebrate Summer at Heart Gallery

Well folks, despite the weather being so wet for this time of year things are warm, inviting and sunny in Heart Gallery. The latest work has been well received and so I thought I would share a few more images with you and look forward to seeing you soon.

Amy Keeper’s silver photo etched jewellery using old postcards has just arrived and is stunning – call in to see her earrings, bracelets, necklaces, rings and cufflinks soon, you will not be disappointed.

Amanda Bates’ textile work is just wonderful and incorporates automata so if you look at this piece very carefully you can see a small mechanism to the right. If you call in to Heart Gallery to ‘have a play’ you will be able to see the Magpies do their own special ‘jig’!!

Leigh is one of Heart Gallery’s local designer/makers and her latest range has been a hit. She uses vintage Mah Jong and scrabble tiles as her inspiration and covers them with japanese papers and a non-toxic coating turning them into necklaces with a matchin tin or pot to keep them in. At £38 and £30 respectively for these amazing pieces they are perfect not only for gifts but as treats for yourself.

New Work

Well, off to Londinium Thursday to The Greats Awards and acting like a giddy kipper at the prospect of 2 days away from work! I have had to pay for this time off this week though! I have seen more makers this week and have lots of lovely new work due in Saturday when I return. One maker from Ilkley brought me gorgeous pieces made from vintage recycled fabrics – one lavender bag has been made from fabric she had as curtains in the’70s! Another maker has developed a technique for making jewellery from vintage scrabble tiles embossed with japanese papers and glazed – all presented in a matching tin. 

No images yet folks as I want to keep you guessing but call in Saturday and you will not be disappointed.

Oh, and one maker has just finished a commission of an absolutely gorgeous red sparkly crown for my customer’s 3 year old granddaughter and it is so lovely sitting proud on a red velvet cushion – I promise you a photo soon!

Bye for now, see you Saturday.

Alison