We are delighted to welcome silversmith Louise Mary Designs to Sharpe’s Pottery Museum. In September, Louise moved into her brand new studio based within the museum, just a few miles down the road from where her previous workshop was located. Over the weekend of 20th and 21st November, Louise will be holding an Open Studio from 10am to 4.30pm, where visitors can see Louise at work!
Louise grew up in rural north Herefordshire and midway through high school, she attended an evening class making silver jewellery. For Louise, the joy of working in silver was instant, and it was not long before she was making my first silver jewellery collection in the garage at home!
Louise studied for a degree in Metalwork and Jewellery at Sheffield Hallam University and as part of the course, spent a semester at Kookmin University in Seoul, South Korea. She spent a year at the wonderful Bishopland Workshops near Reading, then after a couple of years starting her business from the family home back in Herefordshire, she was keen to develop her practice further, so relocated to Birmingham’s historic Jewellery Quarter where she met many highly skilled craftspeople. Louise has now been an independent designer maker since 2005.
“I now work from my own studio within the historic surroundings of Sharpe’s Pottery Museum in Swadlincote, South Derbyshire. In addition to creating my own work, I run jewellery making courses from the studio. I have had the privilege of being taught by many highly skilled craftspeople over the years. To be able to make my living and support my family making objects and jewellery in silver is a joy, to have reached a level to be able to share it with others by teaching is a great pleasure indeed. As my own enriching creative journey as a silversmith continues, it is wonderful to invite people to the studio to discover this wonderful craft and create lovely pieces and memories whilst they make them under my guidance. It is my way of giving back to this craft which is so much a part of me I can’t imagine my life without it & I feel so lucky to have found it.”
Louise’s silverware and jewellery has been showcased throughout the UK, from independent craft galleries to prolific venues such as Goldsmiths’ Hall and the V&A in London. In addition to the pieces that she creates for exhibition and sale, she also works to commission, each of which are designed uniquely for individual clients, and often personalised with details such as engraving. Louise will be running creative jewellery making workshops from her studio, with workshops aimed at complete beginner’s through to improvers.
We look forward to working with you Louise and wish you every success with your new workshop space!
Find out more about Louise’s work here.