5 Rings At The Art Ring Show That Would Make Perfect Christmas Presents ~ Kate Matthams Senior Contributor
One of London’s leading art jewelry galleries, Tomfoolery, is back this winter with ARTring, its annual showcase of jewelry by international artist jewelers. Thoughtfully curated by the gallery’s creative director, Laura Kay, each of the 29 rings has been exclusively designed for Tomfoolery to encapsulate the creator’s design style and comes with a story card that includes a sketch and a few words from the designer about the jewel. All are one-of-a-kind pieces that would make perfect Christmas gifts (or gifting inspiration).
The Coral & Barnacle Cluster Art Ring By Ami Pepper
Full of hand-worked texture and granulation, this ring draws on the designer’s childhood memories of beachcombing in Wales, and the shells and creatures she found there. “By studying the traces of the tides and colours of the landscape, the ring encapsulates an essence of the raw, organic treasure, encrusted with barnacles like a shell would be over time under the sea,” says Pepper of the jewel, which sees green sapphires of varying hues bursting out from tiny pipes and bubbles of 9kt gold.
Ami Pepper Trunk Show ~ Friday 19th May & Saturday 20th May
The AMJ team are delighted to announce that this May, Ami Pepper will be visiting the gallery to showcase an exiting, exclusive, trunk show of her latest collection.
For two days - Friday 19th and Saturday 20th May ~ Ami will be bringing you additional pieces from her amazing collection, which we invite you to view, try on and purchase.
Ami is also a specialist in commissioned pieces and bespoke remodelling. So if you’re looking to remodel unworn jewellery or inherited stones, Ami is able to rework any design into a one-of-a-kind ocean treasure ~
Tickets to the event are free ~ but if you would like to book a consultation slot ~ head over to Anne Morgan
TomFoolery ~ Love ring ~ Financial Times ~
Tomfoolery London’s 2023 Alternative LoveRing Wedding Showcase has successfully launched its stunning collection of innovative jewellery lines. Hailed as the destination for alternative fine jewellery, this show promises to be an essential edit for the discerning bride or groom.
…Hounoured to have been included in lovely write up and feature in the Financial Times …
If you are in the Muswell Hill area, pop in and try some treasures ~
Antique diamond & opalescent treasures ~available at Tomfoolery
A M I P E P P E R J E W E L L E R ~ C O A S T M A G A Z I N E
‘‘In the hands of Ami Pepper, shells and seaweed from Pembrokeshire become things of beauty, as she weaves their shapes and textures into rings, necklaces and earrings encrusted with precious gems’’ ~ words Kate Youde
Were you to find a piece of Ami Pepper’s gold jewellery on the beach, she reckons it might look slightly shiny but that it would blend in with the sea wrack that inspires her. The Welsh jeweller reinterprets the textures, forms and colours of seaweed and shells washed in by the tide, and barnacles in rock pools, as sculptural rings, earrings and necklaces. ‘Because I’m constantly handling or looking at those formations, that naturally translates into my work,’ she says.
Growing up in Pembrokeshire, Ami spent her childhood collecting marine ‘treasures’ from the shoreline. Beachcombing around Fishguard is now a daily activity with her one-year-old Afghan Hound, Strumble (named after the local headland and lighthouse). Discoveries change with the seasons, as storms bring ashore mermaids, s purses (egg cases of the lesser-spotted dogfish) and very low tides provide opportunities to forage for different seaweeds.
Her studio sits above the West Wales Arts Centre, a gallery run by her parents in Fishguard. it overlooks Lower Town and Dinas Island. ‘an ever-chaining expanse of sky and sea’ that is reflected in her jewellery by the hues of the stones : green and blue sapphires, and diamonds in soft tones such as white and pink that evoke clouds and sunsets. When working on a new piece, Ami arranges any inspiring seaside finds in her workbench and models her design in wax. She adds the stones and melts the wax around them to build an organic shape. She sends the finished model to Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter, where a mould is made and filled with molten gold in a process called lost wax casting. if her design calls for the stones to be removed before casting, she encrusts the gold piece with gems on its return. The majority of Ami’s work is bespoke commissions, including engagement and wedding rings. Clients often send her sand from their favourite beach to embed into sentimental jewellery. ‘People like the idea oof holding something within them,’ she says. Ami carries her own costal surroundings into all her work.
‘Nature is amazing, It’s like the Japanese word wabi-sari, so perfectly imperfect.’
DIAMONDS IN THE ROUGH ~ HOW TO SPENT IT ~ Financial Times ~
~ Renegade jewellers are casting gems in gold with stunning results ~ by Victoria Woodcock ~
‘‘In West Wales, Ami Pepper’s 9ct - gold interpretations of the Pembrokeshire coast are cast with sapphires, encased so that they cling to rings and pendants encrusted with barnacles or nestle amongst seaweed-cluster drop earrings.’’
Financial Times ~ How to spend it talks thought the process of casting the gem stones directly into the gold ~ a pretty reckless process ~
The word ‘‘organic’’ is a common response to the appeal of cast-in-place jewels.
~ G o l d s m I t h s ’ F a i r ~ Celebrating 40 years ~
If you have been dreaming of trying on some mermaid treasure ~ I will be showing my treasure at this years Goldsmith’s Fair, the Uk’s primary destination for fine jewellery and silverwear.
You can find me in week one ~ 27 September ~ 2 October. ~ Stand no.49 ~
11am - 6pm Tuesday - Saturday. .11am - 4pm Sunday Goldsmiths’ Hall, Foster lane, London, EC2V 6BN
Featuring 136 of the UK’s most extraordinary silversmiths and goldsmiths, this year’s Fair will not disappoint. From wire work to 3D printing, traditional goldsmithing to intricate engraving, the 40th anniversary exhibitors combine ancient techniques with modern day technologies, ensuring that there will be something for everyone with a passion for fine jewellery and contemporary silver.
With an exciting cohort of new exhibitors, this year’s event promises to deliver collections as yet unseen at the Hall, whilst simultaneously welcoming back master craftspeople whose careers were launched at Goldsmiths’ Fair over the last four decades.
~Shells for Shelter ~ Launching Saturday 28th November
#shellsforshelter is inspired by one of my favourite pieces I used to make when I was a kid ~ I wanted to share something that holds such special memories for this project.
I feel so grateful to be able to make beautiful & cherished pieces of jewellery for amazing people ~ and with your support to keep on making is magical ~
But being apart of the luxury goods industry is pretty challenging ~ and for a while now I have been searching for a way to reach out and give back by sharing something what I do with my hands.
The sea shells I have made are based on a found limpet shell along the Pembrokeshire coast which once housed a little creature. These little shells will become necklaces which a donation of 15% will be donated to Shelter Charity to help those in need along a journey to a home.
10 silver & 5 gold shells have been made and will be available on my online shop Saturday 28th November.
Being able to do a project like this for Shelter Charity is so heart warming ~ if we can make a little difference we are on the right track in helping someones story.
From the bottom of my heart thank you for following along and being apart of change ~ love Ami xx
~ The Sand Mason Collection ~
For this years virtual Goldsmiths’ Fair I have crafted a golden collection of jewels inspired by sand mason worms found along the Pembrokeshire coast ~
Emerging from this time of reflection being back in Wales I immersed myself back into nature and the landscape. The result crafting this small one of a kind collection to embody my makers journey from gathering to handmade object.
Accompanying each piece is a Sand Mason study block printed on Japanese Yoshi Paper
Goldsmiths’ Fair goes digital ~
This year Goldsmiths’ Fair will be heading to a digital platform and I am thrilled to be exhibiting with them on this new joureny ~
Goldsmiths’ Fair, a selling event and exhibition for fine jewellers and silversmiths, is launching a digital Fair in 2020. The Fair will provide an online platform for around 130 exhibitors and established visitors, 9,000 of who ordinarily attend the live event at the Goldsmiths’ Hall in the City of London, as well as to new audiences from around the world.
The Goldsmiths’ Company, who run the event – an essential stop on the international fine jewellery and contemporary silver calendar – is moving the Fair 2020 and its programme of talks, events and exhibitions online, to support business recovery for sole traders and microbusinesses making and creating in the UK today.
The Cilwendeg Shell House ~
Recently I took a trip to the Cilwendeg Shell House to take inspiration for my future studio in Pembrokeshire ~
The Cilwendeg Shell House Hermitage is a most remarkable ornamental grotto, and a rare survival in West Wales.
It was built in the late 1820s by Morgan Jones the Younger, who inherited the Cilwendeg estate upon the death of his uncle and created the Shell House in his uncle’s honour.
This extraordinary woodland retreat was conceived in the picturesque taste of the era, and in addition to serving as a grateful tribute to the elder Jones, it was used by his family as a cool amusement in the summer months and a contemplative reading room in the depths of the winter.
RING ~Diana Porter Contemporary jewellery
Delighted to be showing these barnacle encrusted diamond treasures at Diana Porter’s galleryn Bristol ~ This summer sees the return of our annual RING Exhibition, showcasing some of the worlds most visionary and acclaimed jewellery designers. The exhibition presents an assortment of talented works and fine handcrafted rings created especially for the event.
A mix of both men’s and women’s engagement and wedding rings feature alongside a selection of eternity bands and exclusive bridal ring sets. So, whether you’re celebrating tying the knot, recently engaged or wanting to choose a sustainable piece there’s plenty of inspiration for all.
The Exhibition launches on August 3rd and will run until the end of October.
Tomfoolery Alternative Wedding Showcase 2020
COVID-19 Update ~ due to the UK lockdown you are not able to visit the tomfoolery store but I hope their website will be a welcome distraction. Wishing you all wellness ~ Stay Safe, Stay Home.
Tomfoolery, Muswell Hill, London
Tomfoolery London’s 2020 Alternative Wedding Showcase has successfully launched its stunning collection of innovative jewellery lines. Hailed as the destination for alternative fine jewellery, this show promises to be an essential edit for the discerning bride or groom.
~ Wild Pickings ~
Seaweed Foraging with Jade Mellor
Coinciding with the super low spring tides I recently went on a seaweed foraging with nature loving Jade Mellor at my home in Pembrokeshire to gather inspiration for a new collection.
We took a walk down to the beach at low tide during the super moon, the lowest tides in nearly two decades. Parts of the shore line usually submerged under the water became exposed, revealing a bounty of seaweed. The workshop focused primarily on gathering seaweeds and identifying a selection of tasty edible seaweeds.
‘’I love the coast in Winter. The stark light, elemental weather and the bleak beauty of a desolate, open beach’’ ~ Jade Mellor ~
ELEVATE is the Goldsmiths' Company's exclusive jewellery wholesale event
Friday 17 April ~ Saturday 18 April….Covid-19 Update: Dates postponed for the foreseeable.
The Goldsmiths’ Company is committed to fostering a robust and thriving British jewellery trade. ELEVATE offers a boutique, intimate platform for hand-crafted jewellery brands to engage with both domestic and international wholesale buyers.
The event takes place at historic Goldsmiths’ Hall, the traditional home of the British jewellery trade for nearly seven centuries.
Opal Ocean Treasure Ring
~ Ami Pepper for the Treasury at Gill Wing ~
The most exquisite Opal from Lightning Ridge, Australia combined with green tourmalines, tsavorites and blue diamonds have been hand selected by the Gill Wing Team and Ami was commissioned to make this incredible piece in 14ct Fairtrade gold. The opal reflects flashes of ocean blues and deep rich forest greens illustrating the incredible diversity of tones witnessed in the best Lightning Ridge opals.
The Designer
Born in Pembrokeshire West Wales, Ami’s collections of unique & sculptural pieces of jewellery explore the intricate cluster formations of shells. Ami’s fascination with their formations stem from her childhood memories of beach combing along the Pembrokeshire coast. The cycles of the tides washing ashore organic forms offered intricate textures and tones in her finds. Ami sculpts her jewellery through meticulous hand carving, casting into metal and encrusted with stones, to form precious yet organic compositions.
Ami began her studies on the foundation course at Central Saint Martin’s and went on to graduate with a first class BA(Hons) from the prestigious School of Jewellery in Birmingham in 2013.
“We discovered an ocean inside this opal cut by Ancients17. Ami Pepper translates
delicate barnacles and shells in to exquisite gems, so it was a natural choice
to ask her to create the perfect oceanic ring for our Treasury. Encapsulating the beautiful gems that I selected in Fairtrade gold transports me to hazy days of rock-pooling and treasure seeking. A true One of a Kind. ” Sarah Burns, Director, Gill Wing Jewellery.
~ Alternative wedding Showcase ~
~ Saturday 17th March ~Saturday 5th May ~
CREATIVE INFLUENCES ~ Goldsmiths' Fair
Jeweller, Ami Pepper showed us some photographs of what influences her work.
‘The images of nature are taken from the coastlines around Pembrokeshire where I grew up. Gathering up all my beach comb finds I hoard them in my studio to study and take impressions.’
I carve all my pieces in wax. I love wax, it takes on all sorts of textures and is very forgiving. Sculpting the wax in the shapes of shells and barnacles, I then cluster them around stones creating jewels that to me are like ocean treasure.’
VANITY FAIR ON JEWELLERY
I am so thrilled to be featured in August's '16 Issue of Vanity Fair on Jewellery! The article is on Goldsmiths Fair and this years invited Guest Curator Erin O'Connor. I am featured in good company of fellow jewellers and honoured to have made her cut!
Abandoned Homes ~ Gold Plated Silver with rose cut diamonds
GOLDSMITHS' FAIR ~ ERIN O'CONNOR SELECTS
So honoured to announce that my ring has been selected by Erin O'Connor as part of this years guest curator for Goldsmiths Fair special showcase ~
I will be showing at Goldsmiths' Fair in the week one Tuesday 27th September ~ Sunday 2nd October stand no. 39 ~ here you will be able to try on a selection of jewellery so please come along!
CRAFTS COUNCIL HOTHOUSE
Over this year I am being supported by the Cratfs Council's creative development programme Hothouse. The essence of this programme will be to understand my values and grow my practice, an exiting venture!