A bit about me and my designs.
I have loved jewellery ever since I was tall enough to peer into a jewellery store window, and like most young girls, spent many hours delving into my mother’s jewellery box.
My own jewellery collection – with charms being a particular obsession - started with my very first pay cheque, and hasn’t stopped since.
My love of charms began in the 1960’s (yes, giving my age away) with the fabulous acrylic and celluloid ones we played with as kids – the Disney characters being my favourite. Even way back then, I strung these onto pieces of string to wear as necklaces and bracelets.
My collection eventually grew to incorporate sterling silver, then gold, and somewhere along the way, I morphed into a magpie, and fell in love with all things shiny.
Now that the vintage 60’s gumball charms are back in vogue, I am having a lot of fun designing kitsh, retro jewellery with them. At least now, I can attach them to chain!
With my jewellery, I generally prefer to create themes; something, which tells a story, rather than randomly hanging charms on my bracelets and necklaces.
I use good quality charms and beads collected from around the world, and will use vintage, new, crystal, Lucite, and even buttons - in fact anything to create the desired effect I am looking for.
Nothing is too old or too sacred (except my own special pieces) to use in my jewellery designs. I source good quality, vintage items which I re-work into one of kind pieces you will treasure for years to come.
Textiles also play a huge part in some of my designs. I adore vintage lace, ribbons, pearls and buttons, and these too, find their way onto my one-of-a-kind pieces.
So go on, take a peek……
Tracy
xx
Oh, still reading? Want to know more?
Okay then…deep breath … A Lot About Me!
I have always leaned towards arts and crafts, and started out as a window dresser for a High Street Fashion chain in South Africa
I then joined my husband’s band as a bass player, and together we travelled the world playing music, (mostly rock, so I guess the term ‘Rock Chic’ applies ) both on Cruise ships and internationally. It was a fantastic, exciting and sometimes frightening time. We had the misfortune to sink! Not one, but twice!
The first time was on the Oceanos, when the captain and crew abandoned the ship and left us entertainers to run the rescue, and the second was on the infamous Achille Lauro which caught fire of the coast of Somalia.
Both times we lost everything we possessed, except, yes, you guessed it – my jewellery! It was the first thing I grabbed!
You can find more information on the sinkings here: www.oceanossinking.com
Whilst on my travels I made a point of collecting at least one charm from every country I visited. My charm collection became so vast, (somewhere around 500 sterling silver) that I eventually started making themed bracelets, hence my love for themed jewellery was born.
I had far too many to bracelets to wear, so I devised a chain attachment, which allowed me to wear the bracelets as necklaces. (A feature which I still use on my designs now, and frustratingly, much copied by other designers).
Most of my charms are incredibly special to me, and generally not for sale, but occasionally I may include one of these charms in a piece.
South Africa has never been known as a fashion Mecca, so I always made my own stage clothing and jewellery. My designs were much admired, so when I retired from the music business, it was a natural progression to return to my first love, my passion, my obsession – Jewellery!
I adore everything about it; whether it is floral garden charm bracelet or a solid silver cuff bracelet; although, my favourite designs and a theme I often revisit, is the Romantic Goth designs. With oodles of vintage lace, pearls, crosses and roses, frankly, I am in Goth Heaven.
Although I have taken a few silver metal workshops, and have experimented with precious metal clay, I am basically self-taught. I have also just started a BA degree in metalwork, so keep an eye open for new sterling silver pieces.
I have the full support of my family, especially my husband who spends hours working on my website, and my daughter - who also has her own jewellery website: www.dazzledesignstudio.com
My designs have featured in British magazines, ‘Bead’ and ‘Beads and Beyond’.
A lot of my inspiration comes from the small forest, which backs onto my studio, although the constant wildlife visitors are an endless distraction. Who can work when a fox peers around a bush, or squirrel sits outside the door eating peanuts?
Tia, my long-haired Chihuahua considers my studio to be as much her space as mine, and in between demanding cuddles and walks, generally lies at my feet whilst I work.
Life doesn’t get better than this!
Tracy |
