Cornish Crafted Jewellery

When thinking of jewellery, most of us will be imagining something in gold or silver, perhaps with the benefit of a little sparkle from diamonds or some other precious stone. Thankfully, Justin Duance is not like most of us. For he dreams up amazing jewellery - made of wood!




I know, we've all seen wooden jewellery before. But, Justin's work is on another level. There's none of the lazy rustic 'charm' of the folksy stuff that's two a penny at craft fairs. (And, with Justin being based down in Cornwall, I suspect it would be easy for him to fall into that particular trap). Nor is this jewellery cast from the 'me big chief' mass-produced but superficially ethnic mould. No, this is an altogether more grown-up and accomplished product.


The range includes pendants, bracelets, earrings, rings - yes rings with beautiful warm bands of wood contrasting with clinical
silver. All are a joy to be hold.




The gorgeous organic pebble-shapes used in the bracelets and pendants are so naturally perfect. They could just as easily have been made from the ebb and flow of the tide over millions of years, just like the real thing. And, that's the real beauty of this range. It seems almost accidental. Like is has not been designed so much as occurred from some natural process. And the result is, naturally, amazing.

Visit his website to find out more about Justin Duance's silver and wood jewellery.

Back to school for jewellery designer

Not a new discovery (for me at least), but certainly a story worth a mention. 5 years ago, Claire Wood was a mild mannered 'suit' carving out a career in human resources. Thankfully, she came to her senses and jacked that in, so she could follow her dream of being a jewellery designer. At not inconsiderable financial risk (and hardship!) she went back to school and graduated with a first class honours degree in jewellery design 3 years later. She's now developing a successful range of contemporary pieces inspired by geometry and movement.

Claire makes all the pieces herself using traditional skills; soldering, hand-shaping, polishing. And, every piece is made to exacting standards. Each is inspected and re-finished after hallmarking - nothing is left to chance. She works in silver and gold using semi-precious stones.

Currently, the range includes earrings, bracelets and necklaces from around £35 to £125. But at pressies4princesses (the online gift store I manage - see this post for confession) we're big fans and so are our customers! So, we are sponsoring Claire to develop a new range in gold with diamond settings. And, I can tell you, the outlines received so far look fabulous!

Find out more at Claire Wood Jewellery (Claire's website). Alternatively, you can find her pieces to buy at the Designer Jewellery section at pressies4princesses.