We have two artists in our window during May the first we will showcase here is Susan Hill later in the month we will introduce the other Louise MacIntosh Watson. Below is our interview with Susan.
Susan Hill
Who are you and
what do you do?
I’m Susan Hill, a jewellery designer maker, working in both
sterling silver and gold. I have been designing and creating handcrafted
jewellery for a number of years. All my
work is made with hand tools using traditional silversmithing techniques. My aim is that my jewellery has a style that
is recognised as my own, the design of
the majority of my work being simple classic designs, with the main design
feature being contrasting textures and finishes of the silver and gold.
I also run jewellery & silversmithing workshops from my
studio, which I love, as it gives me the opportunity to pass on my enthusiasm
for jewellery making and helps people realise how achievable great results
are.
How has your
practice changed over time?
I have been designing and making my jewellery for a number
of years, having started originally on a vocational basis when my children were
young. When I first began, I made and
sold my jewellery to family and friends, then gradually increased this to
include local fairs. As my sales started
to increase I was very lucky to be offered the opportunity to work from a
friend’s converted barn while my friend was busy with her sewing at the same
time. My sales and network of customers
went from strength to strength so around 18 months ago I took what felt like a
big step to rent a studio at Banks Mill Studios, Derby. Since this time I haven’t looked back; I absolutely love working from my studio and
am very pleased to say I am now so busy with my jewellery and workshops that it
is now my full-time profession and I now don’t have enough hours in the week!
How do you work
I always have lots of new ideas for pieces that I would to
make and develop, which I jot down on
bits of paper as the ideas often come to me while I am out and about, for
instance if I am driving and I am just thinking round ideas to do with my
jewellery. I sometimes get frustrated as
I don’t have time to work on and develop new designs as I am too busy with
orders (which I know is a good problem to have!) Once I do start working on new ideas they
invariably do not end up the same as their original design as I amend details
as I am making, sometimes to improve the design and sometimes just because I
have had a different idea along the way.
What work do you
most enjoy doing?
I have made a few sets of ‘his and hers’ wedding rings
recently and I always feel so honored to be asked to make what is probably the
most personal piece of jewellery that anyone ever buys! The couples coming to select their rings are
always so excited and I love having a little insight into their forthcoming
wedding day. The thought that the couple
will wear and see their rings that I made every day makes me feel very proud!
What themes/fashions
do you pursue?
I don’t tend to think of my jewellery as being fashion-led
as it is mostly of a classic style, but
if I see pieces or photos of my jewellery from a few years ago I realise that
it has changed in style over this time.
I think in part this is my own distinctive style developing, but there is also an element of changing
fashions and styles being ‘in’ or ‘out’.
What inspires you?
I am inspired by feeling successful in what I am doing, and
feeling proud of my jewellery when people are happy they have bought a piece,
either for themselves or as a gift.
Is the artistic
life lonely? What do you do to
counteract it?
I find that when I am in my studio working on pieces, time
goes so incredibly quickly as I am so absorbed in my work I never have time to
be lonely! One big advantage of my
studio being at Banks Mill Studios is that I enjoy spending time alone working in my studio, but there are
people around for when you want to step outside your work ‘zone’ and switch off
for a little while for a chat and a quick coffee!
What do you like
about your work?
One area of my work that I particularly enjoy is running my
workshops. Everyone who comes to a class
is really motivated and excited about making their own jewellery pieces. They then have the complete satisfaction of
making a piece of jewellery they are quite rightly very proud of.
Favourite or most
inspirational place?
My favourite place is around Padstow in Cornwall. I have been going there with my family for a
number of years and we just love the contrasting coastline, from beautiful
sandy bays to big dramatic cliffs and sea.
What’s the best piece of advice you've been given/would give?
The best piece of advice I would offer to someone is to
treat all sales of your work , however
big or small, as important as each other and put the same level of care into
each piece as you never know what opportunities or orders may follow from
people seeing and being happy with your work.
Thank you Susan!
Find out more:
facebook.com/susanhilljewellery
