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2023 highlights of a jewellery artist

Hurray! What a relief that 2023 was a better year for me and I’m able to begin 2024 on a bit of a high…
Scroll down to see my photo gallery of highlights

My highlights of 2023:

  • Creating a range of new wirework jewellery designs inspired by the art of the ancient Anglo-Saxons, Celts, and Byzantines, then teaching these designs on a jewellery making weekend masterclass at the British Library in London.
  • Whilst in London, visiting the British Library treasures gallery to see their Illuminated Manuscripts and spending many hours being fascinated by ancient artworks at the British Museum.
  • Further developing my new jewellery collections; including vine and byzantine scroll style wirework, and celestial charm earring collections and adding them to my elfin alchemy web shop.
  • Creating a new darker look, updating my elfin alchemy website with better photographs, and revamping my stall display with many new upcycled pieces.
  • Being interviewed and featured in a 2-page spread in the Ribble Valley Live magazine
  • Enjoying great talks and buying many interesting books whilst at the Mysterious Earth Conference, my 5th year of being there!
  • Taking part in some new super Lancashire events and my work getting lots of love, with many of my latest pieces heading off to new homes

I feel very thankful that I was blessed with a much better year in 2023, after all the health difficulties I faced in 2021-22. In one of my upcoming blogs, I’ll share some of the things that helped me through this difficult time.

There still wasn’t enough time to fit everything I wanted to do into 2023, so some things were postponed and became part of my 2024 tasks.  These I’ll share with you in my next blog post…

Thank you for being part of my journey, wishing you sparkles and hugs my lovelies, Rowena xx

Some photos of my 2023 highlights:

spiral examples for the British Library masterclass
Mysterious Earth talk by Peter Yankowski
making at the British Library masterclass
British Library illuminated manuscript
The British Museum
Magical ancient sculptures on display at the British Museum
elfin alchemy revamped stall display
elfin alchemy interview
elfin alchemy revamped stall
elfin alchemy vine scroll crescent moon earrings
darker style photos for the elfin alchemy website
blog, jewelart photography, new designs

jewelart photography

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Sharing with you a bit of what goes into my jewellery photography…

Recently, I added to my unusual finds collection, whilst having a stall at a makers market which had been combined with a vintage collectables fair.

As soon as I saw the vintage cherub, I thought it would be really useful. I could use it as it was intended – as a plant pot holder – and also as a prop for my jewellery photography. It’s a lovely handmade cherub.

As a display for my jewellery, I like its variation of silver and pewter tones, but a downside of its shiny surface is that it causes reflections that I don’t particularly want in the photos. My windowsill has the best light for photography, I often experiment with different backgrounds, moving the props around and photographing from a variety of angles to see which gives the best results.

jewelart jewellery photography variation – chosen photo

A photograph of one of my new smaller sized glass pendants that are on a vintage style filigree bail on a snake chain necklace.

Some of the photos turned out either too dark or light. Photographing glass isn’t easy, because of its shiny surface you get many reflections and variations in colour.

Am sure my jewellery photography skills will improve in time,
Sam Rowena x

galleries & venues, new designs

Platform Gallery Craft Open Exhibition 2015

The Platform Gallery Craft Annual Open Exhibition has a selection of textiles, pottery, wood, furniture, metalwork, glass, print-work, and jewellery from makers across the North-West.

A maximum of 3 pieces can be entered by each maker for the exhibition. All of the 3 pieces that I entered, were selected and they are currently on display there; a Venus copper and pale pink fused glass pendant on a copper chain, rose-coloured medieval 2 bead earrings, and copper flower earrings.

The Craft Open exhibition runs until 4th July

jewelart venus designs
venus copper flower earrings

Clitheroe is a great place to visit for a day out. It’s a pretty market town, with lovely shops, cafes, galleries, a castle, and museum.
Sam Rowena x

more info: www.ribblevalley.gov.uk/info/200303/platform_gallery

jewelart photography, new designs

jewelart designs April 2015

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After hibernating during the dark and cold Winter, Spring has helped to rekindle my creativity and I’ve enjoyed getting lost in time, making some gorgeous new jewellery pieces. I’ve tinkered with some of my designs and experimented using different colours, beads, and buttons.

amethyst beaded copper squiggle necklace
lilac flower earrings
one-off vintage button earrings

I am chuffed to bits with these new pieces, it’s felt so good to get back to making and spending some time being creative. You can now find these beauties or similar pieces on my stall at events.

Thanks for joining me on my creative journey,
Sam Rowena, jewellery artist x