Hello, allow me to introduce myself.
I am Isabel Nelson,
I have had a lifelong passion for Jewellery,
I also have two special needs incredibly lively kids that can hijack my brain at times and stop it from functioning properly
I was born in Guildford but now based in Preston.I started making bead jewellery in my teens, because when I was Eight my family moved to South Africa and I became fascinated by the beading techniques used by some of the indigenous people.
I started by making bead Jewellery for myself, then when friends started to like them I made them as presents, one day my boss wanted to buy one off me, now that gives you the confidence, to know that you must be making something that people want to give you their hard earned cash for.
So when I came to live in Preston, I took part on a Craft fair at Salmsbury Hall, in my late twenties, the penny had dropped, I wanted to make Jewellery for the rest of my life.
I went to UCLAN, then did an HND in Silversmithing
l joined the North West Design Collective, the Craft Council and the British Jewellers Association, and exhibited my work at galleries and exhibitions all over the country.
I love contrasts of textures and, on a journey to Lanzarote, I noticed the texture of the igneous rock; lava that has been forced up though the Earth before cooling and solidifying in the air. The ebb and flow of the hot molten lava as it cools becomes something to feel; these natural forms look as if they should be pliable and soft, yet they are completely solid.
I have this same feeling when I melt silver; seeing the texture appear as it cools. I like to emphasize the contrast of the rough, textured silver with well-defined polished geometric shapes;, highly polished silver and gold, gem beads and coloured enamel. The initial creative flow from the lava has metamorphosed into more contrasting designs, utilizing different textures and materials.”
I am working on a new range of jewellery at the moment called Qui, which is very different. I use resin, paper and recycled silver to create wearable art. Qui is currently on Exhibition in the Ribble Gallery open Art Exhibition, at Clitheroe Castle until October 2017
Experience and Qualifications:
Arden College, Northenden, Manchester.
HND, Silversmithing, Jewellery Making and Design.
Passed with Merit, 1993.
University of Central Lancashire, Preston.
Foundation course, Art and Design.
Passed with Merit, 1991.
Preston College 2003
City and Guilds in 3D Computer Aided Design.
Founder member of North West Design Collective.
Member of the Craft Council.
I am in the Creative Lancashire Directory
https://directory.creativelancashire.org/profiles/isabel-nelson-jewellery-2/
Isabel has also taught jewellery making and led a number of children’s workshops for the Harris Museum and Art Gallery, John Star Side, Lancaster University, Preston College and Lancashire County Council, and Bisham High School
