Profile

 

    

 

 

 

Since graduating from Edinburgh College of Art in 1997 I have continued to design and make jewellery from my studio here in Edinburgh. I create collections for galleries scattered around the UK, Europe and USA and regularly take part in exhibitions and fairs. Collections are made up of necklaces, bracelets, brooches, earrings and cufflinks in limited editions or as one-off pieces.

The papers I gather are the starting point for my design work; postcards, letters, envelopes, documents, stamps, linen maps and sepia photographs. I use the original papers themselves giving a home and new purpose to items that could otherwise be discarded. Perspex is layered over the papers to help protect them and they are all combined with blackened silver to give a strong setting, and then the layers are tube riveted together. Semi-precious beads add colour, shape and texture.

Other inspiration comes from observational drawing, experimenting with metal elements and the influence of the urban environment, a collector of textures and writings on walls, old advertisements gradually disappearing with age, and a hunter of graffiti.

Some of these influences are also translated into collages and can be viewed on my website www.clarehillerby.co.uk along with my jewellery, including the exhibition pieces, and further information.