Eighth Century Celtic Art
This is the culmination of a project I started 6 years ago. Returning to Scotland after a number of years away it was clear that there is a great love of Celtic culture abroad but very little in the way of quality Art work. Principally eighth century early Christian Art known as the "decadent epoch" work exemplified by the Book of Kells, Durrow, lindisfarne and The Macregol Gospels to name but a few.
I set about trying to do a better job with very little knowledge of Jewellery making. I started researching designs and having them laser etched into Cherry Wood as pendants, with some success and many failures! It wasn't until just over four years ago that I managed to find a company here in the UK to etch my designs in metal, Acid Etching. After the first samples I redesigned the range adding Cuffs, Earrings, Rings and most recently a range in Sterling Silver. I bought tools from established companies happy to accept returns if not useful. I drew designs and had a furniture restorer make wooden forms in order to shape the pieces. My studio is presently a 3 foot x 2 tight space in my flat with a great view to the garden.
After years of development I'm now in a position to bring this work to a wider audience, on the web, wholesale and export. I’m presently selling to the National Museum of Scotland, Roslin Chapel and Groam House, a northernly museum dedicated to the work of George Bain, the person responsible for the majority of the Celtic Artwork we see today. My work is now included in the Museum dedicated to someone I've admired for many years!
This year I hope to add more designs and move into a dedicated studio space bigger than 3 x 2!
