Meet The Maker - Catherine Hills

This week we speak to nature inspired jewellery designer Catherine Hills who began making jewellery in 1988 at what was then Middlesex Polytechnic in North London. We cover about the decision to open her own shop, running a successful business and designing jewellery for Harry Potter and Star Wars films!

Who inspires you the most?

I am inspired by strong woman creatives like Vivienne Westwood, Frida Kahlo and Paula Rego. I enjoy reading and many of my pieces have been inspired by the poetry of Carol Ann Duffy. I am also huge fan of Sir David Attenborough he would definitely be one of my dream dinner party guests.

What was the inspiration for the jewellery in the exhibition?

Most of the jewellery I make is inspired by flowers animals and nature. Much of the work in this exhibition has a marine theme Octopus, Urchin, Fish , Starfish, Turtle and Axolotl. I am fascinated by the world under the sea.
I have also included some work inspired by Flowers the Daisy and the Sunflower and Seedpods including my best know signature piece the 'Nine Pod Cluster' pendant. My newest piece the Lizard eye ring is from the animal inspired pieces as are my personal favourites the Bee and the Owl.

Please can you tell us a bit about your creative process?

I design and sketch first taking inspiration directly from nature and I sometimes look at jewellery from history and in collections. In the past I would always make the master directly in Silver but now, I often use an amazing female wax carver, to carve them in wax. The results in metal and wax are slightly different, which I really like; it produces different kinds of beading too. I often use found objects, with interesting textures and cast directly from them and then make work, using the resulting textures that are produced from the found items.

What are you listening to? 

I am also very interested in medicine and health so most of the podcasts I listen too are about Gut health, Alzheimers and Cancer ! I find biology totally fascinating and if I had a better brain, I would probably want to be in scientific research.
I am very keen on food and nutrition; its my main interest outside my creative world. I am married to an actor, so we spend time watching plays and ballets; music plays less of a role in my life. But I do have the radio on most of the time when at work and at home.

What’s next for you?

Truthfully to get my home in order, we have a lot of stuff and find it hard to throw things away! I am a collector which means I fill every inch with objects. I have found being a mother, as well as running my business, has meant that something had to give and be last on my list of to do!
I want to dedicate some time to my lovely home and garden.

What’s next for your brand?

I am not sure what is next for me, work wise, because I have been a jeweller for a long time and I feel so lucky to have done everything, I set out to do al those years ago.

History…
I started my career 30 years ago making jewellery to sell in the shops and galleries along side doing a few retail shows like Chelsea Craft and Goldsmiths Fair. I wanted to be in a studio where I focused completely on my own work with little interaction / distraction with customers.
When my first child was six we decided to move out of London as we wanted a more outdoor life for them both so we moved back to my home town. After a while I realised I had became a bit bored, unchallenged and looking back now isolated from other makers . I really missed my creative friends that I had been working closely with as I was now running my business from home.
So when the opportunity came for me to have my own shop after much thought, sleepless nights and a bit of persuasion from an old friend I took it.
This has been the best decision I ever made for my business I have had such fun and learned so much refurbishing and running it over the last ten years. I have begun working and learning about gemstones and doing repairs and all sorts of commissions which I would never had the opportunity to do without my shop. Being in direct contact with the customers has given me a new insight and experience.

Future ..
I want to make some new work as I have been so busy making commissions, over the last three years and my own work has been somewhat neglected. I am finding it hard to get the balance right so I am looking to find a way to make time and energy for this adjustment.

Which is your favourite piece?

My personal favourite is the 'Tiny Bee' Pendant I have just made myself one out of recycled Gold from my unwanted jewellery from my teenage years.
Also the, 'Spotted Daisy’ Bracelet. I believe is one of my most interesting unusual designs.
But the piece that I am most proud of and has been the most financially successful for me is the, 'Nine Pod Cluster’ Pendant. I think the reason for this is it is bold and striking, along with being very wearable. It is a good value and can be worn at all ages and for everyday, or for a special occasion. People who bought and wear this piece tell me they constantly are asked about it. I think, visually, the charms create a narrative and spark peoples imagination and stir up memories.

Finally, for fun, what would be your dream piece to make or person to make for?

I made the jewellery for the Harry Potter Films and Star Wars 'Solo’ so that is pretty much a dream come true . I don’t want to be greedy, but I guess to make jewellery for a James Bond film would make it the perfect trio !
I would love to make a piece for, Tracey Emin, I think she’s fantastic.