Meet the Maker - Issy White

For this weeks installment of Meet the Maker, we interview Issy White, an independent jeweller based in Sussex. She turns elements of nature into jewellery that captures the beauty of the world around us. A varied selection of her work is available in the gallery from everyday silver studs to gemstone stacking rings.

When did you start creating jewellery?

"My first vivid memory of making jewellery is from sitting on a roof top in Nepal, learning to make knotted bracelets with beautiful hand made beads. I was 18, so that was over 20 years ago."

"After university (not studying anything to do with jewellery) I signed up to evening courses in silversmithing and it went from there. I did a variety of part time courses and diplomas – and I experimented on my bench at home. A lot."

Who inspires you the most?

"My father is a big encouragement to me. He didn't have a creative career but he has the mind of an artist and he's always taken a keen interest in any creative pursuit I've wanted to follow."

"When I first started making jewellery, the mother of my boyfriend at the time was also very supportive and encouraging. She is an art critic and has the most inspirational house, crammed full of art and interesting work. They got me my first website domain and I still have some beautiful jewellery books that she bought for me."
"As my work has developed, one inspiration has eclipsed everything. Nature. I'm obsessed with capturing the natural world in the jewellery I create."

What was the inspiration for the ring?

" Thes ring is called 'A Tree In A Tree'. The naturally occurring pattern in the dendritic agate is like natures portrait of a tree in winter. I have wrapped up this mini piece of art in the golden bark of a London Plane tree. To add a touch of frost to this bare tree, I've added some white diamond sparkle around the edge.

If you weren’t a jeweller what would choose as a career?

"I always liked the idea of working with children as an art therapist. Art is such amazing tool to work through some of the more complex emotions we have."

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

"All of my pieces begin outdoors. From my studio in West Sussex, I forage for tiny instances of Mother Nature – like peeling tree bark or a fallen seed. I turn these fragments into handcrafted contemporary jewellery using a technique known as ‘lost wax casting’.

After casting the foraged fragments in bronze, silver or gold, I carefully manipulate the metal – priming and polishing, bending and burnishing, helping the organic shape to fit the contours of our own natural bodies.

"I love to use gemstones in my work too, I try to reflect natures nature palette using blues and greens. Finding the gemstones and hunting for the bark are the best parts of the job!"

What are you listening to?

"I love working to music or audio books. The last book that kept me company for about 30 hours was The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese. I loved it. I'm also a big fan of Folk, Jazz and Blues music. Diana Cluck and Nina Simone are two artists that spring to mind. Although I do love 'shuffle' mode on iPlayer which throws out all sorts of music from what I've collected over the years."

What’s next for you?

"More bark, of course! I want to try out more textures from different trees. This is something I'm always doing in the background but after my next deadline I really want to take some time to properly develop some new bark from a Cherry tree I have waiting for me."

The 'Tree within a Tree' ring is available as part of our 'One of a kind' Exhibition is available in our 'One of a Kind' Ring exhibition. live online and instore if you'd like to pop by and try these on.

This collection celebrates artistry and craftsmanship. Every designer was asked to create a piece that is authentic to their own distinctive aesthetic and creative voice. From vibrant rainbow clusters to intricate details inspired by the coast, there is something to captivate every taste. Whether you are a collector or a jewellery enthusiast, we invite you to explore exceptional pieces by some of today’s leading independent designers.