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Meet The Maker - Maisy Beardmore
Posted on 16 Oct 10:42
Today we interview Maisy Beardmore, whose upbringing surrounded by creative arts inspired a love of the heritage craft of hand engraving. Her collection 'Carve Your Story' features bespoke hand engraved designs translated from her detailed drawings and are uniquely combined with specially selected cabochon stones.
When did your jewellery making journey begin?
Growing up in a creative family teaching heritage craft workshops at festivals such as Glastonbury, I’ve always wanted to work in the creative industry. I hadn’t found a skill I was passionate about until I found Jewellery. The design process and the way pieces were problem solved clicked with me, combining art and science to transform bespoke stories into tiny treasures. I went to work at a local jewellers and, finding short courses at the Goldsmiths Centre in London before going to study a HND/BA in traditional jewellery manufacture and design at the Birmingham School of Jewellery. An amazing 3 years where I found my love for the endangered skill of hand engraving that drives my work today.
Who inspires you the most? (No rules here, other jewellers, artists or even family & friends)
I am lucky to be surrounded by so many skilled craftspeople that inspire me every day, ranging from friends, family to colleagues in jewellery and allied trades. I’ve had some amazing work experience learning from master engraver Megan Rigby and the team at Rebus Signet Rings. And more recently from the dedicated team at Cartier in London with the team of master goldsmiths that taught me for the month. In my everyday life, my partner Ted inspires me the most, a talented Horologist who also has no family in the trade, but found a passion for clockmaking that inspired me to find my own passion in hand engraving. I am always most inspired by those who love learning their craft and take the time to teach others.
Is there a favourite project or assignment from your course that inspired you or proved pivotal to your final collection?
The most pivotal project for me was a commission that pushed me to learn deep relief engraving that became my graduate collection exhibited currently. They gave me free reign with the design process- I had always wanted to push my engraving work to deep relief and shoulder carving, it was a privilege to work with them and I am very grateful for the opportunity she gave me.
The final rings shown here were carved with scrolls and sunflowers, set with diamonds, using the customer’s gorgeous sentimental stones- a new heirloom for her and her daughter. It was a wonderful project to work on and the nudge that started my brand.
How do you work - Please can you tell us a little bit about your creative process?
I start with a theme and a story to tell- it could be an artist movement or a bespoke brief. I’m typically drawn to the natural world and love an antique twist, looking for new ways to explore well known themes. Visual imagery such as moodboards and sketches are essential, as an engraver I search for connecting motifs, patterns and textures that I can bring to the design. I work between hand sketching and CAD using Rhino, to refine designs further finishing with a final hand painted design before production. Hand rendered designs add a handmade touch to my design work, and it's the best way to communicate my engraving work- it becomes a keepsake to mark the bespoke creative process.
Sounds of the Studio - what are you listening to?
The current work at my bench decides the sounds of my studio- handy as I have a broad music taste that ranges from heavy metal to yoga meditation, and sometimes the news on the radio if I’ve forgotten the world beyond the workshop.
Sometimes my bespoke design briefs mention a song or artist, and then I always like to play it alongside working on their piece. I had this recently designing and engraving a piece inspired by the life story of the client, where a particular song by a French artist held a lot of meaning for them. I spent 20 hours engraving their piece listening to music by the artist, carving their story into the ring in more ways than one. Music like this in the workshop reminds me why I do what I do- of how important bespoke jewellery is in a world of mass production.
What’s next for you and your brand?
An exciting few months ahead! I’ve just relocated to the Lake District where I’ll be working to set up my workshop open to bespoke work and hand engraving services in the new year. I will be building a website, working on collections inspired by the beautiful landscape around me and carving bespoke makes. Learning is always part of the journey, and I want to focus on continuing to practice traditional hand fabrication and incorporating wax carving to elevate my production process.
Which is your favourite piece either historically or from your current collection?
My favourite piece from my current collection exhibited is the cocktail ring called “Embrace.” It's inspired by embracing the opportunities and obstacles that shape who we are, a story told through nature. It features 2 Sugarloaf cut Cabochon tourmalines, hugged by hand engraved leaves and flowers for strength and growth. I enjoyed going bold with this design and I love how the engraving catches eyes as well as holding a deeper meaning to the wearer.
Finally, for fun, what would be your absolute dream piece to make or person to create for?
A lot of my customers have a creative background and I enjoy working with them to design and make their bespoke jewel. Someone who loves jewellery with a meaning, a creative soul and a lover of sparkly things. I’ve lots of pieces I would love to work on from elaborate clock dials to designing pieces that push my engraving work beyond metal. I would love to learn stone carving to push my engraving beyond the metal.
