Sharon McSwiney – Jewellery – Worcestershire Guild

I have been a professional creative & artist for over 30 years. Originally from Worcestershire I now live & work in St Ives where I have a small gallery displaying my pieces. My work is hugely inspired by living by the coast. The ever-changing colours are constant inspiration. I create metalwork wall art & jewellery. Working in metals such as copper & brass which enable me to explore distressed surfaces, pattern & unique effects on the wall pieces. Seaweed fronds, sea creatures are etched in metal & soldered together to make individual artworks.

Limpets are one of my obsessions which are reflected in a range of silver jewellery with cast shells from various Cornish beaches. I have developed a new collection of jewellery inspired by Barbara Hepworth & Troika pottery. This is also influencing my metalwork leading to a more abstract interpretation of pieces.

I gather inspiration wherever I go in Cornwall taking photographs of surface textures such as distressed paint, rock formations & rusty metals, in addition to collecting limpet shells & fragments from the beach.

Alongside my own gallery I am also involved with a co-operative art gallery Back Road Artworks & a member of the Cornish Crafts Association.