2010s

  • Lemur

    This Lemur brooch is by the designer Tom McDowell.  Tom uses children’s drawings as a springboard starting point for his work.  The lemur was chosen by an 11 year old girl who was inspired by the film “Madagascar”.  The brooch is made from anodised aluminium and synthetic flock which he applies whilst running an electric…

  • Abstract Square

    I was first introduced to Gail Klevan’s jewellery at the Dazzle exhibition.  This brooch is typical of her work – bright vibrant designs on acrylic. Gail Klevan hails originally from Manchester but studied Jewellery and Silversmithing at the Royal College of Art in London where she won the Bakri Yehia prize for Excellence. Not to…

  • Christmas Reindeer

    This is a modern brooch probably made in the Far East.  Even so, it is well made; the enamel has been carefully done and there are a few paste accents giving some  detail. Rudolph is famous for having a glowing red nose and often referred to as Santa Claus’s 9th Reindeer.  He first appeared in…

  • Hydrangea

    Michael Michaud is an American jewellery designer. His jewellery is made by creating moulds directly from botanical specimens in a process similar to lost-wax casting. Michael uses real leaves, branches or flowers in place of wax models. A mould is created around the botanical specimen and as it is heated the plant matter burns away…

  • Five Layers

    I first met Clara Breen at Dazzle, a Jewellery show held annually at the National Theatre London. I couldn’t have been happier, two of my favourite pastimes rolled into one evening. I can’t remember which play we went to see but I liked the brooch so much I went back and bought the matching earrings….

  • Pair of Swans

    I bought this brooch when we were on holiday in Finland in 2011. We had been to visit Sibelius’s House, Ainola forty km outside Helsinki, a modest house set in a clearing overlooking a lake. The brooch is made of silver by Tiagakoru based in the Arctic Circle. When I am traveling I try wherever…

  • Four Circles

    Ulli Kaiser uses vintage beads in her jewellery. Each piece is a one off, so I know I will not see anyone else wearing this brooch. The different texture of each of the circles is what attracted me. One is felt, one is tight small beads, one is loose beads that move just a little…