Shirley Lowe

Creating unique accessories for environmentally savvy individuals.

Q&A

Artist Statement

Trading under the name of Verdant Jewellery, Shirley tries to find a balance between making the jewellery she loves and protecting
the environment around her. She uses recycled metals, pre-loved stones and natural yarns in her work, while reducing or removing entirely the harmful chemicals used in the process.

What craft do you work with?

My jewellery is predominately made using the techniques of wax and casting. I cast natural objects and designs based on nature and the landscape around me.

What inspires you to work with this craft?

I like to develop my ideas in 3D form, wax allows me to bring my drawings to life before committing to using precious metals. As an ethical maker, I find this save materials as wax can be melted down and used again many times.

How do you start your creative process?

I begin by taking pictures and sketching, before starting to carve in wax. Sometimes a design doesn’t come to life until it is in 3d form. I love to take pictures that I can draw from later, sometime the light will be right but I am on my way to work or busy with other things. Taking a quick picture to remind me of the feeling I had at the time.The most difficult bit of making is getting the time to dedicate to my craft.

How would you best describe your workspace and what tools could you not do without?

In the winter it is my kitchen table but I am lucky enough to have a work room in my garden, it is a glorified shed but it is cosy. I can really focus when I am in the garden, my dogs often come for a visit too. The great thing about working with wax is it is very portable, I can work on it anywhere using only a few simple carving tools. I also rent a space for sand-casting, this allows me to work out issues with a design or idea before outsourcing them to my caster.

Are there new techniques you would like to try?

Yes, there is a Japanese wax called ‘Mitsuro’, I have used it only twice, but it has such potential. It is much softer and can be sculpted by hand rather than carved.I would untimely love to have my own casting system, this would allow me to have a greater control of the whole process, and let me develop my skills.

What have you learnt or the best advice you have received that you would like to share with fellow crafters?

When I was at Art School, I loved the experimentation process, finding out how to work with a material and its potential. This idea of play and learning is important to my own making. I love learning new techniques and failures or happy accidents are all part of making for me.