Boo Gems Jewellery

Contact: boogems@ntlworld.com

Artists Statement

My name is Gillian and I love jewellery.

I started making my own jewellery around 10 years ago and got so hooked on stringing beads and making earrings that soon, I was making things for friends and family.   At a craft event around 5 years ago I saw some jewellery made out of silver clay.  This was an absolute revelation – I could make really silver jewellery myself if I set up a small workshop.

So here I am 5 years later designing and making silver jewellery and BooGems Jewellery was born.  The name BooGems came from my beloved feline friends my late tortie cat Boo and our faithful black cat Gemma.

Back to the info – I design and make jewellery from Silver Clay.  The silver is recycled from old film stock and industrial processes.   When fired this produces fine silver (99.9% silver, sterling silver is 92.5% silver) items.  My silver jewellery can be Hallmarked by arrangement.

This versatile medium ensures that each piece of handmade jewellery is unique. Similar pieces can be made if materials are available (stones, beads etc.). Some pieces are treated with liver of sulphur or enamel to add colour.

The findings (ear wires, decorative wire, jump rings, bails, and links) I use are Sterling Silver or gold plated silver and I still enjoy making bead necklaces from precious and semi-precious stones.