Shimell & Madden - Jewellery Designers & Makers
The next episode of A Collection Of… Spaces is with jewellery designers and makers Luke Shimell & Emma Madden.
Luke and Emma met in Devon while both beginning their journeys in the jewellery industry, Luke through a more traditional apprenticeship route, and Emma from a craft based practice. They began their creative partnership in 2010 and have continued ever since.
Their early collections took inspiration from minerals, rocks and naturally occurring geometric forms, shapes that still inform their bespoke work today.
Both share an interest not only in the intricacies of making, but also in how materials react to heat and chemicals, known in the workshop as ‘pickling’, and the ways materials transform through scientific processes during production.
The nature of their work often leads to people bringing heirloom jewellery to be reworked into contemporary pieces, alongside engagement and wedding bands that carry the stories of their wearers throughout their lives. These are objects designed to be worn daily, lived with, and hopefully passed down through generations.
Designing for longevity within such small and delicate objects is no simple brief to fulfil.
Their studio and workshop felt nostalgic, full of the smells, colours and quiet atmosphere that reminded me of my dad’s offices in the 90s.
Enjoy!
https://www.instagram.com/shimell_madden
https://www.shimellandmadden.com
Listen Now On
If you would like to contribute to this series then please feel free to get in touch. I would love to see your workshop, studio, garden shed, home project or small space you call your own.