Case study: a brooch in the shape of an ampersand, made from a single piece of sheet silver.
This was commissioned as an anniversary present for a calligrapher and glass engraver. The commissioner approached me at a live event – Made Brighton – and discussed what they wanted: a brooch in my own style, made from silver with yellow gold plating on the inner surface, in the shape of an ampersand. I made a sketch, which they agreed, with size stipulated. We agreed a price and a delivery date, three and a half months from then.
Back at the studio, I broke down the sketch into its various elements – straights, curves, loops, pin, catch – and estimated roughly what length of material would be needed for each.
I drew up a preliminary template based on this and cut out a blank in copper, which I formed to give me a first maquette. This showed me how the proportions needed to be adjusted.
I continued to work in this way through another 3 maquettes, at each stage sending images to the commissioner, until we were both satisfied with the proportions of the piece.
At this point I moved into silver and began the piece proper.
When I had finished the forming process I sent images of the brooch from all angles to the commissioner to get approval before sending the piece for hallmarking and plating.
The brooch was delivered on time.
Comment received: THANK YOU the brooch is really beautiful and was really loved by (recipient’s name) ...many many thanks.
