Necklaces, sandblasted & dyed acrylic on silver chains
Rings, hollow silver
Clare de la Torre
Clare de la Torre is an experienced and skilled maker whose many exhibitions include Dazzle at Manchester Royal Exchange and Glasgow, British Designer Jewellery in Newcastle, Alloy group exhibitions in Hereford, Keele and Bilston, Crafts at Bovey Tracey and numerous other group and solo shows in and around Herefordshire. As well as making her own jewellery, she has worked as as a graphic designer, as crafts officer for West Midlands Arts, as jeweller and gallery director of the Collection Gallery in Ledbury, and as co-ordinator for www.creativebreaks.co.uk.
As a young child, I remember the consternation I caused my parents as they tried to prize me away from jewellery shop windows, and stop my pleading for glitter and spangles. Later I became more interested in making jewellery than wearing it, and my taste for bright shiny things matured into a fascination for less obvious qualities. I want to make jewellery that is comfortable, not that reminds you of its presence. Similarly, I am not interested in flamboyant gems, preferring longevity.
I am currently fascinated with reticulation – heating sheet metal until the upper surface is molten, then abruptly cooling it so it results in uneven but lovely surface textures.
Clare de la Torre, 2005