Meet the Maker - Amanda Coleman

Meet the Maker - Amanda Coleman

INTRODUCING AMANDA COLEMAN AND HER COLLECTION OF DELICATE JEWELLERY

We're excited to for this next installment of #meetthemaker with British designer, Amanda Coleman. Her handmade jewellery draws on her love of nature, all things miniature and the peculiarities of everyday life for inspiration. Her work incorporates her unique take on delicate flowers and creatures both exotic and familiar. We have stocked Amanda’s stunning jewellery from the very beginning and are always looking forward to what she creates next!

From left to right: Jungle fruits silver drop earrings, portrait of Amanda Coleman, Almond blossom branch necklace.

Could you tell us a little bit about you, and how you came to start your business?

I grew up in a stable block off a stately home which had been converted into a craft centre. My parents ran the pottery there. I have always loved making things and couldn’t imagine doing anything else but I wanted to learn a new skill, different to my parents. My chosen material was metal, the complete opposite of clay! I studied for a degree and then continued with an MA at the Royal College of Art. I set up my jewellery workshop straight after graduation in 1998.

How long have you been living in Lincoln?

I live in Lincoln and I’ve been here for quite a while now. It is a beautiful city - I can see the cathedral from our workshop window. It is a very old city with a lot of history from the Romans to the Saxon castle to the medieval cathedral. It’s also a young city with a big university that has helped to bring a vibrancy to the place over the last few years. I feel it is important to recognise the heritage of a place, and also with what I do, but I also try to move it forward and add fresh new ideas… maybe that’s how Lincoln inspires me.

Where does your inspiration come from?

Literally anywhere! I think I annoy my family like that. I’m always looking around at things, picking up leaves, taking photos. I’ve taken inspiration from books, paintings, textiles, vintage book covers - it’s all stored up there and then I’ll get an “eureka” moment and it usually is in the bath or shower where there is nothing to distract me! I have found that becoming a mother has also helped me to get a fresh perspective on my designing. Seeing the world through the eyes of my children has ignited an interest in fairytales, mystery and magic and developed a fascination of bugs and flowers that might have previously gone unnoticed, all of which have found their way into my designs over the recent years.

From left to right: Daisy stalk drop earrings, Sitting cat with chrysoprase pendant, Sun, moon, star and goldstones bracelet.

When you are not creating, what do you do?

I am currently learning to play the piano. I also do quite a lot of different textile handicraft type things, just for fun, this includes crocheting, knitting, embroidery, blackwork embroidery and lace making. I’ve also recently been involved in trying to save our local Art Gallery from closure. That has taken up a lot of my time and the fight’s not over yet!

What’s your favourite current piece?

It has to be from my Rousseau jewellery collection - I’ve been wanting to do this collection for a long time now and I’m really pleased how it’s all come together. I think it will have to be the large Rousseau necklace with the tiger, snake, monkey, jungle leaves - pure escapism!

What is the most challenging aspect of your work?

Managing all the other parts of a business other than designing and making. I love creating new pieces more than anything but VAT, website, staff, PAYE, marketing, invoicing, pr, social media… so many things have to be done as well and I’m not great at delegating either!

If you had one piece of advice to give other makers, what would it be?

Yikes! Erm ... use hand cream and get your work out there as much as you possibly can!

Are there any particular artists or sculptors that inspire you?

The last collection was inspired by Rousseau. I’ve also recently designed an Almond Blossom range inspired by Van Gogh’s paintings. Dutch still life paintings are another favourite of mine - the ones with dark backgrounds and lots of creepy crawlies. I like the mix of the beautiful with something altogether more unnerving.

Describe your work in 3 words!

Beautiful, detailed, unexpected.

Without giving away any state secrets, what’s next on your design agenda?

Well I’ve already mentioned Almond Blossom that is close to launch but another collection I’ve been working on for a while is my ‘Fine’ collection - gold and diamonds, in my own distinctive style - I can’t wait!

You can see more of Amanda Coleman's delicate jewellery here...