ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT
KENT ARTIST PROFILE :
LAUREN DILWORTH
ALTHOUGH ALWAYS A CREATIVE , IT WASN ’ T UNTIL LOCKDOWN THAT LAUREN DILWORTH EMBARKED ON SILVERSMITHING . STARTING OUT BY WATCHING YOUTUBE VIDEOS , HER FIRST PIECE WAS A SIMPLE SILVER RING . AFTER TAKING A BEGINNERS ’ COURSE IN SILVERSMITHING , SHE CONTINUED STUDYING THE HISTORY AND ORIGINS OF JEWELLERY , STONES AND CRYSTALS .
Lauren , what inspires you most when crafting your jewellery ?
I have always loved nature in all her beauty . From season to season , I am forever inspired and this has heavily influenced my style . Although my style is something which is still evolving while I take my time to enjoy learning the skill and technique of silversmithing , I would describe it as healing and powerful - maybe a little bohemian . Since I was a little girl , I have always been obsessed with nature . I grew up in a little Kentish village called Westwell , spending all my time playing in the fields and the woods , and roaming around the churchyard . I would collect things like petals , feathers and moss , making little homes for animals , and would always be in awe of trees .
Whether it be a spring morning , upon which I listen to birdsong and walk through the bluebells or an autumn day on which I take in all the colours of the leaves , I revel in all the glory of the seasons . I feel we can learn and grow so much through them , letting go , growing and slowing down . It is this love of nature and wildlife that has inspired me to reflect it in my jewellery . This way , you can take nature anywhere with you , which means that , along with the addition of crystals , you can soothe your soul no matter where you might be .
I am also obsessed with the moon in all of her beautiful phases . I like to live by the moon , using its power to release unwanted emotions and attract new beginnings . I love mythology and weird and wonderful stories . I am forever inspired by my family and friends and do lots of yoga , hiking and wild camping .
Tell us a little bit about the technical process of creating your jewellery .
Sometimes , it is solely the creative process that leads to the ultimate , physical shape of the piece . I always start by selecting a stone that I am drawn to , then I ’ ll create a bezel setting , which is what the stone will sit in . I take a piece of fine sterling silver , measure the depth of the stone and then measure the silver . I shape it , straighten it , solder it together and clean
it . I decide what I am going to add to the piece - cutting any shapes I want to use , like flowers or leaves etc . After more soldering , pickling and filing , I go on to sanding until I am satisfied I have cleaned it all with no scratches . The final part of the process is polishing . I use a ‘ Blue Lux ’ polish for this .
Where and how do you source your materials ?
All of my materials are ethically and sustainably sourced . This includes my stones and the silver I use , which is recycled . I use a selection of carefully chosen and trusted suppliers . I like to use Cookson and Gold for my tools and @ hintofstones for my turquoise stones .
Where can we see and purchase your art ?
On my website at www . silvermoonshop . co . uk , or on Instagram - my handle is @ silvermoon .__ uk .
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