The Business Exchange Swindon & Wiltshire Edition 48: April/May 2020 | Page 18
SWINDON AND WILTSHIRE’S CREATIVES
The jewellers
Lee Orton of Orton Jewellery, based in Bradford on Avon. Lee started
his business in 2002 with one unit and a workshop and quickly expanded
to include the unit next door. He now has a large jewellery showroom
upstairs and extensive jewellery workshops downstairs. There is also a
workshop within the showroom, so clients can watch the team creating
handmade bespoke fine jewellery. The team also offer repair and
restoration, valuations and much more. They also take commissions for
objet d’art and commemorative pieces. This year, that’s included a scale
replica of a country house for a valued client (see front cover).
Are you creative?
Absolutely. We are a team of skilled crafts
people for a start, but the business is
centred around designing and crafting
unique fine jewellery. Each item is an
individual statement for a specific person
so it couldn’t be more creative. There is a
shortage of people with our skills so we
attract clients from all over the globe.
What does creative mean to you?
Understanding the style and tastes of a
client and translating that into a piece
of bespoke jewellery surpassing their
expectations.
It’s a collaboration. Equally I have the
opportunity to create items for stock,
expressing my own skills and interest in
techniques and materials, which are full of
character and personality.
How do ‘sell’ your creativity?
Recommendation, recommendation,
recommendation! We advertise locally
however our customers actually do the
marketing for us. We form very strong
relationships so clients feel confident and
enthusiastic about recommending us.
What’s the future for creative
businesses in your view?
We are very positive about the future. Our
business continues to thrive, so we intend
to build and expand as opportunities arise.
There are interesting initiatives within the
industry to encourage export and to raise
the profile of British jewellery designers.
These are all encouraging signs. We are
also excited to be expanding our offering of
responsibly sourced materials which include
Fair Trade gold and silver and also 100 per
cent recycled precious metals. As a small
business we are able to adapt quickly to the
challenges that face us and that makes us
extremely agile as well as creative.
Tamara Eccleston of Barking Hen Jewellery – based in Chippenham,
Tamara created her business in 2015 offering handmade silver and
copper jewellery. She has a special creative for wildlife subjects
including owls, otters, birds and much more.
Are you creative?
Yes. I design and handmake my jewellery
from scratch and I often draw inspiration
from my own surroundings and my life of
animals and wildlife. I also consider how
my jewellery can be enjoyed by everyone
so will adapt from a necklace to a brooch,
to earring, to a tie tack or similar. For me,
creativity is a mindset. You don’t have to be
good at drawing to be creative, if you can
visualise what you to produce in your mind
you are creative. You may make the object
yourself or you may inspire others or work
with others to bring that object or vision
to life.
How do ‘sell’ your creativity?
I start with my website which acts as a shop
window and as a shop. I support that with
social media activity. I also showcase my
work through outlets and galleries as well
as media relations when I can.
What’s the future for creative
businesses in your view?
I think the future is strong especially for the
handmade industry. I think that as a nation
we are becoming more environmentally
aware and hopefully will become less
interested in throw-away fashion and cheap
The artist
Emelie of Emelie Art, based in Corsham and established in 2017. Emelie specialises
in vibrant portraiture offering original works and limited edition prints.
Are you creative?
100 per cent. I take a blank canvas and
transform it into something that makes
people reflect on their inner self and smile!
What does creative mean to you?
To transform and to be reflective. For
me, transforming the canvas means to
transform myself. In turn, others who
view my work, transform themselves into
something stronger. Even just for a moment.
Creativity nurtures our wellbeing and
produces wonderful problem solvers. It
spans across many other sectors such as
education and health and across all ages.
Income from creative businesses can be
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strong and steady, all the while making our
economy as a whole richer.
How do ‘sell’ your creativity?
• Word of mouth: This is so valuable for my
work. Being bold, unique and identifiable
certainly helps!
• Events: I choose my events carefully,
making them a wonderful avenue
to sell my work and meet new and
existing clients.
• Online: Social media is a great platform for
creatives, albeit a time-consuming one!
What’s the future for creative
businesses in your view?
With regards to Brexit, I feel for the larger
collections and the history of British Art
with the possible constraints of movements
having an effect on the larger galleries and
museums.
Art is a global entity and to needs to be
shared and enjoyed worldwide. Hopefully
we’ll see wider cultural benefits throughout
the sector. There’s no choice but to remain
optimistic!
I believe creatives will flourish, just as
we would had the result been any different.
We can be exceptional at taking on board
any challenge and turning it into something
wonderful.
imports. For the handmade and creative
community this is good news. I found last
year people were spending more on one
special item of jewellery that they will keep
and treasure, however they were spending
less spontaneously. When you buy direct
from a small business you can work with
them directly and a really feel the passion
involved in producing your item or service.