Our featured Artist Member for March 2025 is jeweller Judith Brown
Judith Brown has been making jewellery since 2004, when she began hand stitching with wire; this technique was inspired by her studies of Embroidery at Manchester Metropolitan University. Since then her techniques have been refined and she has developed collections of jewellery which have an elegant, nostalgic feel.
Her latest collection contains details inspired by delicate foliage and ferns. Other established and best selling collections include her Geometric collection which is inspired by Art Deco shapes and colours. Her designs are made with very fine silver wire in a variety of finishes including bright silver and oxidised, and finished with glass beads for subtle colour.
I’m greatly inspired by nature. I’ve lived in the Staffordshire Moorlands, on the edge of Peak District, since I moved here from the Wirral in 2012. I love exploring the wilder, quieter parts and taking photos of the wildflowers and plants and leaves that come and go through the seasons. Lockdown, whilst a challenging time, did give me the opportunity to really discover the area I live in, and to learn about the flora, fauna and wildlife that live here. I have thousands of photos that I turn to for inspiration regularly.
I work from a studio above a quirky café in Leek, Staffordshire, It’s been the home for my business for over ten years now. I have divided the space up into a display area and a making and office area. I have various treasures that inspire me in the studio, including quite a few dried wild seed heads and flowers as well as vintage haberdashery – my background is in textiles with a degree in embroidery. You can visit my studio, but it’s always best to check I’ll be in before travelling any distance. I run wire and jewellery workshops from a room in the building too.
Whatever I’m working on at the moment is usually my favourite design, as it’s fresh and exciting to bring a new design together. I really enjoy making my bridal crowns as this allows for lots and lots of handmade detail, such as creating many tiny handmade wire leaves as part of the embellishments. I also love making bespoke or custom pieces for clients, as it makes the finished piece so unique.
I did a degree in embroidery at Manchester, which I think was the defining experience of my creative life. We did a workshop called “stitching without fabric” with our course leader, Anne Morrell. I found this technique and idea fascinating, and ten years later I started to stitch in this way, but using wire, to create intricate and delicate shapes, and my twenty year career in wire work began.
A collection of Judith’s work is available to purchase in the gallery and via our online store.