Our featured Artist Member for September 2024 is jewellery designer Lorraine Hitt.
Based in Cambridge, Lorraine is the designer and creator of Elsiem Jewellery, whose striking designs are inspired by simple modern architectural and sculptural forms, with a bit of an edge. Heavily influenced by her 30+ year career in the design industry, she is mindful of not just the aesthetics but also the functionality and practicality of a design, aiming for the wearer to have the best experience possible.
Elsiem Jewellery’s latest collections are created from 3D Printed SLS Nylon, adorned with handmade/finished metal – uniting modern technology with traditional handcrafted techniques.
I’ve been a designer for over 30 years within various disciplines, including Graphic & Architectural Interiors, and my designs have always been inspired by modern, simple, sculptural forms. My work as a jewellery designer and the Elsiem brand has very much followed suit, influenced also by modern architecture and more recently African-style architectural design. I love the minimal two-colour black/gold contrast and feel that this gives my designs a striking effect, which reflects the simple and graphic nature.
I am very fortunate to have a good-sized room in my house that is a dedicated studio/work space. I have zones for the specific tasks, which include a bespoke jeweller’s bench for making the metal elements, areas for bench drills and other jeweller’s equipment, an assembling and finishing/packing space and a corner with a light box for photographing my work.
I also have a separate office for my computer, for all the admin, graphics work & CAD designing, etc.
Like a lot of makers, I don’t think I could narrow it down to one piece. I get so much pleasure from seeing a 3D printed part come to fruition from my CAD drawings and the more challenging the design was to create, the more it excites me. That then becomes my favourite, until the next one is created!
I love the look of my recent Rapture Tribal Bow Bracelet and statement Neckpiece, which were designed with multiple interlinking parts and printed, which requires a lot of precision and thoughtful design because of the 3D printer’s restraints and guidelines. But a design that I produced a while back, my Vibe Rib Cuff, is a ‘go to’ for me.
In my earlier design career, I was inspired by the infamous Architect, Frank Lloyd Wright, Designer, Karim Rashid and Sculptor, Naum Gabo. As a jewellery maker, I have been inspired by many designer/makers in the contemporary jewellery industry over the years for different reasons but the edgy designs of Shaun Leane springs to mind.
A collection of Lorraine Hitt’s jewellery designs are available to purchase in the gallery and via our online store.
