Joanne Rutherford
Manresa Design
My early areas of creative interest were photography and printmaking. I discovered jewellery design and metalsmithing somewhat by chance and as is my practice, became totally absorbed by the possibilities presented by the new medium of gemstones and sterling silver. As with many jewellers, my path to metalsmithing started with beading and wire wrapping before venturing into the world of using heat and torches and the wide variety of jewellers tools that are used to saw, shape, texture and join silver into unique pieces of jewellery. Adding lapidary skills seemed a natural step on my learning path to combine sterling silver and gemstones.
I developed my skills through formal courses, workshops and a lot of practice. In a former life I managed the training and development program for over 200 staff members in an educational organisation, designing and delivering workshops in person and online and I continue to use those teaching skills in my metalsmithing and printmaking workshops.
What makes my products special
My design process starts with a sketch in my visual diary annotated with ideas for texture and the stones that will be used in the design. The work then progresses to cutting, filing and shaping metal and using fabrication techniques like soldering to join pieces of metal together at very high temperatures. Metal is textured with hammers and other tools. It is a painstaking process which requires an eye for detail, a steady hand and a bit of a perfectionist streak. I love the variety of beautiful stones that come out of the earth, rocks that start out ugly but when treated with love and care reveal their unique beauty. I also use freshwater pearls and Swarovski crystals in my work.
When using gemstones in my work my design philosophy is to showcase their natural beauty and let the stones speak for themselves. Creating work that is produced sustainably and has longevity is important to me on a professional and personal level. I use sustainable practices in my studio, recycling metals and utilising non-toxic alternatives to the chemicals usually used in silversmithing.