Ceramic jewellery design ethos
As a ceramicist and ceramic jewellery maker I aim to create products that are unique and will resonate with you; my design ethos. Along with an aesthetic that intrigues I want to create products that are beautiful, which combine the quality you would associated with handmade products. So what is our design ethos behind the products?
As a jewellery designer the key considerations when creating a new product would be:
- I want you to wear my products with as much love as they were made with, and;
- my products will be gifted with love, whether that is to oneself, a loved one or a special person – each item must convey that love.
At the heart of everything I produce is the feeling of love and specialness, hence the slogan ‘always made from the heart’ which, incidentally, was coined by my eldest daughter. This is our design ethos.
Here are a sample of my creations from jolly Christmas decorations, through summer earring to our sea inspired Selkie Collection.
But I also have to make more practical considerations as well.
When looking at products online I end up thinking about their weight, size, durability etc. I have done this for as long as I have been making jewellery but never more so than now I have turned my hand to ceramics. Consequently, how heavy something might be is particularly pertinent to items such as earrings. Indeed if something is too heavy it will not be worn often because it is uncomfortable.
My work seeks to combine these aesthetics with the functionality and durability, thus providing a wearable piece of art. I always aim to create a product that is going to be worn and cherished for years to come.
Our design ethos: Always made from the heart
Even at her young age, our daughter understands that you will only achieve your best when your heart is in what you are doing. As a result Eliziain Elements was founded on that guiding principle; our design ethos.
I desperately wanted to provide an alternative to shop bought, mass-produced products. Consequently I already knew that the items I made must be wearable and put together well. I bet you would agree that there is nothing worse than spending hard-earned money on jewellery to have it fall apart the first time you wear it.
The next step was to find that element of personalisation; my artistic stamp. But I struggled with finding my voice when using shop bought parts. Then our kiln turned up. Afterwards this trusty friend opened up my love of ceramics and subsequently I quickly realised that the possibilities are endless. As a result this is why Eliziain Elements focuses on ceramic jewellery.
Design inspirations for our ceramic jewellery
From Indian inspired items, to the natural world and realm of the fantastical, clay is the most amazing and versatile medium. As a result I am never happier then when I can shut myself away and create. Indeed, as I work with clay the ideas often just flow – it is organic and inspiring way to work. The flexibility of this medium means you can learn just as much from what goes wrong as we can from what goes right; mistakes go into the recycling bin to be used again.
But there is a downside. Regularly I will wake up at 5am (or sometimes earlier) with an idea for a piece of ceramic jewellery. I quickly have to jot down then try to go back to sleep!
Below are a few of the steps to make our ceramics.
Eliziain Elements – products that tell a story
Quite often my customers say that the ceramic jewellery speaks to them and tells a story. Indeed as an artist and individual who has always appreciated this intimacy in works of art this is both flattering and satisfying. However, this communication was never particularly intentional on my part but the right item ‘spoke’ to the right person to buy it – there is alchemy somewhere in that.
Take, for example, crystals and crystal healing. For a number of years now I would often find certain crystals or semi-precious stones drawing me in. Furthermore I can categorically say with my hand on my heart, that each and every one of these has held a very strong meaning for me. Consequently, it always amazes me when I discover what they represent and how their healing properties help the emotional state I find myself in when I was initially attracted to them.
Red Jasper, Double-Pointed Quartz Crystal, Amethyst, Chrysocolla, Citrine and Rainbow Aura Quartz to name but a few. These stones ‘spoke’ to me in much the same way even though I knew nothing about them when I first came across them. This, to me, is fascinating.
Final thought on our design ethos
Yes, I would love it if everyone bought my items but I know that this is unlikely. I realise there will be those people who don’t get ‘it’ and there will be those for whom my work speaks. As a result it is those people who find my work resonate with who will see the true value in what I am trying to achieve.
Somewhere in between there will be those customers who may have a secret urge to venture further away from their comfort zone. Therefore, for those people I wish to provide a halfway house. Hence some of our products take the essence of my unusual and original designs and hint at those aspects. Therefore having the Eliziain Elements character whilst still being accessible and not ‘too far out’.
It would be great to hear your comments and thoughts about our ceramic jewellery, and what inspires you to create. Otherwise pop across to our Etsy shop to see what products we have created.
