Sarah Shelton-Palmer.
Meet the maker.
Incorporating traditional hand techniques, precious metals, gemstones and found objects.
Always inspired by shapes and patterns found in the ocean, Sarah’s love of handmade jewellery first sparked whilst surfing and travelling in Central America.
It wasn’t until a few years later that the journey began with studying a Silversmithing & Jewellery Degree in Cornwall.
Following that, a residential post-graduate course in the stunning South Oxfordshire countryside is where she delved deeper into the world of Silversmithing.
Sarah is passionate about and inspired by the beauty of coastal environments, in particular the coastline of Cornwall.
The physical exploration of the natural world is brought to life in her work by the way she creates the features and style of her pieces. This is then developed through experimentation with form and several hand techniques. Textural aspects are added with chasing and repoussé, capturing the energy and flow of the ocean.
“I love the whole process of working the metal.
I find it fascinating that you can turn a flat sheet of metal into a vessel, and the process of hand making something from start to finish, using ancient hand making techniques which have been used for thousands of years.
Historical jewellery and silverware inspires me to continue the process.”
- Sarah raising in Bishopsland, Oxfordshire.
Find your own unique piece of wearable treasure.
Beauty comes in so many different forms.
“I often spot things whilst out walking or surfing that inspire my work. I love to take pictures and from those pictures I’ll sketch elements that I like.
Following on from that I create test pieces in copper to see if the 2D ideas transform well into a 3D object or a piece of wearable art.”
Awards and Exhibitions
2021 - Mastery Women in Silver - Retail Gallery Showcase
2021 - Goldsmiths Craft & Council Design Awards. Bronze award in the Silversmiths category for The Chasing Waves Carafe & Beakers
2021 - Goldsmiths Craft & Council Design Awards. Silver award in the Chasers category for The Chasing Waves Carafe & Beakers
2020 - Shine Exhibition, Goldsmiths Centre London
2020 - Jacobs Emerging Designer Competition, Bishopsland Educational Trust, South Oxfordshire. Silversmith Section for The Chasing Waves Carafe
2020 - Goldsmiths Craft & Council Design Creative Lockdown Online Awards, shortlisted
2020 - Goldsmiths Craft & Council Design Awards. Bronze in the Chasers category for the Chasing Waves Dish. London
2019 - Make your Mark Awards. Shortlisted in the 2D design section for the Leopard Earring design. Goldsmiths Hall, London
2018 - New Designers, Business Design Centre London
2018 - Bakers Dozen, Lemon Quay, Truro, Cornwall. Award from Kernowcraft
2017 – Page Turner, Lemon Quay, Truro, Cornwall. Award from St Justin Jewellery
2017 - The Bams Student Medal Project, London and Birmingham. Prize winner for the ‘Domestic or Wild’ Art Medal
2017 - Pewter Live Design Competition, London. The ABPC Commercial Prize, Third Place and Commended
CV
2019/2020 - Bishopsland Educational Trust, South Oxfordshire. Artist in Residence.
2019 - Work experience Reading College, Reading. Teaching an evening jewellery making course.
2019 - Assisting Rod Kelly at The South House Silver Workshop Trust, Shetland.
2018/2019 - Bishopsland Educational Trust, South Oxfordshire. Post Graduate residential training course.
2016 /2018 - B A Honours Degree in Silversmithing & Jewellery, Truro, Cornwall.
2016 - Work experience, St Justin Jewellery, Penzance, Cornwall.
Gift something meaningful, for that special occasion.
Inspired by the nature and the coastline.