My jewellery and creative practice

I create narrative jewellery — jewellery that tells a story or represents something personal to the wearer. My work combines a wide range of materials and techniques, including:

• Silver

• Semi-precious stones

• Anodised aluminium

• Vitreous enamel

• Wood

• Glass

• Porcelain

• Found and personal objects

• Other mixed-media materials

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I am open to experimenting with new materials where they help communicate an idea or story.

I sometimes describe myself as a “story-telling colour-smith”, reflecting my interest in colour, symbolism and the stories behind jewellery. Poetry can also form part of my creative work and sometimes accompanies my jewellery pieces.

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Inspiration for my work

My own collections are often inspired by strong colour contrasts, patterns in nature and my surroundings.

I am particularly drawn to the textures and colours of places where materials have weathered and changed over time, including derelict buildings, peeling paint and rust.

I also find inspiration in the microscopic world of mosses and lichens — small forms of life that survive in difficult environments and seem to outlive almost everything around them.

These contrasts between colour, texture, decay and natural growth often find their way into my jewellery and other artwork.

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The Jewellery Boat

I established my business in 2012, after leaving my NHS career to pursue jewellery and teaching full time.

My first studio opened in 2014 aboard a narrowboat on London's waterways, where I made jewellery and began teaching courses.

This is where The Jewellery Boat began.

Although I no longer teach from a boat, the name has remained because it is an important part of the story of how my business developed (and my love of boating!) 

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Teaching jewellery, enamelling and fused glass

I now teach creative courses at Rainbow Glass Studios in Stoke Newington, North London, where I encourage people to explore their creativity through jewellery making, enamelling and fused glass.

My courses include practical workshops for beginners as well as opportunities for people with previous experience to develop their skills further.

See the current Jewellery Boat courses and dates at Rainbow Glass Studios.

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Why I teach

I believe that everyone has creative potential.

Creativity can be a lifelong journey of exploration and discovery, but many people lose touch with it as they grow older. Some of us were naturally creative as children but were encouraged to concentrate on more conventional skills instead.

I believe creative workshops can provide an opportunity to reconnect with that part of ourselves.

My aim as a teacher is to create a supportive environment where people can experiment, learn new skills and discover abilities they may not realise they have.

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Courses in Stoke Newington, London

My regular courses take place at weekends at:

Rainbow Glass Studios
Stoke Newington
London N16 0JL

I also offer 1:1 creative courses by special arrangement for people who would prefer individual tuition or have a particular project or skill they would like to explore.

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Find out more

Explore The Jewellery Boat courses

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Explore Eleanor’s narrative jewellery and enamelled work

 

Contact Eleanor about 1:1 tuition

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