Jo makes classic and effective silver jewellery, through traditional piercing techniques and also dabbles in silver clay, resulting in some beautifully feminine and organic pieces.
Who are you and where do you come from?
My name is Jo Tinley, and I currently live in Southampton. I lived in Leicester before that, and Suffolk and West Sussex too. I’m a jewellery designer and silversmith, and I absolutely love my job! I teach jewellery making and silversmithing too, and write tutorials for my website, my blog (www.daisychaindesignsjewellery.blogspot.com) and for craft magazines.
What do you do in your spare time other than craft?
We have a 3 year old boy, so he obviously gets most of my non-crafting time. I wouldn’t have it any other way, though, and although from a business point of view the extra time when he goes to school will be welcome, it’ll come as a big shock too. I think I’ll be the one with the separation issues!
I do spend a lot of my ‘free’ time doing other crafts though. I’ve recently renewed my addiction to knitting – 4 pairs of glove, 2 pairs of baby booties and two hats so far this year, and I’ve got a few other patterns lined up waiting for me. I’m very lucky that I come from a family where arts and crafts were always valued and encouraged, and I was taught quite a few crafts at an early age.
And then there’s the work we need to do to our house and garden – it’s a bit of a project too!
Please tell us a little bit about what you make.
I design and make sterling and fine silver jewellery, and sometimes gold if a commission calls for it. My style tends to be fairly delicate looking, and based on natural shapes and patterns. I use gemstones and designer lampwork beads in my designs too. Some of my pieces are one-offs, either because of the length of time that they take to make or because the materials they’ve used are themselves unique. Other pieces are made-to-order.
As well as the jewellery I sell, I also design pieces for my classes and for tutorials. I run workshops at home – everything from complete beginner’s classes to one-to-one silversmithing tuition – and am about to start teaching a City and Guilds course at my local college.
What do you enjoy making most?
Last week I would have said making bangles as I made quite a few and find the whole process very therapeutic; this week its stone setting as I’ve nearly finished a brooch with an onyx set in the middle, and I’m really pleased with it. It really depends on what I’m working on.
What part of jewellery making do you dislike the most?
The admin – accounts, taxes, the things that no one enjoys but have to be done!
What are your main inspirations for making a piece?
Anything and everything that I see around me, from the pattern on a piece of material to the shape of a leaf.
Do you plan out your designs or do you get stuck in straight away when inspiration strikes?
Both! I have 3 sketch books – one by my bed (there’s nothing worse than having an idea just as you’re about to drop off to sleep and not having anything to write it down on), one in my bag that goes everywhere with me, and one in my workshop. I have lots of ideas jotted down in there, but still if inspiration suddenly strikes as it did with the brooch last week, I just have to get straight to work!
What are you currently making?
On my desk at the moment are 3 bangles, the brooch I mentioned, and a leaf cuff. The bangles are commissions, the brooch is a new design, and the cuff is one of the made-to-order items on my website. I sold one last week and I like to keep one in stock.
Do you make custom orders?
Yes! I love commission work, especially when I’m designing something with a client. I like a challenge, and it’s great making a piece with someone specific in mind.
Where can we buy your work?
On my website (www.daisychainjewellery.co.uk), and at notonthehighstreet (www.notonthehighstreet.com/daisychaindesigns).
I’ve also got work in some local galleries – I try to keep the stockists page on my website updated.
I also post pictures on my blog of many pieces of work that don’t make the websites as they’re destined for galleries or are commissions, so it’s always worth checking there to see is there’s something you like!
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