Artist Review

 

All products are handmade in the United Kingdom from either 18ct gold, platinum, palladium or silver and are hallmarked with current UK marks. Many pieces feature gemstones of the highest quality sourced from around the world and set by hand.
Current work is composed of 5 collections, Snake, Square, Men’s, Impression and a series of Limited Edition pieces.  Whilst it is difficult to capture the essence of all 5 collections, a definite organic theme is noticeable with inspiration being drawn from plants and nature. The Snake Collection is reptilian inspired, with forms designed to wrap snake-like around fingers and nestle on the neck or arm.  In the Impressions Collection every piece is hand made so no two 'impressions' are the same, this collection offers a full range of rings incorporating many different stones and settings.  Exceptions to these feminine shapes are the Square Collection where Squares of silver are hung from delicate chains accentuating the form and colour of the tourmaline cabochons.

A full display of the collections is available on-line and Sally’s work is also available in a selection of outlets including the Museum of London Shop.

by Claire Quinn

 


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Leonard of London


Jewellery designer, creative co-ordonator, stylist, Goth and all round aesthete, Sally Leonard appears like one of her stones, pretty but with many facets.  Describing herself as a natural Magpie her interest in jewellery and design began long before college, Sally reckons she started making pretty things at the age of 9 or 10.  As the interest grew she completed a foundation year in art & design at Central St Martins, this lead straight into a three-year degree in Jewellery design.  Describing the course as ‘bloody hard work’ her efforts were received in the best possible way when a piece of hand crafted alabaster from her final show ended up in front of Mario Testino and Carlos Clarke as dressing for shoots.  Her eye for style then saw her collaborating with luxury erotic boutique, Co-co DeMer, where in addition to her jewellery pieces she worked on everything from corsets to window displays.  Soon after this came a call from head of jewellery design at CSM requesting her work on The Ascot Diamond Day – Ladies Race Prize.   The freelance success motivated Sally to set up her own business, in 2002 she undertook business training and consulted Innovative Enterprise Action.  Contacts made there lead to a job offer in 2005 where Sally became Project Assistant/Administrator, a promotion to management followed in less than 6 and then again in 7 months where she was made head of creative department from which she runs WHAM.  Moving forward a new collection is in the pipeline and the main drive is to move away from using silver and create luxury pieces using more colourful stones such as Amethyst.

by Claire Quinn