This month, more than 350 artists throughout Cambridgeshire are opening their doors and letting us in to see their creative endeavours. Cambridge Open Studios, which continue over the next two weekends (July 15/16 and 22/23) give you the chance to see everything from jewellery and paintings, drawings and ceramics, through to digital art, metalwork, photography and printmaking.
Among a raft of local creatives exhibiting their craft in the Artists' Marquee at Burwash Manor (New Road, Barton CB23 7EY) is Heather Stowell Jewellery.
Originally from Saffron Walden, jeweller and silversmith Heather trained at Sir John Cass School of Art. After graduating she hit the London design scene of the early 90s, selling her ranges to contemporary jewellery shops and galleries across the UK and as far as New York and Tokyo.
More recently her work has appeared in the pages of Vogue, World of Interiors, GQ, House and Garden and at venues including the Yorkshire Sculpture Park.
Now Cambridge-based, Heather has embarked on a more personal passion for her work. Her current designs are inspired by her love of old buttons, combining this with her interest in contemporary design and the new for old/up-cycling ethic. Heather carefully selects old but special buttons – made from materials such as mother of pearl, glass or enamel – and hand-sets them with gold or silver as if they were precious stones. It’s a lovely way of preserving the fine workmanship of the buttons and transforms them into eye-catching contemporary jewellery.
Heather also takes on commissions and sets buttons (and other, more sentimental items) people bring to her, whether to make a bespoke family piece or to create a very personal gift for birthdays, christenings or weddings. Of course each design is completely handmade and unique.
Heather also makes other pieces such as bangles, earrings, necklaces, rings and cufflinks. As well as attending Cambridge Open Studios, she exhibits at various local venues and shows, including the Country Living Fair at The Burghley Horse Trials (Burghley House, Lincolnshire) from August 31st - September 3rd and Ely Cathedral's Christmas Gift & Food Fair on November 17th & 18th.
Visit the website to find out more about Heather and her very special jewellery.
Heather Stowell Jewellery
info@heatherstowell.com
@heather_stowell
Browse the 2017 Open Studio pages to see who else is taking part this year.
Discover unique boutiques and boutique hotels mingled with communities of artists and craftspeople. Sample an award-winning restaurant or thriving little café tucked away in a back street – all easy to locate with the 200 page full-colour Independent Cambridge guide.
Handily presented with a map and an index at the beginning of each section, this book is the indispensable key to finding out what’s on offer from the independents of Cambridge. Get your copy from Waterstones, Heffers, many of the independent shops or online at www.independent-cambridge.co.uk