Craftswirl, Armagh August 2017

My jewellery and two series of drawings and paintings are being exhibited in Craftswirl, Armagh Visitors' Centre for the month of August. I'm excited to be exhibiting in N Ireland for the first time in a few years and looking forward to doing more shows locally now that I'm back in Belfast.

Flux Open Studios this weekend

You are invited to join us for our Open Studios at Vanguard Court SE5 8QT to meet both new and world-established makers. Incredible range of hand-crafted art and design - and a glass of mulled wine too!

Flux Open Studios Summer 2014

Summer's here and it's time for the stunning Flux Open Studios in the one and only Vanguard Court,  Peckham Road.

Join us this weekend at any of the times listed below see top quality designer jewellery hand-made by us at Flux. 

This show includes amazing designer pieces by our newest members.

House of Jewellers feature

Claire Hart talks to House of Jewellers about design, travel and
cultural influences and inspirations

Claire, you have travelled and lived in China, how has this influenced your jewellery designs?
'My jewellery designs have emerged from significant time spent in Yunnan Province, Southwest China, and my narrative has been strongly inspired by my return trips to that region. I am intrigued by features ranging from breath-taking landscapes, unusual details in architecture, through to the tiniest fragments of crafted objects I find in Yunnan markets.'

'I lived in Kunming, capital of Yunnan, which is known as ‘Spring City’ and is becoming famous for being the largest flower export base in Asia. I also make trips to the old city of Dali which is famous for its skilled silversmiths, some of whom I’ve met and spoken to. Dali is known in China for its ‘Butterfly Spring’ which attracts thousands of butterflies every year. The classic themes of roses and butterflies recur throughout all strands of my art, silverware and jewellery.' 

Inspirational landscapes in China. Claire's silverware and jewellery designs are inspired by her travels.

Why did you decide to become a jeweller?
'I had one of my first jewellery exhibitions in China at the 2008 Kunming Loft Fair in Nordica Gallery alongside local artists and designers and this was a key event that launched me into making jewellery and working with silver. When I returned from China I discovered Flux Studios which had just opened up round the corner from my home in SE London. That’s when I started learning silversmithing techniques, finding ways to set stones I had bought in China.' 

What is your background in the Arts?
'I trained as an Art teacher and so I use a lot of creative ideas for my work in inclusion at an East End secondary school. I've run small design-based businesses with my students and have also taught jewellery making techniques to parents in the Bengali community.'

'I am from Belfast and my degree is in Art History from St Andrews University. After my degree I pursued my interest in art and literature by making my own artist’s books during my Foundation year at Chelsea College of Art and Design, incorporating hand-made paper, drawings, photography and poetry.'

'I love artists’ books and have continued to make my own books and now have dozens of sketchbooks – both bought and hand-made. Some of these books contain the original visual and written ideas for designs I am producing now as a silversmith and jeweller. My drawings and art are at the heart of my designs.' 

Sketch books are central to Claire's design process

Where else do you find inspiration for your work?
'Museums and events in multi-cultural London are always a rich source of inspiration for me – my favourite places are the V&A and British Museum, amongst the wealth of galleries and international art exhibitions all around. I particularly love the adventure of travel as I am fascinated by cultural differences and in seeing fusion where cultures merge. I travel as often as I can to China, Hong Kong, Sweden and Italy. I love discovering unusual connections, some of which are described in my blog ‘South of the Clouds’.' 

'On my first ever trip to China, I was introduced to an elderly local artist in Chongqing whose work I happened to have seen the year before in a ground-breaking Chinese Art exhibition at the British Library. It was a rare privilege to be shown around the old established artists’ community by this gentleman and to be given a Chinese ink brush painting as a gift from another artist – painted there and then on the floor in front of me.' 

Sketches made at museums in London and Northern Ireland

What silversmithing techniques do you use to create your beautiful jewellery and silverware pieces?
'The coral roses, which I first spotted in Guangzhuo, are carved by hand in China and therefore require bespoke settings which is challenging. I have spent much time, with supervision from a top UK claw setter developing my settings for the red rose and pearl flowers. I sculpt and file all my silver by hand, refining my own branch designs to showcase the flowers and butterflies of my brand.' 

What is next for you?
'I am working on a new jewellery collection made with silver with rose gold which will soon be at the House of Jewellers. I have been extending my silversmithing techniques, learning from a number of established makers, and I am currently making an exquisite new silver bowl ‘Butterfly Cloud’ which will be seen later in the year.' 

New Rose Gold Collection - coming soon!

'My portfolio of work continues to expand with my growing collection of artist’s books and more recently with my paintings. They are made with hand-made oil bars from Sweden – I started with a still-life series of Chinese teacups and fragments of materials bought in Yunnan markets. I will be back in Sweden later this month for a painting holiday to develop my still-life series. These in turn influence my ideas for my silver collections, particularly my bowls and spoons.'

Pieces from Claire's Pearl Rose and Butterfly Collection

We look forward to seeing Claire's new silver and rose gold pieces very soon, watch out for updates on our Facebook and Twitter pages! Take a look at Claire Hart's beautiful jewellery and silverware collections here.

Desire Fair, Winchester

Call in to the fabulous Desire Fair this weekend and see the best jewellers and silversmiths in the UK. The set up for tonights private view is well underway.

It's my second year showing here and this time I'm delighted to be exhibiting with the amazingly talented silversmiths from House of Jewellers.  

Love London

This weekend is the last chance to see Tutti Frutti, Rare Beauty, our October show on Columbia Road. We'd love to see you.  I'll be there with Vicky Forrester tomorrow on our very last day.

 What a great show it's been at the Number Ninety-Four Gallery. Thanks to Simon for hosting us so brilliantly. What a social hub it is! 

 Want to check out a few things on Columbia Road if there's time tomorrow; Beyond Fabrics  for haberdashery supplies and to call in next door to Number 94, where the legendary Angela Flanders, perfumer with cult following, has her original and exclusive perfumes. 

Next week, in between silversmithing and painting, I'll be taking a beginner's calligraphy workshop taught by Japanese Calligrapher, Shoho. And if I have time I'll be along to the V&A to see the Pearl Exhibition and Chinese Painting  - the once in a lifetime chance to see rare collections from around the world. 

So much to do!

Glamping in the New Forest

I can now say I'm a convert to glamping since my weekend in the New Forest. Waking up to sunshine was a plus of course, but also loved the walk through heather, gorse and forests, spotting the wildlife.  I have a wonderful new branch ring commission from friends in the New Forest - more of that on the blog in the next few months. 

waking up in a yurt in glorious sunshine:)

love the hazy purple of heather

.....finally we spotted some fallow deer. Fantastic sight!

realy like the colour of this horse

IJL 2013

Called in to IJL today to collect some stones from Marcia Lanyon which had been ordered specially for me. I saw the Runway plus stunning new work from established and emerging designers: Kickstart and Bright Young Gems, Sarah Ho and Fei Liu being among my favourites.  

Definitely worth as visit, it's on til 4th Sept

Tuscany studio

Not many jewellers get to go on holiday and find a bench has been set up, with stunning views across the hills.

liked the knot of wood on the edge which worked well as a bench peg

I did a few hours of filing in the best studio space ever, looking out across the valley at Panicale. Was relaxing to do a bit of work - followed by sunbathing, then eating, then a bit more work.

Wouldn't mind working from a hilltop studio in the future.

It's easy to work when you have views like this.....

Boxpark

Getting off the train at Shoreditch I came across Boxpark for the first time. Boxpark is the world's first pop-up mall. I saw personal favourites like Marimekko alongside lots of new designers. Big brands next to emerging ones - great combination!

With shops made from shipping containers this is vibrant community of a range of designers selling on a very cool level playing field.

Dulwich Open House, Baroque the Streets

Brilliant talent unleashed at Court Lane Private View for Dulwich Festival, particularly with the superb street dance and catwalk show. Favourites were Lisa E Moss's jewellery, meeting graffiti artist 'Agent Provocateur',  part of Baroque the Streets, and Cathy Hart's sculpture (of course!).

Liked the Stik graffiti on drainpipe!

     

graffiti for Baroque the Streets

Two stalls at Southbank

Spark Productions

Claire Hart Design

Here they are at the Women of the World Festival, my silver jewellery on the stall I shared with Flux  jeweller Alex Yule, and the glorious technicolour products my students made for the Mulberry stall!

Huge thanks to all the colleagues who helped set up the students' stall and brought them on the trip to Southbank. Thanks also to Tim Scott and Gillian Arnold for printing the mugs - they sold really well!

The students can't wait to count their earnings tomorrow........they'll discover that they did fantastically well:)

WoW Festival at Southbank

I saw Jesse Norman introducing some speed mentoring - from a distance! 

Sea Bamboo Bracelet with Butterflies

The Women of the World Festival at the Royal Festival Hall today was packed, with inspiring speakers and lots of info for women in business and in charity work.

Lovely chatting to people at the stall I'm sharing with Alex Yule Jewellery.10% of my sales this weekend goes towards Eden Ministries, a charity I've seen in action in Kunming. They successfully rescue women from trafficking, using a holistic approach, which includes providing them with safe accomodation and teaching them jewellery-making skills in workshops.

My students made fantastic sales today on their stall 'Spark Productions' - and came to help sell! They had a great time.

Looking forward to two more busy days at Southbank this weekend!

Wedding Show in central London

Call in to 'Craft Central Gets Hitched' - central London's premier Handmade Wedding Fair 21-24th March - where I'll be launching my new silver branch necklace with blossom, alongside my classic red, white and butterfly collections. 

Free entry for lots of  inspiration for your wedding from 60 selected designers:)