supplier spotlight –  Meet Cecilia Stamp Jewellery

30 September 2018

CONTEMPORARY GRAPHIC JEWELLERY TO MAKE YOUR MARK (PLUS FAIRTRADE GOLD!)

Oh Ceciliaaaa…we’re down on our knees, we’re begging you please do keep making jewellery you incredibly talented lady. That’s how the song goes, right? Inspired by abstract forms from machinery, architecture, packaging and the man-made, Cecilia Stamp creates graphic, wearable jewellery. As well as her ready-to-wear range made from precious metals, enamel and resin, she also takes custom commissions for wedding bands and engagement rings.

And as if that couldn’t get any better, Cecilia’s work is all ethical! As a Fairtrade Foundation registered jeweller, she offers the option of using Fairtrade Gold in her commissions.

WHO ARE YOU + WHERE ARE YOU BASED?

I’m Cecilia Stamp – living and working in Glasgow.

DESCRIBE YOUR WORKPLACE.

I share a studio at the Briggait with a handful of other jewellers. I love being around other people and it’s great to be in a buzzing creative atmosphere. My corner of the studio is probably the messiest (and most colourful!) … I am a hoarder and it shows!

WHERE/HOW DID IT ALL BEGIN?

I went to Edinburgh College of Art and studied Jewellery & Silversmithing, under the watchful eye of the wonderful Dorothy Hogg. After that, I completed an MDes in print and surface design at Heriot-Watt University in Galashiels.

After a few years of working for other small design companies I realised how much I missed making with my hands and creating and designing my own work. So I took a leap of faith and started my own jewellery collections again. Since then, it’s grown and grown and I’m hugely grateful and enjoying every minute.

FAVOURITE WORK TO DATE?

There’s a few – I absolutely love creating one of a kind bridal pieces. This year I’ve had a few wonderful clients who’ve wanted something special and have trusted me to do whatever I want! So there’s been some seriously chunky gold wedding rings with an edge, as well as bespoke bridal gifts for bridesmaids.

From an ‘off the peg’ range, I was commissioned by Stacey Hunter (Local Heroes) to create earrings and lapel pins which were inspired by the Glasgow underground system. They are graphic and colourful, and I had the opportunity to use other methods of making which I hadn’t tried before (in this case, powder-coating. This rends to be used more frequently in industry and it gives a beautiful glossy finish.

WHO/WHAT INSPIRES YOU?

Jewellery is traditionally considered luxurious and precious. My work originates from a love of the man-made including machinery, typography, vintage electronics, packaging, graphic design and Modernist architecture, and I have always enjoyed using imagery and material that isn’t generally thought suitable for jewellery.

DESCRIBE YOUR TYPICAL DAY.

As soon as I wake up I take my dog Leo out, then have a couple of cups of tea while I check emails, web orders and respond to enquiries.

After that, Leo and I walk to my studio and I’ll work on various website orders and commissions at my bench.
Depending on the day, I’ll also spend time drawing up designs for new clients or having meetings for bespoke commissions.

Every day is a bit different and there is no real ‘set’ routine!

WHERE’S YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE TO GO?

In Glasgow, there are so many great places to go. For food I love to go to Potluck, Paesano or Ramen Dayo. I also love Tabac for a drink. I also love Pollok Park and I’m there a lot to take Leo for walks.

I often go to London as I have family there (I was born there but we moved up to Scotland when I was little) and I adore the Soane Museum, the Tate Modern and seeing the Victorian dinosaurs at Crystal Palace. But there’s so many places I couldn’t list them all!

FAVOURITE WEDDING VENUE?

Errol Park in Perthshire is one (but I’m biased as I got married there!). (And we were lucky enough to feature it – see it here! I love the new Engine Works in Glasgow – it’s a wonderful space. Alexander Thomson’s Holmwood House in Cathcart is another, it’s just beautiful.

BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE BEEN GIVEN?

Be nice, be yourself and keep putting one foot in front of the other.