Ring Making
Tourmaline Silver Ring – This piece was created as a bespoke commission using a uniquely shaped piece of tourmaline. I chose the stone for its natural character and subtle colour, then carefully filed the base flat to make it suitable for setting. The band was formed from sterling silver D wire, which I shaped and soldered to size by hand.
I then fabricated a custom bezel to fit the stone precisely, before assembling and soldering all components together. With guidance and support from the amazing metalwork experts at Arts University Plymouth, I was able to refine the techniques needed to complete the piece. The result is a clean, minimal ring design that showcases the tourmaline’s organic shape and understated beauty.
Photography by ShadowJack Media
Screenprinting
I was excited to explore the two-layer screen printing process, and luckily, my super talented friend Donya Todd let me use one of her images to experiment with!
Using a clear registration sheet helped me align the layers accurately, and the hinged frame kept the screen steady for precise results. I especially enjoyed mixing colours directly with the squeegee, creating gradients and unexpected effects. It was a hands-on, playful way to experiment with design and gave me a real appreciation for how colour, alignment, and layering shape the final image.
Experimenting further, I tried the process on plywood. This time a design from HolmesyLogic, which was a satisfying print to align using the registration sheet! The crisp design and wood’s texture gave it a totally different feel from paper, and it was exciting to see how well the two-layer process worked on a new surface.
I would love to explore this further. Surface design on wood is often limited to engraving, carving, or painting, but screen printing feels like a more open (and fun!) option with loads of creative potential.