Catherine Chester Jewellery: 2011

Monday 14 November 2011

Exhibitions, Exhibtions and MORE EXHIBITIONS! (oh, and some awards too)

The past few months have been a non-stop hike up a jewellery mountain and I must say, the view from the top is truly incredible. I've achieved so many of the goals that I would never have imagined I could have achieved this soon on in my career and after a whirl-wind of the most exciting few months since graduating, I feel rather humble, overwhelmed and truly elated. Hard work pays off, with really rewarding out-comes.

At my Degree Show in June I was awarded with two prizes; The Franny & Filer Graduate Award and The Craft Shop Graduate Award. Both prizes were to have my work showcased at each venue. Both Fran and Abby did an excellent job of displaying my work in their gallery Franny & Filer in Chorlton, and I'm really looking forward to putting my collection together for The Royal Exchange Craft Shop with Rachel and Gail in spring next year. At the Degree Show I also managed to pick up the attention of Jane Dzisiewski of Designers Eclectic who has since begun to stock my work in her gallery in Manchester Craft & Design Centre.

Whilst I was busy putting together my collections for Franny & Filer and for Designers Eclectic I was also rushing to complete my stock for the Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair (20-23rd Oct). Being selected to take part this exhibition was already a proud achievement, and I was amazed when I picked up an award here too. Trend Bible (a fashion forecasting company) selected me as their prize-winner and gave me my very own Trend Bible (it's huge! It arrived at my studio in a box as big as me!)

As well as winning my Award, I was also short listed for an award from Heart Gallery. They have given me an exhibition at their gallery in Hebden Bridge in May which features artists who reference history in their work. I have also been selected for an exhibition at the RBSA called 'History Makers' which will run from January to April and Manchester Jewellers' Network have also selected me for their Valentines Exhibition.

I think by far, the most exciting event to happen this year is being selected to be stocked by Manchester Art Gallery. Jo Bloxham is curating the gallery shop with a new selection of contemporary craft to give a face-lift to the shop. I dropped off my work there last week and can't wait to see it on the shelves.

Needless to say, I'm rushed off my feet once again and glued to my studio desk. But things are really falling in to place for this young jeweller. Having made lots of sales at The Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair and my list of stockists growing, it feels like my dreams of making this my career might just be possible.

Saturday 19 February 2011

Latest Exhibition at The Royal Exchange, Manchester

'Upcycled' Jewellery Collection

This collection was inspired by my interest in found photography portraying the female form and I have used watch components and key-parts to represent the unmasking and unlocking of a type of beauty seldom seen on the outside. These pieces, crafted using a combination of precious metals and discarded mechanical parts against a backdrop of 19^th Century photography, conspire to create a unique dynamic from formerly obsolete items. I aim to challenge the conventions that society place on us and subvert the boundaries of what should and should not be worn on the body.

This latest range is on show at The Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester and will run from 7th Feb- 31stMarch 2011. All pieces are for sale.

Catherine Chester Jewellery