Welcome to Jenna Barnes Jewellery

My story

I started my business from my kitchen table after the birth of my little girl in 2022. I needed to fit my business around my home life because I also have twin boys of primary school age, and my part time job in my local library was no longer a good fit. However it has been a dream come true to have the opportunity to pursue something that I have always wanted and have always been developing in my spare time.

 

I knew I wanted to make jewellery from a young age and went off to university to study Metal Work and Jewellery at Sheffield Hallam University and graduated in 2003. After graduating, I worked as an artist as I wanted to explore other mediums such as textiles and painting. I then went on to work for OnCourse SW, managing and teaching a wide range of art courses to adults. I also worked as an art tutor with young adults until my twins came along in 2016. I continued to experiment with materials and techniques and create jewellery in my spare time. 

 

Now as my family grows up I hope I can continue to develop the visual identity of my work. 

 

Inspiration

I am passionate about the qualities of the sterling and fine silver that I am working with and the processes which forms the work. As I play with form, shape and surface texture, ideas come to me. It is like there is a dialogue between myself and the work. The qualities of the silver, how malleable it is when forming, or the way that two pieces can be seamlessly be soldered together are so pleasing. Shapes I have come across through playing inspire new designs, and textures can create contrasts between smooth and bumpy surfaces. Textures can be emphasised by oxidising the surface and different finishes, such as satin or highly shiny, can create an interesting visual dialogue within the same piece of work. 

Adding stones for interest and reproducing leaves or shells found in nature also inform my work. Using techniques such as riveting, enamelling or engraving, is a great way to develop ideas in new ways, with the different elements I am developing and playing with at my work bench. 

I am loving every minute of this journey and seeing where my creativity will take me next! I am not sure what creative ideas will come, as I work in a way in which allows many possibilities to develop, and I then make decisions on compositions and aesthetics which are the most elegant to form the design. 

Discover the Magic of Handcrafted Silver

Explore my new collection and find the perfect piece that resonates with your style.