On my trail of Cornish artists and crafts people I have found the wonderful Marsha Drew, an independent jeweller, designing and individually hand crafting every piece of work, inspired by natural forms found near to her home on the North Cornwall coast.
Here is what Marsha has to say about her work and her life working in Cornwall…
” OK, where do I start….
I was born in the good old Treliske hospital many moons ago and lived in Falmouth for my first few years before my folks moved up to Gloucestershire. Fast forward a few years and I found myself heading back down into Cornwall every summer to work and now I’m back in full effect, living and working in my beloved Cornwall.
Living up in “The Shire” was brilliant, being so close to the Cotswold hills, beautiful little villages and amazing woodlands. But its not Kernow, there’s no sea up there and, I think that’s what I love most about Cornwall is the sea. Strangely enough I don’t surf and rarely go in, I prefer to observe and gain inspiration that way.
I’d been making jewellery for a few years, nothing spectacular, just gemstones and glass beads and was selling it at a few small festivals and events at various locations in the South West. In 2008 I discovered the Silversmithing and Jewellery (BA Hons) Degree at Truro College and spent the next three years immersed in learning how to make real jewellery.
My Foldform Collection is the result of my work and research during the final year at Uni. Foldforming is a relatively new system of shaping sheet metal by folding, forging then opening to reveal beautiful organic forms. The inspiration for this collection comes from the ocean waves and as I live in North Cornwall, very close to the sea its hard not to be influenced by the big blue. I’m lucky enough to live in between the sea and a small woodland and both these influences can be seen throughout my work”.
Check out some of Masha’s lovely work below or visit her website here.
Turning Leaf Ring
Riptide Studs
Turning Leaf Earrings
Riptide Bracelet
Turning Leaf Bangle
Double Drops Pendant
” I take all my photos on the beach which is just at the end of the lane where I live and couldn’t wish for a better photography studio”. All images © Marsha Drew
If you are visiting Rock, Polzeath and the North Cornwall coast then you must pop into The Winter Gallery at Polzeath to see Marsha’s work and other Cornish artists work.
My Saffron Bun 