More Interviews Melanie Moertel Alan Ardiff Tanya Igic Lesley Strickland Rachel Darbourne Emily Richard Emma Sedman Robert Dancik Vannetta Seecharran Lucy Copleston Rachel Reilly Abby Hook Nicola Palterman Rachel McKnight Karen Dell'Armi Clare Wesley-Holley Suzie Horan

I studied for an MA at the Royal College of Art in London- Who am I?

Lucy Copleston

How did you come to be a jeweller?

My training as a jeweller started at Loughborough College of Art, Leicestershire, in 1964 when I began studying a BA in three dimensional design with a specialisation in jewellery and silversmithing. I had already studied a general art and design course for two years at Mansfield Collage of Art in Nottinghamshire, having left secondary school at the age of 16.

Where did you train?

The training at Loughborough was excellent. I graduated in 1967 with an honours degree and was accepted at the Royal College of Art in London for a further three years to study for an MA in silversmithing. The RCA was a wonderful place to be in, particularly during the mid 1960s. I graduated in 1970 and began a career in teaching which had always interested me. During the following eight years I taught art, design and jewellery making to all age groups and levels of ability. In 1978 I decided to move away from teaching and further develop my creative ideas and designs. I produced my first collection of silver jewellery and sold it at Liberty & Co. and Harvey Nichols in London, and also at various contemporary craft galleries throughout the UK.

Where is your studio?

In 1986 I moved to my present home, a small cottage in the Vale of Clwyd, North Wales, and in 1993 my present workshop and studio was built. This is a light, airy space to work in with windows on three sides and doors that open onto a secluded garden. The atmosphere is calm and peaceful, the close proximity of many flowers and plants has an inspiring effect on all who visit. The workshop has two purpose built jeweller’s benches and is fully equipped with hand tools, as well as specialist equipment including an enameling and PMC kiln.

What is the main inspiration for your designs?

My designs have always been inspired by the organic world. One of the most exacting to make is the ‘Bead Collection’ which I began developing in the 1970s. In the following decade I produced rings inspired by all things to do with the sea and called this range ‘The Sea Jewel Collection’. Over the last seven years I have been working on a development of ideas which takes the moon as its theme and combines silver with handmade glass beads.

Your preferred medium is?

My favourite medium is precious metals, in particular silver which has a lovely mellowness and is not too expensive. I very much like the effect of silver with 18ct yellow gold decoration added onto the surface and have used this application in many of my designs over the last thirty years.

Do you have a favourite tool?

of soldered seams on one piece, thus I became adept with the torch. For over twenty five years I used the old fashioned style torch with a mouth blown air pipe, but eventually converted to a more versatile gas torch in order to develop other techniques. My current range makes use of reticulated textures (partial melting of the surface) and fused metals, these techniques are torch orientated hence my considering the torch to be my favourite tool.

What are your future goals?

My goals have always been to design and create wearable and original precious metal jewellery. Within this activity, as in all creative actions, a self development takes place which is integral to the creative process. So the goal is also to know myself better through the discipline of designing and making.

Do you offer workshops and jewellery classes?

I very much enjoy the teaching of my craft and give tuition on a one-to-one or two-to-one basis throughout the year. Students can come for just a few hours, a full day or for several days. Their time in the workshop is structured in order that they achieve a finished piece and learn as many techniques as possible. Most people who come on courses are complete beginners, but there are also those who come because they want to extend and improve already acquired skills, or develop commercially viable ranges and start up their own small business.

What has been your greatest achievement

My greatest achievement is that despite major debilitating health issues in the past, I am still here making jewellery and selling my own designs 45 years on from my first attempts at this craft. I am indebted to many people; teachers, doctors, healers, my family and friends who have helped me to come this far.

Where do you exhibit your work?

• Opus Gallery Ashbourne, Derbyshire
• Atelier 18 Patchings Art Centre, Calverton, Nottinghamshire
• Fisherton Mill Gallery, Salisbury, Witshire
• Bosanquet Contemporary Jewellery Gallery, Havorfordwest, Pembrokeshire

We’ve shown very successfully for the last few years at the Desire show in Richmond every March. It is a fantastically varied event that offers visitors, all things related to jewellery and metal.