Meet the Maker: Charlotte Whitmore

Yorkshire-based jewellery designer Charlotte Whitmore took her first jewellery class aged 17. She has been making jewellery ever since, creating contemporary pieces in silver inspired by natural forms, punctuated by pops of pure colour and texture provided by vintage plastic and glass finds. Charlotte talks to fellow Folksy designer Liz May from Skantlyn about her inspiration, her making process and her love of vintage tools…

Use the discount code ‘May’ for 10% off all Charlotte Whitmore’s jewellery until the end of May 2018.
Click here to shop Charlotte Whitmore on Folksy

I did my first jewellery class when I was 17 and I have pretty much been designing and making jewellery since then. I can’t imagine not doing it.

Hi Charlotte. I love all the nature inspired jewellery you design. Can you tell me a little more about your business and yourself please?

I did a degree in silversmithing and jewellery design way back in the early ’90s, followed by a few years teaching down in London. When I moved back to Yorkshire with my new family I knew I wanted to start making jewellery full time again and set up my own workshop. The pieces I make are predominantly made from silver, although I like to add colour and texture with vintage glass and plastic.

Allium Brooches by Charlotte Whitmore – click here to shop

I really enjoy making my Allium Brooches, using recycled silver and playing around with the form.

What’s your favourite piece of jewellery you have designed to date?

This is a tough question as I enjoy making so many of the pieces for different reasons. I think I enjoy making my brooches most of all, however, as you can be quite experimental with a brooch without having to worry about how it fits in an ear or around a neck.

Most of my jewellery is inspired by natural forms, especially the flowers and grasses I come across along the canal towpaths and on the moors near where I live

I’ve really enjoyed making my Allium Brooches, using recycled silver and playing around with the form. Each one is unique as all the components are varying sizes and fit together in different ways.

I did my first jewellery class when I was 17 and have pretty much been designing and making jewellery since then. Over 30 years! I can’t really imagine not doing it.

What is the process of designing your jewellery?

Most of my jewellery is inspired by natural forms, especially the flowers and grasses I come across along the canal towpaths and on the moors near where I live. A design will often start as a rough sketch and then I will develop an idea I like by making a model in card to see how it would work on the body. Sometimes a design idea might be led by something I’ve found, like the vintage glass buttons I’ve recently bought, or by a new technique I’ve been experimenting with.

I have a workshop full of tools and the collection is steadily growing! I’ve been amassing vintage steel stamping tools, which I use to hammer texture and pattern into my work.

Have you a trusted go to tool you use to make your jewellery, such as your textured pieces?

I have a workshop full of tools and the collection is steadily growing! I love buying a new piece of equipment, especially if it’s second hand or vintage. I have been amassing a collection of vintage steel stamping tools, which I use to hammer texture and pattern into my work.

Who is your inspiration behind your jewellery? Is there another jeweller you look up to?

There are so many amazing and talented jewellery designers out there, and now with social media I seem to discover someone new each day. When I was a student I was lucky enough to meet Wendy Ramshaw, who has produced some beautiful, sculptural pieces of jewellery. I was also (and still am) a huge fan of the German jewellery designer Hermann Junger.

Allium Earrings and Brooch by Charlotte Whitmore – click here to shop

The pieces I make are predominantly made from silver, although I like to add colour and texture with vintage glass and plastic.

How long have you been designing jewellery for?

I did my first jewellery class when I was 17 and I have pretty much been designing and making jewellery since then. Over 30 years! Even when I was teaching I was still designing and making commission pieces for people. I can’t really imagine not doing it.

Daisy Brooches by Charlotte Whitmore – click here to shop

Apart from selling your lovely designs through Folksy, where else do you sell your jewellery?

I take part in a lot of art and craft shows throughout the year, which I really enjoy doing as it’s always lovely to meet customers and get feedback on my designs, especially new pieces. I’m also lucky enough to sell my work through several shops and galleries around the country.

What are your plans for 2018?

I’m in the process of finding a workspace to teach jewellery classes in as my own workshop is too small. I’m really looking forward to teaching jewellery making again. I also have a new collection of work coming out later in the year, which I’m quite excited about.

We have just adopted a rescue greyhound who is helping to keep me company, although she does have a tendency to pinch my hammers.

I always have to listen to music while I design to help me focus. What is a must for you when you make your jewellery?

I have to have my radio on to keep me company. Radio 4 in the morning and Radio 6 in the afternoon (I’m a creature of habit!). We have just adopted a rescue greyhound who is also helping to keep me company, although she does have a tendency to pinch my hammers. Tea is also vital! Lots of cups of lovely tea :)