Rustic Dove Designs....................

Handcrafted jewellery in Northern Ireland by Alison McIlkenny

I am a jewellery artist based in Moira, Northern Ireland. I have always had good artistic flare. When I was a child my mum used to call me a  ‘ little magpie’, and anything shiny or glittery intrigued me. I loved to play with my granny’s old beads, putting colours together and restringing.  I am quite thrifty in nature and like to make something from nothing. Why throw away old mirrors or tables if you have the ability to make it into something beautiful and new looking. I get a sense of satisfaction after restoring, revamping or making. 

I became interested in making jewellery several years ago after I received my first bead kit as a birthday gift. I got hooked very quickly and developed a strong thirst for learning more new skills. I enrolled on a basic silversmithing class at a local college. I became fascinated at the prospect of designing and creating my own original handcrafted silver jewellery. During my class I heard the words ‘Precious Metal Clay’ spoken and I decided to dig deeper to find out more. Precious Metal Clay (PMC) is a clay-like material made of fine silver particles, water and an organic binder. It can be worked like clay and when fired in a kiln the water and binder burn off, the silver particles fuse together leaving 999 pure fine silver jewellery worthy of hallmarking. 

I was amazed when I learnt about the quickness and ease of use when working with Precious Metal Clay. I frantically searched for courses to attend in Northern Ireland but to no avail. I enrolled on an intensive training course through the Mid-Cornwall School of Jewellery were I received my Diploma in PMC. You can find me on the Mid Cornwall School of Jewellery Diploma Holders page at http://mcsj.co.uk/Roll.htm . I am also registered with The Metal Clay Academy at http://metalclayacademy.com/gallery/sale.html    My skills has opened new doors and I am now pleased to announce that I am now working and experimenting with the new Bronze Clay. The Chununga Tree http://chunungatree.com is where I source most of my raw materials.

I have sold my jewellery through a lot of local craft and art/design fairs. My jewellery can be bought through local gallery shops such as Empathy Creations in Bangor and Olive in Newry. I decided it was time to get a web-site. A big thank-you goes to my husband Desy who has been a big source of help and support from day one. Desy has also taken all the amazing photographs throughout.

                                                                       Alison McIlkenny