Cumbria is surrounded by stunning coastline, rugged cliffs and abundant woodland. All throughout the year, nature changes and brings new shapes, textures and colours, so it’s no surprise that many jewellers in Cumbria focus on nature within their designs. For instance, the intricate patterns of leaves, the vibrant hues of flowers, the outline of mountain peaks and the shimmering reflections of water can all influence design choices.
Cumbria is home to a variety of jewellery makers who lovingly create hand-crafted adornments from glass, ceramic, precious stones, metal and other local materials. Whether it’s an intricate glass pendant that reflects the region’s seasonal colours, bespoke earrings inspired by the Lake District fells or a ring made from Westmorland Green Slate quarried from the heart of the Lake District, there’s a piece of nature-inspired jewellery for everyone. And, if you’re looking for someone else, handmade Cumbrian jewellery makes great gifts for friends and family.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the ways the beautiful Cumbrian surroundings have inspired talented jewellers and craftspeople of the region.
Through their art, Cumbria jewellery artisans celebrate the region’s heritage and landscapes by creating timeless jewellery that tells a story of the local area.
Many of the jewellery designers in Cumbria draw inspiration from the ever-changing seasonal colour palate of the county. In spring, greens and bursts of colour from flowers such as bluebells and daffodils inspire vibrant jewellery designs. Summer’s lush hillsides and sparkling waters might be reflected in the use of shimmering sapphires or deep emeralds. Autumn brings a fiery transformation, with burnt-toned bracken and golden foliage, perfect for designs incorporating warm reds, yellows and oranges. Winter’s snow-dusted fells inspire the use of white, silver and gold.
Some of the craftspeople making jewellery in Cumbria take inspiration from the topography of the region. Designs may incorporate rugged, organic textures or layered designs reminiscent of the peaks and fells. What’s more, local materials play a significant role in creating distinctive jewellery pieces. Many handmade jewellery businesses in the region incorporate elements like Cumbrian slate and other locally sourced materials, grounding each piece in the region’s identity.
Mere Glass Jewellery and Art are a family run jewellery studio in Cockermouth, Cumbria, that supplies shops and galleries throughout Cumbria and the Lake District. Hannah, the artist and designer behind Mere Glass began her love affair with glass artistry in the enchanting glass studio of her aunt, Åshild Karevoll, a respected Glass Artist near Trondheim, Norway.
Today, Hannah lives and works on the outskirts of the picturesque Lake District where she creates jewellery and glass art, drawing on the serenity and natural beauty of the Lakes for inspiration in her work. The creation of Mere Glass Jewellery is a labour-intensive process that involves layering glass to achieve depth and complexity in each piece before firing in the kiln to fuse the layers together.
Each Mere Glass creation is one of a kind, making it a personal and distinctive addition to any jewellery collection. Their jewellery is known for its striking and vibrant colours, making each piece a unique and eye-catching addition to any outfit. They are committed to eco-friendly practices, including using recycled jewellery bags, eco-friendly packaging, and minimising waste.
Lakeland Rings is a small family business based on the southern edge of the Lake District National Park. Rob, the artist and designer behind Lakeland Rings, makes all their unique jewellery by hand using recycled silver, copper, gold and locally sourced materials wherever possible.
Each Lakeland Rings creation is inspired by the beautiful Lake District and incorporates locally foraged or ethically sourced materials such as Lake District slate, Cumbrian sandstone and wood from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified forests. Some of their most popular rings feature the skyline of local Lake District mountain ranges, inlaid with Lake District Slate.
As well as rings, Lakeland Rings are constantly expanding their range of pendants, offering simple designs which incorporate stunning slate from the Lake District through to more complex designs which showcase the mountain range of your choice inlaid with slate or other materials.
If you’re looking for special Lake District jewellery for someone, a customised Lake District ring or pendant from Lakeland Rings is the perfect choice!
Lake District Jewellery create bespoke pieces of jewellery inspired by the stunning landscapes of the Lake District National Park. Beth, the artist and designer behind Lake District Jewellery, worked and trained in a jewellers in Keswick before starting her own jewellery making business. Beth has lived in Keswick her whole life and her creations take inspiration from the surrounding Lake District fells
What makes Lake District Jewellery so special is that each piece of jewellery is handmade, so when wearing it you’ll know you’re the only person wearing that unique piece. From rings and pendants to bracelets and earrings, Lake District Jewellery offer beautiful nature-inspired jewellery for everyone. Lake District Jewellery also make custom pieces as well which adds an extra personal touch.
Based just a few miles from the Lake District National Park on the Cumbrian coast in Workington, is Ammonite Studio. Mark, the founder of Ammonite Studio, started making bentwood rings as a hobby in 2014 and launched his business in 2016. He began by making the classic single wood rings that still remain popular today. Mark started experimenting with further designs and materials, adding inlays, working with stone and slate and using pyrography to burn details and personalise rings, and now offers a wide range of unique handcrafted bentwood rings.
A bentwood ring is such a unique piece of jewellery that usually starts its life as a very slim piece of wood. In order to obtain its shape, it has to be steamed to make it pliable, it is then wrapped around itself several times whilst at the same time being glued to hold its shape. It then goes through various stages of sanding and shaping to achieve the desired shape, style and size. Finally, it is finished with either highly polished CA glue or natural Danish oil. You can choose a wood, material, inlay or stone that has sentimental meaning to you or loved one, meaning they make a perfect gift!
Cumbria is lucky to have a network of gifted designers that make exquisite jewellery using traditional skills and expert craftsmanship. At Made In Cumbria we aim to bring together all the creative industries found in Cumbria and the Lake District to showcase local producers, makers and artists, and all that is created here, including artisan jewellers. Explore our showcase of talented jewellers and find gifts for friends, family or yourself made or created in Cumbria.
Cumbria Chamber of Commerce
3rd Floor
Broadacre House
16-20 Lowther Street
Carlisle
CA3 8DA
0845 226 00 40
©Cumbria Chamber of Commerce 2023 | By: We Are Digital
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