I initially trained at Grays School of Art in Aberdeen Scotland many years ago as a part time student and later was taught stone setting by the renowned setter and master jeweller Peter Robinson.
I started Clavis Jewellery (Clavis is Latin for Key) as a part time business before moving on to full time mostly selling through galleries and craft fairs. Initially I worked almost exclusively with silver, now gold forms an equal part of my repertoire. Much of my work comes from commissions from a regular growing clientele.
My inspiration comes from a variety of sources – from nature, from architecture and from the materials themselves. Often it is a gemstone, a piece of shell that guides me to give the piece its final shape and dimension.
To me making jewellery is a passion not just a vocation, time seems to stop when I am working in my studio. Like most craft jewellers I learn and develop new techniques constantly and strive to make that one extra special piece that I feel will be my “pièce de resistance” but you make one and see another on the horizon.
I fabricate all of my work in as traditional manner as is practical to be still profitable – it can easily be forgotten that the aim is to make a living.
The area where I live is close by where much of the other Scottish “gold” is crafted in the many well known whisky distilleries.
It is heartening to know that there are still discerning people that can appreciate hand crafted jewellery made in the traditional manner.
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robinkey
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- This is me – Robin Key - October 13, 2008
