About

Richard is a designer, maker and workshop tutor. From first entering the business in 1985 selling fashion jewellery, Richard would learn traditional methods of silversmithing from his Mum, Lavinia, who had worked within the jewellery industry from a very young age and during World War 2.

After several years developing his skills, Richard moved away from the industry in the 1990’s and 2000’s to pursue a successful career in recruitment and then retail merchandising, dipping in and out during that period to keep his skills fresh. Along the way, Richard has worked with a variety of materials that included silver, gold, stainless steel and plastics and used gold plating, hydrographics and enamels to customise his work. Richard made the decision in 2019 to return to the industry although he would now use silver clay in much of his work. Working with this fascinating material alongside his traditional teachings made for an interesting and experimental time.

Richard’s Mum passed away in late 2020, at the age of 92, and this low time added a new dimension to his work. His determination to find new and exciting ways to work with silver clay encouraged him to bring into the mix his father’s inspiration.

His Dad, Alf, was a signwriter, who had had work commissioned by HRH Princess Anne, the BBC TV programme Blue Peter and several rally motorsport teams and he was also a hand engraver. Sadly Richard’s Dad died young in 1980 and before he could pass on any of his learning. Richard would now push the expectations of silver clay beyond the norm and, with both of his parents as inspiration, his enthusiasm for this new material grew more and more. Richard now uses gold, sterling silver and argentium as well as silver clay in his work and, whilst he works at the studio in Hull, Richard also has a bench location in Hatton Garden, London. Richard’s work has been exhibited at various locations across the U.K. including Forge in Hatton Garden, London and Millennium Gallery, Sheffield and his pieces have also been exhibited in Poland and Japan.