ELOISE Kerr creates handmade jewellery which seeks to minimise social and environmental impacts.
Kerr, who is based in Stirling, graduated from Glasgow School of Art in 2006 with a BA honours degree in design, specialising in silversmithing and jewellery.
Post-graduation, Kerr took a career break to volunteer and travel in South America, after which, she launched her first jewellery collection in 2009.
Kerr’s collections are primarily created using hand tools and traditional metalsmithing techniques.
Looking to further develop her artistic flair and inspire fresh approaches to the creation of her jewellery, in 2013 Kerr took a course in contemporary art practice. During the course she began working more frequently with recycled, salvaged and eco-friendly materials. It was at this point she made the decision to keep her brand as environmentally friendly as possible.
Seeking to reduce the social and environmental impacts of her practice, Kerr continues to work with certified 100% recycled precious metals. She is also registered with the Goldsmith’s Fairtrade certified gold scheme.
The “Eco Silver” and “Eco Gold” she uses has been reclaimed through a traceable and audited process, coming from jewellery, giftware, medical and electronic industries. This process ensures that no new metal is mined.
In addition to metal, gemstones are carefully sourced from selected suppliers who promote transparency, traceability and ethical practices from the mining process right through to the cutting and polishing.
Kerr also sources environmentally friendly alternatives to harmful substances; she uses sustainable organic wax and no animal products are used in the workshop or in any of her pieces. For the finishing touch, she ensures her jewellery comes in eco-friendly gift boxes and packaging.
In 2016, Kerr launched her latest collection entitled Caelum. The range features individual sculptural forms with irregular facets which glimmer in the light.
Of her new collection, Kerr says “I aim to retain an essence of the handmade in my pieces. While developing the Caelum collection, I wanted to work in a raw, almost primitive style of carving while creating contemporary, wearable pieces.”
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