Dalgety Bay based jewellery designer and silversmith Angie Young is building up her collections and increasing the outlets for her work, which is now beginning to reap benefits as there are many galleries and shops across the UK and even abroad where you can purchase her work.
Angie, who graduated from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design in Dundee in 2005 where she won the Goldsmiths Precious Metal Bursary prize, is concentrating on developing her work and participating in various exhibitions while working part time and looking to a future where she owns her own gallery showing her work as well as that of other local artists and craftspeople.
“I’d love to have my own studio and gallery and concentrate solely on designed and making jewellery and table pieces, but for now I need to a part time job,” she smiles.
However, Angie’s course in Dundee taught her the importance of the business side of any creative undertaking so she has her feet firmly on the ground and understands the marketing process. “I am building the business up and increasing my profile so that eventually I can do what I love full time.”
One of Angie’s most popular collections is inspired by basket making. The Silver & Willow Collection blends the smooth, elegant lines of silver with the more natural forms and texture of willow. This intriguing combination produces unusual pieces: not only jewellery, but also decorative bowls, candleholders and napkin rings.
“I learnt basket weaving which I loved and then combined this with my training in jewellery and metal design. A love of silver tableware led me to produce a range of table pieces that combine silver and willow, and a collection of wearable silver and willow bracelets,” explains Angie.
Her Silver & Gold Wirework Collection includes hand knotted silver and gold wire bowls as well as a wide range of jewellery.
The intricacy and delicacy of this collection is contrasted by the Hammered Silver Collection, which is much sturdier and includes a full range of jewellery for women and men. It is made up of a few smaller ranges including hammered D, flat hammered, hammered silver with topaz, tri colour hammered hearts, multi link and oxidised silver collections.
“My newest collection is Black Pearl & Hearts which uses various hammered heart styles with black pearls, linked simply in drop earrings and pendants as well as linked with multiple strands of silver chain to create a variety of neck pieces, bracelets and earrings,” says Angie, who likes to introduce at least two new collections each year.
Angie’s work has recently been exhibited at the Ceres Gallery in Ceres and at the Creative Fife Celebration, held in Glenrothes in April. But while it is lovely to exhibit in your own area, Angie has also held exhibitions around the country, each enhancing her profile.
The list of galleries displaying her work is growing rapidly but locally you can find her work in Art Room 59 in Dunfermline, Eternal Inspirations in Lochgelly, the Sun Gallery in Newburgh and the Jam Gallery in Dundee.
Of course, as well as her collections, Angie is happy to take commissions.
Visit her website at www.angieyoung-designs.com
