Ahead of our renowned craft and design market Lustre, we caught up with Amber Cooper-Green, a Nottingham based jewellery designer who creates statement fashion forward jewellery, made from reclaimed hardwoods, scrap acrylic, recycled silver and pre-loved knitting needles.
How do new ideas emerge for you and what is your process for developing them into finished artworks?
“I find inspiration in the natural world, such as the shapes of pebbles on the beach, and in the styles of past eras. I’ll sketch out these ideas and expand on my favourites to create a collection. However, my process has evolved. Now, each piece I create inspires the next, with small changes that make it unique and different from the last.”
What do you enjoy about the materials you work with?
“I enjoy working with recycled and reclaimed materials, such as scrap acrylic, wood from old furniture or flooring, pre-loved knitting needles and recycled silver. I love the freedom these materials Offer, due to their low costs allowing me to be experimental without reservation. However, I also find the restrictions of only using these types of materials to be beneficial, as they give me a clear focus and a defined goal.”
I particularly love the contrast between these materials: the natural tones and grains of the wood and the bright, poppy colours of the acrylic. The combination of man-made and natural materials is what excites me most about creating something harmonious from two opposing elements.”
What feelings do you hope your jewellery brings to their eventual owners and wearers?
“I hope my jewellery brings happiness and smiles to both the wearer and those who see it. I believe my pieces straddle the line between everyday wearables and oversized, fashion-forward runway jewellery. They’re not yet comical, but they still evoke a joyous response. While many oversized jewellery pieces can be heavy and uncomfortable, I prioritise comfort in my designs. This makes my work easy to wear and accessible for everyday use, the perfect dopamine dressing experience.”
Could you tell us about what you are working on at the moment?
“I’m currently exploring knitting needle polka dots within my work and refining the finish for multi-spot pieces. I’m enjoying experimenting with unexpected colour combinations, which has inadvertently led to the emergence of new shapes. Progress is slow as I introduce new designs gradually rather than in large collections. This means there’s always something new from me, but no sudden, drastic changes to my overall aesthetic.”
Meet Amber and see her beautiful collection at Lustre on 8th -10th November. Entry is free. Find out more.
To see more of Amber’s incredible work, visit her website here.
