Silver Wire Designs
Handmade Jewellery Designer Semina Lewis
Born in Winchmore Hill, North London to an Asian father and New Zealand/Irish mother hence the unusual name - Semina, people often ask where I get my inspiration from - Probably from my life experiences - having had quite a colourful life so far, two of my passions have been dancing and singing - I sang twice at the Royal Festival Hall in a choir singing Haydn's Creation and Vivaldi's Gloria and appeared alongside Les Dawson singing and dancing in a multi-cultural group (Kids International) on his show in the 80's. Spells of acting as an extra meant quite a lot of time hanging around in Green Rooms at the BBC absorbing the atmosphere and I also did a bit of modelling and film work. As an adult Salsa dancing has satisfied my desire to dance but now with young children only really happens in my living room!
Being fortunate to have travelled extensively as a child, staying with families rather than in hotels and so seeing cultures first hand. I have been particularly inspired by architecture especially Gaudi's beautiful buildings in Barcelona, landscapes and just the many colourful sights I have seen around the world. I caught the creative bug early in life and have always had a fascination for both contemporary jewellery and traditional finding the bridal jewelry in Asia particularly interesting.
Also interested in textiles and all forms of art and handmade craft and have produced some contemporary textured fabric wall art - I also won a readers' award for my fashion designs featured in Brides Magazine. Working as a photographic assistant in London I was involved with shoots on products for advertizing using large format plate cameras as well as celebrities for magazine covers such as The Sunday Times,Sunday Express & Radio Times, as well as Elle Decoration and Taste Magazine all very interesting jobs. I also worked on fashion and beauty shots for John Frieda and as a focus puller for a couple of pop videos. I was particularly interested in the use of lighting techniques and textures.
I studied Silversmithing in London and despite having a 2 year old and toddler at home decided to take the plunge in 2006 and start the Jewellery business Silver Wire Designs. I manage to work successfully around the children so am able to spend time with them as well as run the business which is very important to me. I now sell through a few Art Galleries and Gift Shops as well as direct from my online gift shop.
Numerous techniques are used including knitting, crocheting and weaving silver combined with traditional silversmithing, to create the finished effect. Alongside plain silver jewellery I also use gemstones such as amethyst, garnet and some more unusual gemstones such as carnelian, rhondite and the beautiful turquoise wrapped with the silver. I also love using dichroic glass and other colourful glass to make pendants anything which catches my eye and will work well in my designs. You will find very fine silver necklaces and bracelets as well as very chunky heavy silver bangles in the shop with earrings and tiaras also available - something for everyone including men like the unusual cufflinks with a driving theme. Sometimes when making a piece it may evolve into something else and I often have strange images of patterns in the middle of the night which are transfered into new designs if I have the energy to get up and draw them before I forget!. In fact I find the whole process quite exciting. Skills in design and website design enable me to make a piece and upload it immediately to the website so keeping the website very current.
I won the International Designers 'Rising Star' Competition in September 2007 in the Handcrafted Jewellery Category. The 'Rising Star' Competition was open to independent/emerging fashion and jewellery designers from all over the world in the categories; Jewellery, Haute Couture, Ready to wear and Handcrafted Jewellery. The winners came from the UK, Canada, United Arab Emirates and Japan. To win the award I was chosen for demonstrating the following traits:
-- Professional and business minded approach to market -- Consistency in producing high quality designs and products --A high degree of customer focus (need identification and fulfilment) --A sustainable business model, coupled with dedication to fashion.
In November 2008 Silver Wire Designs was a finalist in the Hunts Post Business Awards in the Internet Category.
I love to receive feedback from customers as it is nice to know how my work is received. Please feel free to add your comments to my guest book or if already a customer please add a review if you have a moment. You will also find a news feed for this handmade jewellery site so can subscribe if you wish to be kept updated. I enjoy making jewellery and get a great sense of satisfaction to find that it is also giving pleasure to others.
Thank you for visiting my site.
Semina Lewis
Jewellery Designer
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