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Plymouth College of Art and Design   2005/2006

Sophy Reid

Jewellery was a career change for Sophy, who had been working successfully in TV. During this time Sophy had been taking evening classes in silver jewellery making, and eventually decided to study full time, at Plymouth College of Art and Design. Since graduating Sophy has been building up a successful career.

Working largely in silver, Sophy's jewellery contains subtle contrasts in colour and texture, such as silver with oxidised (chemically blackened) silver, silver with gold or gold-plated silver, and a scratch finish with a high polish. Techniques include hand-forging, piercing, die pressing, oxidising, gold plating, etching and milling. Sophy is inspired mainly by marine and plant life.

I found the AA2A scheme very beneficial as it enabled me to concentrate on developing new work, having specific hours to set aside for the scheme, as well as affording me access to facitlities I wouldn't otherwise have been able to use. I spent some time experimenting with different ideas and techniques, before deciding which to take forward and develop into finished pieces. My latest collection, the Folding Leaf Collection, is the result of my participation in the scheme, and I am hugely appreciative of the opportunity AA2A afforded me. In the normal course of events as a commercial artist, it is very difficult to find the time and equipment to develop new ideas and I don't think I could have produced this new work without being a part of the AA2A scheme.