
Let
me introduce my self to you I was born and lived in
London UK. I was educated at a progressive school in
the country, whose ethos was primarily to encourage
students to think. At a very early age my father took
me to see the pre-Columbian artifacts bequeathed by
my great-grandfather, Charles Fenton an archaeologist
to the British Museum this was to influence my future.
It was on one of my travels that I first became enthralled
by the world of jewelry, passing through Masad in Iran
I purchased some beautiful turquiose which I took to
an artisan working in Kabul, Afganistan who allowed
me to stay and watch the piece being made, it was turned
into an exquisite multi-stone necklace. On returning
to England I was fortunate to be apprenticed to a master
jeweler, Roy Miles who specialized in Victorian style
jewelry, making many custom pieces for the aristocracy.
I emigrated to the U S A in 1983 to work at Goldsmith
Hall in Aptos California for two of the finest jewelers
Bouke Hollinga and Jim Hendrickson who in turn introduced
me to Orlando Feriozzi,a master jeweler sans pareil.
I had the good fortune and privilege to be taken under
the aegis of Maestro Orlando Feriozzi, internationally
renowned for his work, style and as an exponent of the
best traditions of an ancient profession. In his youth
he studied under Giorgio Cazzaniga remembered for the
excellence and ingenuity of his work.
For the past eight years I have been working in the
Pleasure Point area of Santa Cruz developing a small
but thriving business in the local community. My style
is strongly influenced by Maestro Feriozzi whose work
is the quintessence of the Roman school of jewelry making.
I enjoy working with customers to build a piece of jewelry
which will bring them pleasure for a lifetime. My preferred
method of manufacture is widely known as fabrication,
working directly with the metal of choice {gold or platinum]
avoiding the more common production method of lost wax
casting which while being useful at times does not lend
itself to making jewelry that is strong, truly aligned
and with individual character. I have access to many
unusual gems and minerals and enjoy using them in my
work as they bring fresh life to the design and color
palette of my work. To ensure that the proportions of
my work are to my liking and my customers I start with
drawings, then proceed with a three dimensional model
using the actual stones and plasticine or silver to
build and make changes in design at this stage. I am
using this web site to communicate closely with my customers
so that we can work together to make ideas into truly
beautiful jewelry, proportions that are elegant can
only come from an understanding and honoring of nature.
As an active member of the Society of Santo Eligio
I am engaged in the promotion of education, integrity,
and good practice among working jewelers. |