Workshop in Holmfirth,West Yorkshire. Works with silver, semi-precious stones, wood and other unusual materials. Outlets include Leeds Craft and Design Centre & Pyramid, York.
About John Field
For over 20 years I have been making one-off pieces of jewellery. Natural colours and materials feature prominently and the pieces can incorporate materials as diverse as exotic hardwoods, bone, fish leather, shagreen and precious metals, together with precious and semi-precious stones.
Many of the pieces are hand carved using a dental laboratory drill. This is a laborious process of attrition and it may take days or weeks to finish a single piece. My aim is to produce intriguing designs and often one piece of jewellery will open up to reveal another. Alternatively the jewellery may be displayed on its own stand or concealed in its own box.
My most ambitious pieces so far have included a wooden pocket watch and a case of curiosities. Four lids on the case open to reveal 11 pouches, each one containing a curious object. These range from the pre-historic, through the ancient, to the futuristic. Some are literally from out of this world, some a record of creatures that have inhabited our earth in the distant past and others were created by natural phenomena. Some were created in an instant, and others evolved over millions of years.
I also work with my wife and business partner Dawn to make more accessible jewellery. For many years we have made a range of asymmetrical metal jewellery. The materials used are un-hallmarked silver, brass and semi-precious stones. Rather than making matching partners, an opal, garnet, moonstone, amethyst, or piece of amber will be used on one earring, while the other will have some brass decoration.
We have recently developed this range to incorporate knots motifs and circular shapes instead of rectangular. We also now use a revolutionary new silver alloy that contains more pure silver than sterling silver and is highly resistant to tarnishing.
Further Images
Asymmetrical silver earrings
A range of asymmetrical silver and brass earrings with semi-precious gemstones.
Arc earrings
"Arc earrings" Earrings made from silver,18ct gold and various semi-precious stones.
African blackwood necklace
Necklace featuring hand carved African blackwood beads and 18ct gold spacer
Multi-coloured necklace
Necklace featuring many different semi-precious stones, hand carved exotic hardwood beads and patterned silver tubes.
Charm necklace
Necklace featuring many different semi-precious gemstones, silver keys, exotic hardwood beads and solid 18ct gold charms.
Floral necklaces
Necklaces featuring various floral designs imprinted into silver.
Turquoise necklace
Necklace featuring African blackwood beads, patterned silver tubes and a large piece of turquoise set in 18ct gold.
Wooden pocketwatch
A 17 jewel Swiss movement with a stabilized salt cedar case incorporating a dial and door made from silver and 18ct gold.