Joanne Gowan

Joanne Gowan designs and hand-makes fine precious jewellery with most of her work being one-off designs and individual commissions. Her workshop is within her own shop premises, Gowan Jewellers, which she opened in 1988 in the picturesque small town of Sawbridgeworth on the Hertfordshire/Essex border. The shop has a wide range of jewellery in stock with a consultation area and her workshop at the rear of the retail area. Opening hours are variable due to exhibition and teaching commitments but is usually 4 days per week - please telephone or visit the website to check this month's schedule. You can also make a no obligation appointment to discuss a with Joanne or her colleague Sally Andrews, who has been working with Joanne since 1999. The style of work is often distinctly organic with twisting and dramatic shapes as well as many timeless and classic items. Pieces range from simple and contemporary to historical and representational. Her most recent work has taken the form of 'vignettes' - small pictures based around a specific theme such as a Season or an event. Platinum, Palladium, 18ct gold ( white , red and yellow ) and silver are all used with great skill: with the addition of diamonds, sapphires, emeralds, rubies, unusual gemstones or cultured pearls. Diamonds and gemstones are ethically sourced.Gowan Jewellers offers valuation, a free cleaning service and friendly professional advice. Joanne's aim is to make jewellery which expresses the wearer's own personality and which gives pleasure on each occassion that it is worn. She is happy to encorporate the client's own ideas and themes to create a truely individual piece to suit their budget.

Repoussé, Forging, handmade gemstone mounts

1998 The Goldsmiths' Fair Display Prize, Goldsmiths' Hall 1990The Goldsmiths' Fair Display Prize, Goldsmiths' Hall

1982 Art Foundation, Harlow Technical College, Essex 1985 BA (Hons) Jewellery Design, Central School of Art & Design, London 1986-87 Gemstone diamond mounting courses, Sir John Cass College, London 1989 Preliminary Theory Course, Gemmological Association

Joanne's work is in many private collections.

Goldsmiths Fair 1987 to 1999 Desire Jewellery and Silversmithing Fairs - the next one being Chelsea Desire at Chelsea Old Town Hall 6th to 8th March 2015 Contemporary Craft and Design Fairs ( Craft in Focus) including at RHS Wisley and RHS Hyde Hall in 2013 and 2014.