F7 Jewellery: Ros Millar: Interview

After getting in touch with Ros, we did a short interview, this is what came from it.

Who are you? Where are you from? What do you do? And where are you now?

I am a 24 year old, Northern Irish jewellery designer. I am currently based in London.

How did you "get into" making jewellery?

I have always loved Jewellery (worked in a jewellers from the age of 16). Then went to Study a Foundation Degree in Art and Design at Ulster University where I got the chance to try lots of different subjects – at this point I had never even considered jewellery design as a career. I was set on being a fashion designer – but had to choose another module as well to concentrate on, so I chose Metalwork and Jewellery……and Hey! Automatically loved it! It was so hands on.

So, went to study a BA Hons in Metalwork and Jewellery.

What did you do after uni?

I was so scared leaving University – Even though I got my degree and was really happy; I was more worried about leaving behind a workshop.

After leaving university I moved back to Northern Ireland and did as much as I could without having a workshop so focussed on getting some experience and applying for grants and funding. In October 2009 I went to London to do a internship for a couple of weeks with Melissa Mc Arthur, I then ended up taking on a new internship with designer Fannie Schiavoni in November 2009 and freelance work followed.

In November 2009 I also received an acceptance letter saying that I had received some funding to enable for the purchase of Machinery so set up my work in January 2010, here I could continue to do Freelance work for Fannie Schiavoni and work on develop my own work.

I was awarded the Graduate Bursary Award for New Graduates where I received a free stand at Goldsmiths Fair in 2010….. I spent most of my first year working towards Goldsmiths Fair as well as receiving mentoring on the Crafts Council’s Mentoring Programme.

In your work, where do you draw your inspiration from?

Everywhere!! Mostly patterns within landscapes and from natural forms. I am constantly collecting information, drawing and taking photos of things that interest me – some drawings may turn into new pieces months down the line.

How do you manufacture your work, what is the most common process you use? Do you have a particular process that you love, or use consistently?

I use cuttlebone casting as my main process and makes sure it is either used for production or in the design process.

After your "still life" collection, how has the "growth" collection changed?

The ‘Still Life’ Collection consists of one-off pieces which I still constantly develop and exhibit – these works often feature fabrics and textiles. The ‘Black & Rose’ Growth Collection consists of small batch production work. These pieces are stocked within many boutiques

Do you think living in London has changed the way you look at your work; do you think it would have been different if you lived in a different part of the country?

I think that your environment and surroundings always have an influence either in the way you design or in the final product or piece, but I don’t think that It has changed the way I look at my work, but has however helped me to develop two different clear ranges – One-Off Pieces and a Relevant Collection.

What have you been doing lately?

I have been working on orders and commissions after The Goldsmiths Fair and Great Northern Contemporary Fair. Getting ready for Christmas with lots of orders for customer and stockists and exhibitions (finding it a little stressful) but enjoying it and taking advantage of it being a busy time of the year. Moving into a new studio at Second Floor and been gaining new stockists – Little 15 Jewellery has been the most recent where I stock online with her and took part in Vogue’s Fashion Night In, I will have pieces in store before Christmas.

What are you working on at the moment?

I am working on a new collection for the new year. I am also moving into a new studio in London with two other designers Emma Yeo and Rose Sharp Jones from 2 other different disciplines – who I met on the Craft’s Council’s Hothouse Programme and planning my next year!!

What’s to come in the future?

More exhibitions and shows, more customers and lots more work!!!!