Mike Gell

  • 9ct yellow gold and pink baroque freshwater pearl necklace.jpg 9ct Yellow Gold and Pink Baroque Freshwater Pearl Necklace, 2014. Photo credit: Dave Ward.
  • 9ct yellow gold figure of eight necklace.jpg 9ct Yellow Gold Figure of Eight Necklace, 2014. Photo credit: Dave Ward.
  • 18ct yellow gold, navette Ruby and diamond ring set.jpg 18ct Yellow Gold, Navette Ruby and Diamond Ring Set, 2010. Photo credit: Dave Ward.
  • 18ct yellow gold, oval purple sapphire and diamond ring set.jpg 18ct Yellow Gold, Oval Purple Sapphire and Diamond Ring Set, 2014. Photo credit: Dave Ward.

What inspires me

I am inspired by gemstones. I've always used very high quality stones, and I fabricate settings individually – my work is classic and wearable. The most interesting part of my work is the geometric aspect of my sets of rings.

Making in the Midlands

I have been involved in the arts in Hereford for over 30 years. I helped start the Hereford Contemporary Craft Fair, and founded Alloy, Hereford Jewellers' Group, which helps graduate makers to set up in business.

What has changed most about the crafts in the last thirty years

Unrecognisable changes really. I took part in a series of craft fairs for many years. After they stopped there was a hiatus until the new round of craft fairs began, for example Bovey Tracey in Devon. I was invited to the Goldsmiths' Fair for 19 years but even that has had radical changes. There are of course a lot more makers than in the 70's.

Website: http://www.mikegell.com/


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