Contributor on BBC1, Make it at the Market, series 3
Meet the Maker!!
Sarah originally studied Chemistry but fell in love with jewellery making whilst on a jewellery summer school course at the GSA.
Sarah is working on introducing enamel into her practice and loves the bold vibrant statement of colour that enamel brings to a piece.
After completing a portfolio course at St. Martins she embarked on a degree course in Silversmithing and Jewellery at the Glasgow School of Art.
A qualified art and design teacher, she teaches painting and drawing in the local community. Her passion however is making and designing jewellery.
Organic forms, the sea and the natural world inspire her work and she loves adding a hint of colour to her pieces in the form of enamel and 18ct gold.
Wee Thistle Jewellery was born in December 2020 and is based in the East end of Glasgow. The studio space is within Vanilla Ink Jewellery studio and school.
Sarah is also one of the tutors there and teaches a range of different classes to adults.
Please visit the Vanilla Ink Studios website to see the wide range of courses taught from taster sessions, beginner level right through to professional courses.
Sustainability
We all want to be kinder to our planet and recycle where we can.
Recycling and sustainability are core values at the very heart of Wee Thistle’s ethos.
Recyclable silver is used where ever possible in pieces. All scrap silver is melted back down in the studio and reused.
Gemstone Sourcing
We ensure all the gemstones that are used in our jewellery are traceable and ethically sourced.
Nineteen48
Through their partner company in Sri Lanka, Nineteen48 sources sapphires and other gemstones from their own mine, located in the main mining region around the city of Ratnapura.
The artisanal style of gem mining in Sri Lanka minimises the impact on the local environment, using mostly natural materials, often sourced close to the mine. The industry is well-protected and provides employment for a very skilled local workforce. The team working for Nineteen48 receives a monthly salary, as well as a bonus based on the gemstones that they find. Having control of the supply chain allows Nineteen48 to offer fully traceable gemstones from mine to market.
Nineteen48 is also involved in a ground-breaking project, Moyo Gemstones, sourcing beautiful gemstones from the artisanal miners of the Tanzanian Women Miners’ Association (TAWOMA). You can find out more about this project at:
https://www.nineteen48.com/blog/the-moyo-gemstone-project—all-the-links-you-need
18ct is remelted and recycled to add mini focal points of colour to her work.
Awards
Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths
Young Designer of the Year 2002
Joint third
Exhibitions
Newberry Tower Glasgow School Of Art 2001
Atrium Gallery Glasgow School of Art 2002
Pentagon Centre Gallery Glasgow 2002
Books
Contributed and work included in “Jewellery Using: Textile Techniques” by Sarah Keay
Sarah took a step back from making jewellery full time to raise her family and work as a teacher. She is now loving being back making jewellery and is rarely away from her bench.
Wee Thistle Jewellery
Vanilla Ink Studios
Suite 3/7-3/8,
60 Brook St,
Glasgow
G40 2AB
