Filigree with Sue Cross

Last week we were very lucky to welcome HCA Fellow Sue Cross back to the Small Metals workshop.

Sue, who is from Hereford, started her studies here at the college on the Foundation Diploma course many years ago. From there she went on to study Jewellery at Middlesex Polytechnic, after which she moved to Edinburgh where she still lives and works. Sue exhibits both nationally and internationally and also lectured at Edinburgh College of Art.

The ‘Filigree’ masterclass that she delivered was excellent; the workshop was packed with BA (Hons) Jewellery Design and BA (Hons) Contemporary Design Crafts students all working hard on the new skills Sue was teaching.

Filigree is a delicate type of jewellery using threaded wires of silver that are then soldered to a silver surface. It is very delicate and often suggests lace in its appearance. It is an ancient technique that is still popular in India and Asia.

Sue showed us a contemporary way of using the process of filigree which opened up many possibilities. I’m really looking forward to seeing this process being used in the workshop.
To see more of Sue’s work, visit www.susancrossjewellery.com

A selection of the tools used for the process of Filigree.

Bending threaded wire using a jig made from wood and nails.

Sue demonstrating the process.

The process of soldering tiny jump rings onto a silver surface.

Some of the finished samples along with examples of Sue’s work.

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