INSPIRATION

“A love of pattern is central to my designs, inspired by the busy Victorian aesthetic but with a modern, balanced approach. My jewellery explores the interplay between organic forms and structured design, drawing from curiosity cabinets, collections, and the rhythm of repeated patterns.”

“The idea of the heirloom fascinates me—sentimental pieces accumulating meaning as they’re passed down. Worn close to the body, jewellery carries an invisible magic, a quiet significance that deepens over time. It is this emotional value I aim to imbue into my work, creating contemporary pieces that hold echoes of the past.”

Alison x.

THE ATELIER

Alison established her practice in 2003 after graduating from Edinburgh College of Art. After a decade in Glasgow, she returned to the Dumfriesshire countryside where she grew up.

Her atelier, nestled in the village of Thornhill, is a space shaped by curiosity and sentiment. Printing trays hold tiny treasures, pavement finds sit alongside heirloom pieces, and a pinboard is layered with magazine cuttings and postcards—fragments of inspiration gathered over time.

Every piece of jewellery is designed and made with Alison’s careful attention, ensuring her distinctive style and commitment to craftsmanship are never compromised.

THE PROCESS

“At my workbench, my favourite tools are always within reach—piercing saws, tweezers, soldering torches, files, mallets, and planishing hammers.

Some pieces begin with individually placed scales, each one carefully positioned to build up the design. Others take shape through wire work, where I draw down gold to an oval section, creating a fine yet resilient line. By scoring, folding, soldering, and shaping, I construct patterns before forming them into their final shape.

I work intuitively, responding to the stones I have gathered and the evolving forms, always guided by the pages of my sketchbook.”

SPECIAL THANKS

Photography: Stacey Bentley / Laura Sparrow / Caro Weiss