Thistledown Wishes jewellery is created using traditional metal smithing techniques. Each piece starts from a sheet of silver or a coil of silver wire and after a lot of measuring, sawing, filing, sanding, soldering and polishing the piece is finished. Some pieces may have enamel applied to the surface or a gemstone added to complete the design.
There are no short cuts in creating a piece of silver jewellery, each stage is important and attention to detail ensures that each piece is finished to a high standard with a lot of love added. I always use ethically sourced gemstones, my gift boxes are environmentally friendly and I will reuse metals where ever possible.
Each piece of equipment that I use has become so familiar to me, for some jobs only one specific hammer will do. Some of my hammers have been passed down to me from my Grandfather and one is even from my Great-grandfather although that is held together with tape so I don't use it very often!!
Thistledown Wishes style is whimsical and dainty and the pieces are perfect for wearing every day or to gift for special occasions.
The creation process
Hallmarking
Guide to the marks
Edinburgh Assay Office
Any piece of sterling silver jewellery which weighs more than 7.78g must be sold with a hallmark applied to it in order to conform with legal requirements.
I am registered with the Assay Office in Edinburgh and although the majority of my work does not weigh enough to require hallmarking I do love seeing the hallmark on my pieces, it feels very special.
