Anna de Ville
Anna de Ville started making jewellery at home in her bedroom. In 1992, as the business grew and became a full time job, she moved to a workshop in the Birmingham jewellery quarter where she still works. She sells and exhibits throughout the UK and her work is held in many private collections.
Essentially self taught, Anna works on the flat. The shape of the piece is sawn from a sheet of silver and then built up a layer at a time. The areas to be applied are cut out with very shape snips and then soldered into place. The last details are made with fine silver wire. The dramatic black and white “wood block” look is achieved by oxidising the background and polishing the foreground with a selection of mops and brushes.
Anna’s inspiration comes from the natural world. She makes elegant necklaces and earrings based on leaf and flower shapes. Another, figurative side of her work is shown in her quirky and humorous interpretation of animals. Newts and frogs sit alongside cheeky starlings and bemused looking owls. Her latest range of hares includes beautiful handmade limited edition brooches.