Mark Brayley Jewellery
A love of carving, intricacy and detail combine to form jewellery with a difference!
Between concept to creation there are many hours of work spent at the bench.
Each piece is painstakingly carved using only scalpels and fine drills whilst under magnification. To exercise such physical control when carving to such a miniature scale takes immense skill and concentration as well as steadiness of hand and body as well as breathing control. And yes, most of these intricate patterns have taken weeks to make!
When the pattern is finished it is molded and then sent to the casters in the Birmingham Jewellery quarter, where it goes through the lost wax process of casting to produce it in silver.
Then it needs to be cleaned up, which includes cleaning and polishing and anything else that may be required, such as setting. Mark does all this himself so as to give each piece the colour and finish that is best suited to it. Great care is taken so that each piece is hand finished, with the care and attention it deserves. Each piece is given an antique finish, which is done by hand using an oxidising process which highlights and accentuates the detail to give a more satisfactory finish.
Mark's affinity to detail gives all his pieces a sense of depth, dynamism and delicacy. He shows an intuitive approach, which is further enhanced by craftsman skills and an artist’s eye, to create whatever you can imagine. From fantasy themes such as dragons, faeries and mythological creatures, to more realistic scenes and figures, or even portrait work, all having a sense that they have been captured, suspended in time. This maybe in 3D or relief work.
Mark's philosophy is that sculpture can be made accessible, attainable and desirable by transforming it into highly individual items of jewellery, to be both enjoyed and worn. Each piece has a timeless quality, ensuring that this will bring pleasure to yourself and future generations.
Career
Mark started work in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter in the late 1970s, where he worked in all aspects of the industry before becoming a diamond and gem setter.
Mark continued to pursue his lifelong interest in sculpting, initially making small items of jewellery for friends, moving on to making models and patterns as commissions. These include Faberge St Petersburg on some of their exclusive commemorative eggs, Terry Pratchett, Deakin and Francis, and the pristine Theo Fennell. Mark's most recognized piece, commissioned by Edward Frazer Ltd, was presented by HRH the Queen to the Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders regiment.