Inspired by land and sea
- Martina's jewellery is informed by the landscape around her
- She trained as a sculptor before becoming a goldsmith
- She owns Irish craft shop The Cat and The Moon
Growing up in a remote location on the wild Atlantic coastline informed Martina Hamilton’s life as a maker. After completing a degree in fine art at IT Sligo, she went on to study jewellery making. In 1989 she established her studio in County Sligo, a place in which she has deep roots. Surrounded by her native environment she creates beautiful pieces influenced by the land and sea, finding inspiration by walking and beachcombing. Martina aims to create work with an emotional connection and timeless quality. Her jewellery brings to mind frozen pieces of the landscape, trapped in silver and gold; each work resonates with a sense of place, captured by the hand of a skilled craftsperson.
INTERVIEW
I have childhood memories of being fascinated by frozen seed heads, broken sea shells and such minutiae. They seemed to demand attention. I have always sought to respond to the environment, in painting and sculpture first, and ultimately as a goldsmith.
The landscape here is breathtaking and is my inescapable influence, from its rugged coastline to the details found in broken shells. I also enjoy engaging with customers on commission; creating something bespoke often takes me in new directions.
The tools and techniques of the jewellery maker, from the most ancient to the most modern, are used in our workshop. I sketch and design in pencil and charcoal; originals are crafted in modelling wax before casting, stone setting and finishing by hand.
One of the great things I learned in college is that you have to embrace the limits of the material you work with as an advantage. I enjoy the challenge of containing my ideas within the parameters of precious metals. It keeps me truly honest as a maker.
