A silver dose of whimsy
- Rebecca transforms familiar objects into luxurious silverware
- Her pieces invite people to reconsider their relationship with consumption
- She crafted a silver watering can for His Majesty King Charles III
Rebecca Joselyn creates sardine tins, takeaway trays and crisp packets, but not as we know them. With only her hands, she magically transforms these familiar mass-produced packaging into luxurious, finely crafted silverware. Rebecca always loved drawing and design, but a school visit to a local silversmith's workshop truly crystallised her desire to become a maker. "I was immediately captivated by the noise, smell of metal and hand tools. I was fascinated by how something as hard and cold as silver could be transformed into a functional object full of character and presence," she says. "It felt like a magical process of skill, time and knowledge." Inspired by the idea of creating something permanent, beautiful and meaningful, Rebecca makes sure her elegantly witty pieces carry a message to those who see them.
Interview
- What was the first object you made?
- One of my earliest and most defining pieces was a silver crisp packet. I got the idea from daily items we use and discard without thought. Crisp packets are lightweight, shiny and completely overlooked. By creating one in silver, a material historically associated with value, legacy and ceremony, I invite people to question how we attribute value to our objects.
- Why do you choose to work with familiar packaging?
- Familiar packaging, like that of crisps packets and sardine tins, are instantly recognisable yet completely invisible in our daily lives. We use, toss and forget them. However, when people see them in silver, they reconsider their relationship with consumption.
- How long does it take to make a piece?
- A single piece can take anywhere from 15 to 50 hours, and sometimes even longer. Every item is hand fabricated from flat sheets of silver, then it is cut, formed, soldered, chased and polished with precision. The process is meticulous, as I am not casting or mass producing anything. Each crease in a ‘silver bag’ is sculpted to echo the original object’s feel.
- How did you create the watering can for the King?
- The silver watering can was commissioned by the Sheffield Assay Office as a gift for His Majesty King Charles III to commemorate his Coronation. The concept was rooted in the King's long-standing environmental advocacy and his love for nature. I wanted the design to reflect both function and symbolism. It was handmade in silver and hallmarked in Sheffield.
Rebecca Joselyn is a master artisan: she began her career in 2007 and she started teaching in 2010
Where
Rebecca Joselyn
