Victoria Walker

Goldsmith

©Paul Mounsey

©Jamie Sutton

The alluring theatre of nature

Victoria designs and crafts fine kinetic jewellery pieces
She mainly works with gold and diamonds
Her signature pieces are opening flower lockets

Be it in her native Cumbria or in Cornwall where she lives today, nature has always played a key role in Victoria Walker’s life. Her finely handcrafted jewellery creations reflect this close relationship. Having graduated in jewellery and silversmithing in 2009, Victoria uses traditional techniques and tools to craft a variety of delicate jewellery pieces. Her signature designs are opening flower lockets that not only replicate the natural shapes of flowers, but also hide an ingenious mechanism that allows them to unfold and blossom gracefully. "A subtle, understated surprise that adds something theatrical to the piece," explains Victoria.

Interview

©Jamie Sutton

Why do you specialise in fine kinetic jewellery?: I love the extra element, the theatrical aspect of it. A kinetic piece of jewellery invites the viewer to look further, and to talk about it. Most jewellery is designed for how it will look outwardly to the viewer, but I like to think that my designs offer something special for the wearer too.
Is nature your main source of inspiration?: I spend a lot of time walking in nature with my dog, and I enjoy the challenge of replicating natural shapes. I love seed pods; their architecture inspires both protection and fragility to me, and the fact that the most precious part is hidden inside is an idea that I like to play with.
Is there a specific technical challenge in crafting your lockets?: I use traditional, old-school techniques and tools to make my kinetic pieces and the most challenging part of the creative process is often finding a balance in the design between what looks like the flower and what will mechanically open nicely.
What do you like most about your craft?: My customers are often very emotionally motivated when buying my pieces. My jewellery pieces are often gifted on life’s big milestones, as memory-markers. Many customers share their stories and emotions with me which is a huge honour.

Victoria Walker is an expert artisan: she began her career in 2009