Denise Brown

Denise Brown makes contemporary jewellery from her studio in the Fenland countryside. Using hand-held tools and traditional techniques, her jewellery combines bold simple shapes, with textures and surface patterns for tactile and visual interest. She works mainly in sterling silver, with accents in high carat gold. Denise combines fusion-inlay and mill-rolling processes to create subtle surface patterns on silver, sometimes oxidising the metal to give matt black contrast to the warm gold. Pieces are given a satin or textured finish, with edges highly polished for contrast. Each piece is handmade, and where necessary hallmarked in London with her registered mark. Inspired by simple geometric shapes, coastal themes, seed pods, ancient symbols, and contemporary ceramics, her work is about contrasts of colour and texture.

Denise’s ceramics are inspired by regular visits to the Suffolk coast. Coiling, press-forming (in her handmade moulds), and slab-building techniques are used to create bowls, small pots and vessels. The pieces are decorated using dry glazes, oxides and 22ct gold leaf. Her images of beach huts, fish, boats and birds, combined with the warm yellows of the sand and faded blues of the sea, evoke memories, and capture the essence of coastal landscape.

Denise is a member of the Association for Contemporary Jewellery and the Anglian Potters.