Penny Williams

I  have been designing and making jewellery and metalwork since finishing my degree course at the School of Jewellery in Birmingham in 1984.

Over the last 12 years I have operated from my workshop in Birmingham's historic Jewellery Quarter. It's the ideal place to work with all the materials, tools and expertise available on the doorstep.

I have participated in exhibitions across the UK and abroad supplying galleries and shops as far afield as Germany, Sweden, America and Japan.

Ideas for my most recent ranges of jewellery have bee inspired by my love of animals.  I enjoy taking photographs and drawing them.  As well as understanding their shape and form I try to capture the essence of their character.  An element of humour is very important!

There are three main themes?.. Cats, Dogs and Chickens. Many of the designs are made into brooches which are available in brass with bronze oxide and also in silver with bright gold plating.  The use of colour and texture helps to enhance the surface patterns. I also produce a wide range of earrings including the 'Top Cats' and 'Other Animals' which are made in either brass or silver.

More recently I have introduced a range of clocks using similar motifs.  They are made from a mixture of copper and brass which is acid etched to create pattern and texture.  This is then either oxidized or heat treated.  The heat treated surface produces a deep red and yellow textured finish while oxidising enhances the pattern.

Using the same designs and processes I have created a complementary series of 'Garden Sticks' from heat treated copper and brass.  As a non ferrous metal they will not rust in the garden but will gently patinate, changing colour over a period of time.  They can be used to support small plants, mark seeds or simply to decorate pots, both inside and out.