All About Canny Ellen Jewellery
My name's Chris, and I love making wee pieces of art in silver jewellery form. I hope you will find something that takes your fancy - here's a little bit more about my journey so far.
Silver Jewellery inspired by Scotland
I discovered jewellery making late in life after always being artistic and creative, but never finding 'my thing'. I always found it too difficult to translate my ideas into paintings. I love to write, but am too impatient with myself, constantly creating parts of fictional arcs.
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In June 2023, I attended a two-day silver ring making course at the Central Scotland School of Jewellery in Dunblane, which was a magical moment. The processes and methods felt a lot more natural to me compared to painting and, while more expensive than writing, a lot more satisfying to create silver pieces with my own hallmark. The routine of measuring, cutting, filing, soldering, pickling and buffing is the closest I have come to a 'flow state'. Days are easily lost to making pieces.
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Inspiration is not in short supply in Highland Perthshire, living on the banks of the 'Silvery Tay', but I love to travel, and I am producing rings based on working in Manila, the Filipino culture and the ring of fire.
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Quality, unique pieces of jewellery is what I strive to create, and even mistakes form interesting blobs that get turned into different pieces - it's exciting to see what might emerge. Everything is made from 100% recycled Sterling Silver with fine silver bezels, assayed in Edinburgh with my own sponsor mark.
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I also create new, upcycled costume jewellery and seaglass pendants with copper wire to ensure there is something available for every budget - I hate seeing jewellery go to waste, and it makes sure there is some bling for every budget.
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Photograph: @drawingstuff8519
Why 'Canny Ellen'?
When I was thinking of a name for my business, it was a daunting prospect. There are so many silver based shop names out there already! Before I could talk myself into delaying the set-up, a conversation with my parents reminded me of my 'fearsome' Great Granny Ellen.
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Having survived revolution, tragedy and family strife, she was a born survivor. Adaptable, fierce and single-minded. A bit mythical and not averse to bending the rules or ignoring them. She was the kind of person we all wish we could be a bit more like, and I like to think I have inherited some of her passion.
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Canny as a Scots word can mean skilful, knowledgeable, good to have around or other-worldly. Though my great granny Ellen was not from Scotland, I think she would approve of the description.
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Welcome to my jewellery created in this spirit.
