Anna Clifton BA(Hons) - Jewellery and Accessories Designer/Maker
Jewellery Designer Anna Clifton has a degree in Jewellery and Silversmithing and hand makes individual and innovative pieces of jewellery using precious, plated and recycled metals combined with stones and crystals.
Anna’s work is influenced by a wide range of sources including natural form, eastern culture and the ever changing fashion world. Anna is highly committed to ensuring that the pieces she designs and makes are “wearable” yet still pieces of art.
Anna’s designs currently focus on two main markets:
High quality bridal or occasion jewellery. These collections include crowns, tiaras, hair accessories and a range of jewellery pieces. Brides to be and their guests can select from a wide range of pieces from the current collections or commission Anna to make a bespoke piece to perfectly match a particular theme, colour scheme or outfit.
Gallery and exhibition work. These collections include a wide range of pieces including necklaces, pendants, rings, earrings, bracelets, brooches and cufflinks made using precious, non-precious and recycled materials. The jewellery in these collections is suitable to be worn for a wide variety of occasions.
Commissions are always welcome.
Education and Qualifications
• P.G.C.E. Secondary Design and Technology, Wolverhampton University, September 2000 - June 2001.
• BA(Hons) Jewellery and Silversmithing, University of Central England, September 1997 - June 2000.
• Art Foundation, University of Derby, September 1995 - March 1997.
• A-Level Fine Art, 3D Design, Economics. Rowley Regis College, September 1993 - July 1995.
• 9 GCSE’s A-C including Maths and English, Perryfields High School, September 1988 - July 1993.
Design Experience / Exhibitions
• ArtsFest Craft Market - Birmingham City Centre - 15th & 16th Sept 2007
• Yorkshire Brides - Harrogate - 6th & 7th Oct 2007
• National Wedding Show, NEC, Birmingham. 16th - 18th Feb 2007. * Pieces also featured on the main catwalk.*
• Midland Arts Centre gift shop, Birmingham. Currently on sale.
• Birmingham Botanical Gardens Christmas Craft Fair, 26th November 2006.
• Brilliantly Birmingham - FLUX Exhibition, UCE School of Jewellery, Birmingham Jewellery Quarter. 16th Nov - 23rd Dec 2006
• N.A.M.E., Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, CV8 2LZ: 28th - 29th October 2006
• National Wedding Show, NEC, Birmingham: 13th - 15th October 2006
• Bling and Buy Designer-Maker's Fair, Birmingham Jewellery Quarter, Saturday September 9th 2006
• Atelier Contemporary Jewellery - Showcase Exhibition - July - Aug 2006.
• Artfull Expression - Currently on sale, The Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham
• Oriel Davis Gallery- Sept 2005 - May 2006, Newtown, Powys.
• The Residence - Dec 2005 - May 2006. Nottingham
• Barbara Clark - Currently on sale, Hagley, West Midlands.
• Victoria Fearn Gallery, Nov - Jan 2006, Cardiff.
• New Designers, 6-9 July 2000, Business Design Centre, London.
• Graduate Fashion Week, 5-9 June 2000, Planet 2000, London.
• Degree Show, June 2000, Birmingham School of Jewellery (UCE)
• The Clothes Show Live, December 1998 and 1999.NEC, Birmingham.
Employment
• Nov 2005 - Present - Jewellery Designer/Maker.
• Nov 2007 - Jeweller - Private Jewellery Workshop, Nicholas Chamberlain Technology College, Bedworth.
• Oct 2007 - Artist - Jewellery Workshop, Birmingham Central Library.
• Sept 2007 - Artist/Jeweller - Private Jewellery Workshop - Edgbaston High School, Birmingham.
• August 2007 - Artist, Childrens recycled jewellery and metal workshops, Bilston Craft Gallery.
• Nov 2006 - Artist, School Enterprise Project - assisting groups of teenagers to set up their own craft business, St Patricks RC High School, Manchester.
• Nov 2006 - Consultant Designer - assisting GCSE students with coursework, Perry Beeches High School, Birmingham.
• Oct 2006 - Artist, Children’s Rain Sticks Workshop, Bilston Craft Gallery.
• Sept 2006 - present - Supply teaching - various.
• Sept 2001 - Aug 2006 - Teacher of Design and Technology/Art, Selly Park Technology College, Birmingham.
• May - July 2001 - Supply Teaching - Various posts.
Competitions / Funding
• Feasibility Grant of £2500.00 Awarded by Birmingham CIty Council, Oct 2006.
• RSA Student Design Awards 1999/2000 - Won £1000 travel award.
• Pewter Live 1999 - Won 1st Prize.
• British Jewellery Association 1999 - Won 2nd year BA (Hons) prize.
• British Jewellery Association 1998 - Commended 1st Year BA (Hons).
• Eurovision Trophy Design Competition 1998 - Shortlisted.
Other Experience / Information
I have been successfully running my own business in which sales have steadily increased since November 2005 and have therefore gained a number of business related and customer service skills.
In April 2007 I was commissioned to design the jewellery and tiaras to be worn by the actresses in the play “Hearts and Minds” which ran from the 10th to the 13th of June 2007 at the Crescent Theatre in Birmingham City Centre.
Future Plans
I have seen sales of my work steadily increase over the last 18 months. I feel that I am now becoming more established as a designer/maker, especially in the bridal market, from where I now receive most of my commissions. I have also recently become very interested in environmental issues and have began to incorporate eco-friendly elements into both my work and my business. I intend to really exploit this in my future work by incorporating as many ethical, recycled and reclaimed components and materials as possible.
Anna Clifton Jewellery
22 White Road, Quinton, Birmingham. B32 2AE
Tel: 0121 681 3920 / 07747691202
Email: enquiries@annaclifton.co.uk
Web site www.annaclifton.co.uk
