Tyrone born designer Jill Graham adopted a pattern of incorporating metals into her textile designs that it became apparent, she was born to be a jewellery designer. Starting out with a background in textiles, Jill spent a year completing a foundation course before studying at Loughborough University School of Art and design.
’I was literally about to pursue textiles and at the last minute, conta
cted the university to see if there’s was any possibility of swapping my course. It was only when my lecturers highlighted the influence of the metals in my work that I could really see it. Sometimes you’re too close to your work to see these things but the people around me could see that I was definitely more of a jeweler than a textile designer,’
Graduating in silversmithing and jewellery in 2002, Jill completed an apprenticeship with a Goldsmiths in Derry.
“My time as a apprentice was invaluable; this gave me the practical, hands on skills that I needed to transform my designs into actual pieces of jewellery. The degree course was more design focused with less emphasis on practical skills’. After graduating, Jill went on to work for Belfast company craftworks. Spending a year with this company Jill learnt about various aspects of jewellery design everything from designing and making to the business side of supplying to retailers and marketing her product. Moving home to Tyrone, Jill worked while focusing on designing and making jewellery in a part time capacity. By 2004, she had been offered a job as artist in residence in Annalong. Given her own workshop, it was at this stage that she decided to go full time, building up her impressive portfolio. Using specialist machinery, she creates exquisite pieces with the finest detail and meshwork to achieve an intricate and textured look in all her designs. Moving to Belfast in 2009, Jill now has a workshop in Co Down.
