Welcome to Creative Currents. A series of blog interviews with artists, designers and makers from the Southwest in which I take a dive into their world for a day. Kicking off with contemporary jeweller Sarah Drew - founder member of Terra Mater Art based in St Austell, Cornwall.
“I am and always have been a bit of a collector: not of high value, status-ridden things that you have to be careful with. Just little, curious, quirky things that are everywhere in everybody's everyday life. I just like to pick them up, look at them and put them in my pocket. Then I like to make them into jewellery later…
I make contemporary, definitely eclectic jewellery from found objects (driftwood, sea plastic, sea glass and slate pebbles) combined with semi-precious stones and pearls linked together with chunky hammered eco-silver chains, delicate crocheted fine silver and fused silver focal pieces. I’m lucky enough to live in Cornwall and I love spending time outdoors in the fresh air on local beaches and in the woods, collecting curious things…”
Ten Questions
Studio View: Sarah Drew
Describe a typical day in a couple of sentences?Most days I’ll walk, or run slowly, with my dog Bert in King's Woods, have coffee and teacake in the woods cafe, and walk to my studio in St Austell for around 11. I usually start by making lists, sending a few emails then I'll get cracking making orders. My work table looks out of a sunny window onto roofs where pigeons and seagulls live quite amicably so I watch them when I fancy a break. I always read while I have my lunch, listen to the radio or podcasts: I like the Great Women Artists one, and Off Menu. I might get some carrot cake from Barnecutts for my lunch pudding, and have a quick mooch around the charity shops. There's normally a bit of a rush in the afternoon to finish things off and get them parcelled so I can leg it to the post office before 5pm. I sometimes go back to the studio for an hour or so, then amble home, hoping someone else is making tea.
In your studio – what’s the first thing you see? (be honest- I can see an empty packet of chocolate digestives!) My Grandad’s wool rug, rescued from his shed after he died and washed by my Mum to reveal a beautiful multi-colour, tufted 30s rug: it’s right in front of the door as I walk in.
Sarah’s Studio
Tell us a surprising thing about you? I like writing: I’ve had 3 jewellery books published, written a children’s story and I like writing poetry. It clears my head. Find out more about her books
Which artist, living or dead, would you like to meet and why? Barbara Hepworth: ideally in 1950s St Ives. As with a lot of famous people, I'm not sure if I'd like her, but I'd love to ask her about her making processes, and being a successful artist in the very male dominated environment of the time
Cats or dogs? Would have to be dogs: nothing against cats, but got a lovely Cocker Spaniel Bert, who’s like a proper, tolerant friend who makes me do exercise. We lost our Springer cross Rosie last year, who had grown up with my kids, lost a leg but still bumbled on , and was a very patient, surrogate mum to Bert.
Name your idle pleasure? Masterchef: it's given me an unrealistic expectation of my own cooking, and expensive taste for eating out. Luckily I live in Cornwall where there are lots of affordable places to eat with delicious food Trevithick and Trays Farm and Cafe is a favourite
Recommend a book? The Book of Form and Emptiness, Ruth Ozeki: made me think a lot about what I use, and attitudes to collecting and keeping things
What helps you to focus? Radio 1 : I know I’m too old for it but the upbeat music and inane chatter keeps me motivated and I get stuff done
What would your top tip be for the year – to yourself or to others? Get outside and try not to stress. Trying to get priorities right, and walking in the woods and swimming in the sea helps clear my head and be more calm. Nature is a magical solution I reckon
What are you looking forward to in the next year A trip round Europe: I'm 50 this year and me and my husband are planning on getting a motor home and taking a few months to drive it up to Scandinavia, then back down via France, Spain and Portugal. Looking forward to having a bit of time to look around me, develop new skills and get fresh inspiration in countries I haven't been to
Find Out More About Sarah’s work visit her website
and more about Terra Mater Art and their next show at Tremenherre Sculpture Gardens
All images courtesy of Sarah Drew
Purple and pink jewels topped with leafy crowns are a joy but what to do with them apart from salads and pickling? Firstly I draw them.