After graduation in 2006 Charlotte returned to her hometown in Oxfordshire and found workshop space to rent on the Cowley Road, Oxford City. Since then she has built up a successful small business and large customer base.
In Sept 2012 she left the Cowley Road and moved to a workshop in a picturesque rural location 4 miles from Oxford in order to open a teaching workshop. In Dec 2012 The Oxfordshire School of Jewellery opened for business, offering a full programme of courses and classes to all students.
Charlotte makes jewellery and silverware which she sells through a range of shops and galleries across the U.K. She also makes special items to commission such as wedding and engagement rings - working to a specific design from the customer, or working alongside them to create that special piece.
In 2007 Charlotte began teaching Jewellery Design and Silversmithing at Oxford & Cherwell Valley College. She teaches two Adult Education classes a week, and in June 2010 she completed her PGCE (studied for on a part-time evening class basis over two years) and became a qualified teacher, which will enable her to offer classes to wider age groups.
Charlotte describes herself as a 'Designer-maker' - designing each piece of jewellery first on paper, and then making in metal - as she feels that the narrative behind jewellery is just as important as the appearance of a piece.
"Jewellery tells a story. Each piece has meaning to the wearer whether it is worn every day, or a piece kept for special occasions - jewellery can remind us of people, places and stories, and can evoke memories and stir emotions. Jewellery is a powerful tool - It ties us to our past, present and future, and gives the wearer a sense of 'self'."
Charlotte takes inspiration from idea of nostalgia, keepsakes, sentiment and treasures. From a collection of pocket watches at the Ashmolean Museum, to a box of old buttons; Charlotte uses these sources as a starting point of her design process, and from these she creates wearable and sometimes playful items of jewellery.
"I love the saying 'One man's junk is another man's treasure'. I am a natural hoarder! and have boxes of letters, tickets, buttons, snippets of old fabric and little knick-knacks... People keep precious things from their past - little keepsakes which on their own may appear worthless, but combined with a story or memory are priceless.
By using patterns, fabrics, postcards and letters from past and present; and combining these with precious metals, I aim to create contemporary jewellery that tells a story, which the individual can interpret."
Charlotte uses traditional jewellery and silversmithing techniques to produce her pieces. These include: forging, soldering, press-forming, riveting and stone setting. Each piece is handmade by Charlotte and bears the Birmingham Assay Office Hallmark.
Charlotte is happy to discuss commissions on any scale.
In January 2011 Charlotte became a member of the Oxfordshire Craft Guild.
