Meet Katherine Elder | Jewellery Designer Goldsmith and Painter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Katherine Elder and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Katherine, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I chose an artistic career because the idea of doing anything else with my life was unthinkable – anything else just felt wrong. I grew up in the classical music world surround by the arts, theatre and opera. I always wanted to make, draw, craft – painting was my happy place. The idea of being able to use my passion and skills to create everyday for the rest of my life, and in some way, how ever small, effecting peoples lives with something that I had made was all the encouragement I needed to brave the difficult path that is working in the arts. I had two exceptional examples in my mother and father who had both made successful careers with their passion for music and their never ending support meant I would never/will never give up. Creating something truly unique, that has come from within yourself, brings a feeling of incredible achievement and I will never be able to stop chasing that.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I studied Fine Art at Oxford Brookes University and finished education with an MA in Painting at Wimbledon College of Art, UAL. I worked with galleries, art fairs and established my practise in London, My first break was getting an assistant job with the renown artist Patrick Hughes. I worked with him for 11 years and learnt everything from him. It gave me a place to work alongside other artists, learn the business, share ideas, share techniques, socialise, exhibit together. It was a reliable income which was flexible enough to do my own work too and made me feel a part of something bigger.

With my own work, as the years went by, I found that I always felt like I was on the outside looking in at the art world and i never truly fit. I loved painting, but the visual arts ‘scene’ wasn’t one I felt comfortable in. I became less and less sure of my talents and my work, which in turn was felt by others – if you don’t believe in yourself why should anyone else?
It took the birth of my daughter in 2019 to make me realise that I needed a change. I was amazed at how fast your priority list changes with the birth of a child, there wasn’t time to worry and agonise as much over irrelevant details.

I had alway had a desire to pursue jewellery making but had never felt free to do so. Time away from my painting on maternity leave had freed my mind from its negative downwards spiral and I was able to take a leap of faith. I did 2, 1 year diplomas, in jewellery making which also had business modules and Katherine Elder Fine Jewellery was born! Each day gave me more and more confidence, more energy, more positivity – more stress for sure and a steep learning curve but it ignited a new passion in me and brought back some grit in me to fight for it – I had to keep going for it.

Katherine Elder Fine Jewellery is an amalgamation of my two passions – I draw on my expertise in jewellery design, art history, and painting to create one-of-a-kind pieces that connect my clients to the past and empower them in the present. My fascination with the rich history of art has led me to explore mythical tales, gods, and fantastical creatures of ancient cultures, and the works of the Renaissance Masters who inspire many of my designs.

My favourite part of the business is bespoke commissions – collaborating with clients to create bespoke pieces that perfectly complement their style and capture their unique essence. I feel that every piece of fine jewellery should fill the wearer with self-confidence, enhance their appearance, reinforce their sense of self, and, above all, elicit joy upon receiving something so precisely attuned to them. Seeing my clients’ faces light up when they first see their bespoke piece is an indescribable feeling.

The emotional significance of jewellery is undeniable. It has the ability to preserve memories, celebrate connections, and capture the essence of true love. As a jeweller, I consider it an honour to craft pieces that symbolise the eternal bond between two individuals. The love and joy that is shared on such a special occasion is immortalised within the piece, serving as a constant reminder of that momentous day. It’s a privilege to be a part of such a meaningful process and to create something that will hold a special place in someone’s heart for a lifetime and for generations to follow.

My ultimate goal is for my jewellery to hold a special place in people’s lives and to be passed down from generation to generation. Each new owner adds their own unique story to the piece, creating a rich tapestry of memories and relationships that lasts a lifetime. It brings me great joy to think that my jewellery can play a small part in preserving the legacy of a family.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
What a great question! Where to start?! London is the most wonderful city…. ok…

Visit the recently reopened National Portrait gallery, lunch in their roof top restaurant over looking London

Drinks and dinner at Gunpowder, delicious Indian restaurant followed by Guys and Dolls at the Bridge Theatre round the corner

Visit the Sir John Soane museum – the most magical, surprising, treasure trove of a house designed by the famous architect himself.

Trip to the royal opera house to see La Boheme with champagne in the Floral hall before

Brunch at Ottolenghi in islington, wonder down Hatton Garden – Diamond Street!

See what’s on at Wilton’s music hall – exquisite hidden gem of a venue with great bar attached in East London.

Bar crawl in Shoreditch followed by a late night Vietnamese

Walk on Hampstead Heath including a stop off the beaten track at the Pergola – gorgeous, secluded rose covered walk away looking out over london, followed by a pub lunch at the Spaniards

Some sort of beauty treatment at the Cowshed Spa

Lunch at the River Cafe (i’m assuming money is not an issue in this make believe week!)

Shopping trip to explore Portabello Market in west London

Dinner on the Grand Duchess canal barge with the London Shell Co. as it tours Little Venice.

British Museum exhibition – Luxury and Power from Persia to Greece – Persian Gold like nothing i’ve ever seen before in perfect condition!

Visit the Courtauld Art Gallery followed by dinner at ‘Spring’ in Somerset House followed by one of their outdoor screenings of some sort of excellent early 2000’s nostalgic film from our teens

I’ll stop there but I wish i didnt have to!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My husband, Will Perkins, gives me the strength to risk and to try. He is my constant support and reassurance. He helps me not sweat the small stuff and keeps me level headed when i start to panic. He gave me the courage to start a new chapter when i retrained as a goldsmith and had the patience to wait for me to realise that change was what i needed even though it is the thing i fear most. He is a constant, positive force of energy in our family unit and I am so grateful to him.

My daughter, Aurelia Perkins, is my greatest inspiration. Having her has encouraged me to work hard and strive for excellence to set a positive example for her whilst she finds her own way through life. It was she that gave me the faith to invest in myself, and embark on a career as a jeweller and entrepreneur, because if I can grow, birth and rear a human being, I can run a creative business!

My Mother and Father are two wonderful people, who throughout my life, have unfailingly supported me through all its twists and turns. They have shown me only love, kindness and encouragement and if I ever waver in my resolve they are always there to say keep going and don’t give up! Their patience knows no ends. They introduced me to their world of creativity, culture, music and theatre which I could never be without and am forever grateful.

Website: www.katherineelder.com

Instagram: @katherineelderjewellery

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katherineelderfinejewellery/

Other: email – hello@katherineelder.com

Image Credits
Samin Murphy Karen Young