Chichester Open Studios Artists
Karen Saunders
Posted by Nicola Hancock on 27th April, 2019
Ellen Hancock has taken the lead in the three latest Artist Interviews. Here is what she has to say about our visit to Karen, Venue 44 in this year’s Art Trail
Karen has been helping out with the Art Trail for several years now, so it made sense for Mum and I (Ellen, middle child) to pay a visit to her studio, tucked away at the end of her back garden. Karen has a bespoke jewellery workshop kitted out for all her needs and, although small, it is perfectly designed so that everything is within arms’ reach. Watching Karen work, we noticed a kind of physical dialogue between her and her studio, her hands intuitively moving around the space and her tools allowing her to work seamlessly.
She talked us through her training at the bench as an apprentice jeweller and her happenstance path to the craft after moving on from her training as a hairdresser. All we can say is that we are very glad she did, Karen became so animated when demonstrating her work and looked completely at home poised to orchestrate her art within her studio space.
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... I love my Durston rolling mills, this is definitely one of my favourite pieces of machinery which I use daily and I couldn’t be without. I have lots of hand tools like pliers that I have had for over 20 years, I can’t bring myself to replace them!...
Ellen Hancock
What inspired your interest in Jewellery and when?
Karen Saunders
I started working as an apprentice jeweller at a Jeweller’s in Diss, Norfolk in 1988. My love of making jewellery has grown over the years; I’m very lucky that I really love my job.
Photographic Credit: Ellen Hancock
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Ellen Hancock
What sort of environment did you aim to create with your studio?
Karen Saunders
My workshop had to be somewhere that incorporated a working space and somewhere that I can meet my clients.
Photographic Credit: Ellen Hancock
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Ellen Hancock
What specialist machinery do you have in your studio? What is your most loved tool or piece of machinery, and why?
Karen Saunders
I love my Durston rolling mills, this is definitely one of my favourite pieces of machinery which I use daily and I couldn’t be without. I have lots of hand tools like pliers that I have had for over 20 years, I can’t bring myself to replace them!
Photographic Credit: Ellen Hancock
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Ellen Hancock
How has the space evolved over time?
Karen Saunders
Last year I moved into a larger workshop space that incorporates a relaxing space, as well as somewhere to meet my clients.
Photographic Credit: Ellen Hancock
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Ellen Hancock
What is a normal day like in your studio?
Karen Saunders
Making jewellery is my full time job, so every day I’m in my studio, either doing repairs or special commissions. I have to be quite disciplined because my workshop is in my garden, and I do love gardening!!
Photographic Credit: Ellen Hancock
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Ellen Hancock
What projects are you working on at the moment?
Karen Saunders
At the moment I am making a lovely garnet set gold ring and matching garnet set gold earrings for a lady for her 50th Wedding Anniversary. The ring is made with the customer’s 22ct gold from her Mum’s wedding ring, so this makes it very special for her. I love special commissions like this.
Photographic Credit: Ellen Hancock
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Ellen Hancock
When you are creatively lost or frustrated, does your space inspire you?
Karen Saunders
If I’m ever struggling with getting a piece of jewellery right, I have to put it to one side. Sometimes I can over complicate things, so I either do another job, or I may just get out of my workshop and do some gardening, then go back to it the next day.
Photographic Credit: Ellen Hancock
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Ellen Hancock
What ambitions do you have for your work and studio in the future?
Karen Saunders
I would like to spend my days just designing and making one off commissions for people – I’m nearly there!
I love my work space, I wouldn’t change much about it, apart from maybe keeping it tidier!
Photographic Credit: Ellen Hancock
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Ellen Hancock
What is a studio to you?
Karen Saunders
A studio is somewhere I can create, work, and hide away in my own little world at the bench!
Photographic Credit: Ellen Hancock
