I try to create jewellery that is contemporary yet lasting and which is not dictated by trends. My wish is that my jewellery becomes personally precious to its owner.
About Me
I was born on the beautiful island of Trinidad but migrated to England at the age of sixteen. My love for all things creative led me to pursue a degree in jewellery and silversmithing and the year after graduating I received a Clerkenwell Award to set up my studio near the heart of London’s jewellery quarter, Hatton Garden and Janice Derrick Jewellery was born. During the eight years that my studio was based in London I exhibited and sold work through galleries and museum shops across the UK, US, Europe and Japan. In 2005, I had had enough of city life and the British weather and returned to Trinidad where I continue to develop my jewellery and silversmithing practice. Now I get to spend a lot more time in nature and with my pets, plants and family.
Simplicity, clean line, the structure of manmade or natural forms and the delicacies of nature that I observe in the world around me, are what inspire my designs. The later work of American architect Frank Lloyd Wright and the Bauhaus movement were also great influences during my university years and their hold remains. A keen observation of people and life in general usually provides the final details on my designs - the quality that makes the piece wearable as opposed to just being a beautiful object. Every piece of Janice Derrick Jewellery is designed and handmade in my studio from different colours of gold, sterling and oxidised silver, precious and semi-precious gems and beads as well as combinations of these within the same piece.
Examples of My Work
Fun Facts
- • I live on an acre of land surrounded by beautiful tropical rain forest, with my husband, two teenage sons, two dogs and two cats.
- • I love photography and have thousands of photos on my phone, mostly of my cats and the interesting plants in my garden.
- • I love to travel and have a long list of places I'd still like to visit. The most exciting countries I've visited so far are Italy, Japan and Australia.
- • I have never drunk coffee and I don't drink tea either. I love a good hot chocolate though.
- • I love to dance and have an accreditation in Contemporary Dance Choreography. I can also still do the splits at 52!
More About Me
What do you wish you could tell your younger artist self?
Everything happens for a reason even if it's not obvious at the time. Those disappointments made way for better opportunities.
If your life had a theme song
'The Time Is Now' by Moloko.
What other non-artist jobs have you had?
I've been a teacher, researcher and receptionist as well as a dresser, assistant wardrobe mistress and assistant costume supervisor for The Royal Shakespeare Company in London, England.