Alison Young Designs

Ceramics

I am based in Leeds, but I have spent many years holidaying in North Norfolk. We have had a small flat in Hunstanton for over 20 years, where we try to spend as much time as we can. I love both the countryside and the seaside, and my work often references either the landscape of Yorkshire throughout the seasons, or the beauty of Norfolk.

My initial interest in ceramics was through making components to complement my handmade silver jewellery designs. This led to my creating larger decorative and functional ceramic pieces which echo my love of rural and seaside landscapes. My love of ceramics now dominates and I continue to explore texture and colour within my work. I enjoy incorporating natural materials, particularly driftwood, into my designs.

Jewellery

All my work is handmade using traditional silversmithing techniques. My work is inspired by organic forms and often incorporates semi-precious stones and natural materials, including petrified wood, freshwater pearls and very rare vintage deep water black coral. All the stones I use are set by hand in silver.

I enjoy exploiting the natural beauty of the materials I use. I like to complement that with leaf designs and organically shaped and hammered silver fastenings, which have become common motifs in much of my work.

After 27 years as an English teacher, I volunteered for redundancy in 2009 and enrolled on a series of silversmithing courses. I was encouraged by my tutor to continue to design, make and sell my work. I now design and produce my work in a wooden shed at the bottom of the garden.

I have been told that my jewellery appeals to people looking for unique, modern design combined with versatile wearability.

Knitted Taxidermy

I have always been a keen knitter and began to develop the range of birds after I knitted a black crow for display purposes and was asked if I was prepared to sell him. Since then the crows have been joined by blackbirds, robins, gulls and dippers. More recently the Victorian inspired "taxidermy" range of mounted birds and native animals has been met with enthusiasm.

I hope that people enjoy my work as much as I enjoy making it.