Vicky Cumming – portfolio

Contact the artist

https://www.vickycummingsilver.co.uk/
07969 327325
vcumming321atgmail.com

Exhibition information

This year I am excited to be taking part in two Oxfordshire Artweeks exhibitions. The first will be in the beautiful church in North Moreton, near Didcot, with a varied group of talented artists. There will be printmaking, painting, textiles, woodwork as well as my silver jewellery on display and for sale. We will have refreshments to offer, so come along and chat to us about our art whilst enjoying a cuppa. You can also see the newly restored stained glass window in the church – in past years, proceeds from our cake sales have gone towards this project. 

From 21st to 25th May, I will be in the White Hart, Wolvercote with another varied group of artists. This is a brand new venue for Artweeks, and some of our exhibitors have not shown their work in Artweeks before. There are a lot of different venues in Wolvercote this year, and with a cafe, quite a few pubs, great bus links, and the wonderful Port Meadow, it is a great place to visit for an afternoon’s Artweeks tour. 

Artist information

I have been making silver jewellery for many years, now, and plan to continue! My love of working with silver started accidentally, when I enrolled on a one day printmaking course. Before the day, the college phoned me up and told me that the printmaking course would no longer be going ahead, but asked if I would like to join a silver jewellery taster day instead. I said yes, and loved the day so much, I soon enrolled myself on further classes. Not long after this, I joined JASSO – the Jewellery and Silversmithing Society of Oxford, and have been a member ever since. Nowadays, I make most of my jewellery at home, having accumulated many tools along the way. I have taken part in Oxfordshire Artweeks for several years, as well as some other exhibitions and shows.

Inspired by the sea and natural forms, my jewellery often incorporates pebbles, shells or sea glass following a beachcombing session.  I tend to choose natural colours or organic shapes, and I also enjoy setting beautiful materials such as fossiled coral or wood, or semi-precious stones. Although I may repeat some of my popular designs, no two pieces are identical, as each is handcrafted separately. My jewellery is made from sterling silver which starts out as either wire or sheet, and form each individual piece using traditional techniques. My larger pieces are hallmarked by the London Assay Office.

I try and use as much recycled and ethically sourced silver as possible, often melting down scraps to use in a new piece.