Adornment Archive & Minimalist Values

As aspiring minimalists, why do we continue to create Jewellery?

Adornment Archive is the perfect concoction of the interests which have cemented our friendship over the years. Our minimalist values, lifestyles and hopes for the future run in parallel. Long may the love for architectural details, creating, making, minimalism and business ownership continue! 

Ellen and I met on Northumbria Universities Designers in Residence Scheme in 2009. Two aspiring designers trying to launch independent furniture and product labels. The Designers in Residence scheme afforded us access to workshop facilities, creative spaces, and a crash course in business development and marketing. Running through the trials and tribulations of our first businesses together certainly made things seem a bit easier!

A passion for architecture, minimalism and craftsmanship led us to designing jewellery inspired by architectural details. A wearable part of your favourite building that you can keep forever, what could be more desirable? 

During our design process we select a building which has a special meaning to us and then use one of our favourite architectural details as inspiration for a collection. All of our pieces are 3D modelled before being printed in wax and then lost wax cast in sterling silver. Each of our jewellery pieces is then lovingly hand finished and packaged in environmentally friendly packaging. Our supply chain is as ethically sourced as possible, something we strive to continue. Every element of our design process is considered and evaluated, so that it is the best it can be! With all of these things so well considered one question remains.. 

The inspiration for our Balconies Collection came from the staircases and balconies at the Barbican Centre.

As Aspiring Minimalists, why do we continue to create Jewellery? 

For a long time, I’ve been pondering what seems like a challenging question: As aspiring minimalists, why do we strive to create more things? A minimalist way of life is to own fewer items, focusing on the possessions that are really needed and valued. Creating more things and bringing them into the world as a means of making a living seems completely opposed to the values of a minimalist.

So, why do we continue to make things?

Designing and creating products is our passion. It’s what brings us joy, meaning and purpose. It’s also what brought us together as friends and business partners. We love considering the details. All the details,not just the creative ones, including how our pieces are made, and how they are packaged. We work tirelessly to ensure that any of the materials we use has a minimal impact on the environment. We ensure that our products are ethically manufactured by a supply chain that we personally know and trust too. 

“Minimalism looks different for everyone because it’s about finding what is essential to you.”

― Joshua Fields Millburn, Minimalism: Live a Meaningful Life

We design our jewellery with the aim of appealing to all ages and sexes, creating pieces which can be described as ‘classic’ and ‘timeless’. Is this enough though? Afterall, we are still creating items and bringing them into the world, encouraging others to purchase jewellery from us. 

Our personal, aspiring minimalist ethos when it comes to the clothing and possessions is to have fewer, good quality, classic pieces which are timeless and built to last.We have moved away from fast fashion, not just for the environmental reasons, but for the ethical ones too. We strive to be instrumental in the movement away from throw-away consumerism which has become normalised in our society. Translating this ethos into our jewellery design business ensures we aim to create classic pieces which transcend generations and are versatile, suitable for wearing on all occasions. 

We want to live our lives with the notion of consuming less, but enjoying more and we want to encourage our customers to do the same. We hope our vales align with that of our customers and that we can continue to grow together!

Creative Identity

Creative Identity - by Ellen Thomas of Adornment Archive originally published here

There is not much I enjoy more than hearing someone tell me about their creative pursuits, be it an insanely intricate breakfast they made at the weekend, an RPG character, a figurine collection they are painting, a custom keyboard they are building or the podcast they started. Those are all creative things, we are all creative people.

In my case, it’s a side hustle creating jewellery inspired by concrete Architecture. I have finally put my side hustle on my LinkedIn bio, the reason it has taken me so long is that I guess I felt like it wasn’t allowed because I do two completely different things. UX design and jewellery design.

This got me thinking about creative identity and where this story I created in my head that I can't be both things came from.

For a lot of people creative identity starts at school, I think Brene Brown’s blue horse story from her book The Gifts of Imperfection will resonate with a lot of people. Basically, you’re at school you get asked to draw a horse (or something else) and it doesn’t look like the horse in question. Maybe it’s because it’s not anatomically correct or maybe it’s blue when it should be brown. Then you get told (not in those exact words) you’re creative, too creative, not creative.

I think this quote is a good summary.

“There is no such things as creative people and none creative people. Only those that use their creativity and those that don't” Brene Brown

I was one of those people that were good at drawing at school and was labelled as creative. 

After that, you make a series of educational choices. I personally studied fine art and DT (Design Technology as it used to be called) at GCSE, choices that were partially made for me due to a clash of subjects and the fact that I could only take one technology subject. From this point forward it always felt like education was choosing my creative identity for me.

I remember struggling at sixth form after being told to “pick a degree”. I (like I’m sure so many others) had so many ideas that in the end due to being unable to choose I went to do an art foundation course at college. I figured that way I could try a whole year of making stuff before I had to make my mind up. I eventually chose a BA in 3D design that lent towards hands-on making but I was really torn between that and set/costume design. 

So then it began “so your product designer right?” 

Then when I moved into UX design it became “so your a UX designer right?”

I’ve always really struggled with this, I didn’t want to be put in a box then and I still don’t want to be put in a box now.

To bring it back to where I started, this is why I’ve been reluctant to use my professional network to share my business. Which makes no sense because it’s a business and it belongs on LinkedIn. So until LinkedIn permits dual identities here I am a creative person who likes to make stuff.

Since I graduated in 2010 I’ve made/designed a lot of stuff milk stools, lighting, products, immersive installations, jewellery, architectural models, the moon (see images for reference), a series of LED light communications for a printer, apps, websites and voice interactions.

I know that makes it hard to summarise what I do but I’m ok with that. I like learning new things, I like new challenges and I’m not done with trying new stuff.

I am a UX designer, a jewellery designer, a founder, a content creator, and a whole load of other things! But deep down I still feel like I’m a person who likes to make things.

I would encourage you whoever you are to think of yourself as a creative person, creativity takes so many forms and I would love to hear about what creative pursuits bring you joy. 

Thanks for reading 

Ellen

How our silver jewellery is made

We’ve been asked a few questions about our design and manufacturing processes, so we thought we would tell you more about it…

At Adornment Archive we try to fuse traditional manufacturing techniques with modern technologies. The pieces in our Immortalising Welbeck collection have been created using a fusion of 3D modeling, 3D printing and lost-wax casting techniques, each piece in the collection is hand finished. 

1. We model our jewellery in 3D.

2. Then we send these 3D files to a specialised 3D printing facility to be printed in wax.

3. The wax prints are then fused onto a wax tree with other wax models, to maximize space.

4. A mould is then taken of the 3D wax prints using plaster. This mould has an entry and exit point which allows for the liquid wax to escape once the mould is heated to a high temperature inside a specialised oven. This mould has an entry and exit point which allows for the liquid wax to escape once the mould is heated to a high temperature inside a specialised oven.

   Once the wax model has melted and the liquid wax has ran out of the mould the plaster will have hardened.

5. Molten silver is then injected into the cavity where the wax once was.

6. Once cooled the cast silver is removed from the moulds and polished by hand. This piece becomes the master piece.

7. A rubber mould is taken of the master silver jewellery piece. This mould is then used to produce many more wax jewellery pieces.

8. Steps 2-6 are then repeated but with the new wax pieces taken from the rubber mould.

See images for reference by all means get in touch with your questions!

Excited to FINALLY announce our Welbeck designs launching 2 September!

Excited to FINALLY announce our Welbeck designs launching 2 September with indiegogo!

Image features large Welbeck car park inspired diamond studs in sterling silver.

Find out more here on indiegogo

Immortalising Welbeck Street Car Park

Much to the despair of brutalist architecture lovers everywhere Welbeck Street car park is set to be demolished in the very near future. It’s beautiful tessellating facade will soon be torn down to make way for another luxury hotel in London’s Westminster area.

Photo features Adornment Archives Welbeck pendent photo by Ellie Bungay

As lovers of architecture we are deeply saddened that this brutalist beauty will soon be gone for good. So, in an effort to conserve the memory of WSCP we have teamed up with London based photographer Ellie Bungay to collaborate on a body of work called Immortalising Welbeck.

Ellie has taken some stunning photographs of the car parks exterior so that it’s beauty can be immortalised in print. These will soon be available to purchase through our upcoming Indiegogo campaign.

At Adornment Archive we decided to commemorate the geometric form of the car park by making it into a piece of jewellery. We took the shape of one of the concrete polygons and played with scale and functionality of the shape, imagining different ways in which the shape could be worn. We are still designing the range, but if you’d like to be kept up to date about itWelbeck car park for Adornment Archive photo by Ellie Bungay why not register your interest here and we will keep you up to date: why not register your interest here and we will keep you up to date:

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/memento-s-of-welbeck-street-car-park/coming_soon/x/15451537

Welbeck car park inspired jewellery

We are super excited to show your our first prototype for our collection inspired by Welbeck car park. More details to be released very soon! We also have an exciting collaboration coming with the talented Ellie Bungay, we want to keep this Brutiful building in our hearts after it’s gone!💥💥 Watch this space! Join our mailing list via our website more information. Link in the bio for

Welbeck car park inspired necklace designed by Adornment Archive photo credit to Ellie Bungay 

In 2018 launched a business doing what we love whilst working full time.

To the side Hustle!

This year was the year we took the plunge. It’s been a few years in the making (from idea to creating designs) but 2018 was the year we finally took the step into making what we love a business.

What we love being jewellery and architecture.

Not not quite sure how we got here to 2019 so fast, 2018 has felt like quite a whirlwind. I just wanted to take the time today on the 2nd of January minus a hangover, to celebrate some of this years achievements and say thank you to some people who have really helped us out.

Why? Well Acknowledging the little experience we had  running a business! This year we have turned to others and read various business books (some have been great I will maybe do a post just on this) including the one by the founder of NIP&FAB and Rodial, Maria Hatzistefanis.  One of the things she talks about in the book that particularly resonated with us. That I know I personally am not good at!  Was the idea that building a business (or starting anything new really) is hard, full of ups and downs and it’s really important to celebrate the achievements no matter how small. I guess this is to be present and all that but also I think its about keeping moral up, largely as with most things in life running a business rarely goes to plan especially in the beginning.

This is an idea we are going to try action more in our business but also in my personal life. 

So that’s the New Years Resolution to celebrate the achievements no matter how small

Here goes

• We launched our first collection via indiegogo for which we where 121% funded! (much to our own surprise)

• We launched our website and shop. (thanks here to squarespace)

• We did some awesome collaborative shoots with the talented Ellie Bungay and James Fortune.

• In 2017 we set a brief for Liverpool a John Moore’s university who can be followed @wearefashion_lsad as a result we met the Lovely Megan Storey who’s created some wonderful content for us since.

• We worked with some fantastic stylists and influencers

@abyseck_  

@raissaleme_ 

@reya_s

@bad.gal.rene

@thisiszuzu 

@bernardavidmajer

@ruxandraene

• We saw visited some brutalist buildings. Seeing Marina city in Chicago was a real highlight, we also visited Frank Lloyd Wright’s house which has be a real long time goal!

So what’s next?

First the dreaded tax return!

Then after that we are going to create some designs inspired by another’s of London’s Brutalist gems (It’s not the Barbican this time!).

Our plan is to create a series of designs! Then get you our supporters to choose your favourite and take another pre-order for the winning design around March.

More to be be revealed soon!!

Huge thanks for all the support in all its forms, those who supported the campaign but also those who have listed given time, made tea and listened. To those pondering your own ventures if we have made it this far I am 100% sure you can do whatever it is you think you cant.

Lots of love

Wishing you all a wonderful 2019!

Adornment Archive

xxx

by Written by Ellen Thomas

Photos featuring (not in order)

@abyseck_  

@raissaleme_ 

@reya_s

@bad.gal.rene

@thisiszuzu 

@bernardavidmajer

@ruxandraene shot by Ellie Bungay

Stacking rings shot by James Fortune

Top 5 Brutalist Instagram accounts to follow 2018

At Adornment Archive we create jewellery inspired by architecture, we love to travel where we can but often our jewellery design ideas come from the accounts we follow online. 

So heres some brutiful Instagram accounts that have been inspiring us over the last year. 

We are so amazed how many Bruts are out there! The daily inspiration we get from Instagram is amazing. 

We try to share daily what’s inspiring our architectural jewellery collections on our Instagram stories. 

Here’s just a few accounts we love (in no order).

We can’t wait to get designing new architecture inspired collections in the new year. 

Have a brutiful holidays xxx

Brutalist Architecture

A love for the unappreciated ...

A love for the unappreciated is what inspired us to create a jewellery collection based on the simple, geometric blocks frequently incorporated in Brutalist architecture. One of our favourite examples of Brutalist architecture is the Grade II listed buildings that form the Barbican Estate. These somewhat simple structures have been granted such a prestigious status due to its scale, cohesion and the ambition of the project.  Our balconies collection is inspired by the upward ‘flicks’ on the Barbican’s tower blocks. Whilst designing these pieces we particularly referenced this picture of Lauredale Tower taken by our very own @ellenthomasdesign. Why not take the Barbican tour for yourself and see what inspiration you can draw from the minimal forms that surround you during your visit? Details of the tour can be found here: https://www.barbican.org.uk/whats-on/2017/event/architecture-tours

Collaboration

At Adornment Archive we believe in the power of collaboration. 
Collaboration is exciting and it keeps you on your toes. 
We have boot strapped our Jewellery design business, it was born out of our love of design. We couldn't have got where we are today without the help of others. 
I just wanted to take the time over the next few weeks to introduce a few people who we have been working with recently. 

First up Megan Storey
Megan Storey is fashion communication LJMU her main interests are branding and identity, image making and journalism.

You can see more of Megans work here

Magic Breakfast

I first came across the magic breakfast after eating at Foxlow in Farringdon (the beef short rib is to die for), there was a polite note at the bottom of the bill declaring an optional 22p had been donated to the Magic breakfast. 

It costs 22p to feed a child a healthy breakfast. 

Magic Breakfast is a charity in the UK ensuring that no child is too hungry to learn through the provision of healthy breakfast food and expert support to schools. A hungry child cannot concentrate so will miss out on half a day of lessons, every day, if not given anything to eat.

Roll on a couple of years and with pleasure, Adornment Archive are donating some jewelry to their silent auction as part of their third Magic dinner !!

MAGIC DINNER 2017

Magic Breakfast will hold its third annual Magic Dinner, hosted by Grace Dent & Jonny Woo and sponsored by Bank of America Merrill Lynch, on Monday 18th September. The event will take place on The Rooftop at Ace Hotel London and will raise funds to provide healthy breakfasts to children in deprived areas who arrive at school too hungry or malnourished to learn.

Tickets and all details are available via this link

Bank Holiday style guide

Hey its a sunny Bank holiday weekend and we are pleased to unveil our new site!! Powered by square spacealong with our outfit guide for this weekend.

Bank holiday style

Keeping cool in 27 degress in a vintage striped shirt dress paired with Rayban aviators, peacock nails and our Brutalist Hoops.