‘Blue Summer’ – New Collection on show in Textile Jewellery Exhibition – ‘Intrinsic’

Blue Skies, Blossom in the trees, Flowers in Bloom, summer is here….

Sometimes the British weather says otherwise but in between rainy days, the sun shines and when a moment is taken to look up to the sky, I see beautiful shades of blue.

My new collection of jewellery, Seasons – ‘Blue Summer’ epitomizes these blue shades using an eclectic mix of patterns inspired by traditional Japanese Prints.

Drop Earrings, Blue, Blue Summer, Summer Blue, Silver, Fine Silver, Kathryn Partington jewellery, screen print, textile jewellery

Seasons – Blue Summer Drop Earrings by Kathryn Partington
Hand dyed & printed silks and embossed fine silver

I have always been attracted to the Japanese aesthetic ever since I worked for Josiah Wedgwood and Sons as a Surface Pattern Designer some years ago. Whilst I worked there I designed and worked upon several design projects for the Japanese market including giftware, ceramics, textiles and tableware ranges. This is how I gained a deep interest in Eastern & Western ideas of design and explored them during my MA in Jewellery, Silversmithing and Related Products at The School of Jewellery in Birmingham.

My signature style is developed through combining skills from my background training in tableware ceramics & printed textiles. The application of surface pattern & ornamentation is explored by using a diverse range of processes and material manipulation. Works include the combination of natural and hand dyed screen-printed silks, hand engraved slip cast bone china, decorative applications of pattern to silver and metals in unconventional ways.

I’d like to reference Ethereal, a collection of my earliest work that remains in my portfolio as a significant influence and foundation behind existing, current and future pieces of jewellery.

Slip cast Bone China, Bone China, Ethereal, Brooch, Brooches, Silk, Hand dyed, Screen printed, Textile jewellery, Neckpiece, Fine Silver, Brooch, Iridescent, Floral

Jewellery from Ethereal Collection – Decorated Fine Silver Brooch by Kathryn Partington

Jewellery from Ethereal Collection – Hand dyed and printed silks, neckpiece by Kathryn Partington

Ethereal: Embellishments are inspired by an 1890 Victorian adaptation of a Japanese style tableware pattern, which is symbolic of the dialogue that exists then & now between Eastern & Western ideas of design. Colours are muted, delicate in tone, precious and subtle, informed by characteristics and my interpretation of the Japanese aesthetic.

Admiration of detail, asymmetry, imperfection and/or perfection are just a few of the qualities I aim to communicate throughout all my collections.

This foundation continues to evolve and be reinterpreted with my new collection ‘Seasons,’ Blue Summer. The main focus being the sumptuous beauty of silk, simplicity of colour, pattern and hand formed elements of Fine Silver.

Seasons, Blue Summer, Soft Blue, Fine silver, Embossed silver, Japanese style print, Soft Blue, Silk scarf, scarf slider, textile jewellery

Seasons – Blue Summer by Kathryn Partington
Soft Blue Silk, Hand printed & dyed, embossed Fine Silver

Highly intricate decoration is made up of an eclectic mix of floral, geometric patterns and linear marks flowing across silk screen printed silks in shades of vibrant blue and pastel soft blue. The patterns change as Seasons change. Long lengths of silk flow as the imagery repeats all over. A scarf format is the perfect yet wearable canvas to display shifts and movement within the overall pattern.

Seasons, Blue Summer, Soft Blue, Fine silver, Embossed silver, Japanese style print, Vibrant Blue, Silk scarf, scarf slider, textile jewellery

Seasons – Blue Summer by Kathryn Partington
Vibrant Blue Silk, Hand printed & dyed, Fine Silver – Jewel Scarf

Fragments of these patterns are also translated onto delicate embossed Fine Silver frames to compliment scarves and framed silk pieces consisting of earrings, pendants, scarves and scarf jewel sliders. Fine Silver is finished with matt, satin and textured surfaces whilst the edges are burnished with subtle shine. The hard yet delicate silver components contrast against the softness and lustre of the silk.

Seasons, Blue Summer, Soft Blue, Fine silver, Embossed silver, Japanese style print, Soft Blue, Silk scarf, pendant, textile jewellery

Seasons – Blue Summer by Kathryn Partington
Soft Blue Silk, Hand printed & dyed, Embossed Fine Silver – Pendant

Seasons, Blue Summer, Soft Blue, Fine silver, Embossed silver, Japanese style print, Vibrant Blue, Silk scarf, pendant, textile jewellery

Seasons – Blue Summer by Kathryn Partington
Soft Blue Silk, Hand printed & dyed, Embossed Fine Silver – Pendant

This new collection is currently on show at The Makers Guild in Wales, Craft in the Bay, Cardiff, in a Textile Jewellery Exhibition entitled ‘Intrinsic’ curated by Textile artist and member of the Makers Guild in Wales– Mandy Nash.

Exhibiting makers:

Hannah-May Chapman

Joanne Haywood

Yu-Ping Lin

Mandy Nash

Kathryn Partington

Julie Usel

Liz Willis

Tour venues:

Craft in the Bay, Cardiff: 8^th May – 5^th July, 2015,

Nicola Hurst Gallery, Plymouth: 10^th July – 30^th August, 2015,

Craft Centre and Design Gallery, Leeds: 5^th September – 17^th October, 2015,