We’re excited to be going behind the scenes to learn more about one of our Craft Kiln traders this week in our Meet the Maker interview with Amanda Cooper.
Day 1) You
Can you tell us a little bit about who you are and what you make?
Mandz Jewellery was created by Amanda Cooper, a lifelong lover of all things sparkly, bright and colourful so combined with a passion for all things Jewellery, Mandz Jewellery was created. Following a diverse career in Corporate Learning and Development as a Management Development Trainer and Business Coach, Amanda’s long-term love of all things Jewellery developed into a burning curiosity to learn more about how to create and construct unique pieces that work for the diversity of individuals. Amanda works predominantly with recycled silver and most pieces are unique or bespoke in the sense they are all inspired by people she has met across her life, Cornwall landscape and heritage hence why most of her photography on her website is taken in nature. All are made by hand in the ever expanding home studio.
Day 2) Your work
Can you tell us about your product range – what do you sell at The Craft Kiln?
Amanda sells only Hallmarked Recycled Silver Jewellery including a variety of individualised Necklaces, Bangles, Earrings and Rings, each with their own unique origin story. Mandz Jewellery pieces are generally quite chunky or thicker silver, although there is also a delicate range. Everyone deserves to find pieces that fit them well and they feel fantastic in! You can feel assured of quality as each piece before it gets to the store is sent for testing and hallmarking at the Birmingham Assay Office.
Day 3) Your process
How do you create your work and what materials are involved?
Amanda creates from an inspiration and passion, not by any plans or templates. She starts with her materials and the idea of where she wants to get to and sees where it leads. There are too many tools to list, but suffice to say the workshop is expanding as each month passes. Sometimes, as with everything in life, this can lead to great results or ends up being a ‘let’s recycle and start over’. The sterling silver used in all designs is recycled, this is either directly by Amanda or by purchasing in sheet or wire form through Cookson Gold who use recycled silver in its raw form.
Day 4) Your inspiration
What inspires your work?
People and Cornwall. This can be in any form ie inspirational women she has met, who are given their own bangle name and unique design to represent them, or Cornwall in all its glory! This can be the weather, the bio diversity, the landscape, the heritage. It can be as simple as a single flower or as complex as the night sky.
Day 5) Your favourite
What’s your favourite piece?
That’s is too hard to answer. I love all of my pieces, they are infused with love and passion and I hope people see this when they come to visit the Craft Kiln.
You’ll just have to pop into the shop and choose your own favourites 
You’ll find Mandz Jewellery just next to the resin artwork, by the till. Everything in the shop handmade with care in Cornwall – pop in to see all that we have to offer.