Chatting To Truro College Exhibition Winner, Caitlin Haughton
We’re always excited for the annual exhibition from Truro College of Art & Design, and we’re thrilled to share that Caitlin Haughton, owner of Emma Jewellery', was one of this year’s winners! The 'Making Your Mark' event, held at Lemon Quay in Truro, Cornwall, marked the 17th year of this fantastic showcase. Once again, we were proud to sponsor the jewellery/silversmithing award.
This exhibition highlights the next generation of artists stepping into the creative industry, and we were delighted to interview Caitlin for our blog. In our chat, she shares insights about the exhibition, the inspiration behind her designs, her experience at Truro College, and her exciting plans for the future. You'll also get a closer look at her award-winning creations and other pieces that showcase her exceptional talent.
I’m inspired by the movement of water and its interaction with the hidden textures and forms in the rock pools and surrounding coastal paths that I walk frequently.
Hi Caitlin, congratulations on winning the Kernowcraft award at Truro College’s ‘Making Your Mark’ Exhibition! Tell us all about the pieces in your collection!
Firstly, I’d like to thank you for this opportunity and the award. I’ve used Kernowcraft over the past three years of this jewellery and silversmithing course as I’ve been learning. I’m based in Appledore, North Devon and my collection is designed around the local coastal terrain.
I’m inspired by the movement of water and its interaction with the hidden textures and forms in the rock pools and surrounding coastal paths that I walk frequently.
How did you find your experience of working on this collection and what was the inspiration behind it?
I found it difficult to start this collection, as this felt quite daunting to me at first, but allowing some time for some serious play was the catalyst for my collection.
I had some spare time one day and decided to try water casting and found it released a new found excitement for involving my inspiration into the making process. Bringing elements from my local terrain into the making was something I fell in love with since researching, through case studies, for my dissertation and was a continuing theme in this collection. I used rock forming (with rocks chosen from the terrain), water casting (using sea water collected from coastal walks) and other techniques such as reticulation to replicate natural textures.
How did you first discover jewellery making?
After my GCSEs I went straight to art college, I knew I wanted to do something creative with my life, but I had no idea what. That’s what I’m good at, creating. It’s what I get a real buzz from, especially if I get to make something for someone, to make them smile. After talking to my family about this, it was actually my mum who introduced me to my first jewellery tutor. After just one session to make a simple silver ring I was hooked on jewellery making.
"I put quite a few techniques into this collection that I’d previously struggled with, I wanted to prove to myself I could do it. . . And I did. Seeing the collection complete was a huge milestone for me."
How would you describe your style and was this something that took time to develop?
My jewellery education has definitely pushed me out of my comfort zone, style wise, and my current style only really became clear to me about half way through my last year of university.
The responses I received from my dissertation interviews has to be the biggest influence to my design development. Their answers were so personal and detailed, it really helped me understand the relationship a jeweller has with their practice.
Suddenly my sketched ideas started to feel so genuine and unique and have their own character. It all seemed to come together by the end of the year. I’ll never forget the experience.
Tell us about your experience of doing the jewellery/silversmithing degree course with Truro College.
Going into my first year, having only a little experience of jewellery, it was tough to keep up but at Truro I was offered a dyslexia screening, which led to my diagnosis.
This was the first time in my education that it had been offered to me. It was a real turning point for me, it finally made sense how and why I learn differently to others, finally getting to understand myself.
Year two seemed to fly by, so many new techniques to learn and in so little time, thanks to the train strikes making learning that little bit harder. But year three went by in the blink of an eye, and was my most memorable year.
My confidence also improved because of my time at Truro College. I put quite a few techniques into this collection that I’d previously struggled with, I wanted to prove to myself I could do it. . . And I did. Seeing the collection complete was a huge milestone for me.
"The first major project piece I made at Truro College was an Art Nouveau headpiece for my little sister’s prom."
Tell us about the first piece of jewellery you ever made.
I’ve mentioned the first ring I ever made. But the first major project piece I made at Truro College was an Art Nouveau headpiece for my little sister’s prom.
I wanted it to be like a commission experience but with an element of surprise, so once I’d received the brief and had shown her the initial ideas, I refused to show her any more until it was complete. I combined elements from four designs that she liked, as well as smaller motifs from the detailing on her dress.
I also set three red garnet stones, her birth stone, into the front of the design. It was quite a large and tricky piece to make considering I’d not made much with these new techniques before but her reaction was more than I could’ve wished for, she was so excited, and I may be a little bit biased but she looked absolutely stunning when the day finally came.
What’s the most sentimental piece of jewellery you own?
I was given a silver rowing oar pendant for my birthday (made by the lady who was my first tutor).
I’m a pilot gig rower and this pendant has grown over the years with new attachments, all of which represent some of my most precious memories.
My Grandad, who passed away 7 years ago, introduced me to gig rowing and taught me how to row, so I have a piece to represent him. I always wear it to feel connected to him. Most recently I competed at the pilot gig world championships at the Scillies in the boat that was named after him, while wearing the necklace with a new boat charm addition, it was like he was sitting right there with me.
What’s one technique you’d love to master and why?
Currently, casting is a technique I am revisiting. I dabbled in it in year two of the course but never continued with it, until now. I’ve bought some equipment and tested cuttlefish casting and I want to experiment with some other forms of casting such as some new ones I’ve heard of since finishing the course, I’m very excited to see where it will take me.
Let us know about a Cornish creative you’re loving right now and why
100%, Victoria Walker, a well know jeweller based in Cornwall. She’s one of the reasons I chose the course in Truro because she’s an alumni of theirs. Her designing process was very interesting to learn about, eg. taking a flower apart to find out everything she can before replicating that when making her kinetic pieces. I also had the opportunity to interview her during my time on the course, her responses were so kind and encouraging. Her work is so delicate and has such a soft and personal aesthetic, she’s still one of my favourite jewellers.
What are your favourite ways to learn new techniques and what’s one you’re loving right now?
As mentioned in a previous answer, serious play is the best thing a creative person can do. Allocating time to explore with pure curiosity and without pressure of perfection can and has massively helped me. The term ‘serious play’ came from one of my tutors at Truro and it’s a method I will always find time for even when it feels like there isn’t any time.
What steps do you take to make your business more environmentally friendly?
I’ve recently gone through a re-design for my logo and brand, and during that time I re-evaluated my packaging and bought specifically from companies that make environmentally friendly products and are making the necessary steps to become more environmentally sustainable.
"I’m delighted to have won your award especially because all the stones (Rutile Quartz) I used within my ‘Appledore Skern Collection’ were bought from Kernowcraft."
The Kernowcraft prize was a £50 gift voucher, what treats have you got your eye on?
I’m delighted to have won your award especially because all the stones (Rutile Quartz) I used within my ‘Appledore Skern Collection’ were bought from Kernowcraft, and thats what I’ve got my eye on, some new stones to spark some new designs.
Favourite gemstone and one you’d love to use in your future designs?
I’ve only worked with a few different kinds but I recently bought a book called ‘Crystals and Gems’ and I’m excited to learn more. But if I had to pick one, it’d be Amber, because one of the first memories of jewellery I can remember was a necklace and matching earrings my mum wore when I was a kid. I would always find them in her jewellery box and they were treasure in my child eyes. Tourmaline or Smoky Quartz are my next go to to work with.
Silver or gold?
Silver! Wait, Gold! Both! I love the combination of them together. However, I will always have a soft spot for silver when it’s in its natural white unpolished state.
My collection has a mixture of both silver and gold and a range of finishes, showing some areas as polished or burnished and some silver in it’s natural moon like shine.
It was my first time ever using 9ct and 18ct gold and fine silver. It was such a nerve-racking experience, especially when I was setting with gold using a hammer and punch, but afterwards I was obsessed and can’t wait to set a stone in both materials again.
What are your favourite ways to beat ‘creative block’?
I have this book called ‘Keep Going’ by Austin Kleon, and it’s been a great help. I’ve tabbed all the pages that best relate to me and I always reuse those methods.
The first that comes to mind is making a gift for someone. It’s one of the fundamental reasons I love jewellery, making someone smile and seeing their reaction. Aside from that I also get out on walks or on the water in a gig boat.
Physically getting away from the space I work in and doing something that’s in such a beautiful place is a tried and tested way to relax for me, I’ve used it since my GCSEs and it hasn’t failed me yet.
Tools
Texturing Tutorials
Metal
"Otherness is another thing I learnt from my dissertation interviews, always fill your life with otherness."
What other hobbies do you enjoy aside from jewellery making?
I treat myself to a new sketchbook every summer. I try to go out as much as I can and sketch anything I see. It doesn’t have to be what usually inspires me (natural terrain), because as long as it sparks something inside me then that’s beautiful.
Otherness is another thing I learnt from my dissertation interviews, always fill your life with otherness. It can be absolutely anything that inspires you and you can use it in any part of your life but I find it’s great for boosting ideas.
I also like making anything that’s not jewellery related as it gives me a decent break away from the workshop, usually in the evenings my go to hobbies are lego (usually related to my favourite movies), reading (love diving into a different world), and general crafting (recently I made a book nook for my shelf) and I’ve just started to learn crochet too.
We can’t wait to continue following your journey what are your goals for the future?
My goals right now are to get some real experience working for another jeweller. I know I’ve only just started learning, really, and I want to practice and learn more.
I’m a featured artist on the Maid in Appledore website, as Emma Jewellery (my middle name). I’m also interested in becoming a teacher as I enjoy coaching the junior section of the gig club I row for and have started to learn to be a coxswain.
I’d love to do more with that passion too. Honestly, my life is open right now and I’m enjoying that, so I can’t wait to see whatever opportunity presents itself.
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