Launched in December 2017
Shelanu have created a new range of silver and gold plated cast jewellery collection. Interlocking Stories celebrates the ethos of Shelanu; women coming together to learn new skills, collaborating and supporting each other in a safe space.
Shelanu members were keen to develop a new, more contemporary range which would increase their design and making skills. Following research visits to Birmingham galleries and a facilitated design process, the members worked together to develop designs from ideas of balance, elements and connection. All themes were identified through conversation about work they had seen. The imagery of the collection reflects the importance of balance in life, connection with other people and that everyone is made up of different facets and stories; much like the collective itself.
Shelanu members were supported through the design process and construction of the range by jeweller Charlotte Valkeniers, “I guided the members without pushing them in a certain direction. This is very much their story, their project and their collection.” Charlotte Valkeniers
The project to create Interlocking Stories has been supported by the Saintbury Trust, George Fentham Trust and Birmingham Common Good Trust.
We have a small number of this collection available in our online shop, as Shelanu are working on a new range. Sign up to our newsletter and we will let you know when their new range is available.
The range is also sold at craft fairs and in galleries. Look out for details of upcoming events.
Migrating Birds
Launched July 2012 at Rugby Art Gallery and Museum
This jewellery range is inspired by the women’s experiences of migration. It was also an opportunity to further explore batch production, which the group first experiemented with in the Routes to Trade project. Migrating Birds was created with the support of Rita Patel, a successful contemporary Birmingham jeweller.
Following individual design development and market research Shelanu members selected their favourite bird designs to be re-worked as collective forms. These designs were then wire cut from copper in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter. The pieces are hand finished, then enamelled or oxidised by Shelanu members or silver plated in the Jewellery Quarter.
The Migrating Birds range was launched at Rugby Art Gallery and Museum in July 2012. Each of the ranges: Swallow, Sparrow and Wave are available in finishes of black, blue or red enamel. Please contact Shelanu if you’d like a bespoke version.
Items are currently out of stock as Shelanu are working on a new range. Sign up to our newsletter and we will let you know when products are available.
The range is also sold at craft fairs and in galleries. Look out for details of upcoming events.
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Routes to Trade
Launched in July 2011 at the Contemporary Craft Fair, Bovey Tracey
The women’s new home city of Birmingham was the theme behind the Routes to Trade collection. Birmingham has a remarkable history of trade, inspiring the title, ‘A City of 1000 Trades’. This reputation is in no small part due to hundreds of small businesses which utilised craft techniques and handmade processes.
Shelanu worked with Birmingham based jeweller Kathryn Partington to explore some of these businesses and the potential of batch production as a sustainable process for the social enterprise.
The women made work in response to their environment, creating a sense of place for themselves and highlighting elements which other residents may take for granted.
This first collection, was launched at the Contemporary Craft Fair in Bovey Tracey, Devon, in July 2011.