Ailsa W. Ritchie

There are two sides to my practice. Most of the time you can find me in my Glasgow studio creating custom jewellery in precious metals and stones. My wedding and engagement ring designs focus on texture and natural forms as a twist on more traditional styles. I also have a core collection of pieces that you can browse on my online shop; inspired by my fluid continuous-line drawings and sketches of insects. I have been fascinated with insects since childhood and this interest stuck with me during my time studying Jewellery & Silversmithing at Glasgow School of Art. My final degree show collection in 2013 featured a series of enamelled pieces inspired by beetles. My designs always start on paper and I love to find different ways of turning my loose drawings into tactile jewellery pieces, such as etching, wax carving and combining traditional powder enamels alongside industrial enamel techniques allowing me to draw directly onto the metal. I was part of Craft Scotland's Compass Programme for Emerging Makers in 2020.