Meet The Maker - Cameron & Breen

For this weeks installment of the meet the maker Interviews we speak to Martin Cameron and Laura Breen, the Northern Ireland based design duo behind Cameron & Breen. Two friends that combine ideas, skills and techniques to create a unique collection of signet rings inspired by ancient craft and designs. Translating these found details and shapes into contemporary silhouettes, crafted in precious metals.

When your jewellery making journey begin?

Martin Cameron’s childhood fascination with illustration and Laura Breen’s intrigue with archaeology and making, lead them to cross paths whilst studying jewellery and silversmithing at The University of Ulster Belfast, graduating in 2014.  
After university Martin undertook further years of education and training courses at the Goldsmiths’ Centre, London, whilst working to commission from his studio in Co. Antrim.  Laura backpacked through Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Japan, and Southeast Asia drawing creativity from interesting people and ways of life, igniting a passion for her own country’s unique culture and history.  In 2018 their paths crossed once more and in conversation Cameron & Breen became a contemporary goldsmithing collaboration between two friends, combining ideas, skills and techniques. 

Who inspires you the most? (No rules here, other jewellers, artists or even family & friends)

For us Inspiration comes from many different models. Our interest in ancient craft inspires our goldsmithing techniques and aesthetic, we are persistently amazed by these crafts people who were able to achieve so much detail with limited tools and magnification. That being said we are also hugely inspirated by modern day crafts people how have mastered engraving and gemstone setting. We are constantly trying to improve our making skills.  

Where did you find inspiration for the rings in the exhibition, tell us a little bit about each one if you can?

Bronze and Gold Humble signet ring - The 'Humble' ring features a hand carved face disc inspired by medieval moon faces, cast in Bronze and uniquely patinated. The face has been set in a 9ct yellow gold sand cast band. The unpredictability of the sand cast process has produced a partial molten band, the gold filling some areas and not others. The face seems cradled by a crescent moon and the casting sprue has been left on to celebrate the perfectly imperfect making process. 
Silver Humble signet ring - A hand carved humble face disc, inspired by medieval moon faces, hand set into a unique sand cast silver signet ring.
Oceanus signet ring - A hand carved silver disc of the Titan Greek God Oceanus, the god of all earths fresh water, hand set into a classic silver signet ring. The silver disc reveals an abundance of unique patina which naturally occurs to silver over time as it ages.

If you weren’t a jeweller what would choose as a career?

I think we would both still be makers of some kind. Although through our growing interest in metal patination our studio sometimes looks more like a lab so maybe a career in science wouldn’t be much different. 

Please can you tell us a little bit about your creative process?

Captivating hordes of gold jewellery found in museums influence the forms and materials in Cameron & Breen’s curious jewellery collections. Recycled Yellow gold and silver is cast from wax that has been carved and manipulated by hand, proudly displaying the beautiful marks of traditional handmade design. Ancient stone carvings adorned with rhythmical pattern and curious figures inspire the unique hand engraved motifs.
A combination of Laura’s self-taught wax carving skills and Martin’s professional stone setting talents, leads each piece of jewellery to pass through each of their hands several times before it is finished, creating an intriguing and beguiling collection of jewellery, which holds a unique amalgamation of contemporary ideas and traditional skills to adorn the body.

Sounds of the Studio - what are you listening to? 

Most of the time the studio is filled with sounds of conversation, discussing pieces on the bench and future pieces which are yet to be made. The sound of tools hum in the background, pendant drills, filling and tapping hammers. 

What’s next for you and your brand?

This year we will be continuing to explore casting bronze alongside precious metals in jewellery and objects. We will continue to develop our hand carving skills, making more pieces which contain curious facial expressions and other body parts. Last year we made our first vessel from patinated bronze, 18ct yellow gold and rock crystals. We plan to continue to develop and grow this collection exploring bronze objects and vessels in unique ways.

Which is you most favourite piece that you've made?

Our favourite piece is usually the most recent piece we’ve made. We are constantly trying to outdo ourselves. For us the last piece to leave the studio was a commissioned pair of earrings made from 18ct yellow gold, lapis and emeralds. They were very technical to make, featuring lots of small, detailed mechanisms and microscopic engravings.  

Finally, for fun, what would be your dream piece to make or person to make for?

We would love to create a piece for Gwendoline Christie, we can imagine her wearing one of our larger jewellery pieces when she plays Lucifer in The Sandman.