Meet The Maker - Imogen Moran

Duncan of Jordanstone Graduate Imogen Moran showcases her 'in memory' Collection as part of the New Designers Exhibition. An elegant collection, hand crafted in silver and embellished with Imogens signature handmade glass beads. Today we feature Imogens interview with 

When did you start creating jewellery?

I started creating jewellery 3 years ago following the general foundation course at Duncan of Jordanstone. Since then I have become enamoured by the whole process, from designing a piece to making it and then seeing the joy it brings to the person who wears it. 

Who inspires you the most?

I take a lot of inspiration from the people around me. Especially with regards to this collection, I spent quite some time reflecting on my elders and the effect of aging on their memory and minds. 

What was the inspiration for the jewellery in the exhibition?

This collection explores the fragile nature of memory. So much of what we experience is lost as some memories fade, change or are forgotten completely. However, it is the delicate and intricate nature of memories that makes them so precious. 

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

If I wasn’t a jeweller I imagine i’d be in another creative or design based career. Since I was very young I’ve always been drawn to making and using my hands. I feel a great sense of fulfilment in seeing my ideas and thoughts come to life through creating.

Please can you tell us more about your creative process?

I enjoy taking the time to explore and understand the materials I am using. Through appreciating and utilising their natural qualities I feel you open up a new range of possibilities within the design process. Often I find the imperfections or faults within the material to offer a new perspective or achieve something more exciting. 

This was especially significant to this collection in which I explored the breakdown of memory. This was reflected through a sensitive approach to the materials and process I strove to capture a sense of vulnerability. By carefully heating the fine silver to it’s melting point, just moments before complete collapse I took the material to it’s most fragile state. The notion of a strong, solid material falling away into such a delicate form reflects the mind as it unravels. I then developed this further using press forming and hammering to explore different textures and effects.

Lampwork is a new practice and material for me as it involves melting glass rods round a steel mandrel to create ornate glass beads. Although I haven’t been working with glass for long I have really enjoyed it as a material. The fast pace at which the glass melts strips me of my ability to overly control the material and instead work intuitively. I also love the addition of colour and pattern that I can achieve through working with different types of glass.

What are you listening to?

I love using my time at the workbench to listen to new music. I let Spotify play suggested songs as I work away. Music makes the hammering sounds a lot more bearable!

Whats next for you?

I am eager to get back to the workshop and begin playing around with ideas and designs again. Possibly start working on a new collection! 

Moving forwards I’d especially love to explore the technique of lamp work further. The addition of glass to my practice is very new and is something I have loved incorporating into my work. However, I still have much to learn and understand.

What next for your brand?

I would like to take some time to develop my brand. Going online and creating a website is definitely a next step as I'd love for my work to be able to reach a wider audience.

Which is your favourite piece?

My favourite pieces are the ones that incorporate my glass beads as it brings me a lot of joy to combine my love of metalwork and lamp work. 

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

I would have loved to make a piece of jewellery for my great aunt. Apart from me she was the biggest jewellery enthusiast I know. I always remembered her wearing the most gorgeous large ruby and sapphire rings and having a large collection of timeless pieces by jewellers such as Georg Jensen. Unfortunately, she passed before I began making jewellery however know it is something she would have loved.