MY STORY

My name is Chloe. I am the daughter of successful artists, makers and crafts-people. Both of my grandfathers were architects and my wonderful sister is a potter. I guess you could say being creative is in my DNA, I don’t really know much else!

I have been making jewellery for over twenty years and Chloe Michell Jewellery has been trading since December 2003. To begin with I was a self-taught silversmith, and later in life obtained a first class degree (with honours) in Silversmithing and Jewellery. I have been accredited awards, the most current being Best Bridal Jewellery Designer (South west), all whilst raising 3 children, taking care of our family and my little dog Roy. It has been a rollercoaster but one I have loved.

Now I find myself working with the most wonderful clients, many of which have become friends, who come back time and time again because I am ‘their jeweller’. I spent years working towards specialising in bespoke commissions and remodels. In this time I have transitioned from silver to goldsmith, privileged enough to work with my client’s treasured jewels, to turn them into something they can wear again. This to me is the most special thing: I love to listen to the stories that come with this ‘old’ jewellery and then taking it and making new stories my clients can be proud of, and to pass down to their loved ones. The diversity of this means I get to work with materials that I once only dreamt of.

Not only do I create bespoke commissions, but I have my own handmade online jewellery shop too. This gives me a chance to make for makings sake, and it gives my clients a chance to buy a piece of my jewellery if they aren’t ready, or don’t wish, to go down the ‘bespoke’ route.

Making everything by hand is an inherent process for me. I make everything myself in my purpose-built jewellery workshop in North Cornwall. I create in mostly gold and silver, incorporating gemstones. Sometimes I make jewellery in wax and it is cast, then finished at my bench. Leaving the marks of the maker in my work is important to me - you know that your jewellery has been made by hand, that it is not from a mainstream retailer and that you’ll have quality, the odd file mark or not… Rest assured it is always of the highest quality I can muster with my fingertips.

You won’t usually find me at shows. I do an exhibition with my mother, Danka Napiorkowska, in Rock, Cornwall once a year. We have done that show together for over 20 years and when I first started out it was a place for sales. Now it’s my chance to make some beautiful things I wouldn’t get the chance to make otherwise, and I get to hang out with Mum for a week, which is treasured time for me. It usually overlaps with my youngest finishing her school term, so sometimes I get both. We generally eat, talk a lot, laugh a lot and welcome people in for a great show.

I live in Cornwall, and I love it here. I’ve lived here all my life, more or less. I was born to a 50% Cornish family but in Scarborough, so I still feel edgy about announcing ‘I am Cornish’ as I’ll always feel like I’m not. The Cornish are very proud of their heritage!

The county is a constant inspiration to me, the coastline in North Cornwall is rugged and energetic. The countryside is pure joy and there will never be a time I leave my house and don’t appreciate something. Summer bird song and the fresh air spring to mind. I like to bring these inspirations into my work and love hidden gems, things you need to look twice at and enjoy for that reason alone.

The aesthetic in my work comes from the inspiration of the countryside and coast here, but it also comes from my perception of perfection… Nothing is perfect, right? In my eyes, you will ALWAYS find perfection in imperfection! There is often a nod to traditional jewellery styles, as when you mix these things together you get a wonderful alchemy, which is my work.

I have a love for the beach, gardening, walking my little Roy and I’m just a bit obsessed with food and cooking. I love my family and friends with all my heart and love nothing more than hanging out with them, especially with a glass of wine and lots of laughter.

*Side note - I need to mention my cat, Widdy. She’s clearly not getting enough attention and I know she will know - cats they do that!

So, in general, I’m a hopeless sentimentalist, I love my environment, I love people and their stories and I’m deeply proud of my heritage. First and foremost my work is a vocation, it is intrinsic to my being, and I just do it because I do.

If you have got this far, thank you for reading and I’ll speak to you soon.

Cx