Glitter and Gold

A Dunstable home business jewellery designer has gone national with her designs published regularly in a prestigious magazine.

Elaine Thornton, who completed a jewellery design course at Barnfield College two years ago, designs her masterpieces in her workshop, attached to the garage at the bottom of her garden.

She said: "I began designing jewellery about 15 years ago for family and friends and then selling items. Colour is crucial in my designs, I love Line, Shapes and Organic images and influences. I enjoy non-uniformity or asymmetrical styles and the need to balance my jewellery using this style is sometimes challenging."
Initially, Elaine taught herself from books and catalogues. "I don't know where my design skills come from. Perhaps it was my Dad's love of painting and art and my Mum's sewing and needlecraft skills."

Elaine specialises in wirework and bead jewellery which includes wedding tiaras.
Her latest passion is lampwork bead making, setting up a specialist torch in her workshop. She would like her own kiln to anneal beads and fuse glass, presently sending her work to friends with kilns. She has become involved in a new beadwork group setting up in Leighton Buzzard where she will be holding wirework workshops for novice beadmakers.

Elaine's jewellery designs with step-by-step instructions are published in Beads and Beyond magazine, making this month's cover.